Pastor Luther Walker continues his study of Revelation chapter 1, focusing on verses 4-6. He explains the seven spirits before the throne as seven titles/ministries of the Holy Spirit relating to the church: holiness, life, promise, truth, grace, glory, and prophecy. The greeting is from God the Father (the one who is, was, and is to come) and from these seven spirits.
He details Jesus Christ as the faithful witness, the firstborn out from the dead (a positional title of preeminence, not implying He was created; Christ is eternal God the Son who took on humanity), and the ruler over the kings of the earth. This rulership, established at His resurrection, places Him far above all principalities, powers, mights, and dominions—including spirit beings and rulers of this world (referencing Ephesians 1:20-21, 6:12; Colossians 2:8-10, 15; 1 Corinthians 2:8). Satan and demons were disarmed through the cross, as they unknowingly crucified the Lord of glory, fulfilling Genesis 3:15. Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in His blood (preferred reading over “freed/loosed” based on consistent scriptural usage of “washed” for sin cleansing, e.g., John 13:10; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5; Revelation 7:14). Believers are saved by grace through faith in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), becoming children of God and part of one body, with no distinction between early or modern grace believers. The church is not under law but lives by grace.
In verse 6, Christ has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father (not “kings and priests”; textual notes clarify “kingdom” and “priest” without added “and”). The church is a royal priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices: presenting bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), praise/confession of God’s character (Hebrews 13:15), doing good, fellowship, and cheerful giving (not tithing, which is inappropriate for the church; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Philippians 4:18). This priestly service occurs now on earth and continues in heaven during the tribulation (Revelation 4-5, with 24 elders representing the church offering prayers of saints).
The study emphasizes textual reliability, proper translation context, and the church’s distinct position in the dispensation of grace, separate from Israel or tribulation saints.
