Revelation 1:5-6
“Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.”
King James Version
The opening doxology — Christ the faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, ruler of earth's kings, who washed us in His blood and made us kings and priests.
Fulfillment References
Psalm 89:27 Colossians 1:18 1 Peter 2:9 Revelation 5:9-10
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalWashed 'in his own blood' — God's own blood (Acts 20:28); Jesus the one God who makes us kings and priests.
Jewish'Firstborn' and 'prince of kings' echo Psalm 89:27's Davidic king exalted above the kings of earth.
CatholicChrist the faithful witness, risen firstborn, and king; the redeemed made a royal priesthood.
ProtestantThe threefold title (witness, firstborn, ruler) and the redemption 'in his own blood' that makes believers kings and priests.
OrthodoxChrist the faithful Witness and risen Lord; the Church a royal priesthood.
DispensationalChrist's titles anticipating His coming reign over earth's kings.
AcademicThe titles draw on Psalm 89:27 (firstborn, highest of kings); 'kings and priests' echoes Exodus 19:6.
Scholarship & Sources
The titles draw on Psalm 89:27 (the Davidic king as 'firstborn,' highest of earth's kings); 'kings and priests' applies Exodus 19:6 to the church. Some manuscripts read 'loosed us' (lysanti) for 'washed us' (lousanti).
Open the full interactive entry →Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.