“…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev.1:5, 6)

The book of Revelation is one filled with the message of our victory! Those who are obedient followers of Christ are victorious! Within the great walls of this book are many thoughts that John the Revelator must have had, shouts of praise and glory to the King of kings, unending “hallelujahs” must have been the word that rolled off the tongue of our inspired writer.

Revelation chapter one verses five and six, you read three critical statements.

First, there is the statement of His love for us: “To Him who loves us.” When you wrap your mind around the most incredible love ever demonstrated, the love of God for humankind, by sending His Son as the sacrifice of our sins, you come face to face with the cross.

Here you will come into contact with the highest love, the selfless, sacrificial love of God. Every drop of blood that fell from our Savior’s body represented love for humankind. When we were created, we were loved. Our Father in Heaven has always loved us and will love us forever. His passion for humanity is never more evident than when He poured out His only son on the cross for sinful people.

Second, there is the statement of soul-cleansing blood. We are released from the grip of sin by His blood. Freed, if you will, from sin that enslaves us. We are freed from the guilt, slavery, and condemnation of sin. The cross is the pathway to our forgiveness. It is through His blood that our sins have been removed. When we walk in the Light (1Joh.1:7), we are justified (Rom.5:1).

You cannot be partially saved any more than you can be partially dead. You are either saved or not. The blood of Jesus saves us, releases us from the sentence of spiritual death. (Rom.:23)

Third, by His blood, he has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father! I do not know about you, but I was not born into royalty. I was not raised to be a prince, to someday be crowned a king. Through Jesus Christ, I become an adopted son of the Father, a joint heir, a child of His.

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Rom.8:15-17)

Isn’t it of great comfort to know that He loved us, His blood washes us, and we are added to His beautiful bride, the church?

Apostle Peter, through inspiration, wrote this:

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1Pet.2:9-10)

It is this transformation, when we are obedient to the gospel of Christ, that we become new, Jesus “has made us into a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.” The cross did more than cleanse us; it made us into His new creation.