The Firstborn from the Dead

by Terry Wane Benton

John's readers were facing trials, persecutions, and possibly death. John knew that Christians needed to know Jesus as "the Firstborn from the dead."(Rev.1:5). This is not saying that Jesus was the first person to ever be raised from the dead, but that He is the firstborn (the first in position of honor) that rises to die no more. All other resurrections were not always permanent, and they were no guarantee that others would be raised in like manner.
Jesus' resurrection is a sign of His power over death. Other people who had been resurrected did not show their power over death, but showed God's power over death. Jesus showed His power over death, and He is the "firstfruits" of all the resurrections that will follow later (I Corinthians 15:20ff).

Jesus' resurrection comes before all others and is the proof that He is the resurrection and the life, that He has control over death and Hades, that He will raise the dead at the last day (I Corinthians 15:23f; John 6:39).

He promises to raise the rest of us, and we can count on it just as surely as the evidence for His resurrection. The Firstborn from the dead is in charge, so we need not be terrified of dying. Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You (the Firstborn from the dead) are with me