His Credentials REVELATION 1:5-8 - Technology Ministries

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST His Identity ~ His Credentials REVELATION 1:5-8 35 

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 

His Identity ~ His Credentials 

REVELATION 1:5-8 

A. HIS IDENTITY 

1. MEMORY VERSE 

2. WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? 

3. HIS NAME TELLS US 

B. HIS CREDENTIALS 

1. DEFINITION 

2. LIST 

a. Three earthly credentials 

b. Seven more 

c. Final three 

3. CONCLUSIONS 

4. SONG

36 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE PAST 

And His head and His hair were 

white like white wool, like 

snow; and His eyes were like a 

flame of fire; and His feet were 

like burnished bronze, when it 

has been caused to glow in a 

furnace, and His voice was like 

the sound of many waters… 


This is the ancient of days, the eternal One who sees everything, 

knows everything and evaluates everything. He is the Supreme judge 

who has taken the pronounced judgment upon Himself. He is personally 

involved with His people, He loves them, protects them and 

teaches them. He is perfectly able and wor thy of accomplishing everything 

because He is the Eternal Creator, Redeemer, Prophet, 

Priest, Judge, King and God.


THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 

His Identity ~ His Credentials 


OPENING PRAYER 

After a few moments for, silent prayer, I will pray out loud. 

Dear Heavenly Father, as we fellowship together in Your Word, may we 

remember and be grateful for all You have provided for us, not just for 

today, but for tomorrow and forever. Be with us as we consider the 

identity and credentials of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His 

name, we pray. Amen. 

REVIEW 

Vocabulary List 

Grace: Undeserved favor freely given 

Peace: The complete absence of turmoil or conflict; stability or firmness 

of the soul. 

Teacher’s review contains vocabulary words and definitions. Students’ 

review pages are in Teacher’s Appendix and contain vocabulary words 

only. 

Summary 

Jesus Christ joins the Apostle John in greeting believers of the Church 

Age. The greeting is, “Grace to you and Peace.” The greeting 

expresses undeserved favor and kindness freely given by God along with 

Jesus Christ’s desire that members of His church would take full 

advantage of the peace of God. There is only One with the power and 

authority to bestow grace and give peace. In this lesson, the One who


sends the greeting shares with His Church His Scriptural 

Credentials. 

I. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST 

A. HIS IDENTITY 

1. WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE UNIQUE PERSON 

OF THE UNIVERSE. 

HE IS THE GOD-MAN-SAVIOR. 

a. Memory verse 

A very beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ is in REVELATION 

1:14-16. These three verses contain a symbolic description of Jesus Christ 

and serve as the memory verse for three lessons. Actual study of these 

verses is in the following lesson. Since it is a longer portion of Scripture 

than usual, memorization begins in this lesson. Start with verses 14 and 

15. Add verse 16 in the subsequent lessons. Take a little more time than 

usual. 

REVELATION 1:14-15 And His head and His 

hair were white like white wool, like snow; 

and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His 

feet were like burnished bronze, when it has 

been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice 

was like the sound of many waters... 

b. Paraphrase 

Symbols for memory verse are in Teacher’s Appendix. Paraphrase for 

memory verse accompanies The Glorious Portrait covered in 

REVELATION 1:14-16 .


2. HIS NAME TELLS US. 

His name carries His identification as the God/Man/Savior. 

―Lord‖ refers to Him as God. 

―Jesus‖ is His human name. 

―Christ‖ is His title as Savior. 

B. HIS CREDENTIALS 

1. DEFINITION 

Credentials are the documents or records that prove one‟s 

qualifications and rights. REVELATION 1:5-8 contains a list of 

thirteen credentials of Jesus Christ, establishing Him as the One 

and only God/Man/ Savior. 

REVELATION 1:5-8 And from Jesus Christ, the 

faithful witness, the first born 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 to be a kingdom, 

priests to His God and Father; to Him be the 

glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every 

eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; 

and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over 

Him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the 

Omega” says the Lord God, “who is and who 

was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

2. LIST 

This portion of Scripture lists thirteen credentials. They are 

divided into three sets. The first set consists of three earthly


credentials, recording the qualifications of Jesus Christ as Man. 

The next seven refer to His qualifications as Savior. The last 

three are heavenly: recording Jesus Christ‟s credentials as God. 

a. The three earthly credential establishing Jesus as Man. 

I. THE FAITHFUL WITNESS – VERSE 5 

REVELATION 1:5-8 … and from Jesus Christ, 

the faithful witness... 

Display symbol of Christ as a little baby in a feeding trough. 

a) “Faithful” speaks of the faithfulness of Jesus in coming to 

earth as Man to fulfill God‟s plan. He followed (perfectly) 

every direction the Father gave Him. Jesus Christ can be 

trusted. We can believe Him. 

HEBREWS 3:6a But Christ was faithful as a Son 

over His house whose house we are, if we hold 

fast our confidence and the boast of our hope 

firm until the end. 

b) Jesus was born to die. Jesus witnessed by representing the 

Father on earth and carrying out the Father‟s plan every 

moment from His lowly birth to His sacrificial death. Thus, 

He proved He was worthy to pay for our sins. 

JOHN 8:18 I am He who bears witness of 

Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears 

witness of Me. 

c) Jesus willingly left the perfection of His heavenly home and 

came as a human baby to this evil, filthy earth. His human 

Mother wrapped Him in cloth meant for dead bodies, then 

tenderly placed Him in a trough used for feeding animals. 

His only mattress was bare, uncovered hay. He grew up 

and faithfully lived every moment of His perfect life within 

the Father‟s plan. He was the faithful witness unto death.


II THE FIRST BORN OF THE DEAD – VERSE 5 

Display symbol for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

a) The second credential speaks of Jesus Christ as the only 

member of the human race to receive a resurrection body. 

Therefore, He is the first one to be born out from the dead, 

never to die again. “The first-born of the dead” speaks of 

Christ‟s resurrection. Jesus Christ is the only man in glory 

at the present time. He conquered death by coming out 

of death unto life. 

PSALM 89:27 I also shall make him My firstborn, 

The highest of the kings of the earth. 

JOHN 3:13 And no one has ascended into 

heaven, but He who descended from heaven, 

even the Son of Man. 

b) The fact that Jesus Christ is resurrected guarantees that we 

who are His children by faith will follow Him in 

resurrection. Believers will most assuredly receive 

resurrection bodies like His. 

JOHN 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the 

resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me 

shall live even if he dies.” 

I THESSALONIANS 4:14 For if we believe that 

Jesus died and rose again, even so God will 

bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in 

Jesus. 

III. THE RULER OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH – VERSE 5 

Display symbol for the “ruler of the kings of the earth”.


a) The third credential records the Jewish humanity of Jesus as 

the descendant of David. It addresses Jesus Christ as Man. 

b) The phrase “ruler of the kings of the earth” refers to the 

reign of Jesus Christ when He claims His earthly kingdom 

at His second coming. At that future time, He will take His 

place as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

c) It is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant which is stated in 

II Samuel 7:12 and restated in LUKE 1:32, 33 at the 

announcement of the birth of Jesus. 

II SAMUEL 7:12 When your days are complete 

and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise 

up your descendant after you, who will come 

forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 

LUKE 1:32, 33 He will be great, and will be 

called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord 

God will give Him the throne of His father 

David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob 

forever; and His kingdom will have no end. 

b. Seven credentials establish Christ as Savior 

I. TO HIM WHO LOVES US – VERSE 5 

Display symbol for “loves us”. 

a) The first credential speaking of Jesus Christ as Savior tells us 

Jesus Christ loves us with perfect, divine love. His love is 

not the kind of love the world knows. The perfect tense in 

the Greek tells us Christ loved us in the past, loves us right 

now and keeps on loving us forever. If you have ever 

wondered where we get the phase “Jesus loves me” here is 

where it comes from. It speaks of the constant, unchanging 

love of God. This Scripture is the only place proclaiming this 

truth in this particular way. Jesus has always loved us and 

He keeps on loving us. There never has been a time and 

there never will be a time when Jesus Christ does not love 

us.


b) Perfect Love is a characteristic of God alone. God, the Son, Jesus 

Christ loves the people of the world so much that He willingly 

went to the cross and paid for the sins of the world. His perfect 

love is the motive behind His work as Savior. 

THE DEEPEST TRUTH I HAVE EVER PONDERED IS THAT 

JESUS LOVES ME. 

AND WHEN I ADD THE QUESTION “WHY WOULD HE LOVE ME?” 

IT BECOMES MORE MYSTERIOUS AND DIFFICULT TO 

COMPREHEND. 

HOW, THEN, DO I ACCEPT IT AS BEING TRUE? 

I ACCEPT IT ONLY BECAUSE … 

“THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.” 

c) Song 

This would be an ideal place to sing, “Jesus Loves Me”. 

2) The second credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

II. RELEASED US FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD— 

VERSE 5 

Display the same symbol used for “Loves us.” “Released us from our sins by 

His blood” and the credential, “loves us” fit together as a pair. Jesus loves us 

so much He came down from heaven, went to the cross and released us from 

our sins by paying our sin debt. This is the Gospel or the “good news” we 

need to hear. 

a) Released us from our sins 

As believers, we understand that Jesus Christ released us from our 

sins. All humans are born as slaves to sin. There is no way they 

can redeem themselves. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for sin (the 

price of redemption) by dying in the sinner‟s place. Those who 

will believe in Him are released from the slave market of sin.


Display the slave market symbol and lead discussion. More information is 

in Teacher’s Appendix. 

ROMANS 6:23 For the wages of sin is death… 

b) In His own blood 

Display for the third time the symbol for “Loves us”. Explain that wise 

Bible students want to know and understand the truth. When Bible 

truth is taught and explained early in life there is no 

misunderstanding. Therefore, we take up this sometimes difficult 

truth while you are young. 

c) We begin with a few questions. 

d) Is each believer covered with literal blood from the veins of 

Jesus Christ and in this way released from sin? 

e) Does Jesus Christ come down from heaven each time 

someone believes in Him and literally scrub away their sins 

with His blood?” 

f) And let us consider another thought, “Did Jesus Christ‟s 

blood really flow out of His veins and create a river running 

down the streets of Jerusalem while He was hanging on that 

horrible cross?” (Many stories and movies picture the 

crucifixion that way.) 

g) Many believe there is superstitious, magical power in the 

literal, red blood from Christ‟s body. Others take offense at 

the ugly term “the blood of Christ” and will not use it at all. 

h) “The blood of Christ” is a precious term when its true 

meaning is clear. It teaches a wonderful truth. It is in the 

Bible and we should love to use the term, but we should 

understand its true meaning. 

i) Scripture teaches that Jesus did not bleed to death. Jesus 

dismissed His physical life by His own will when His work 

for salvation was finished. No one had the power to take 

His life from Him.


MATTHEW 27:50 And Jesus cried out again 

with a loud voice and yielded up (gave up His 

Spirit, by His own will) His spirit. 

JOHN 10:18 No one has taken it away from Me, 

(physical life) but I lay it down on My own 

initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I 

have authority to take it up again. This 

commandment I received from my father. 

JOHN 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received 

the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He 

bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. 

j) After Christ dismissed His physical life, His blood was still in 

His body. A spear, thrust into His side after He was dead, 

released blood and water. Jesus did not bleed to death. 

JOHN 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His 

side with a spear (after He died), and immediately 

there came out blood and water. 

―The blood of Christ‖ refers to Christ’s work in accomplishing our 

salvation. 

THE PHYSICAL DEATH OF CHRIST DID NOT SAVE US. 

SPIRITUAL DEATH WAS THE PAYMENT FOR SIN. 

CHRIST VOLUNTARILY GAVE UP HIS PHYSICAL LIFE WHEN 

HIS “WORK” OF SALVATION WAS FINISHED. 

In your own words, inform students of the following facts. 

In the future any time you see or hear the term “the blood of Christ” 

remember that it is a figure of speech meaning “The work of Jesus Christ on 

the cross”. 

Take the statement we are talking about right now and substitute that 

meaning. The statement appears in verse five in the first chapter of


REVELATIION. Look at that verse. Look at the second sentence in that 

verse. Say it this way “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins 

by His work on the cross.” 

I pray you understand that the term “the blood of Christ” means the same 

thing as “the work of Jesus Christ on the cross as He died in our place.” If 

you understand this term now, you will never have a problem with it again. 

3) The third credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

III. MADE US TO BE A KINGDOM, PRIESTS TO HIS GOD 

AND FATHER–VERSE 6 

Display symbol for “made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and 

Father”. 

a) This credential records the work of Christ in removing the 

barrier between God and man, making it possible for men 

to represent themselves before God. This is one of Christ‟s 

credentials as Savior. 

b) This particular credential goes on to say, “…to Him be the 

glory and the dominion forever and ever, Amen” which 

amplifies the status of believers as priests to God, the Father. 

c) In the Church Age every believer is his own priest and 

represents himself to God. Jesus Christ removed the barrier 

separating man from God. 

Study I PETER 2:5–9 before class. Read the following verse with class 

I PETER 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal 

priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s 

own possession, that you may proclaim the 

excellencies of Him who has called you out of 

darkness into His marvelous light.” 

d) No longer are we required to go through earthly priests to 

talk to God or to confess sins. Each believer has access to 

the throne of God on the basis of the work of our High


Priest, Jesus Christ. Indeed, Scripture says we may come 

“boldly, with confidence” before God‟s throne and make 

our requests known. 

HEBREWS 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with 

confidence (boldness) to the throne of grace, that 

we may find grace to help in time of need. 

4) The fourth credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

IV. HE IS COMING WITH CLOUDS – VERSE 7 

Display symbol for “coming with clouds”. 

a) The fourth credential establishing Christ as Savior refers to 

His return and speaks of Him as Savior. Clouds represent 

believers. The phrase “Coming with clouds” speaks of 

believers returning with Christ at the second coming. When 

Christ returns to rule over the earth He will come personally 

and physically from the clouds of heaven surrounded by 

“clouds” of believers. 

b) The One who keeps on loving us is coming back again after 

the Tribulation and we, the believers of the Church Age, will 

be with Him as those He loves and for whom He died. 

ACTS 1:11 and MATTHEW 24:30 predict this event. 

ACTS 1:11 …and they also said, “Men of 

Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? 

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into 

heaven, will come in just the same way as you 

have watched Him go into heaven”. 

MATTHEW 24:30 …and then the sign of the Son 

of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the 

tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see 

the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky 

with power and great glory.


5) The fifth credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

V. EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM – VERSE 7 

Display symbol for “every eye will see Him”. 

a) This credential presents further information concerning the 

return of Jesus Christ. When Scripture says, “Every eye will 

see Him” it declares this to be no secret or unnoticed event. 

b) Humans have eyes. Every means “every”. “Every eye” tells 

us every human being who ever lived will see the One who 

died for all humanity as He returns to earth in power and 

great glory. 

PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11 Therefore also God highly 

exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name 

which is above every name, that at the name of 

Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are 

in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. 

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus 

is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

6) The sixth credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

VI. THOSE WHO PIERCED HIM – VERSE 7 

Display the symbol for the cross. 

a) “Those who pierced Him” means those who crucified Him. 

CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED AS OUR SAVIOR. 

JOHN 19:37 They shall look on Him whom they 

pierced. 

ZECHARIAH 12:10 And I will pour out on the 

house of David and on the inhabitants of 

Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplication, 

so that they will look on Me whom they have 

pierced, and they will mourn for Him, as one 

mourns for an only son, and they will weep 

bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a 

firstborn.


b) Not every eye that sees Him will be happy with what they 

see. Some will rejoice. Some will mourn, but all will see. 

The seventh credential establishing Christ as Savior. 

VII. ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH WILL MOURN OVER 

HIM — VERSE 7 

Display symbol for all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. 

c) The phrase “The tribes of the earth” refers to those who were 

satisfied with life on earth and had no longing for heaven, in 

other words it refers to unbelievers. 

d) The ones who would not believe in Christ as Savior will not 

be happy (they will mourn) about His return. They have no 

desire to see the one they rejected come back in power and 

glory. His appearance proves how foolish they were and 

they do not like it. 

c. Three final credentials establish Jesus Christ as God. 

I. THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA – VERSE 8 

Display “Alpha and Omega” symbol. 

a) The first credential in the final set refers to our Lord‟s deity. 

Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. Omega is the 

last letter in the Greek alphabet. Words are put together by 

using letters of the alphabet. 

b) “I am the Alpha and the Omega” means Christ is the 

beginning and the end and everything in between. Since it 

takes letters of the alphabet to speak and write words, Jesus 

Christ is everything worth talking about and everything 

worth writing about. 

2) The second credential establishing the Lord as God.


II. WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME — 

VERSE 8 

Point to the same symbol used for God in the upper right hand corner of the 

God triangle. 

a) The same phrase appeared in verse four. It refers to the Lord 

Jesus Christ as God. Jesus Christ underlines and highlights 

this portion of His credentials by repeating the phrase, 

which could refer only to a member of the Godhead. 

b) “He who is” declares He exists right now. “Who was” 

proclaims He always existed. The words, “who is to come” 

refer to one who is coming again which can only refer to 

Jesus Christ. This entire phrase declares Jesus Christ is God. 

3) The third credential establishing the Lord as God. 

III. THE ALMIGHTY – VERSE 8 

Display the symbol for the Almighty or write “Almighty God” in large 

letters on the board. 

The term “the Almighty” added at the end of REVELATION 

1:8 emphasizes even more dramatically that Jesus is God. The 

Scriptural credentials establish the Lord Jesus Christ as 

God/Man/Savior. 

3. CONCLUSION 

a. This concludes the presentation of the thirteen Scriptural 

Credentials of the Lord Jesus Christ listed in the book of 

REVELATION. The first three credentials are earthly, 

establishing His qualifications as Man. The next seven 

credentials list His qualifications as Savior. The last three 

establish Him as God. 

b. His name, “Lord Jesus Christ” carries His identification as


all three. Lord refers to Him as God. “Jesus” is His 

human name. “Christ” is His title as Savior. 

c. Though not listed in REVELATION, God, the Father placed 

the final stamp of approval (proof or credential) on the 

completed work of Jesus Christ by raising Him from the 

dead. 

ACTS 17:31…because He (God) has fixed a day 

in which He will judge the world in 

righteousness through a man (Jesus Christ) whom 

He has appointed, having furnished proof 

(credentials) to all men by raising Him (Jesus 

Christ) from the dead. 

d. In the previous lesson, Jesus joined the apostle John, in 

greeting Church Age believers. Do you remember what the 

greeting was? That is right, the greeting was, “Grace to you 

and peace.” 

How special it is that the God-Man- Savior, the most important 

and unique person in the universe, greets every member of His 

Church with love, kindness and the desire that each one might 

reach that complete peace of soul available only through Him. 

THE CHURCH IS 

SPECIAL TO THE GOD-MAN-SAVIOR. 

SONG: “To God Be the Glory”, P. 449, Great Hymns of the 

Faith, or, “The Church’s One Foundation”, p. 186, Verse 1 or 

“Jesus Loves Me”, p.479. 

CLOSING PRAYER 

Thank you, Dear Heavenly Father, for loving us. Thank you that you have 

made it possible for us to have peace in our souls so we can relax and rest in 

You. May each of us, as believers in Your Son the God/Man/Savior, take 

advantage of everything available to us because of Your grace. In Jesus’ 

name we pray. Amen.

His Credentials REVELATION 1:5-8 - Technology Ministries

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