Jesus was the firstborn from the dead

JESUS WAS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Revelation1:5 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful witness, the firstbornfrom the dead, and the
ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us
and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
What Does It Mean that Jesus Is "The Firstborn from the Dead?"
The title “firstborn of the dead” for Jesus is of great theologicalimportance,
especiallywith Easterin the background. As “firstborn of the dead,” Jesus is
both first in time and first in preeminence. (Readmore)
Justin Holcomb
At the beginning of the book of Revelation, Johnwrites this greeting to the
churches he’s addressing:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ
the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
(Revelation1:4)
The title “firstborn of the dead” for Jesus is of great theologicalimportance,
especiallywith Easterin the background. The Greek word for “firstborn”
that John uses is prōtotokos, a word that literally refers to birth order—the
first child born. This is a conceptof greatsignificance in the Old Testament,

where the firstborn son inherited his father’s place as head of the family,
receiving the father’s blessing and a double portion of the inheritance
(Deuteronomy 21:17). After the Passoverin Egypt, God told his people that
every firstborn child was setaside as his own (Exodus 13:2), and the nation of
Israelas a whole was referred to as God’s “firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22).
Becauseofthe biblical significance attachedto the concept, the word
“firstborn” acquired a metaphorical sense and came to also refer to the
specialstatus of the firstborn as the preeminent sonand heir. In the New
Testament, Jesus is shownto be the “new Israel,” the culmination and
fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all the nations through the offspring of
Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Jesus fulfills the intended role of Israelas God’s
faithful firstborn son in his perfect life and sacrificialdeath, and he is
vindicated by God in his glorious resurrection.
In referring to Jesus as the firstborn of the dead, John is drawing words and
imagery from Psalms 89:1 which celebrates the kingship of David and his line
with phrases like “the firstborn,” “the highestof the kings of the earth,” and
the idea that the Messiah’s throne will be a “faithful witness in the sky.”
Calling Jesus firstborn portrays him as the heir of David, exalted and lifted up
as the representative of his people.
Numerous other times in the New TestamentJesus is referred to as
prōtotokos, firstborn:
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. (Romans 8:29)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians
1:15)

He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)
When he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Letall God’s angels
worship him.” (Hebrews 1:6)
Two other passages conveythe same idea with slightly different language:
“[The prophets and Moses said]that the Christ must suffer and that, by being
the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and
to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:23)
In fact, Christ has been raisedfrom the dead, the first fruits of those who have
fallen asleep. Foras by a man came death, by a man has come also the
resurrectionof the dead. Foras in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be
made alive. But eachin his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his
coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:20)
As “firstborn of the dead,” Jesus is both first in time and first in preeminence.
As the first to be raised from the dead, Christ is the founder and initiator of
the new era God is bringing about through Jesus’victory over sin and death.
Jesus’resurrectionfrom death opens the way for all who trust in him to
follow him in a resurrection like his when he returns. This is important
because it shows that our ultimate hope is not just for our souls to go to
heaven, but for our physical bodies to be raised to new life like Jesus’was. He
is the firstborn of the resurrection.
In Revelation1:5we also see the metaphorical sense ofthe term, showing
Jesus’supremacyin authority and kingship after his resurrection. Biblical
scholarG.K. Beale explains,
John views Jesus as the ideal Davidic king on an escalatedeschatologicallevel,
whose death and resurrectionhave resulted in his eternal kingship and in the

kingship of his beloved children . . . . “Firstborn” refers to the high, privileged
position that Christ has as a result of the resurrection from the dead . . . .
Christ has gained such a sovereignpositionover the cosmos,not in the sense
that he is recognizedas the first-createdbeing of all creationor as the origin
of creation, but in the sense that he is the inaugurator of the new creationby
means of his resurrection.
We candraw all this togetherto see that there are two centralideas in the title
“firstborn of the dead” in Revelation1:5. First, the allusion to Psalm 89 shows
that Jesus fulfills all history as the messianic King descendedfrom the line of
David. Second, being the “firstborn of the dead” means that Jesus is both the
first to rise and the first in supremacy. He is the first to rise from the dead and
thus the first of the new creation. He is also the inaugurator of the new
creationand sovereignovereverything. He is the rightful heir to it all.
Christians have a sure hope that one day we will follow Christ into the
resurrectionand new creation, and, because we are in Christ, will reign with
him as the firstborn of God, heirs of all things in heaven and on earth.
Rejoice!Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.
Justin Holcomb is an Episcopalpriest and teaches theologyatReformed
TheologicalSeminaryand Knox TheologicalSeminary. Justin wrote On the
Grace of God and co-authoredwith his wife Lindsey Rid of My Disgrace and
Save Me from Violence. He is also the editor of Christian Theologies of
Scripture. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and at
JustinHolcomb.com.

Revelation1:5 says Jesus was the firstborn from the dead, but wasn’t
Lazarus? Is this not talking about being raised from the dead?
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22 Answers
Steve Cioccolanti, SocialMedia Influencer w 250,000+ subs on YouTube at
YouTube
Answered Sep24, 2018
If Revelation1:5 says Jesus was the first, He was the first! It was not Lazarus.
Defining terms is often a goodfirst stepto understanding the Bible.
“Firstborn from the dead” is not the same as “first raisedfrom the dead”.
Being raised from the dead means coming back to life from a “near-death-
experience” (NDE). Being born from the dead means being resurrectedwith
an incorruptible, perfectphysical body that lasts forever. That latter
experience, only Jesus has had so far. That is why the Bible says Jesus is the
“first”.
The first personever recordedto be raisedfrom the dead after an NDE was in
the Old Testament, predating Lazarus. A widow’s boy was raisedfrom the
dead by Elijah the prophet in 1 Kings 17:22 (NKJ), “Then the Lord heard the
voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.”
The secondpersonrecordedto be “come back to life” after an NDE was the
boy whom Elisha raisedin 2 Kings 4:35. His servant Gehazitold the king
about it in 2 Kings 8:5, “Now it happened, as he was telling the king how he
had restoredthe dead to life, that there was the woman whose sonhe had
restoredto life, appealing to the king for her house and for her land. And
Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her sonwhom
Elisha restored to life.”

These people and many others in the Bible were “brought back to life” in
their old bodies which saw decay, then died again. Jesus, by contrast, was
raisedto life in a perfect physical body that will never decayor die. The fact
that He was first indicates that He is the head of a series;there will be a
second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. births from the dead.
Anyone whose sins have been washedby the Bloodof Jesus (followers of
Christ) will one day follow suit after our Masterand King Jesus. We will
receive new resurrection bodies.
Anyone whose sins remain unresolved at death will not be “born from the
dead” but “die againafter death”, which is calledthe “SecondDeath” in
Revelation2:11, 20:6, 20:14, and 21:8. You can avoid the SecondDeathby
making a faith decisionto be born againin Christ during your life.
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RelatedQuestions
More Answers Below
Colossians 1:18 says Jesus is the first to be resurrectedfrom the dead, but
weren’t Lazarus and a little girl resurrectedbefore Jesus?
What happened to Lazarus after Jesus raisedhim from the dead?
What did Jesus mean, "Let the dead bury their dead?"
How did Jesus bring Lazarus back from dead? Is it scientificallypossible?

Why did Jesus letLazarus die first, then resurrect him? Why didn't he cure
him before Lazarus died?
Charles L Klock, lives in Village Mills, TX (2017-present)
Answered Jan26, 2018 · Author has 179 answers and178.3k answerviews
Christ is the firstborn of the all the dead in that he lived, died, resurrected,
never to die again.
John the Apostle saidI this way, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begottenof the dead, and the prince of the kings of the
earth. Unto him that loved us, and washedus from our sins in his own blood,”
(Revelation1:5, AV)
Paul the Apostle adds more detail by saying, “Knowing that Christ being
raisedfrom the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto
God.” (Romans 6:9–10, AV)
All who are recordedin the scripture as dying and raisedfrom the dead again,
eventually died again.
————————————————————————————-
Bible List of People That Were RaisedFrom the Dead
1. Widow of Zarephath’s son, by Elijah (1st Kings 17:22)
1stKings 17:22 “And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the
child came into him again, and he revived.”
2. Shunammite woman’s son, by Elisha (2nd Kings 4)

2nd Kings 4:34,35 “And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his
mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his
hands: and he stretchedhimself upon the child; and the flesh of the child
waxed warm. Then he returned, and walkedin the house to and fro; and went
up, and stretchedhimself upon him: and the child sneezedseventimes, and
the child openedhis eyes.”
3. Man raisedwhen he came into contactwith Elisha’s bones (2nd Kings 13)
2 Kings 13:20,21 “And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the
Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass,
as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they
castthe man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down,
and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stoodup on his feet. “
4. Widow of Nain’s son, by Jesus (Luke 7)
Luke 7:14,15 “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him
stoodstill. And he said, Young man, I sayunto thee, Arise. And he that was
dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. “
5. Jairus’daughter, by Jesus (Luke 8)
Luke 8:52-56 “And all wept, and bewailedher: but he said, Weepnot; she is
not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was
dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying,
Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway:and he
commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished:but he
chargedthem that they should tell no man what was done. “
6. Lazarus, by Jesus after3 days (John 11)
John 11:43,44 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,
Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot
with graveclothes:and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith
unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
7. Jesus (Matthew 28:6;Acts 2)

Acts 2:24 “Whom God hath raisedup, having loosedthe pains of death:
because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”
8. Many Holy People Came Out of Their Tombs When Jesus Died on the
Cross (Matthew 27)
Matthew 27:52 “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints
which slept arose,”
9. Dorcas,by Peter (Acts 9)
Acts 9:40 “But Peterput them all forth, and kneeleddown, and prayed; and
turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes:and
when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
10. Eutychus, by Paul (Acts 20)
Acts 20:9-12 “And there sat in a window a certain young man named
Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he
sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was takenup
dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble
not yourselves;for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again,
and had brokenbread, and eaten, and talkeda long while, even till break of
day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a
little comforted.”
——————————————————————————————-
All these were in fact restoredto life after their physical death. Yet despite
their ailments, death, and ultimate restorationto life, they did in factdie once
again.
Christ alone died, was buried, and rose againnever to die again. Of Himself
Christ said“…And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fearnot;
I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I
am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
(Revelation1:17–18, AV)

He conquered death and is uniquely qualified to offer freedom from eternal
death by His victorious life. To all who will receive Him, by believing on His
name.
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Dana Fraley Rankin, former Biblical Counselorand Teacherfor 14 Years
(2003-2017)
Answered Jan27, 2018 · Author has 1k answers and 131k answerviews
When Lazurus was raised from the dead by the Lord he was not ‘raised to
eternal life’, but was simply ‘physically’ raised, and then at some point
‘physically’ died again. BUT after the death and resurrectionof Christ
EVERYTHING changed.
EVERYTHING.
B.C.-in this case [and as I often say when sharing my testimony] the B.C.
stands for ‘before Christ’. In the Old Testamentwhen someone died their soul
went to Hades or Abraham’s bosom. [In the Bible, hell is akin to a ‘holding
cell’ for those who have been arrestedfor breaking the law here, until they’ve
been before a judge and sentencedto jail or prison depending on the severity
of their crime.] We see this ‘going before the Judge’at the final judgement,

referred to as the ‘greatwhite throne’ judgement in Revelation20 where in
verse 13 you see ‘eachperson was judged according to what he had done.’
Unfortunately there are those who use that verse as a ‘salvation by works’
false doctrine, but this ‘judgement according to the deeds done in the body’ is
a judgement for the degree of punishment they will receive. :( Note that those
who were ‘raised’ from death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.
The locationof ‘eternal’ punishment.
Abraham’s bosomfrom what we can see in Scripture [and there aren’t a LOT
of references]is a place of ‘rest’ for those who died prior to Christ making a
way for us to enter directly into heavenat our death. In the parable of
Lazarus and the beggarin Luke 16:19–31 yousee a description of these 2
temporary destinations, and in the story of Saul seeking advice from Samuel
after he had died, through the use of a ‘medium’ in 1 Samuel 28, the woman
was clearlyafraid when Samuel’s spirit actuallyresponded to her ‘calling up’,
as the Lord DOES NOT allow the actual spirits of the deceasedto be calledup
by mediums, psychics etc…althoughthey do have the ability to callup
demons, and then demons deceive people into believing they are the person’s
deceasedlovedone etc… Now, I don’t know if all who profess to be psychics
realize this is going on, as I believe even THEY may be deceived in this whole
business. But, for the most part, to even have this ‘access’to the demonic
realm the person had to have given the enemy greataccess to their life, and
that rarely occurs without the person’s permission. That ‘access’is not a good
thing, as I’m sure most think they’re going to have some ‘special’place in hell
for all the work they’ve done for the Enemy while on earth, but they will find
out the hard way that Satanloves no one but himself. He is NOT a loving god,
and although he is currently the god of this world his rule is only temporary,
and his eternal destiny is the ‘lake of fire.’
Then, of course, afterB.C. is A.C. [after Christ! :)]- After the redemptive
work of Christ the way was opened up for us to immediately be in the Lord’s
presence whenour bodies die, as Paul says it, ‘to be absent from the body is to
be present with the Lord.’ This phenomenal change is only for those who have
submitted to Christ for their salvation, while those who DO NOT still go to
Hades [until the greatwhite throne judgement].

So, although Christ has made FULL accessto heaven through the shedding of
His redemptive blood not everyone will go there. This is heartbreaking
because althoughChrist made the way for ALL to be saved, and DESIRES
for ALL to be saved, and does not desire ANY to perish……..He left the
choice up to us. He gave us a freewill, and there is no indication from Genesis
to Revelationthat He has takenthat awayfrom us despite teaching to the
contrary from CALVINISM, which is another level of false teaching all
together. In fact, I believe it is a ‘doctrine of demons’. From the very
beginning Satanhas tried to make man think that God is not good. And that
false doctrine REEKS of the pits of hell, completely distorting God into the
face of Satanhimself who would LOVE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO
WOULD GO TO HELL AND WHO WOULD GO TO HEAVEN. AND IF
SATAN COULD CHOOSE… EVERYONE WOULD GO TO HELL.
PERIOD.
BUT, as it is JESUS DEFEATED & DISARMED SATAN with His [JESUS]
death and resurrection, so no one HAS to go to hell if they will only RECEIVE
the free gift of forgiveness and salvationthat Christ purchased for us with His
own blood. And, just one more of my FAVORITE verses, then I’ll getback on
track. :) 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 tells us that if Satan [and the demonic realm in
this world] had UNDERSTOOD thatby inciting the people to crucify Christ
they were FULFILLING PROPHECY, AND playing their ‘role’ in
SECURING SALVATION for all who will come to Christ, THEY WOULD
NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT HAVE DONE IT!
But, as it was, once againthe Living Godused what the Enemy meant for
DESTRUCTION andDEATH, for the GOOD INSTEAD!!! God has a habit
of doing that! :)
OK, so back on track, Christ is referred to as the ‘firstborn from the dead’
because He was the 1stone to be raised from the dead to ETERNALLIFE.
All others prior to Him…Lazarus…he daughter of the Centurion, the
‘widow’s son’ and others that Jesus raisedand the son of the Sidonian widow
that Elijah raised were only raisedphysically. They all died againat some
point.

But, since the atoning sacrifice ofJesus ALL who turn to Him for forgiveness
and salvationwill experience the same powerful truth as the ‘thief on the
cross’when his body died…I TELL YOU THE TRUTH…TODAYYOU
WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.
In Christ, dana
116 views · View 1 Upvoter · Answer requestedby Diane Shatto
Kingston Tong, Graduated from seminary, preaching and teaching the Bible
Answered Feb14, 2018 · Author has 1.8k answersand 774.7kanswerviews
Thank you for the biblical question, “Revelation1:5 says Jesus was the
firstborn from the dead, but wasn’t Lazarus? Is this not talking about being
raisedfrom the dead?”
I am gladthat you are reading the Bible and asking questions about the Bible.
I commend you for that.
As I read Revelation1:4–6, the Apostle John records the God’s greeting to the
sevenchurches in Asia Minor.
“4 John, To the sevenchurches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to
you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven
spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has
made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be
glory and powerfor ever and ever! Amen.”
In this context, the greeting is associatedwith a heavenly scene. The Apostle
John described Jesus Christas the faithful witness, the firstborn of (from) the
dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth,and his relationship to believers:the
one who loved us, freed us from our sins by his blood, and make us to be a
kingdom and priest to serve his God and Father.
As one reads the Revelation1–3, the passage depicts Jesus Christas the God-
Man who is exalted and glorified in heaven. In other words, John does not
depict Jesus as a lowly man when the disciples saw Jesus onearth.
The term, firstborn of the dead, has some interpretation question or meaning
of it. There are two references to the firstborn of the dead: Col. 1:18 and Rev.
1:4.
As one looks at this phrase, here are some possible meanings to it:
A. Jesus is the first personto die.
B. Jesus is the first personto die and to come back to life.
C. Jesus is the first person/first of its kind to die and to stay alive.
There may be other interpretations to the phrase. As one looks atthe possible
interpretation, then one must ask what was the Apostle John’s understanding
when he used that term.
One can saythat Jesus Christ is not the first person to die since it was Cain
nor was he the first person to die and to come back to life as Elijah
resurrectedthe widow of Zarephath’s son(I Kings 17:7–24). The sonof
Zarephath died later on in his life. Thus no one except death for those who
died physically.
Prior to Jesus’resurrection, everyone died exceptfor Enochand Elijah. For
those who came came back to life, they died later on in their life as Lazarus.
There was no one who was born, died, came back to life and remained alive

without every dying again prior to Jesus Christ. There was the hope of
resurrectionin the Old Testament, but that that hope was in the future. Thus
the OT and NT saints who died, their body is on earth while their souland
spirit is in heaven. Jesus saidthat God is the God of Abraham, Issac and
Jacob. He is not the God of the dead but of the living. There will be a future
resurrectionin which death will be abolished forever(Rev. 20:13–14).
In my understanding of the phrase is that Jesus Christ is the first person or
first of a kind of a person who is the pathfinder to those who will come after
him to be resurrectedfrom the dead and to remain alive forever.
SUMMARY: The firstborn of the dead refers to a Jesus Christ who overcame
death permanently, not temporarily.
926 views · View 4 Upvoters · Answer requestedby Diane Shatto
RelatedQuestions
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What did Paul mean when he calledJesus the “firstborn from the dead” in
Colossians 1:18?
Why is it that we do not hear anything about Lazarus after his resurrection?
Did he die againlater on ? If so what was the point of his first...
What happens when you use your mouth to say, ‘Jesus is Lord!’ And truly
believe that on the 3rd day Jesus was raisedfrom the dead?
Clayton Smith, Teacherand student

Answered Feb3, 2018 · Author has 142 answers and 1.3manswerviews
“Firstborn” in the bible does not necessarilydenote first in a numerical sense.
“Firstborn” is also used as an exaltedtitle. Israelis called God’s “firstborn” in
Exodus 4:22, not because the nation of Israel was the first nation to ever come
into existence, but because ofthe position of exaltation that God has given it.
A man could choose a son to give the title of “firstborn”, even if that sonwas
not the first genealogically. The “firstborn” had an exalted position, and an
inheritance that was double the portion of his brethren. We see in Genesis 48
that Ephraim receivedthe blessing of the firstborn over his brother
Manasseh, eventhough Manassehwas the firstborn genealogically. Likewise,
Josephreceiveda double portion when he was blessedby Israel(Jacob), even
though Josephhad a dozen older brothers.
In Deut.21:15–17, youcan see the term “firstborn” being used as both an
exalted title as well as a numerical order of birth. This proves beyond any
doubt that “firstborn” can have a meaning other than first in numerical
order. You canread that portion on your ownto clearlysee this example.
In Colossians1:15, Christ in called the “firstborn of all creation”. Why? The
very next verse tells us, for through Him all things were created. Jesus Christ
wasn’t the “firstborn” of all creationbecause He was createdfirst, or He was
born first. He wasn’t createdor born at all. He existedwith God, and He is
God. Jesus Christis exalted in the title of the “firstborn of all creation”.
In Colossians1:18, Christ is called the “firstborn from among the dead”.
Again, this is an exalted title, not a genealogicalorder. He is exalted in the title
of the “firstborn from among the dead”.
In Revelation1:5, Jesus Christ is referred to by 3 exaltedtitles. “and from
Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of
the kings of the earth.”
The faithful witness

The firstborn of the dead
The ruler of the kings of the earth.
“Firstborn” is use of Jesus Christ as the title of an exalted position.
Dennis Clough, Painting Contractor, Retired
Answered Jan25, 2018 · Author has 3.3k answersand 295.9kanswerviews
Originally Answered:Revelation1; 5 says Jesus was the first who was reborn
from the dead, but wasn’t Lazarus? Is this not talking about being raised
from the dead?
Born-againis the spiritual experience of every sinner who believes in Jesus
Christ, which eventually leads to a resurrectedbody for eachof us. Christ is
calledthe Firstborn from the dead as a title of preeminence, since He is the
Son of God.
Others were physically resurrectedbefore Him, but they died again. He was
resurrectedonce and for all after His atoning death in a GLORIFIED body.
This body is very real as He took greatcare to prove. He ate and drank before
them, allowedThomas to examine His wounded side, and yet was able to come
into a room with closeddoors.
Further proof of His Deity and the reality of the Trinity was His promise He
would raise His own body from the dead. This claim was also made of the
Father and the Holy Spirit. He lives, and one day, all believers will receive a
body just like His glorious body.

Norma Hines, Ordained minister and teacherof Bible Truth for 38 years
Revelation1:5 and from Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “the firstborn
from the dead,” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth
This Scripture does not mean that Jesus was the first person to be resurrected
from the dead. There are actually nine resurrections in the Bible; three
associatedwith the prophets Elijah and Elisha, three done by Jesus (including
Lazarus) the resurrectionof Jesus himself and two done by his disciples. By
Holy Spirit, Peterraised Dorcas (Tabitha)and Paul raisedEutychus. All
exceptJesus, lived for a time and then died again.
The resurrectionof Jesus was significantlydifferent from the other eight. In
Revelation1:5, Jesus is called not only firstborn from the dead but also the
ruler of the kings of the earth. Those who will rule as kings over the earth all
live on earth but after they die are resurrectedto heavenly life to rule as kings
over a paradise earth. They are given immortality and so will never die again.
Jesus was the first person who lived on earth and was raised to this heavenly
position. Hence the reference, "firstbornfrom the dead." The others were
raisedafter him and togetherthey form this specialheavenly ruling class.
Here are some Bible verses that substantiate this:
Revelation5:9…you [Jesus]were slaughteredand with your blood you bought
people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and
you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule
as kings overthe earth

Revelation1:14 Then I saw, and look!the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and
with him 144,000who have his name and the name of his Father written on
their foreheads…3 no one was able to master that song exceptthe 144,000,
who have been bought from the earth.
93 views · View 1 Upvoter
Greg Burns, I believe stuff
Answered Jan26, 2018 · Author has 3.6k answersand 2.7manswerviews
Your other answers are good. My simple summary would be that “firstborn”
is a matter of primacy rather than timing.
The word translated firstborn is
πρωτότοκος orprototokos[1]
It also appears elsewhere in the New Testamentin Colossians 1 where Jesus is
describedas the “firstborn of all creation” as well as firstborn of the dead.
The part “proto-” is the same root we use in the word prototype. In a sense,
this usage is similar. Jesus is the first demonstration of the resurrection.
Lazarus may have been raisedfrom the dead, but he would die again.
The transformation is in Jesus’death and resurrection. In it he is portrayed
as a proto-man. The foremost example of how we were to model how to live
our lives, up to and including the transformation of the resurrection.
Footnotes

[1] Revelation1:5 Interlinear: and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the
first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who
did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood,
306 views · View 20 Upvoters · Answer requested by Diane Shatto
Karol Emil Thornton-Remiszewski, Have been a Christian by choice since
1980
Revelation1:5 says Jesus was the firstborn from the dead, but wasn’t
Lazarus? Is this not talking about being raised from the dead?
Jesus’rising from the dead was a different matter from Lazarus’. Lazarus
came back to this life, and presumably died againsome time later. Becausehe
was still under the dominion of death.
Jesus’rising from the dead was of a totally different character, namely that he
not only rose from the dead and walkedthis earth for a while, he then went
straight up to heaven. IN other words, he rose to a kind of life which meant
that he would never die again. Death no longer had and no longerhas
dominion over him.
And yes, the Scriptures appear to teach that Jesus was the first personto rise
in such a manner that he would never die again, the first person to escape the
dominion of death.
122 views · View 2 Upvoters · Answer requestedby Diane Shatto

John Uebersax, Director, Californians for Higher Education Reform
Answered Jan25, 2018 · Author has 4k answers and 848.2kanswerviews
Interesting point. An alternative is to focus on the allegoricallevelof meaning
for resurrection— that is, elevationfrom operating at a merely human
(carnal) level to a spiritual level. Jesus was raisedmorally and spiritually from
mere human carnal-mindedness before he physically resurrectedLazarus.
Perhaps a better response, however, is that Lazarus eventually died (again).
He was not permanently resurrectedto Eternal Life, which is the fuller and
more important meaning. Jesus was the first to be resurrectedin that sense.
Note that the Gospels mention Jesus raising others from the dead besides
Lazarus. The author of Revelation(and St. Paul, who made similar statements
about Jesus as the ‘firstfruits’) would certainly have been aware of these
instances.
Brian Leung, Full Time (1997-present)
Answered Jan27, 2018 · Author has 3.5k answersand 609.8kanswerviews

Revelation1 (KJV)
5 And from 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
washedus from our sins in his own blood,
Lazarus and a collectionofother individuals were resurrectedto physical life
by Jesus as He prayed to the Father. Among the miracles that Jesus
performed, the resurrections are the most memorable. Such an event was
difficult to explain away.
All of the individuals who were resurrecteddie againlater in their life. They
are dead and await their final resurrectionto a glorified body at which point
they will everbe with the Lord. They will begin their first day of everlasting
life.
Jesus was resurrectedto life after being dead for three days and nights. He is
currently at the right hand of the throne of Father God. In this way He is the
firstfruits of the dead. He ascendedup into heaven to be with the Father. No
one else has ascendedup into heaven, they are still dead. Their bodies long
decayed. They no longer exist and will not live again until Jesus’second
coming.
70 views · View 1 Upvoter · Answerrequested by Diane Shatto
Mark Hamric, Biblical Answers
Jesus was slainfrom the foundation of the world (Revealation13:8)

Even though it didn't actually transpire until around 30 A.D. or so, the word
of God concerning this event had already been declaredand so it was
considereda done deal. If you ever take the time to read through the Old
Testamentthere are prophecies giving details about what would take place.
There are some prophecies which talk about the resurrectionof the dead. And
I recallthat Elijah and Elisha both raisedsomeone from the dead long before
Jesus walkedthe earth.
What we as humans don't realize is that God doesn'tview time the same way
we do. We see time unfold linearly, moment by moment but God createdtime
and so he sees all of it at once.
Greg Scott, retired at ProgrammerAnalyst
Many of the other answers containgoodinsights into this issue. I have an
additional thought to add:
First does not always meanfirst in time. For example, if you score first in an
art show, it means you did the best, not that you finished you art work sooner
than anybody else.
The firstborn was typically the heir. In Jesus was not the first person born in
the temporal world. But he is the firstborn in the spiritual world. He is in
submission to his Father, but not to any other human. He was “born” in
eternity, before time even began. He is first in rank among anyone who has
been born.

The word “firstborn” is not meant only in a strictly literal sense, but also has
many metaphorical undertones.
35 views
John Simpson, Christian
from the dead?
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and
the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Revelation1:5 (CSB)
Also:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For
everything was createdby him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities?— all things
have been createdthrough him and for him.
He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head
of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so
that he might come to have first place in everything.
Colossians 1:15-18 (CSB)
The reasonfor Christ’s exalted position in the Church is that “He is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead” (v. 18). We saw this word “firstborn”
in verse 15, where it meant first in rank, and here it means the same thing.

Paul was not saying that Jesus was the first person to be raised from the dead,
for he was not. However, he was the most important of all who have been
raisedfrom the dead, because without his resurrectionthere could be no
resurrectionfor others (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20ff.).
Preaching the Word – Philippians, Colossians, andPhilemon: The Fellowship
of the Gospeland the Supremacy of Christ
First-born againtranslates prōtotokos.Ofall those who have been raised
from the dead, or ever will be, Christ is the highest in rank.
MacArthur New TestamentCommentary – Colossians and Philemon, John
MacArthur.
His resurrectiongives Him title to the throne of preeminence, for He is
"firstborn" from the dead, that is, first to rise from the dead, never to die
again.
Wiersbe's ExpositoryOutlines on the New Testament, Warren W. Wiersbe.
He is the firstborn from among the dead. Again, firstborn here has nothing to
do with time. Others precededJesus in rising from the dead. Lazarus is one
example (John 11:38-44). Jesus is first in rank. Others were raised only to die
again. Jesus was the first person to rise, never to die again. He is the first
person to conquer death, and all other resurrections are based on his.
Holman New TestamentCommentary – Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians &
Colossians, MaxAnders.
David Rossiter, A preacherfor severaldecades, a loverof the Bible but more
a lover of God
Answered Sep23, 2018 · Author has 1.1k answersand 808.9kanswerviews

Lazarus was raisedup from the dead, but he was restoredto his previous
body , now healed.
Jesus receiveda new body and was the first one to do so. He was the first born
from the dead. Born into a new life, into a new body, into a new role.
Lazarus still had to die again and be raisedup again, later.
1 Cor 15:42
So also is the resurrectionof the dead. The body is sownin corruption, it is
raisedin incorruption. It is sownin dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sownin
weakness,it is raised in power. It is sowna natural body, it is raised a
spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it
is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam
became a life-giving spirit.
Immistic Emmanuel, Minister of the reconciliationatJehovah's Witnesses
(2017-present)
Answered Sep28, 2019 · Author has 984 answers and115.9k answerviews
Yes, and that's why Jesus is “the first to be resurrectedfrom the dead.”—Acts
26:23.

Jesus was the first to be resurrectedin the actualmeaning of the word, that is
why he lives forever and ever.
He is the first and the last, the only one whose resurrectionwas entirely
merited, since “he committed no sin” with which death could hold him.—1
Peter2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:56.
Therefore, being the only being Jehovahwill resurrectto everlasting life, he is
the one responsible for the resurrectionof all others.
I am the First and the Last, and the living one, and I became dead, but look!I
am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of the Grave.
REVELATION 1:17, 18.
22 views
Sheala JW, B.A. GoodNews of the Kingdom of God & Kingdom of God, Our
Christian Life and Ministry Meeting (2019)
Answered Feb5, 2018 · Author has 102 answers and 28.1k answerviews
Jesus Christ is shownto be “the firstborn of all creation” as wellas “the
firstborn from the dead”—notmerely most distinguished in relation to those
createdor those resurrectedbut the first one actually createdand the first
raisedfrom the dead to endless life. (Col 1:15, 18;Re 1:5; 3:14)

Laura Elena Lounello, Therapeutic MassageTherapist& ISFJ Autist (1994-
present)
from the dead?
Lazarus was indeed dead & buried and JESUS brought him back to life. Jesus
died on the cross, in the tomb 3 days and rose again in his resurrectedbody
that is different from the basic human body. Jesus human form was
transformed into SUPERMAN...nowanyone who believes this will also have a
superhuman body... Jesus is the first SUPERMAN ... JESUS IS KING OF
KINGS & LORD OF LORDS WONDERFULCOUNSELOR.
53 views · View 1 Upvoter
Brett McIver
Answered Jan25, 2018 · Author has 1k answers and 45.3k answerviews
Nope even Lazarus wasn't the first others were raisedas well in the O.T .
Elisha (or Elijah) raiseda widows son .
All these died againbut Jesus lives for ever more never to die againyesterday
is the first born in this way. Also being first born can also mean have greater
authority or being preeminant in importance

26 views
Ellen Haroutunian
Answered Jan25, 2018
from the dead?
That’s a goodquestion. Not only did Jesus raise Lazarus before his crucifixion
and death, but he raisedothers as well. However, Jesus as the “firstborn of the
dead” (prōtotokos)means that Jesus is the first in the new paradigm, the
Kingdom of God, opening the way for the restof us.
Jennifer Bell, former Administrative Assistant(2015-2016)
This is referencing eternal life. Jesus was raisedand has eternallife. Lazarus
was raised, howeverstill mortal and he eventually died again.
30 views

John Bonham
Answered Jul 21, 2019 · Author has 279 answers and11.8k answerviews
Thank you for your question. Our Messiahwas raisedfrom the dead and
became the first truly “gennao anothen” (born again) John 3:7 and became
preeminent as the firstborn of many.
15 views
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If Jesus is called the firstborn does it mean he was the first created?

Does this term firstborn mean Jesus is the firstborn into a family? If it did
what family would he be born into? Angels. The bible does not tell us who was
the first of the angels. It does make it clearthat Satan, formerly known as Day
Star was the most powerful and perfect of the angelic creatures. “Youwere
perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in
you.(Ezek. 28:15)
The bible never speaks ofJesus in this manner, instead it describes Jesus:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel,
whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting"(Micah5:2)
The Bible tells us what was made first, the heavens and the earth, and this was
done by the Son, Jesus, Heb. 1:8-12. To the son, Jesus, the Fathersays, “Forto
which of the angels did He ever say:"You are My Son, today I have begotten
You"? And again:"I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son"?
But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:"Let all the
angels of God worship Him." (Heb. 1:5-6 quoted from the Septuagint version
of Deut.32.43).
The Fathersaid this to none of the angels. He brings the firstborn back into
the world by the resurrection. Certainly if Jesus was an angelGod would not
instructed other angels to worship Him. He would be contradicting himself.
In the New Testamentthere are two Greek words that are used for "Son."
For those who have experiencedthe new birth are calledSons of God by an
adoption (John 1:12); the Greek word is teknon (Romans 8:14-15, 19:23;Gal.
4:5, Eph.1:5). We find that this word for "son" is never used for Jesus;
instead, the Greek word huios is used, which refers to his position of nature. It
signifies a relationship to his Father. It does not mean origin but is an
expressionof nature. When Jesus is calledthe "only begottenSon" it means
He is the unique one of a kind, no other is like Him, He alone has this nature
and position.
In the Old Testamentthis word is used for a firstborn son, it also carries the
conceptof preeminence. For example in Ex.4:22 the nation Israelis called
God’s firstborn Son. No one considers that God actually begot a nation in a

literal sense. The Greek word for firstborn is Prototokos,it is found 7 times in
the New Testament. It means first in rank, an heir, to have preeminence in
position; not in origin.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in
swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for
them in the inn (also used in Matt. 1:25).
Rom 8:19: “Forthe earnestexpectationof the creationeagerlywaits for the
revealing of the sons of God.” Paul explains this as our “eagerlywaiting for
the adoption, the redemption of our body”
(Rom. 8:23). This redemption involves a resurrectionunto eternal life. He
continues in V.29 “Forwhom He foreknew, He also predestinedto be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
many brethren.”
Jesus is the firstborn of those who died and are raisedto new life. He promises
to have all believers follow in his resurrection. Rom 8:30 “these He also
justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” To be glorified one
must be resurrected. We are promised this as our names are written in
heaven. Heb. 12:23:“to the generalassembly and church of the firstborn who
are registeredin heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men
made perfect.”
Col. 1:15-18:“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn overall
creation.Forby Him all things were createdthat are in heaven and that are on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were createdthrough Him and for Him. And He is before
all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the
church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He
may have the preeminence.”

He is the firstborn over all creation. Notof creation, or from creation. If he
was createdHe could not be the perfectimage of the invisible God, because he
would only be a creature.
The writers usedthe word over Gr- pas- 1) individually: each, every, any, all,
the whole, everyone, all things, everything 2) collectively:some of all types. As
it says who is the beginning; God is the beginning and the end, the alpha and
omega.
As with any Scripture one must read through to have the context before they
can understand individual words. This whole portion is referring to Jesus
being the first to rise to eternallife, being exalted over all the creatures, not
first literally born as a spirit. The keyis the summary of the passageswho is
the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.”
Rev. 1:5: “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the
dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.”
Both Col.1:15 and Rev.1:5 both clarify the meaning of firstborn. In its context
it means to rise from the dead, and have an eternal body that is incorruptible
from sin and death. Christ certainly was not the first raisedfrom the dead,
but he was the first raised to eternal life in the body. This is what gives him
the position of headship over the human race, preeminence, being the heir of
all things.
Heb. 1:5-6 states:“Forto which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My
Son, today I have begottenYou”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and
He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He againbrings the firstborn into the
world, He says:“Let all the angels ofGod worship Him.” He brought him into
the world AGAIN by the resurrection. The Father declares the Sonis indeed
Lord, He is the firstborn from the dead unto eternal life in the body (Col.1:17;
Rev.1:5). “And declaredthe Son of God with power according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrectionof the dead” (Romans 1:4).

Col 1:18-19 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
For it pleasedthe Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell”
The Son is worshipped in the same way the Father is by his creatures, as the
angels worshipthe one who is raised(Heb.1:5-6), we too are to worship Him.
http://www.letusreason.org/Biblexp205.htm
note: All Scripture quoted is from the King James translation.
I have noticed that Paul referred to Jesus as the firstborn numerous times:
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren.
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature:
Hebrews 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, andthe sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyedthe firstborn should touch them.
Hebrews 12:23 To the generalassembly and church of the firstborn, which
are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just
men made perfect,
I am especiallyinterestedin the phrase "firstborn from the dead" from
Colossians 1:18. Was Paulreferring to being dead to sin or being dead
physically and being resurrectedto eternallife, Something even more elusive
to me?
exegesisnew-testamentdeath resurrection-of-jesus colossians

In a family, the firstborn son had specialprivileges that setHim above all
others.
Jesus, in ushering in the resurrectionfor all, had the privileges of that
firstborn son.
Note:For a long time, I used to think of this strictly in chronologicalterms -
but it isn't warranted. Elijah & Elisha resurrecteddead people. Lazarus and
Jairus' daughter were also raisedbefore Jesus'resurrection - so it can't
simply be a matter of being the first raised to physical life.
As to eternallife, which Jesus usheredin, sure - but not physical.
Romans 8:29
To Paul, resurrectionmakes us all sons of God, but Jesus was the first. We see
this in Romans 1:4, where Paul tells us Jesus was the Son of God by the fact of
his resurrection:
4 And declaredto be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of
holiness, by the resurrectionfrom the dead:
Paul promised his followers that they would all be resurrected, saying that the
resurrectionof Jesus came first and that others would soonfollow:
Romans 6:4-5: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
like as Christ was raisedup from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness oflife. Forif we have been planted togetherin
the likeness ofhis death, we shall be also in the likeness ofhis resurrection:
The Corinthians rejectedthe idea of a physical resurrection, which is what
they thought Paul had been talking about. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-13, he
assuredthem that there would be a resurrection, saying that their faith in the
resurrectionof Jesus was evidence of that:

1 Corinthians 15:12-13:Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,
how saysome among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if
there be no resurrectionof the dead, then is Christ not risen:
This now makes the meaning of Romans 8:29 clearer:
For whom he [God] did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Paul says that Jesus became the son of God by his resurrection, which means
he was the "firstborn," but those who were in the generalresurrectionto
come would be "conformedto the image of his Son" - sons of God, but of
course not firstborn, because this was Jesus.
Colossians
The theologyof Colossiansdiffers somewhatfrom that in Paul's undisputed
epistles (including Romans and 1 Corinthians), reflecting the generalview of
critical scholars that Colossians waswritten in the 70s ofthe first century and
not by Paul himself. Here, Jesus was firstborn because he existedat the time
of creation:
Colossians 1:15-18:Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
every creature:For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities, or powers:all things were createdby him, and for him: And
he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the
body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all
things he might have the preeminence.
Hebrews
It has long been acceptedthat Hebrews was not written by Paul, although the
second-centuryChurch Fathers preservedthe book in the belief that Paul had
written it. The theologyof Hebrews 1:6 is consistentwith that in Colossians,
exceptthat here Jesus may not have been present at creation, with the angels
already there to worship him at his birth:

Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotteninto the world,
he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Hebrews 11:28 would appear to be referring to God's act in killing the
firstborn in Egypt during the Captivity and the time of Moses,as we can more
readily see by looking at the preceding and following verses, and so has
nothing to do with Jesus as firstborn:
Hebrews 11:24-29:By faith Moses, whenhe was come to years, refused to be
calledthe son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with
the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;Esteeming
the reproachof Christ greaterriches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had
respectunto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that
destroyedthe firstborn should touch them. By faith they passedthrough the
Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
It is noteworthy to remember that Jesus saidthat he came to fulfill the law,
and to also remember that he saidthat all the prophets had written about
him. Jesus life on earth was truly a complete reflectionof Old Testament, and
all that is recorded about his life is traceable back to the old testamentand
especiallythe Prophets. Just as God breathed the breath of life into man,
Jesus breathedeternal life into the souls of his followers. – BYE Apr 21 '15 at
11:26
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The Greek wordfor ‘firstborn’ does not always apply to one born first, and
Jesus certainlywas not the first human to be resurrectedfrom the dead. In
Colossians 1:15 & vs 18 the Greek word Prototokosis used with reference to
Jesus Christ. This noun (#4416)refers to a parent's firstborn child. As an
extensionof this literal meaning, it can also refer to a person who holds a
specialstatus as pre-eminent. There is another Greek word - Protoktistos -
which means 'first created'. Nowhere in the Bible is that word ever applied to
Jesus Christ.
Consideralso how Ephraim is blessedas 'firstborn' when he was the second-
born son of Joseph. But Jacobblessedhim as the firstborn (Genesis 48). The
other meaning of priority is meant. So with Jesus being the firstborn from the
dead. This cannotbe takenliterally as he was not the first human to be raised
from the dead, but it is meant to be taken symbolically, as the one who has
total pre-eminence overall other resurrections, for His resurrectionwas
utterly unique and has the priority.
This other Greek word needs to be considered - Monogenes (#3439). It means
'unique, one and only'. It refers to something that is the only representative of
its kind, being specialor extraordinary in some way. That word is used in
John 1:18. Of Jesus it is saidthat He holds the first place in all things - but not
because He was ever 'born' as a 'firstborn'. That is clearfrom Protoktistos -
which means 'first created' - never being used in the Bible anywhere to apply
to Jesus Christ.
This is not speaking offirst in time, but of pre-eminence, priority and
uniqueness. Jesus was the unique one because He died without sinning, thus
death could not hold Him (death canonly claim sinners), so Jesus had to arise
in triumph from the grave, having conqueredit!
That is why Romans 1:1-4 states that the proof of Jesus being the unique,
uncreated Sonof Godis in His resurrection from the dead. We candeclare
Jesus to be this Sonof Godbecause He was raisedto life in an utterly unique
way – the first ever to be so raised. He was the Son of God prior to His
resurrection(as the gospelaccounts show)but after His unique resurrection,
Christians had the proof of that claim being true. Only Jesus’resurrection

gives the guarantee ofthe resurrectionof the righteous and the unrighteous
on the Day of Judgement, and that all who are raisedas believers in Him will
share in His resurrectionto eternalglory (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). I suggest
that this is what Paul meant in Colossians 1:18.
Prototokosis from tokos, usury. Tokos is an instalment of money rendered to
investment. Protokos is the first instalment, therefore the first indication of a
successfuland fruitful instalment. Such is Christ's rising from the dead - the
first tokenof a successfulventure. It is very rare to see an appreciation(such
as yours) of the terms Protokos and Monogenes. Upvoted here (and
elsewhere). – NigelJ Apr 4 '18 at 23:59
You might also like to look at the Stack Exchange site calledBible
Hermeneutics. Don't be put off by the name, it is just the disciplined
examination of scripture and your answers here (in my view) indicate that BH
could well be for you, also. – NigelJ Apr 6 '18 at 7:52
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Was Paul referring to (A) being dead to sin or (B) being dead physically and
being resurrectedto eternal life ?
I think the answeris B, but need a little bit detail.
Others who alreadydead physically and have been resurrectedbefore Jesus
resurrection, it seems to me that one day they are going to die physically
again. Jesus not like that.
So, the "firstborn" applied to a resurrectionbody which will not die again.
Jesus is the first one who experience this.

What did Paul mean when he calledJesus the “firstborn from the dead”?
It is about a wayof living. The story about Jesus is the link betweenthe Old
and the New Testaments. The messageis that through the cross the old
becomes new. Thus, the principle is that crucifixion of the flesh results in
going from death-ness to newborn-ness.
Gal 5:24 (NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires.
2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creationhas
come:The old has gone, the new is here!
Jacob's prophetic cross-hand-actwould have been a reflectionof this. The
younger of the two brothers symbolising newborn-ness. And the older brother
the old defective way of living. – Constantthin May 20 '18 at 1:54
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You have the answerindicated in your citations.
It simply means first born of the New Creation.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is
born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearestthe sound thereof, but canstnot tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away;behold, all things are become new.
Being born again is being joined to Jesus Christby the Spirit.
Jesus was firstborn from the dead. Others had been resurrectedprior to him,
but they were revived back into this world and died again. For example,
Lazarus(John 11, 41-44;KJV) :
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast
heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearestme always:but because ofthe
people which stand by I saidit, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come
forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and footwith
graveclothes:and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saithunto
them, Loose him, and let him go.
Jesus was the first who was resurrectedinto the kingdom, so to speak, which
was necessaryfor him to be eligible to be the high priest according to the
order of Melchizedek and allowing him to be both high priest and king. In the
order of Melchizedek, one is a priest until his death, and since Jesus will not
die again, he is a "priest foreveraccording to that order."
Welcome, RKise. If you could please provide some support for that last part
of your answer(scriptural prophecy that was fulfilled, a teaching from your
faith community) which I am sure is available as I've seensimilar, that would
greatly improve your answer. I provided a scriptural citation as an example,
and to "show by doing." – KorvinStarmast Feb18 at 15:49
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https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/25943/what-did-paul-mean-
when-he-called-jesus-the-firstborn-from-the-dead
FRCC Harp & BowlMinistry — Revelation1: The Beauty of Jesus
REVELATION 1:5B THE FIRSTBORN
Forerunner Christian Church www.forerunner.cc
1
5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead
and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and loosedus
from our sins by His blood Revelation1:5 MATERIAL The symbol ⇓ means
material is included in the Excerpts below.
⇓ Jesus:The Faithful Witness, Firstborn and Ruler (Rev. 1:5), BY MIKE
BICKLE [Notes, transcription, and mp3 available online]
EXCERPTS Takenfrom Jesus:The Faithful Witness, Firstborn and Ruler
(Rev. 1:5)
 JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORNFROM THE DEAD: UNIQUE FAVOR
WITH GOD 5 From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the
dead... (Rev. 1:5) o Jesus is God’s firstborn or pre-eminent one who inherits
God’s promises given to David. John expanded the promise in Ps. 89:27 by
calling Jesus the firstborn “from the dead”. o The Greek word prototokos is
translated “first-born” and emphasizes that Jesus is the first man with a
resurrectedbody and is in the position of the firstborn sonas the unique heir
of God. He is the uncreated Godlike the Father. He became the firstborn
from the dead at His resurrection.  Being the firstborn does not mean Jesus is

the first one who is born. Being the firstborn means He is the heir, because in
Jewishsocietythe firstborn got the double portion of the inheritance, which is
twice as much as everyone else. So when the Bible says that Jesus is the
firstborn, it means He gets the double portion of the inheritance—He is the
One with unique favor. He is the firstborn. The favor of God is on Him, and
He is actually going to use the favor of God to bless your life.  THE
PREEMINENCEOF JESUS:THE FIRSTBORNOVER ALL CREATION o
He occupies the first place of authority and honor as the firstborn of creation.
This does not mean He was the first one created, but rather that He is the
“first” in cause and authority. In other words, the powerover all creation
“begins” with Him. He is first in authority over it. 15 He is...the firstborn over
all creation. 16 By Him all things were created...18is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col.
1:15-18) There are heresies that say Jesus is the top of all men, that He’s the
best of everyone created. No. He is the best of all men, but Jesus is uncreated,
like the Father and the Spirit. There was never a time where Jesus did not
exist. He is Himself the uncreatedGod, like the Father and the Spirit. He has
the fullness of God, like the Fatherdoes.  When Paul says Jesus is the
firstborn over all creation, He doesn’tmean He was the first One born in 4
BC. Jesus wasn’tthe first One born. Paul was saying that Jesus is in the
position of the double
2
portion inheritance. That is what it means for Him to be firstborn.  Jesus has
more authority than any other man in all creation. When it says He is the
firstborn from the dead, it means He is the first One to be raisedfrom the

dead. He is the first One with a resurrectedbody, and He is in the position of
heir for everyone who is to be resurrected. He has the premier authority for
everyone who is raised from the dead. o He is the firstborn from the dead and
the firstfruits of those who have died. The saints will be raised from the dead,
but Jesus is the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23). 20 Christ is risen from the dead, and
has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep(died)...23 Christ the
firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Cor. 15:20-23)o
Begottenmeans “to cause or to bring forth” someone orsomething. Some see
the actof begetting the Son as the incarnation, but most see it as Jesus’
resurrection. Begottenexpresses the idea of Jesus’uniqueness to the Father
(Jn. 3:16; Heb. 11:17;1 Jn. 4:9). o Begottenis used of the Father's act in
making Christ His Son, saying, "You are My Son; today I have begotten You"
(Ps. 2:7). Paul quoted this in Acts 13 connecting the resurrectionas that which
declaredJesus to be God’s Son. Jesus’sonshipwas openly manifest in history
at that time. 33 He has raised up Jesus. As it is written... "You are My Son,
today I have begottenYou.” (Acts 13:33) 4 Declaredto be the Son of God with
power...bythe resurrectionfrom the dead. (Rom 1:4)  SEEING AND
SAVORING JESUS, THE FIRSTBORN o Let’s apply the A-R-K principle.
Again, my point is to steeryou in the right direction to drink deeply of Jesus
as the firstborn, the One with all the power, the One with all the authority, the
One with the preeminent position, the One on whom rests God’s anointing
and favor, and the One who is going to bring you into the place of favor with
Him. That’s what it means that He is the firstborn from the dead. o A-R-K:
We apply the truths about Jesus in Revelationto our lives in three ways:1.
Agreement: Make declarations ofagreementto Jesus as the firstborn with
affection. For example, pray, “Jesus,You are the firstborn. I rejoice in Your
preeminence over all.” • When we saythe “A”, we come into bold agreement,
but it’s an affectionate agreement. It’s not just agreeing in your heart; you are
actually declaring it to Him. You are right before Him. “Jesus,You are the
firstborn; You are the preeminent One; You are the One; You are the heir of
the promises. They are all Yours. I rejoice in Your preeminence over
everything. I love this about You. Father, thank You that You gave Jesus this
position.” • Talk to Jesus and the Fatherlike this. It will touch you; you will
feel the Spirit’s presence, notevery time but you will feelthe Spirit’s presence
when you talk to God on His terms. The Lord hears the groaning of our

hearts. There are certain truths that the Holy Spirit is highlighting about
Jesus. Whenwe declare those truths to Him, powerful things happen in our
hearts. 2. Revelation:“RevealYourselfto me and show me Your glory as the
firstborn.” • The “R” is very simple; it’s always the same:“RevealYour glory
to me as the firstborn; show
3
me who You are as the firstborn.” What does that mean? You will be learning
about this, not just for the next ten, twenty, thirty years, but for the next ten,
twenty, thirty million years you will still be learning what this is about. You
will be glorying in it. 3. Keep the prophecy: By responding in faith and
obedience to the specific truth of Jesus as the firstborn. For example, pray, “I
commit to proclaim who You are as the One who is over all. I will obey and
submit to Your greatleadership. Empowerme to obey You.” • K: Keep the
prophecy by responding to it in a practicalway in your personallife. “I
commit to proclaim that You are the preeminent One.” That is really great in
a church service or a conference centerora prayer room. But once you get
outside of the secure environment of people who are all excited about that, it
becomes a very uncomfortable truth. “I will proclaim that You are the
preeminent One. I will declare that You have infinitely more powerthan the
world religions, than Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and all the other –isms.
There is only one Jesus, and there is none like You. You alone are the
preeminent One. I take my stand. I am convinced that You will triumph over
all of them in history. You have already triumphed over them in the
resurrection, but it will be openly displayed before all of history.” • Islam does
not intimidate us. We are not intimidated by any other religion, because there

is only One who is going to cover the earth. He is the firstborn; He is the
absolute victor in history. He has the favor of God in every capacity. • Maybe
you will tell Him, “As the firstborn, I will obey Your leadership. You have the
favor of God on You; the glory of God is on You.” He is fully God, but as a
man He has the fullness of God. “I will obey Your leadership. You are the
boss;I am the follower. I am not negotiating with You; I am honoring who
You are. You are the firstborn.” • That is how we talk to Him, in those ways.
“Empowerme; help me.” Those are very simple prayers. You don’t have to
have a fancy prayer, but I want to challenge you. Do a little selfcheck. Have
you ever saidthat to Jesus?Have you ever just settleddown in the heart of
affectionand said, “I love You as the firstborn. I don’t really know what it
means, but wow I want to know. I am giving myself into it. I don’t get it, but
I’m in.” The Holy Spirit will smile. He will say, “Come on, keepcoming after
it. You will grow.”
https://audio.forerunner.cc/worshipteam/Revelation%201:%20The%20Bea
uty%20of%20Jesus/Excerpts/Rev1__Rev%201_5b%20The%20Firstborn.pdf
What does itmean that Jesus is the firstborn ofcreation?
by MattSlick
The phrase "firstborn of all creation" is notdealing with time, but status and
position. It does notmean that Jesus is the first createdthing. It means that
Jesus is the one who is preeminent, the mostimportant. We cansee this here in
Colossians.
"He is the image ofthe invisible God, the firstborn of allcreation. 16 Forby
Him all things were created, bothin the heavens and onearth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones ordominions orrulers or authorities—allthings
havebeencreatedthroughHimand forHim. 17 Heisbeforeallthings,and in
Him allthingshold together,"(Colossians1:15-17).

As youcan see,JesuscannotbethefirstcreatedthingbecausetheBiblesaysin
verse16thathecreatedallthings. Of course,God isnotcreated so whenitis
referring to allthingsbeingcreatedby Jesuswemustconcludethat heisdivine,
God in flesh. Naturally, thiswould meanthathe isthepreeminentone.
Firstborn, πρωτότοκος, prototokos
The word "firstborn"isusedin differentcontexts. Pleaseconsider thefollowing
chartwhich listsallof theoccurrencesof thewordin theGreek NewTestament.
Address
Verse
Usage
Luke2:7
And shegavebirthto her firstborn son; andshewrappedHimin cloths, andlaid
Him in a manger, becausetherewasno roomforthem in theinn.
LiteralBirth
Luke2:23
(asit iswrittenin theLawof theLord, “EVERY firstbornMALETHATOPENS
THE WOMBSHALLBE CALLEDHOLY TOTHE LORD”),
LiteralBirth
Romans8:29
For thosewhomHeforeknew,Healso predestinedto becomeconformedto the
imageof HisSon, so thatHewouldbethefirstbornamongmanybrethren;
Preeminent
Colossians1:15
He is theimageof theinvisibleGod,thefirstborn of allcreation.
Preeminent

Colossians1:18
He is also headof thebody, thechurch; and Heisthebeginning, thefirstborn
fromthedead,so that HeHimselfwillcometo havefirstplacein everything.
First Resurrected
Hebrews1:6
And whenHeagainbringsthefirstborninto theworld,Hesays, “AND LETALL
THE ANGELS OFGODWORSHIPHIM.”
Preeminentandworshipped
Hebrews11:28
By faithhekeptthePassoverandthesprinklingof theblood, so thathewho
destroyedthefirstbornwouldnottouchthem.
LiteralBirth
Hebrews12:23
to thegeneralassemblyandchurch of thefirstbornwho areenrolledin heaven,
and to God, theJudgeof all,andto thespiritsof therighteousmadeperfect,
Belonging to God
Revelation 1:5
and fromJesusChrist, thefaithfulwitness, thefirstbornof thedead, andthe
rulerof thekingsof theearth. To Him who lovesusandreleasedusfromour
sinsby Hisblood—
First Resurrected
As youcan see,context determinesmeaningandwecannot say thatfirstborn
alwaysmeansfirstcreated; thatis, aswouldbeunderstoodin thecontext of
literalbirth.
Firstbornistransferrable

The termfirstbornisa titleof preeminencethat isalso transferable. Please
consider thefollowing...
I havefoundDavid Myservant. WithMyholyoilI haveanointedhim,21 with
whomMyhandwillbeestablished. Myarmalso willstrengthen him. 22The
enemy willnotdeceivehim, northeson of wickednessafflicthim. 23But Ishall
crushhisadversariesbeforehim, and strikethosewho hatehim.24 My
faithfulnessandMylovingkindnesswillbewithhim, andin My namehishorn
willbeexalted. 25I shallalso sethishand on theseaandhisrighthandon the
rivers. 26Hewillcryto Me, "YouaremyFather, MyGod, andtherock of my
salvation."27 I also shallmakehimMy firstborn, thehighestof thekingsof the
earth, (Psalm 89:20-27).
David wasnotthefirstbornof hisfamily.In fact, hewasthelast oneborn. We
can seein thissectionof Scripturethat Davidiscalledthefirstborn,"thehighest
of thekingsof theearth."It'sclearlya titleof preeminence.
"AndJoseph called thenameof thefirst-bornManasseh: For, saidhe, Godhath
mademeforget all mytoil, andallmy father'shouse. Andthenameof the
secondcalledheEphraim: For Godhath mademefruitfulin thelandof my
affliction,"(Genesis41:51-52)
Jer. 31:9, " . . . for I am a fatherto Israel, and EphraimisMy firstborn,"(Jeremiah
31:9).
We canseethatthefirstborn titlewastransferredfromManassehto Ephraim.
Clearly, theterm"firstborn"doesnotnecessitatethefirstonecreatedor the
firstoneborn. Contextalwaysdeterminesmeaning, and whentheBiblesays
Jesusisthefirstborn of allcreationitistalkingabouthispreeminence, his
positionof authority andsuperiority overit. Again, weknowthisisthecase
becausetheverynext versein Colossians, v. 16, saysthat heisthecreatorof all
things.Furthermore, when wecombinethiswitha versein Isaiahwehave
somethingmost interesting.
"ThussaystheLORD, yourRedeemer, and theonewho formedyoufromthe
womb, 'I, theLORD,am themakerof allthings, Stretchingouttheheavensby
Myself Andspreading out theearthall alone,'"(Isaiah44:24).

SincetheLORD(YHWH) istheonewho formedallthingsby himself, alone, and
we seethatJesusisalsothecreator of allthings, thenwemust concludethat
JesusisGod in flesh, creatorof allthings. Heisthefirstbornof all creation. Heis
notthefirstcreatedthing.
About TheAuthor
MattSlick isthePresidentandFounder of theChristianApologeticsand
ResearchMinistry.
Question:"What does it mean that Jesus is the 'first-born' over Creation?"
Answer: In a letter to the church at Colossae,the Apostle Paul gave an
intriguing descriptionof Jesus. In it, he explained Christ's relationship to God
the Fatherand to creation. Some have claimed that Paul’s description of
Christ as the first-born of creationmeans that Jesus was created -- not
eternal, not God. Such a doctrine, however, conflicts with the restof the Bible.
Christ could not be both Creatorand created;John 1 clearlynames Him
Creator. Let’s take a carefullook at the passagewhere Jesus is calledthe first-
born.
Colossians 1:15-21
“And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. Forby
Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things
have been createdby Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in
Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He

is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come
to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's goodpleasure for all
the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile allthings to
Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;through Him, I
say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
Jesus is God
Christ’s relationship to His Father begins with the phrase "the image of the
invisible God." The word “image,” meaning copy or likeness, expresses
Christ's deity. This word involves more than a resemblance, more than a
representation. He is God! Although He took on human form, He has the
exactnature of His Father(Hebrews 1:3).
The "Word" of John 1:1 is a divine Person, not a philosophical abstraction. In
the incarnation, the invisible God became visible in Christ; deity was clothed
with humanity (Matthew 17:2). God is in Christ: visible, audible,
approachable, knowable, andavailable. All that Godis, Christ is.
Jesus is Lord of Creation
The description "first-born of all creation" speaksofChrist’s preexistence.
He is not a creature but the eternalCreator(John 1:10). God createdthe
world through Christ and redeemedthe world through Christ (Hebrews 1:2-
4).
Note that Jesus is called the first-born, not the first-created. The word "first-
born" (Greek word "prototokos")signifies priority. In the culture of the
Ancient NearEast, the first-born was not necessarilythe oldest child. First-
born referred not to birth order but to rank. The first-born possessedthe
inheritance and leadership.

Therefore, the phrase expresses Christ's sovereigntyover creation. After
resurrecting Jesus from the dead, God gave Him authority over the Earth
(Matthew 28:18). Jesus createdthe world, savedthe world, and rules the
world. He is the self-existent, acknowledgedHeadof creation.
Finally, the phrase recognizes Him as the Messiah:"I will make Him [Christ]
My first-born, higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27).
Six times the Lord Jesus is declaredto be the first-born of God (see Romans
8:29; Colossians1:15, 18;Hebrews 1:6; 12:23;Revelation1:5). These passages
declare the preexistence, the sovereignty, and the redemption that Christ
offers.
Thus, the phrase "first-born of all creation" proclaims Christ’s preeminence.
As the eternal Sonof God, He createdthe universe. He is the Ruler of
creation!https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-first-born.html
Why is Jesus the firstborn from the dead when Lazarus was resurrected
before Him?
BibleAsk Team
Postedon
July 16, 2018
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“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and
the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washedus
from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation1:5).
What does the phrase “firstborn from the dead” in revelation mean?
Neither Lazarus nor Jesus were the first individuals to be resurrectedfrom
the Dead. In the Old Testamentwe know that Moses gotresurrectedfrom the
dead (Jude 9) and Elijah also resurrecteda young boy (1 kings 17:21:22). And
in the New Testament, Jesus Himselfresurrectedthree individuals from the
dead (John 11:44; Luke 7:15; Luke 5:42).
Though Jesus was not the firstborn from the dead in point of time, He is
consideredthe first in the sense that all others resurrectedbefore and after
Him gained their freedom from the bonds of death through His victory over
death. Jesus’powerto give His life and to take it again(John 10:18)separates
Him from all other men resurrectedfrom the grave and identifies Him as the
source of all life (Rom. 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:12–23;John 1:4, 7–9).
Jesus is the only One that canunlock the tomb “I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and
who is to come, the Almighty. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I
am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death”
(Revelation1:8, 18).
The word “first” has different meanings. For example, the president’s wife is
called“the first lady” but that doesn’t mean she is the first lady to ever exist
but rather she is “first” in rank or position. So, it is clearthat in this verse the
word “first” means preeminence in rank and honor.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team

FAITHFUL WITNESS AND FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD
REVELATION 1:5
"And from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, and the first begottenof
the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us,
and washedus from our sins in His own blood..."
As in previous blogs, I'll focus upon eachphrase in this verse. Eachverse in
the book of Revelationis a TREASURE TROVE ofSPIRITUAL WEALTH,
so I'll NOT rush through it. I encourage youto savorthese teachings like a
mouthful of rich chocolate, slowlyenjoying their pleasantdelight...
In verse 5, we see THREE TITLES of Jesus Christ, which picture our Lord as
faithful witness (Prophet), first begottenof the dead (Priest)and prince of the
kings of the earth (King).
JESUS IS FAITHFUL WITNESS
As a TRUE PROPHET, partof the ministry of Jesus is to REVEAL God, the
Father, to mankind. Jesus not only TOLD people about the FATHER GOD,
but in his INCARNATION, by becoming Godin the flesh of a man, by HIS
VERY PERSON, Jesusis the PERFECT REVELATION andA WITNESS to
EVERYONE of ALL that God is (and has said and done).

I quote from the Gospelof John, the words of Jesus Himself, which shows this
facetof His ministry: A FAITHFUL WITNESS and A PROPHET.
He's speaking to His disciples (and IF we follow Jesus, WE ARE His disciples,
too)--"If you had knownme, you would HAVE KNOWN MY FATHER also:
and from henceforth you KNOW Him, and have SEEN Him" John 14:7
The middle part of John 14:9--"...He that hath SEEN Me has SEEN the
Father..."
"Believestthou not that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The
words that I speak unto you I speak NOT of Myself: but the Fatherthat
dwells in Me, He does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the
Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works sake." John14:10-11.
Jesus makes it clear, that IF people would geta correctunderstanding of Him
(Jesus), of the words He spoke, ofthe deeds He did, of the mercy He
demonstrated, of the forgiveness He offered, of the love He shared, of the
sacrifices He made--then those people would have A CORRECT
UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, THE LORD GOD
ALMIGHTY, THE OLD TESTAMENT JEHOVAH, THE FATHER WHO
SITS OMNIPOTENT ON HIS THRONE IN HEAVEN.
IF YOU SEE AND KNOW JESUS, YOU ALSO SEE AND KNOW GOD,
THE FATHER. This is so important to grasp, comprehend, and store deep
inside our hearts!

Another insight about the FAITHFUL WITNESS is that the Greek word for
"witness" is "martus." This is the root from which we getour English word
"martyr."
Jesus indeed became a "martyr." He was FAITHFUL--even to the point of
becoming a sacrifice upon the cross. He was FAITHFUL unto death!
Jesus approachedHis death, His face setlike flint toward Jerusalem, knowing
FULL WELL what would happen to Him. Jesus laid down His life so that
mankind, held captive by sin to eternaldeath (spiritual death), could be set
free.
Jesus SHOWED the WILL of His Father. "ForGod so loved the world, that
He gave His only begottenSon, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should
NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE." John 3:16.
"Greaterlove hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends." John 15:13.
God Himself (in Jesus)lay down His life for us (in the secondpersonof the
Godhead). He's THE FAITHFUL WITNESS (MARTYR)for our sakes,so
that He might become our Savior and Lord.
The end of the story is that Jesus rose triumphant from the tomb, and from
the confines of HADES (in the compartment known as Abraham's bosom--or
"paradise"). Jesus triumphed over the grave, death and the works of the
devil through His death and resurrection. And now, God will NO LONGER
sentence anyone to a place of eternal torment in hell--IF--and THIS is THE

CRUX of the story,--IF we will place our FAITH in Jesus and ask Him to
come dwell in our hearts. Then, and only then, we will NOT receive eternal
judgment from God.
Can you acceptthis greatGIFT which is given to us by God Himself? May
you know the joy of SALVATION.
RESURRECTION--WHO'S FIRST?
Having seenJesus as the FAITHFUL WITNESS, we'llnow look at Him as the
FIRST BEGOTTENOF THE DEAD (meaning that He ROSE from dead--
AND receiveda glorified resurrectionbody--this, too, for our sakes.)
What does this mean? HOW did it unfold? What does it signify for us?
The FIRST BEGOTTEN(meaning "first born") OF THE DEAD points to the
crucifixion of Jesus, and His powerful victory over death. In performing what
He did at the cross, Jesusactedas a PRIEST. How can that be possible?
Where does death and resurrectionfit into the PRIEST concept?
A PRIEST serves Godas a "go-between"--someone who stands "in place" to
REPRESENTotherpeople before God. In Jesus'actof rising from the dead,
He received an immortal, glorified body...AND He entered THE OFFICE of
our GREAT HIGH PRIEST at the throne of God.

Christians pray to God IN THE NAME OF JESUS. PLUS, Jesus SITS atthe
right hand of God the Father, and INTERCEDESfor us. Hebrews 4:14-16
and 1 John 2:1. INTERCESSION IS THE ACT OF A PRIEST, and Jesus
obtained THAT MINISTRYby becoming the FIRST BEGOTTEN (first
procreated, first born) OF THE DEAD.
Jesus IS the FIRST personto be resurrectedfrom the dead, and Who
obtained a glorified body. (There are a few exceptions. Lazarus was raised
from the dead BEFOREJesus,as wellas some others, like 12 year old Jairus'
daughter, but these people did NOT receive a glorified or resurrectionbody.
They died for a secondtime at the end of their lifespan.)
There's something else, concerning this topic, which is MUCH HARDER to
explain (so try to bear with me, and realize, that at this point in time, we all
look through a glass darkly. Now we canonly understand, in part, but when
we get to heaven ourselves, we'llknow in full).
In the Old Testament, two men were takenfrom earth into heaven--Enoch
and Elijah. They were "translated"--whichis a word that means "to be
removed from earth to heavenWITHOUT passing through the usual death
procedure." Genesis 5:21-23and 2 Kings 2:11.
[I'll insert this technicality BEFORE continuing] We cansay that Enochand
Elijah did NOT REALLY DIE, since they were taken from earth to heaven
WITHOUT passing through death's channel. But, their presence in heaven
REQUIRES that they are in a GLORIFIED STATE--AS IF they had actually
died and rose again. (Enochand Elijah, as types, show an awesome truth
FOR THE CHURCH--which will be studied in more depth in a FUTURE
blog.)

Are we to believe that Enochand Elijah are at the THRONE OF GOD in
NORMAL bodies of "flesh and blood" BECAUSE they were translated
directly from earth to heaven WITHOUT passing through the usual door of
death? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Other scriptures reveals that FLESH AND
BLOOD cannot STAND in God's presence--the ACT WOULD KILL A
MORTAL PERSON!
There's a THIRD man who is shrouded in MYSTERYbecause of UNUSUAL
actions by God, AFTER his death. Let's considerMoses.
We discoverin Exodus 33:17-23, thatMoses neededto hide in a cleft of a rock
when God's glory was revealedto him. This was to PROTECTMoses from
dying in God's presence. Moseswasn'tallowedto look upon God's face--he
could only see God's backside--BECAUSE "ThouCANST see My face: for
there shall NO MAN see Me AND LIVE." Again, this points to HOW a
MORTAL man, of flesh and blood, CANNOT survive in the presence ofa
HOLY God!
There's more about Moses: In him, we see that there's a THIRD idea to
consider, concerning WHO'S in heaven--and this BEFORE the events of
Jesus'first coming!
Something unusual occurredwhen Moses died. Scripture tells us that Moses
died in the land of Moab, "according to the Lord." NO MAN KNOWS where
the tomb of Moses lies, becausethe Lord Himself TOOK CARE of Moses'
dead body. Did Moses'burial by God involve MORE than his being laid to
rest in a valley in the land of Moab, over againstBeth-peor (which means
"house of a wide open gap")? Did God take him to heaven? Deuteronomy
34:5-7. I ask this question BECAUSE, when we get to the Gospels, we see

MOSES and Elijah appear in the glory of Jesus'transfiguration. Matthew
17:1 to 3.
How could Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in the transfiguration IF they
were NOT already in heaven, in God's presence? Was the transfiguration
JUST A VISION that Jesus allowedhis disciples to witness? Or was it a
REAL EVENT, sponsoredby a God Who can do anything, Who can suspend
His laws temporarily, if it suits His purpose?
I personally feelit MUST have been REAL--BECAUSE Peterwanted to
ERECT A MONUMENT, A MEMORIAL, right on that spot! (Although
there could be a DOUBT about Moses actuallybeing in heaven [because ofa
"burial" performed by God], there's NO DOUBT about Elijah. He was taken
up to heavenin a fiery chariot!)
Can Elijah (or Enoch), be in heaven in God's presence--ina REGULAR "flesh
and blood" body (since they did NOT pass through death to get there)? THE
ANSWER: THEY CANNOT EXIST IN HEAVEN IN MORTAL FLESH
AND BLOOD. God's glory would kill them instantly! These men, in heaven,
MUST have receivedGLORIFIED bodies in order to exist there. (Again, this
is my understanding about it--and REMEMBER,I see through that glass
darkly!)
With all of this in mind, HOW CAN JESUS be called THE FIRST
BEGOTTEN (first procreated, first born) OF THE DEAD--Who receiveda
glorified resurrectionbody? There seems to be a discrepancy, since Enoch
and Elijah were taken (translated) to heavenBEFORE Jesus rosefrom the
dead, AND since a mystery surrounds Moses'deadbody (the reasonwhy his
grave has never been discovered). Wouldn't Enoch, Elijah, and possibly
Moses,be consideredas the first to receive GLORIFIED bodies? And

because Moses andElijah were seenin GLORIFIED bodies, along with Jesus
at the Mount of Transfiguration, does that mean they were sentby God from
heaven (in glorified bodily form) to meet with Jesus there?
In this, we must remember GOD'S perspective. He KNOWS the END from
the BEGINNING,and everything in between. Godcould make
EXCEPTIONSaboutEnoch, Elijah, and possibly Moses, BECAUSE in God's
eyes, JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD FROM
BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD! 1 Peter1:18-21 and
Ephesians 1:3-4.
This means that BEFORE Godcreatedthe world, BEFORE Godcreated
Adam and Eve, BEFOREAdam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God
KNEW what would happen. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit had already
planned THE ANSWER to mankind's sin, BEFORE theirsin ACTUALLY
OCCURRED. The reasonJesus canbe truthfully calledTHE FIRST
BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD, is because from God's ETERNAL
PERSPECTIVE,Jesus HAD ALREADY DIED, ROSE FROM THE DEAD
AND RECEIVED HIS GLORIFIED BODY. This is INDEED ONE of the
PROFOUND MYSTERIESofGod. (God, in ETERNITY--perceives
FUTURE events which indeed happen IN OUR TIME, as IF those events were
ALWAYS there and PRESENT beforehand. This is AS DIFFICULT for us to
understand as the three persons of God's TRINITY. Some things will never
be clearto us until we actually get to heaven, experience ETERNITY, and see
the TRINITYfor ourselves.)
We must remember, too, that Enoch, Elijah, and possibly Moses, could NOT
be in heavenduring Old Testamenttimes, UNLESS...

The UNLESS is THAT these men BELIEVED the Gospelas it was presented
from God TO THEM--IN THEIR TIME. Theywere reckonedrighteous
BECAUSE they believed God's promise to send A SAVIOR, His ONLY
BEGOTTEN Son, Jesus. Enoch, Elijah, and possibly Moses, were takento
heaven because oftheir FAITH in Jesus--evenBEFORE Jesus was actually
incarnated!
IN GOD'S PERSPECTIVE, THESE MEN RECEIVED SALVATION, AND
THEY DWELL IN HEAVEN, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN JESUS
EVEN BEFOREJESUS PERFORMEDTHE WORK. AND IN GOD'S
ETERNALPERSPECTIVE,JESUS HAD ALREADY RISEN TO BE "THE
FIRST BEGOTTENOF THE DEAD"--FOR ALL THOSE WHO WILL
PLACE THEIR TRUST IN HIM (whether they arrive in heaven THROUGH
death or "translation"--the Rapture).
I KNOW this is exceptionallydeep. And it IS profound. But this is the ONLY
way to explain Enochand Elijah (who did NOT REALLY DIE, and who
technically DID NOT RISE FROM THE DEAD, but who nevertheless, MUST
possesssome kind of "translated" bodies in heaven), and possibly also Moses
(whose dead body was caredfor by God). MY PURPOSE IS TO
HIGHLIGHT A DEEP MYSTERY--WITHOUT CREATING ANY
MASSIVE CONTRADICTIONS. And I hope this didn't confuse you!
Indeed, Jesus is our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, becauseJesusis THE FIRST
BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD!
Now, we'll begin to see what the FIRST RESURRECTIONREALLY IS--and
HOW the FIRST RESURRECTIONwill unfold. There's MUCH more to
BOGGLE our minds!

RISEN FROM THE DEAD--IN STAGES
To briefly recap: Revelation1:5 (first part of the verse). "...andfrom Jesus
Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begottenof the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth..."
The focus remains upon "THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD."
In this, we see Jesus Christas the FIRST person to have experienceddeath,
descendinto hell--the compartment of Hades called"Paradise,"rise again
from the dead, and to receive a glorified resurrectionbody.
The new body that Christ receivedwas solid, comprisedof flesh and bone.
His disciples could touch it, could place their fingers into the scars leftby the
nails in his hands and feet. And at the same time, Jesus was able to appear
and disappearat will. He could suddenly materialize inside a closedroom.
He was also able to eat. John 20:18-31.
Christ's new resurrectionbody is THE SAME KIND that believers in the
Lord will receive upon their own resurrection(or by their "translation" in the
"rapture" of the church)--whichever that might be. The new body will be
ETERNAL--whichwill NEVER ever grow old, and which will NEVER grow
tired, be injured or become sick. The new body will be IMMORTAL--
meaning that NEVER againwill our bodies die. We have so much to
anticipate! What joy! What release! What freedom! (I'm so eagerand
excited--more than ready to KNOW and EXPERIENCEthese ULTIMATE
blessings!)

Jesus rising from the dead is PART of what's calledthe FIRST
RESURRECTION. We see the first resurrectionexplained in Revelation
20:6. "Blessedand holy is he that has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION:
on such the SECOND DEATHhas no power, but they shall be priests of God
and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."
Some people believe that the FIRST RESURRECTION willtake place in
ONE FELL SWOOP afterthe return of Jesus in the Armageddon
confrontation. However, when we SEE that Jesus has ALREADY risen from
the dead, and that HIS resurrectionIS PART of the FIRST
RESURRECTION, then we are able to sense that the FIRST
RESURRECTIONtakes place IN STAGES.
1 Corinthians 15:23 says this (speaking of resurrection), "But EVERY man
IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the FIRSTFRUITS;afterward THEY THAT
ARE CHRIST'S AT HIS COMING." And continuing THE ORDER ofthe
FIRST RESURRECTIONinto verse 24--"THEN comes THE END..."
We need to understand how Jesus FULFILLED the feastof FIRSTFRUITS,a
Jewishholiday, which is celebratedTHREE DAYS after the Passover. Christ
died on Passover, andthree days later, He rose againfrom the dead on the
VERY DAY of FIRSTFRUITS--andHe became the FIRSTFRUITS ofthe
FIRST RESURRECTION(onthe EXACT DAY that the Jews celebratedthat
feast).
Afterward, WE SEE the SECOND PART ofthe FIRST RESURRECTION--
those who are Christ's AT HIS COMING (speaking ofthe Church and an
event called "the Rapture," the "catching up", the Greek wordHARPAZO--

Jesus was the firstborn from the dead

Jesus was the firstborn from the dead

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