The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

NAMES AND TITLES OF JESUS IN REVELATION

John described God as “him who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Rev 1:4; cf. 4:8). His vision of heaven includes an image of four creatures who worship God day and night, and they also refer to God as him “who was, and is, and is to come” (v. 8). This phrase echoes Exodus 3:14 – 15, where God spoke of himself as “I am” as he revealed his name to Moses. Jesus also referred to himself as “I AM” (Jn 8:58) and thereby declared himself to be God. John reinforces this reality by declaring that not only is God who he says he is now, but he is also the same God he was throughout history, and he will continue to be the same God in the future. With this eternal consistency in mind, let’s look at the names for Jesus revealed throughout John’s book.

Jesus is the Christ (Rev 1:1; 20:4); the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth (1:5); the Alpha and Omega (1:8 – 13); the son of man (1:13) who holds the sharp, double-edged sword (1:16); the First and the Last (1:17); the Living One who lives and was dead (1:18; 2:8); the one who holds the keys of death and Hades (1:18); the one who holds the seven stars and who walks among the seven golden lampstands (2:1); the Son of God (2:18); the one who searches hearts and minds (2:23); the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1); the one who is holy and true and who has the key of David (3:7); the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation (3:14); the Lord, who is worthy to receive glory and honor and power (4:11); the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David (5:5); the Lamb that has been slain (5:6 – 7); the Lamb who lives (5:8 – 9); the Lord of lords and King of kings (17:14; 19:16); the just Judge who is Faithful and True and the warrior on the white horse (19:11); the Word of God (19:13 – 16); the Lord, the God who inspires the prophets (22:6); the Beginning and the End (22:13); and the bright and Morning Star (22:16).

This list may be a little overwhelming, but this quick look presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the one who died and was raised to life again to defeat death, and the eternally consistent and powerful ruler who loves his people — yesterday, today and forever.

Jesus, you are the great, eternal I AM. You are the Beginning and the End. Language fails to adequately describe or define you. Yet you also choose to be my friend. Thank you. Amen.