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Jesus Is The Faithful Witness
Through the swirling mists of time, one Figure emerges as central to human history. He is both hated and loved, ridiculed and honoured, cursed and blessed. He was often misunderstood by His own followers while He lived, and even today, many followers refuse to acknowledge His true character. One thing is certain: He will not be ignored.
As we journey through the Biblical Gospels, we witness the eternal Son of God becoming a genuine Human being and living among us as He travelled to His destiny on the Cross. But the road does not end at the Cross or even at the Resurrection. In the Book of Revelation, we discover the Resurrected Jesus—fully God and full Man—in action.
The Book of Revelation is a breathtaking Book of worship and the revelation of the Character of our Lord Jesus Christ. Starting in the first chapter, Jesus is presented in the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. As the curtain begins to lift, Jesus is first called the Faithful Witness.
...and from Jesus Christ, Who is the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn From Among The Dead, and the Ruler Of The Kings Of The Earth. Rev. 1:5, NIV
Jesus Is The Faithful Witness:
The Truth
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. [Mark 13:31]
A faithful witness tells the truth. We can believe every word from Jesus. He not only knows the truth, but He is the Truth. No lie or deception can pass His lips. This is not limited to the “words in red,” as some Bibles print Jesus’ dialogue. Every word of Scripture from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is the utterly dependable word of the Faithful Witness. Jesus is the Word of God in human flesh without error. He testifies to what He knows.
Mirror Image
Today, the term 'Faithful Witness' is often diluted, as wine poured into a bucket of water until its profound significance is lost in triviality. There is a dual aspect to this term. One of which Christians will accept in theory, although unravelling its meaning is a task that will stretch into eternity. The second aspect is clouded in mystery and often left untouched as distasteful to modern man.
The first, and more acceptable aspect of Jesus being the Faithful Witness is expressed in Hebrews 1:3:
The Son…is the exact representation of His [God’s] being…
Here, Jesus is the Faithful Witness to God’s true nature. His life, teachings, healings and sacrificial death shatter the devil’s lies that depict God as distant, uncaring or cruel. In Jesus, we see a loving, compassionate, and actively involved Heavenly Father. Jesus is the mirror image of the Father.
Travel back to the dusty roads of Galilee, the bustling synagogues, and humble villages where Jesus walked among men, women, and children. Watch how He engaged people with dignity and kindness, no matter their social status. Men saw a Leader with intergity that they could trust. Women, often marginalized, found acceptance and safety in His presence. Children joyfully played at His feet. He healed all who came to Him. Rich and poor were treated equally. His hard, uncompromising stand against hard-hearted legalists brought out hatred from them and admiration from the common people.
From Jesus's Faithful Witness, we see that Christians have a heavenly Father Who is loving and kind yet not weak. He is intimately involved and sovereign over His creation, inviting us into an intimate relationship with Him. Through Jesus, we see God’s eternal character - a character full of grace, compassion and inexhaustible love.
Let us constantly gaze on Jesus so that we may know and experience more of our Heavenly Father.
What Is A Witness?
Now we will trod on territory avoided by many Christians. As long as they can hold their own image of the Jesus of the Gospels in their mind, they are comforted and satisfied. But the real Jesus will not be confined to man-made boxes. He will be Himself. And we will accept all of Him or end up with none of Him.
What is this second aspect of Jesus the Faithful Witness that we would rather ignore? The Greek word for witness is “martus.” It is used 34 times in the New Testament, including 5 times in the Book of Revelation.
Our word “martyr” comes from this word for witness. You may think you understand what this word means, but you are wrong. A Christian martyr is one who dies for his or her faith in Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the ages, including today, have given their lives for their Lord and Saviour. It is not something we like to think about, but it is an ever-present possibility.
We have accepted that the term martyr means a person dying for their faith, but that is not the primary meaning of the word! Yes, the Bible, including the Book of Revelation, does use the word witness in this common meaning; however, that cannot apply to Jesus.
Jesus was not killed for His faith. The Scripture is clear. Jesus voluntarily laid down His life as part of a pre-arranged plan in eternity to take the wrath of God against sin on Himself so that salvation could come. Jesus was not a witness/martyr in the traditional sense.
What is the primary meaning of the word “witness?”
Prepare to be shocked. The primary meaning of the word witness is….to be a witness to some event. Not shocked? Maybe the meaning wasn’t shocking, but the true responsibilities of a witness are.
A witness to a crime, for example, had serious responsibilities. First, it was his or her duty to help in any way possible. In modern times, it may be as simple as dialling 9-1-1. But whatever the case, to refuse to help was to be negligent or to become an accomplice. Second, his or her role was to testify in court about what happened. Third, it was their job to aid justice, and in the case of a conviction in a capital case, they had to lead in the execution.
Jesus Is The Faithful Witness:
Active Involvement
How does this apply to the fact Jesus Christ is the faithful Witness? The fact that Jesus is faithful reveals that He is not shirking any of His responsibilities.
First, when Adam rebelled and led the human race in rebellion, our Faithful Witness did not stand by as a casual observer. He was intimately involved in bringing about a restored relationship with God. We can see His fingerprints throughout the Old Testament. Then we see Him living a perfect human life and sacrificing Himself on our behalf. In the Book of Revelation, we see His continuing work on behalf of His people. Jesus is the Faithful Witness.
Jesus Is The Faithful Witness:
Perfect Testimony
Second, Jesus possesses perfect knowledge of all past, present and future events worldwide. He stands in the courts of heaven, bearing witness.
This should be a frightening thought for those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. For them, the Faithful Witness is writing down every detail of their lives with unwavering accuracy in a Book that will be opened on Judgment Day. There they will face the Faithful Witness and give an account of every action, word or thought that did not line up with God’s perfect standard. There will be no excuses or technicalities for anything less than perfection from the moment of conception to the moment of death. If even one imperfection is found, the Faithful Witness will slam the door of their cell shut in the dark torments of hell forever. No relief. No escape. No end.
On the other hand, for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, He raises His nail-scared hands and says, “Yes, they are guilty, but I have already paid the price.” The Faithful Witness then joyfully escorts them into the wonderous presence of the Father and the pleasures of Heaven.
Jesus Is The Faithful Witness:
Justice
Third, Jesus acts to bring God’s justice to earth on behalf of His people. In the Book of Revelation, we see this action on behalf of God’s people, the Christians, as we see the Faithful Witness step in to bring justice and execute the enemies of God.
The Book of Revelation is about the end of an age, but not the end of the physical world. In its pages, we see Jesus, the Faithful Witness, judging and terminating the nation of Israel for its centuries-long refusal to submit to the will of God, culminating in their betrayal and murder of the Son of God Himself, followed by the intense persecution of His first-century followers. We also see the judgment of God falling on Rome as the Imperial persecutor of His people. The Faithful Witness will not be stopped. He will execute the enemies of God with divine vengeance.
While there is a final day of judgment coming, Jesus constantly executes His role as a Faithful Witness in the world today. Paul mentions that some Christians died prematurely because they abused the Communion Table. The Faithful Witness allows individuals and even entire civilizations to advance to a certain point of sin, and then judgment falls, and they become but a grain of sand in the desert of history.
Jesus Is The Faithful Witness:
Conclusion
Western Civilization is now kneeling under the executioner’s axe. The Faithful Witness has seen our sins and proud defiance - even within the Christian Church - of our Holy God. The only thing that can stay the executioner’s hand is genuine national repentance. As we see in later chapters in the Book of Revelation, the Faithful Witness begins by reproving His churches. If they do not listen, there is no hope for the rest of the world. God, in grace, give us ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches!
We often ignore this aspect of Jesus. We want to think of Jesus as a motivational speaker, bringing encouragement and happiness to everyone. Those who oppose God are going to suffer God's justice. There will be no compromise, no technicality, and no escape. The Faithful Witness will carry out justice with a bloody sword.
This is the first of many pictures of Jesus in the Book of Revelation. Each one should bring us joy and worship. We should be eternally grateful for God's grace and mercy in our lives. We should work to spread the gospel to a lost and dying world and pray that the Holy Spirit will sweep millions and billions into the Kingdom of God. At the same time, we must recognize that God’s justice is no less worthy of worship than His mercy. We must be very careful not to form a god of our own fancy, but to love the God Who Is.
For more information about Glenn Davis, see our About Glenn page or visit Glenn Davis Books.
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