Revelation 1:5

“And from Jesus Christ, etc.] Who, though the second Person in the Trinity, is mentioned last, because many things were to be said of him; and who is described in all his offices: in his prophetic office, the faithful witness; as he is of his Father, of his mind and will, with respect to doctrine and worship; of his truth and faithfulness in his promises; and of his love, grace, and mercy, to his chosen; and of himself, of his true deity, proper sonship, and perfect equality with the Father; of his Messiahship, and of salvation through his obedience, sufferings, and death; and of all truth in general, to which he has bore a faithful testimony several ways, in his ministry, by his miracles, at…”

“the faithful witness--of the truth concerning Himself and His mission as Prophet, Priest, and King Saviour. "He was the faithful witness, because all things that He heard of the Father He faithfully made known to His disciples. Also, because He taught the way of God in truth, and cared not for man, nor regarded the persons of men. Also, because the truth which He taught in words He confirmed by miracles. Also, because the testimony to Himself on the part of the Father He denied not even in death. Lastly, because He will give true testimony of the works of good and bad at the day of judgment" [RICHARD OF ST. VICTOR in TRENCH]. The nominative in Greek standing in apposition to the genitive,…”

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness - See the notes on Revelation 1:2. He is faithful in the sense that he is one on whose testimony there may be entire reliance, or who is entirely worthy to be believed. From him “grace and peace” are appropriately sought, as one who hears such a testimony, and as the first-begotten from the dead, and as reigning over the kings of the earth. Thus, grace and peace are invoked from the infinite God in all his relations and operations: as the Father, the Source of all existence; as the Sacred Spirit, going forth in manifold operations upon the hearts of people; and as the Son of God, the one appointed to bear faithful testimony to the truth…”

“And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth - Three glorious appellations are here given him, and in their proper order. He was the faithful witness of the whole will of God before his death, and in death, and remains such in glory. He rose from the dead, as "the first fruits of them that slept;" and now hath all power both in heaven and earth. He is here styled a prince: but by and by he hears his title of king; yea, King of kings, and Lord of lords." This phrase, the kings of the earth, signifies their power and multitude, and also the nature of their kingdom. It became the Divine Majesty to call them kings with a…”

“1:5-6 In this doxology, John gives reasons for praising Jesus. • Doxologies often conclude with the confessional Amen (see Rom 11:36; Phil 4:20), which expresses affirmation. 1:5 John gives three descriptions of Jesus Christ. (1) As the faithful witness, Jesus is our model for proclaiming the Good News of salvation (1:2). (2) The truth that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead is foundational to Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14, 17). (3) As ruler of all the kings of the world (see also Rev 17:14; 19:16), he is the absolute Lord of everything. Inhabitants of the Roman world were expected to declare Caesar as absolute lord; many early Christians died for their conviction that Jesus alone…”

“who is: Rev 3:14; Psa 89:36, Psa 89:37; Isa 55:4; Joh 3:11, Joh 3:32, Joh 8:14-16, Joh 18:37; Ti1 6:13; Jo1 5:7-10 and the first: Act 26:23; Co1 15:20-23; Col 1:18 and the prince: Rev 11:15, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:16; Psa 72:11, Psa 89:27; Pro 8:15, Pro 8:16; Dan 2:2, Dan 7:14; Mat 28:18; Eph 1:20-22; Ti1 6:15 him: Deu 7:8, Deu 23:5; Joh 13:1, Joh 13:34, Joh 15:9; Rom 8:37; Gal 2:20; Eph 2:4, Eph 5:2, Eph 5:25-27; Jo1 4:10 washed: Rev 7:14; Zac 13:1; Joh 13:8-10; Act 20:28; Co1 6:11; Heb 9:14; Pe1 1:19; Jo1 1:7 Revelation 1:6”