Though the Roman emperor of John’s day might be recognized as supreme in the world so that all must submit to him, Jesus Christ declares that he has a position above every emperor so that any emperor or president or king is in fact Jesus’ servant. In the face of all the challenging details Jesus will reveal in coming chapters, this is deeply comforting for the churches!
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood