Let’s begin with a few introductory verses in this book.  Revelation 1:4-6 says, “John to the SEVEN CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN ASIA: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 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 washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 

It’s not that there were not more churches in that region, but the number seven is used as representing completeness. These seven churches represent the universal Church of all times and places.  The seven churches are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  I encourage you to read these addresses in chapters 2 and 3.  They are rich with knowledge and lessons for us today.

In Revelation 3:14 we read, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”  In each of these seven addresses, the Lord introduces Himself in a way that is pertinent to each church He is speaking to.  Here, in the church of Laodicea, the Lord refers to Himself as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”

Let us look at each one of these characteristics of the Lord Jesus.

“The Amen.” – Laodicea was characterized by lukewarmness (verse 15).  The word ‘Amen’ means true and certain.  Used here, it means that the Lord Jesus is eminently true and certain. What He confirms is true; what He promises or threatens is certain.  Where apathy existed, the Lord as the Amen, stands for that which is right and demands acceptance. 

“The faithful and true witness.” – Christ is a witness for God and His truth, and He can approve of nothing which the God of truth would not approve.  In Malachi 3:6 we read, “For I am the LORD, I change not…”  The Lord Jesus is the consistent and eternal witness to the truth that never changes, even as He never changes.  We are assured in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”  As the faithful and true witness, the Lord always speaks that which is true.  He HAS to speak nothing but truth because He “cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2)

“The beginning of the creation of God.”  While the wording of this phrase has caused confusion, we must ‘compare scripture with scripture’ to understand what is being said here.  Is it possible that Christ is the first of God’s creation?  Is Christ a created person?  Let’s consider Colossians 1:12-17, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 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 CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” 

John 1:1-3 teaches us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”  Who is the Word that was with God and is God?  Who is this One who made all things?  Who is this Word?  It is Christ, Himself as we read in verse 14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” 

1 Timothy 1:16-17 says, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King ETERNAL, IMMORTAL, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” This clearly shows that Christ is ETERMAL and IMMORTAL.  He was not created for He has existed eternally.  He is immortal…He has no beginning for He IS God.

So, what does it mean in Revelation 3:14 when it says that Christ is “the beginning of the creation of God.”?  The Greek word for ‘beginning’ is ‘archḗ’ and means “magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.”  From this, we can understand that Christ is the head and governor of all creatures.  He is the king of the creation, not a part of the creation.  (CC)  (514.4)