Jesus identifies Himself as “first and last” four times in revelation (1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13). It is a global, four-cornered declaration.

But the particular contours of that phrase are set by the earlier declaration that Jesus is “firstborn” from the dead (1:5). Jesus is first not only in the Father’s love, not only first in creation, but first in everything, including first in overcoming death.

These statements about Jesus might also specify the fault of the Ephesian church in leaving their “first love” and falling from their “first works.” That love is Jesus Himself, the first, and the works are the works that Jesus Himself calls the churches to perform. Because Jesus is first, and firstborn, first from the dead and first in everything, He must also be the first love.