How does Revelation 1:4 emphasize the eternal nature of God? Verse at a Glance “John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the sevenfold Spirit before His throne,” The Three-Part Name • “Who is” – God exists right now, fully present and active. • “Who was” – He has always been; there is no point in the past where He began. • “Who is to come” – He remains forever; His future is as certain as His past and present. This sweeping statement covers every moment of time—past, present, and future—revealing a God who transcends time yet rules within it. Old Testament Echoes • Exodus 3:14 – “I AM WHO I AM.” The burning-bush name, Yahweh, anchors the idea of continual, self-existent being. • Psalm 90:2 – “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Eternity in both directions. • Isaiah 44:6 – “I am the First and I am the Last; apart from Me there is no God.” God bookends history. New Testament Parallels • Revelation 1:8 – “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and was and is to come, the Almighty.’” John repeats and expands the title, tying eternity to omnipotence. • Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The Son shares the same timeless nature. • John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word… all things were made through Him.” The Word predates creation and sustains it. Why It Matters Today • Assurance – Because God never changes, His promises stand firm no matter how uncertain our times. • Worship – Recognizing His eternal nature invites awe; He deserves honor beyond any created thing. • Perspective – Life’s trials are temporary; God’s reign stretches past them all. • Hope – “Who is to come” guarantees Christ’s return and the fulfillment of every prophecy. Summary Revelation 1:4 underscores God’s eternal nature through the triple title “who is and was and is to come.” By spanning every dimension of time, the verse proclaims a God who has always existed, is actively present, and will forever reign—offering believers unshakeable confidence in His unchanging character. |
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