What is the meaning of Revelation 1:4? John • Revelation opens by naming its human writer: “John” (Revelation 1:1). • This is the Apostle John, eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry (John 19:35) and author of the Gospel and three letters (1 John 1:1). • He is now exiled on Patmos “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9), showing that faithful witness may bring earthly hardship but heavenly reward (Matthew 5:11-12). • The Lord chose John to receive and record “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-2), just as He earlier entrusted him with the care of His mother (John 19:26-27) and intimate visions of His glory (Matthew 17:1-2). To the seven churches in the province of Asia • These congregations—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea (Revelation 1:11)—lay along a circular Roman postal route in what is now western Turkey. • Seven, the number of completeness in Scripture (Genesis 2:2-3; Joshua 6:4-5), signals that the message is for the entire Church in every era (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17 …). • Each church receives specific commendations and corrections (Revelation 2–3), reminding us that Christ walks among His lampstands and knows every local fellowship intimately (Revelation 1:12-13). • Paul’s ministry had already saturated this region with the gospel (Acts 19:10), but decades later the Lord still calls His people to renewed faithfulness—a timeless pattern (Galatians 3:3). Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come • “Grace” (unmerited favor) and “peace” (well-being with God) form the classic New-Covenant greeting (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3), now amplified by the book that unveils the future. • The source is “Him who is and was and is to come,” a three-fold description of the eternal Father (Revelation 4:8). – He IS: the ever-present I AM (Exodus 3:14). – He WAS: sovereign over all past history (Psalm 90:2). – He IS TO COME: guaranteeing the consummation of His purposes (Isaiah 46:10). • His unchanging nature secures our salvation (Malachi 3:6) and anchors every prophecy that follows (Hebrews 6:17-19). and from the seven spirits before His throne • The greeting also flows from “the seven spirits,” a phrase appearing repeatedly in Revelation (3:1; 4:5; 5:6). • Seven signifies fullness; thus the reference points to the Holy Spirit in His perfect, manifold ministry (Isaiah 11:2 lists seven aspects: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD, and delight in Him). • Zechariah’s vision of a seven-branched lampstand “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:2-6, 10) prefigures this description. • The Spirit stands “before His throne,” continually ready to empower God’s people (Acts 1:8) and illuminate Christ’s revelation (John 16:13-14). • Together with the Father and the Son (named in Revelation 1:5), we see the Trinity united in greeting and blessing the churches (2 Corinthians 13:14). summary Revelation 1:4 introduces the book with a warm, authoritative greeting. John, Christ’s trusted apostle, writes to seven representative churches, assuring them of “grace and peace” from the eternal Father and the complete, empowering Spirit. The unchanging God who rules past, present, and future lovingly addresses His people, setting the stage for the majestic unveiling of His plans and the certain triumph of His kingdom. |
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