Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia; grace to you and peace from the one who is and was and is coming and from the seven spirits which are before his throne.
Ἰωάννης ταῖς ἑπτὰ ἐκκλησίαις ταῖς ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ· χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἑπτὰ πνευμάτων ἃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ
This book is written specifically to the seven churches of Asia minor described in chapters 2-3. Yet, the book has a global, universal tone to it. Every human being can find himself or herself in this book. These churches were close to where John has been exiled and probably where he spent the final part of his life and ministry. It is interesting regarding this, that John had gone from Israel all the way to Asia minor. He was like other early Christians who took seriously the command of Jesus to go into the whole world and preach the gospel. John did not stop at Jerusalem, Judea, or Samaria. He went north through Syria, around the edge of the Mediterranean to Asia Minor, what is now Turkey. This was a huge journey for the fisherman from Galilee. Big things often come from small town folk.
The seven churches were strategic in the development of the church in that area. Each had challenges and opportunities. These are briefly described in chapters 2-3. The greeting of “grace and peace” is typical of other New Testament documents. They are the combination of the typical Greek and Jewish greeting of the day. But, this is more than a greeting. It is a statement of assurance of God’s blessing and presence upon these churches. “Grace and peace” are significant statements of what God offers through Jesus Christ.
The source of this grace and peace is the eternal God. God is not bound by time but always has been and will be. This should give the reader assurance that God is present now to be with us through our struggles. God is also coming, which can offer hope to those who are right with God but should bring a sense of foreboding to those who are ensnared by sin.
The seven spirits may refer to the seven angels of the churches mentioned in chapters 2-3. Angels are spiritual beings who can also be present in some type of bodily form. It is difficult to know how far to take the idea of an angel over a whole group or church. What is an angel doing before God’s throne? An angel is basically a messenger of God’s will, a representative of God’s purposes. These seven spirits or angels communicate God’s purposes for these seven churches and reminds them of how they should respond.
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