Rev 1:4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 1:4-8: 1:4-8 The second introduction (see study note on 1:1-11) is in the style of a Greek letter. 1:4 To the seven churches does not mean that there were only seven churches in the Roman province of Asia but that these seven churches represent the entire group. Grace and peace is a typical Christian greeting (see study notes on 2 Cor 1:1-2; 2 Thes 1:1-2). The order of the two words is consistent in the New Testament, suggesting that peace follows from God’s grace. • who is, who always was, and who is still to come: God controlled the past, will surely control the future, and is sovereign over every present crisis (see also Rev 1:8 ; 4:8 ; 11:17 ; 16:5 ). • the sevenfold Spirit (literally the seven spirits ): Some argue that the “seven spirits” are seven angels, but the phrase fits between references to God the Father (1:4 ) and to God the Son (1:5 ), making this passage a description of the Trinity (see Matt 28:19 ; John 14:26 ; 15:26 ; 2 Cor 13:14 ; 1 Pet 1:2 ). The number seven acknowledges the Holy Spirit’s perfection (cp. Zech 4:2 , 6 , 10 ).

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‏ Revelation of John 1:4

Summary for Rev 1:4-8: 1:4-8 ^a The second introduction (see study note on 1:1-11) is in the style of a Greek letter. 1:4 ^b To the seven churches does not mean that there were only seven churches in the Roman province of Asia but that these seven churches represent the entire group. Grace and peace is a typical Christian greeting (see study notes on 2 Cor 1:1-2; 2 Thes 1:1-2). The order of the two words is consistent in the New Testament, suggesting that peace follows from God’s grace.

• who is, who always was, and who is still to come: God controlled the past, will surely control the future, and is sovereign over every present crisis (see also Rev 1:8 ^c; 4:8 ^d; 11:17 ^e; 16:5 ^f).

• the sevenfold Spirit (literally the seven spirits): Some argue that the “seven spirits” are seven angels, but the phrase fits between references to God the Father (1:4 ^g) and to God the Son (1:5 ^h), making this passage a description of the Trinity (see Matt 28:19 ⁱ; John 14:26 ^j; 15:26 ^k; 2 Cor 13:14 ^l; 1 Pet 1:2 ^m). The number seven acknowledges the Holy Spirit’s perfection (cp. Zech 4:2 ⁿ, 6 ^o, 10 ^p).