Rev 1:4-8 | 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 ).

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).
Summary for Rev 1:5-6: 1:5-6 ^q In this doxology, John gives reasons for praising Jesus.

• Doxologies often conclude with the confessional Amen (see Rom 11:36 ^r; Phil 4:20 ^s), which expresses affirmation. 1:5 ^t John gives three descriptions of Jesus Christ. (1) As the faithful witness, Jesus is our model for proclaiming the Good News of salvation (1:2 ^u). (2) The truth that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead is foundational to Christian faith (1 Cor 15:14 ^v, 17 ^w). (3) As ruler of all the kings of the world (see also Rev 17:14 ^x; 19:16 ^y), he is the absolute Lord of everything. Inhabitants of the Roman world were expected to declare Caesar as absolute lord; many early Christians died for their conviction that Jesus alone holds that position.
1:8 ^z I am is the name of God in the Old Testament (Exod 3:13-14 ^aa; 6:2 ^ab; Deut 6:4 ^ac). Jesus applied this name to himself (cp. John 4:26 ^ad). Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; they signify that God’s actions are all-encompassing. God is fully in control.