Keraia
Revelation 1

Revelation 1:4

John Greets the Seven Churches · Revelation 1:4–8
Read Revelation 1

Translations

Modern
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 seven spirits before His throne,
Traditional
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Literal
John, To the seven churches in Asia: Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits before His throne,
Latin
Joannes septem ecclesiis, quæ sunt in Asia. Gratia vobis, et pax ab eo, qui est, et qui erat, et qui venturus est: et a septem spiritibus qui in conspectu throni ejus sunt:

Original

Greek
English
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 seven spirits before His throne,

Notes

Revelation 1:4

  • To the seven churches do not mean there were only seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. Instead, these seven churches represent the entire group. "Grace and peace" is a typical Christian greeting (see study notes on 2 Corinthians 1:1–2; 2 Thessalonians 1:1–2). The order of these words is consistent in the New Testament, suggesting that peace follows from God's grace.

  • from Him who is and was and is to come: God controlled the past, will control the future, and has complete authority and power over every present crisis (see also Revelation 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:5).

  • the seven spirits: Some argue that the "seven spirits" are seven angels, but the phrase fits between references to God the Father (Revelation 1:4) and God the Son (1:5), making this passage a description of the Trinity (see Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2). The number seven acknowledges the holy spirit’s perfection (compare Zechariah 4:2, 6, 10).

Revelation 1:4–8

The second introduction (see study note on Revelation 1:1–11) follows the style of a Greek letter.

Revelation 1:1–11

Revelation begins with a three-part introduction, including:

  1. a prologue (Revelation 1:1–3),

  2. a letter introduction (Revelation 1:4–8), and

  3. a historical introduction (Revelation 1:9–11).

People

John: Apostle and son of Zebedee

Places

Asia: A Roman province in western Asia Minor

Glossary

Asia Book of Revelation Eternity John, the Apostle Peace

Topics

Asia: The Congregations of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia God: Eternity of I Am That I Am: A Name of Deity Jesus, the Christ: Which Is, Which Was, Which is to Come , the Eternal One, I Am That I Am Peace: Spiritual Seven Spirits Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Congregations in Asia Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Spirits The Trinity: Doctrine of Proved from Scripture Throne of Christ Titles and Names of the Holy Spirit: Seven Spirits of God