Greeting from the Giver of the Revelation | HVSB

Greeting from the Giver of the Revelation

Note· Rev 1:4· Gary W Derickson

1:4 John addressed Revelation to seven churches in the province of Asia, which today is southwestern Turkey. The churches' names are given in order, going clockwise from the southwest. Him who is and who was and who is to come describes Christ, who exists now, always has and always will exist (see Heb. 13:8). The seven Spirits may refer to the angels of the seven churches (chs.2; 3), or to the Holy Spirit (see Isa 11:2).

1:5 Jesus Christ...the firstborn from the dead guarantees the Christian's Resurrection through His Resurrection (1 Cor 15:20,23). Christ will not exert authority (see Matt 28:18) over the kings of the earth until His second coming (19:17-21).

John now communicates God’s greetings to the seven churches, which were the original recipients of this Revelation. Their location is identified as “Asia,” the designation given to the region by the Romans. Today, it is often referred to as Asia Minor in light of our knowledge of the existence of East Asia. We are also introduced to the first trinitarian formula in Revelation. The order of the members of the Godhead differs from other parts of the New Testament, identifying God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and then the Son. However, it reminds us that the members of the Godhead are coequal.

God the Father is identified as the eternal One, “who is and who was and who is to come.” The grammatical construction of this title emphasizes the eternality of God, present, past, and future. It involves a solecism, which means that it uses Hebrew grammar with Greek words. Here, the title is in the nominative case, which is normally used for the subject of a sentence. However, it is the place of a direct object and so “should,” in normal Greek grammar, be in the accusative case. In Hebrew, God’s names and titles are always in the nominative case, even when not the subject of the sentence. This is a sign of respect for God and recognizes that He is the subject of the universe.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as “the seven Spirits” before God’s throne. Later, in chapter 4, the Holy Spirit will be symbolized by a menorah with seven lamps.

Hebrews 13 (WEB)

1Let brotherly love continue. 2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body. 4Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

5Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.” 6So that with good courage we say,

“The Lord is my helper. I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Don’t be carried away by various and strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

10We have an altar from which those who serve the holy tabernacle have no right to eat. 11For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside of the camp. 12Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate. 13Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach. 14For we don’t have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come. 15Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. 16But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

18Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things. 19I strongly urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

20Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

22But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23Know that our brother Timothy has been freed, with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you.

24Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. The Italians greet you.

25Grace be with you all. Amen.

Bible version

World English Bible · public domain · ebible.org