Rev 1: 4 John, to the seven assemblies – those in Asia: Grace to you and peace from the One who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven Breaths which are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus the Anointed – the Faithful Witness, the first-produced out from among the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the land. To the one loving us and washing us from our sins in His own blood,
Verse 4 Introduction – John to 7 assemblies.
Grace and Peace from the source – the Father, the Son, and 7 spirits/breaths.
- Paul’s signature opening: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Shows Paul’s influence on John).
- The 7 “spirits/breaths” before the throne of God – portrayed as 7 lamps (Rev. 4:5) and 7 eyes (Rev. 5:6)
7 eyes – Zech. 3:8-9; 4:10 God’s ability to see everywhere. Why 7? Here they SEE the 7 assemblies, the Lamb is watching as indicated in the 7 letters.
Verse 5
- Jesus the faithful “witness” (the Messenger who testified to John)
- the “first-begotten from among the dead.” This term was borrowed from Paul in (Col. 1:15-18), refers to sequence (1 Cor. 15:20-23).
