HIM WHO IS, AND WHO WAS, AND WHO IS TO COME / REVELATION 1:4-5

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(KJV) Revelation 1:4-5

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; ⁵ And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

The Triune Blessing: Encountering the Eternal God in Revelation

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the chaotic pacing of the modern world? In a culture obsessed with the next viral trend or the immediate future, our souls easily lose their anchor.

The opening of the Book of Revelation offers a profound cure for this anxiety. In Revelation 1:4-5, the Apostle John opens his letter to the seven churches with a staggering, multi-dimensional blessing that grounds our fragile present in the eternal reality of the Triune God.

“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; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 1:4-5)

This is not just a formal greeting. It is a theological masterpiece. In just two verses, John introduces us to the fullness of the Trinity—Father, Spirit, and Son—co-laboring to bring grace and peace to a suffering church.

1. The Father: Him Who Is, Was, and Is to Come

John begins his blessing with a specific reference to the eternal nature of God the Father. This phrasing directly echoes the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

Think about the depth of this title. God is not bound by the linear timeline that traps us. He exists outside of time, yet He intimately fills every part of it:

• He Is: He is fully present with you in this exact moment, holding your current anxieties.
• He Was: He occupies your past, redeeming your history and proving His faithfulness over generations.
• He Is to Come: He already stands in your future. No matter what unknown challenges tomorrow brings, God is already there waiting for you.

2. The Spirit: The Sevenfold Perfection

Next, John speaks of “the seven spirits which are before his throne.” To the modern reader, this sounds mysterious. However, in biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature, numbers carry immense weight. The number seven signifies completeness, wholeness, and perfection.

Rather than meaning seven individual spirits, this refers to the completeness and perfection of all aspects of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church and in the world. It points back to Isaiah 11:2, which describes the resting of the multi-faceted Spirit upon the Messiah. The Holy Spirit is completely sufficient. He possesses perfect wisdom, perfect power, and perfect presence to guide the global church through its darkest seasons.

3. The Son: The Sovereign Redeemer

Finally, the blessing culminates in the person of Jesus Christ, who is described with three magnificent titles:

• The Faithful Witness: Jesus perfectly revealed the truth of the Father, even unto death.
• The Firstborn from the Dead: Mirroring Colossians 1:18, this means Jesus is the pioneer of resurrection. His empty tomb guarantees that death does not have the final word for those who follow Him.
• The Prince of the Kings of the Earth: Jesus is named as the ultimate King over all things (Revelation 19:16). Earthly rulers may boast of their power, but their authority is temporary. Jesus holds the supreme, cosmic lease on history.

The Trinity Unanimous for You

All three Persons of the Trinity—the one true God in three distinct, interrelated, and unified persons—are cited in this opening blessing. All three share the same divine essence, and all three are uniquely postured toward you today.

When the Triune God offers you grace and peace, it is backed by the eternal stability of the Father, the perfect power of the Spirit, and the victorious resurrection of the Son. You are held by a three-fold cord that cannot be broken.

A Closing Prayer

Eternal Father, Him who is, who was, and who is to come, we bow before your majestic timelessness. We thank you that our fleeting lives are anchored in your unshakeable eternity. Holy Spirit, breathe your sevenfold perfection into our hearts today, filling our deficiencies with your complete wisdom, comfort, and strength. Lord Jesus Christ, our Faithful Witness and Firstborn from the dead, we submit to your cosmic kingship. Rebel against our fears and rule over our anxieties today, knowing that you hold ultimate authority over every power on earth. Thank you, Triune God, for pouring out your matchless grace and peace upon us. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES / REVELATION 1:4
2. BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS / REVELATION 1:3
3. REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST / REVELATION 1:1-2
4. CREWS N AWAY: ANCHORED IN GRACE

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace