Revelation 1:4

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia, etc.] In lesser Asia; their names are mentioned in (<660111>Revelation 1:11); grace [be] unto you, and peace; which is the common salutation of the apostles in all their epistles, and includes all blessings of grace, and all prosperity, inward and outward: (see Gill on “ <450107>Romans 1:7”). The persons from whom they are wished are very particularly described, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; which some understand of the whole Trinity; the Father by him “which is”, being the I am that I am; the Son by him “which was”, which was with God the Father, and was God; and the Spirit by him “which is to come”, who was promised to…”

“John--the apostle. For none but he (supposing the writer an honest man) would thus sign himself nakedly without addition. As sole survivor and representative of the apostles and eye-witnesses of the Lord, he needed no designation save his name, to be recognized by his readers. seven churches--not that there were not more churches in that region, but the number seven is fixed on as representing totality. These seven represent the universal Church of all times and places. See TRENCH'S [Commentary on the Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia] interesting note, Rev 1:20, on the number seven. It is the covenant number, the sign of God's covenant relation to mankind, and especially to the Church.…”

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia - The word “Asia” is used in quite different senses by different writers. It is used: (1)As referring to the whole eastern continent now known by that name; (2)Either Asia or Asia Minor; (3)That part of Asia which Attalus III, king of Pergamos, gave to the Romans, namely, Mysia, Phrygia, Lycaonia, Lydia, Carla, Pisidia, and the southern coast - that is, all in the western, southwestern, and southern parts of Asia Minor; and, (4)In the New Testament, usually the southwestern part of Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the capital. See the notes at Acts 2:9. The word “Asia” is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures, but it occurs often in the Books of…”

“John - The dedication of this book is contained in Rev 1:4-6; but the whole Revelation is a kind of letter. To the seven churches which are in Asia - That part of the Lesser Asia which was then a Roman province. There had been several other churches planted here; but it seems these were now the most eminent; and it was among these that St. John had laboured most during his abode in Asia. In these cities there were many Jews. Such of them as believed in each were joined with the gentile believers in one church. Grace be unto you, and peace - The favour of God, with all temporal and eternal blessings. From him who is, and who was, and who cometh, or, who is to come - A wonderful translation of…”

“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…”

“John: Rev 1:1 to the: Rev 1:11, Rev 1:20, Rev 2:1, Rev 2:8, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:18, Rev 3:1, Rev 3:7, Rev 3:14; Act 19:10; Pe1 1:1 Grace: Rom 1:7; Co1 1:3; Co2 1:2; Pe1 1:2 him: Rev 1:8; Exo 3:14; Psa 90:2, Psa 102:25-27; Isa 41:4, Isa 57:15; Mic 5:2; Joh 1:1; Heb 1:10-13, Heb 13:8; Jam 1:17 from the: Rev 3:1, Rev 4:5, Rev 5:6; Zac 3:9, Zac 4:10, Zac 6:5; Co1 12:4-13 Revelation 1:5”