Following the prologue (vv. 1-3) John greets his addressees, seven of the churches in the Roman province of Asia Minor. The number seven is of particular symbolic / theological significance in the Book of Revelation. It means perfection and completeness. Given that there are seven identified addressees and considering the timeless relevance of what Jesus has to say to the seven churches, we may conclude that Jesus is addressing his church in totality throughout her generations.

John begins by identifying himself as the one writing the message the churches will receive and hear read. However, he quickly acknowledges that the words he has written are from the Lord Jesus. The greeting is Trinitarian being “from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (vv. 4-5). It is important to understand that “the seven spirits” is a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit, highlighting the fullness of his ministry to the church.

As the churches received the letter, they each were facing their own problems from the enticement of riches and the snare of false teachers to persecution and poverty. From Rome, the Emperor Domitian was turning up the heat against the church. In Asia Minor a vast array of strange beliefs and false religion offered a buffet of error to entice the church away from Christ. But among “the lampstands” stood “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” (vs. 5). He will not allow his church to fall. He will keep the elect from every nation and throughout the ages. He loves his church and has proven so through the shedding of his blood which he did in order to make atonement for our sin. He has “made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (vs. 6).