Salutation of the Book of Revelation
Back Story
When we write a letter, we, usually, have a greeting at the beginning and a salutation at the end. the greeting tells us to whom the letter is written,and the closing tells us who wrote it. In the memory verse we have both elements of the letter of the Revelation of Jesus Christ right at the beginning.
Questions
To whom is this letter written?
From whom is this letter written?
Memory Verse
“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.” Revelation 1:4
The Test
To whom is this letter written?
“From ___________ which is, and which was, and which is to come; and
from the seven ______________ .”
If you have trusted Christ to get you to heaven, then you are part of the church, and, therefore, this letter is written to you.
From whom is this letter written?
“From the seven Spirits which are before his throne.”
Letter from the Triune God
In Revelation 1:1 we learn that this book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In other words its purpose is to reveal Jesus. In verse four we see the beginning of the revealing of Jesus Christ. We learn that He gives grace and peace to the church. Next we learn that He is, was, and is to come, and then we learn that this book is from the seven spirits of God.
Mathematical Proof that Jesus Is God
The conjunction “and” is used regularly as a connector that joins things that are equal. It is like in the equation 1+2=3. We learn early on that 1+2 and 3 are simply two ways of expressing the same thing as are 3+0 and 1+1+1.
So, when this verse tells us that He is the one which is, and which was, and which is to come; and the revelation is also from the seven spirits of God, God is talking about two ways of manifesting the same person.
Grace and Truth Are Obtained by Faith
As we read the succeeding verses, we find that grace and peace come through Jesus Christ. We receive grace by faith according to Ephesians 2:8 (By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God), and we receive peace with God, because we believe in the death of Jesus Christ as the complete payment for our sins when we believe in Romans 5:1. (“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”) Furthermore, God promises “grace upon (heaped upon) grace” according to John 1:16: “His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace,” and we earn the peace of God according to Philippians 4:7 when we continue in the Christian life: “The peace of God…shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Benefits of grace and Peace
In other words, salvation from suffering because of our sins in the Lake of fire for all eternity is given as a gift to all who believe without works, and peace with God (Romans 5:1) is imparted with salvation the moment we believe; but then, after that, grace also teaches us; and peace of mind and heart come through God’s rewarding us for our obedience and effort.
Dr. Jerry Lloyd