Rev 1:4-8; Psalm 33:1-5

Rev. 1:4-8

John identifies himself once again in v. 4 as the author of Revelation, and he tells us he is writing to the seven churches in the province of Asia. We believe that these were actual, literal churches of that day. As such, the lessons given for them are given to the local churches of every age!

Let me remind you that we are looking for the revelation of Jesus Christ in this book, and these verses are a wonderful start for such a study. Let's see what we can find out about Jesus in these few verses.

• He is part of the Trinity--the great three-in-one--separate but one. We must not get stumped by this because it's repeated in many ways in scripture. Though the word "trinity" is not used, the concept is unmistakable. We are not asked to understand it fully, but rather to believe it! vv. 4-5
• "...him who is, and who was, and who is to come,..." is a reference to God the Father.
• "...the seven spirits..." is likely a reference to the Holy Spirit. This is sometimes translated "seven-fold Spirit." Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible and so this may be a reference to His perfection.
• "...Jesus Christ..."
• Faithful witness 
• Firstborn from the dead
• Ruler of the kings of the earth. 

• He offers grace and peace.  v. 4
• He is eternal. "...who is, and who was, and who is to come,..." v. 4, 8
• He loves us. v. 5
• He has freed us from our sins by His blood. v. 5
• He has made us to be a kingdom of priests to serve God. v. 6 This concept will be explored here in the book of Revelation.
• Glory and power will be His for ever and ever!. v. 6
• He is coming again. "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." v. 7 Those who don't know Him and trust Him as Savior will know the truth, and they will mourn.
• He is "the Alpha and the Omega,...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." He is the beginning and the end, and He rules over everything in between.

Psalm 33:1-5
Here is a call to praise the Lord! It occurs to me that we don't always FEEL like praising the Lord. Our emotions may be unpredictable, and circumstances may be difficult. But the Bible doesn't tell us to praise God only when we feel like it. And I have found that praising the Lord tends to chase away those negative thoughts and feelings.
"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; It is fitting for the upright to praise him." v. 1
We are praise Him with singing and with musical instruments, and WHAT? "We are to shout for joy!"

Here are some words for our meditation today, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." vv. 4-5 Amen!