The book of Revelation is addressed to the Seven Churches in Asia. Asia was a province of the Roman empire in the modern country of Turkey and the seven churches are really quite close to each other. The author wants to encourage the churches but in order to drive his message home, John shows that this message comes from the Alpha and Omega. The power of the descriptors and the use of terms for Jesus and God shows that the author sees that Jesus is God. The apocalyptic imagery drawn from Daniel and Zechariah also reinforce the power of the introduction.
Revelation 1: 4-8
4John,
To the seven churches in the province of Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
7 “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”[b] and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”[c] So shall it be! Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Questions
- To whom was the Book of Revelation written?
- What words describe the author?
- How do Zechariah 2:4, 10 inform the passage?
- Do you see Jesus as God?
- How would you view a letter sent to you from him?
Plymothian 