July 13 The Trinity Speaks

Revelation 1:4-5a John, 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 before his throne, 5a and from Jesus Christ.  
 
MANY times we see greetings in the New Testament epistles begin with “Grace and peace.” There is a good, assuring reason for this. “Grace” was the Greek greeting; “peace” was the Hebrew greeting. The early church took these two greetings and used them together as a way of declaring that God had given these realities to his people. Two simple words convey a profound, eternal blessing.
    The language, too, of Revelation becomes evident here.  First, you will see the number seven is common throughout the epistle. Even here, seven is twice written. Seven is the number in Scripture that signifies completeness. The Triune God is directing John to write to seven churches as an illustration that God’s words ae for all the churches then and all that will be in the future. It would be good for church leadership to often turn to the letters to the seven churches in Revelation to understand if their church is obedient to the Lord.
    Second, John says the words come from three sources, including the “the seven spirits before the throne.” This is the Holy Spirit. He is complete in every way. As he is before the throne of God, he is God, one person in the Trinity.
    The letter also comes from the other two persons of the Trinity. The Father is defined as the eternal “who is, and who was, and who is to come.” Note the present tense “is” was written first. That means God is present now. God was present from eternity past. And God will come into the world again. Then John writes the letter is also from Jesus Christ. We’ll look more at how John defines’ Christ’s supremacy tomorrow. For now it is essential to know God has given a message to John. He will instruct John to write letters to seven churches (We will see what he writes.) and the instruction has come form the Holy Trinity. The complete power and authority of God has spoken to his church on earth.
    This reminds us the Trinity  is the source of all truth: 1 John 27b But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him. Yes, know God has given you the truth. Remain faithful to that truth.
 
Prayer: Holy God, I pray your church on earth today receives your words to prepare for your coming tomorrow. Amen.