John's Greeting to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1:4-8)

Outline: In Revelation 1:4-8

1. John's greeting to the churches
2. John's desire for the churches  

Summary: The Book of Revelation is a gift from God (v.1) addressed to the "seven churches" (v.4; cf. v.11).  Here John is using the number seven as a symbolic tool referring to the full number of churches (from all times and places), of which the "seven churches...in Asia" are representative.  In light of all that he has been shown, John uses his greeting to express his desire that the triune God (Father, Spirit, Son) would use this revelation to strengthen and reassure the churches as they eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ.

Main Point: John wants the churches to be experience much-needed grace and peace from the triune God through the message of Book of Revelation.

Discussion Questions:

• Who is the Book of Revelation written to?
• How are numbers often used in apocalyptic literature? 
• How is John using the number seven in v.4?
• What effect does John hope that the message of Revelation in general and the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in (v.4) in particular will have on the churches?
• How does the gospel both save us and send us (vv.5b-6)? 
• Why will many people wail at the sight of Jesus' coming?  What effect should this have on us in terms of witnessing to the unbelievers that God has placed in our lives?

Application Questions:

• What circumstances are troubling me at present?
• How might the descriptions of the Father, Spirit, and Son in v.4 be used to strengthen and comfort me?
• What people in my life would wail at Christ's coming? How should this influence my interactions with them?

Prayer Points:

• Praise Father, Spirit, and Son for who they are according to vv.4-8
• Ask God to strengthen and comfort you in light of who He is
• Praise Jesus for saving you and and for sending you.
• Plead with God to help you urgently share the gospel with unbelievers so that they will worship and not wail when Jesus comes back.