The opening of I. ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER
This chapter contains a general introduction to the whole book, and comprises the following parts:――
I. The announcement that the object of the book is to record a revelation which the Lord Jesus Christ had made of important events which were shortly to occur, and which were signified by an angel to the author, John, ver. 1‒3. A blessing is pronounced on him who should read and understand the book, and special attention is directed to it because the time was at hand when the predicted events would occur.
II. Salutation to the seven churches of Asia, ver. 4‒8. To those churches, it would seem from this, the book was originally dedicated or addressed, and two of the chapters (ii. and iii.) refer exclusively to them. Among them evidently the author had resided (ver. 9), and the whole book was doubtless sent to them, and committed to their keeping. In this salutation, the author wishes for them grace, mercy, and peace from “him which is, and which was, and which is to come”――the original fountain of all light and truth――referring to the Father; “from the seven Spirits which are before the throne”――referring to the Holy Spirit (see Note on ver.