Revelation 1:4-5
John to the seven churches that are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
The seven churches seems to represent the Church in its entirety. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. The Church is the embodiment of the Spirit.
This might be viewed as a greeting from God in His threefold fullness. The Everlasting Father is the one who is and was and is to come(Rev 1:8). The Holy Spirit might be represented by the seven spirits(church) before the throne(Rev 4:5), and Jesus is the Son and faithful witness who brings the word of God to all mankind(Luk 9:34).
The phrase “The firstborn of the dead” speaks to His resurrection from the grave, and may also remind us that we are all dead in sin until He frees us. He has entered the grave of the flesh and has raised it up to become alive to God. He is the firstborn of the many who will follow(Eph 4:8).
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