Revelation 1:4
Revelation 1, Page 3

Re-evaluation Translation
1:4  From the Yehuveh-molded servants to those alive during the seven set apart Years [six of Returning (
Darius) and the Sabbatical]: Restored life and prosperity, from (1) Yehuveh; and (2) the seven qualities developing His enthronement;

Bible, KJV Translation
1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Significant Words and Comments:
Commentary on Revelation 1:4 (23 November 2007): John, the faithful Yehuveh-molded instructors, see notes on Revelation 1:1.
        Who or what are these
“seven churches”?
        First, note that
nearly ninety percent of the sevens in Scriptures refer to time. It is likely, therefore, that Yehuveh is communicating something about a specific timeframe, not something about groups of people in specific locations. Various commentators have recognized the time-aspect of these “seven churches” and have proposed various time spans to explain the elements of the seven messages presented in Revelation 2:1-3:22. While interesting, these presentations mis-direct the reader and, tragically, prevent us from hearing what Yehuveh is saying to us right now.
        Secondly,
church is obviously an English word, taken from the Greek word ekklesia, [entry G1577], meaning “a calling out; a meeting; a congregation; an assembly,” from roots ek [G1537] or ex, denoting “origin, the point whence motion or action proceeds, from, out of place, time or cause;” and kaleo [G2564], meaning “to call, bid, name,” and related to keleno [G2753], meaning “to urge on, to incite, to order, to command.”
        While
ekklesia may indeed be an assembly of people, it could just as accurately apply to any named “origin of insight,” including time. The context indicates that these are seven named timeframes, namely seven called out or set apart years [in the present], as discussed in the notes on Revelation 1:1 [neither ancient nor far future, but indeed seven years in the present].
        Also as expanded in notes on
Revelation 1:11, these entities are not geographical and they are not “in Asia.” Asia is assumed by Greek translators from the primary Hebrew verb ‘asah [H6213]. But ‘asah is not a location! It is simply a Hebrew verb meaning “to do or to make.” These are seven years of doing [restoring] Yehuveh’s statutes, and . . . judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.” Ezekiel 20:11 [also Deuteronomy 4:1; 8:1; 12:1].
       
“Grace . . .  and peace,” restored quality and prosperity, come to us from three sources:

        (1)
Yehuveh: “From Him which is, and which was, and which is to come,” see expanded note on this phrase at Revelation 11:17. “The eternal Elohim is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” He is the only “high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.” Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 57:15.

        (2)
Wisdom/Qabbalah: “the seven spirits which are before His throne;” the seven practical qualities described in Qabbalah as sound judgment, balance/harmony, ambition, respect/obedience, perseverance, communication, and self-direction. These seven qualities flow out of the foundational five higher qualities which enthrone Yehuveh in our hearts and minds: unity with Yehuveh, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and love or lovingkindness. When we have these twelve qualities in us, we will enjoy peace and we will prosper. Study the commentary on Daniel 11:8 for greater detail.


Gael Bataman
Originally Written:               23 November 2007
Latest Update:                       9 June 2011


 
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