Jesus’ Message to the Churches

⁴ From John.

To the seven churches in Asia [^Cthe Roman province of Asia, today part of western Turkey]:

Grace and peace to you from the One who is and [the One who] was and [the One who] is coming [^Cthese three descriptions function like titles for God; Ex. 3:14–15], and from ·the seven spirits [^Creferring either to angels or to the “sevenfold Spirit”—the Holy Spirit portrayed in his perfection (the number seven indicating completeness)] before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is ·the faithful witness [or the faithful one, the witness], the ·first among those raised from [^Lfirstborn of/from among] the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth.

·He is the One [^LTo him] who loves us, who made us free^[a] from our sins ·with the blood of his death [^Lby his blood]. ⁶ He made us to be a ·kingdom of priests [or kingdom and priests; or kingdom, that is, priests; Ex. 19:6] who serve ·God his Father [^Lhis God and Father]. To ·Jesus Christ [^Lhim] be glory and ·power [dominion] forever and ever! Amen.

⁷ Look [^TBehold], Jesus is coming with the clouds [Dan. 7:13–14], and ·everyone [^Levery eye] will see him, even those who ·stabbed [pierced] him [^Ca reference to the crucifixion; Zech. 12:10]. And all ·peoples [people groups; tribes] of the earth will ·cry loudly [wail; mourn] because of him. ·Yes, this will happen [So it shall be; ^LYes]! Amen.

⁸ The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega [^Cthe first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; 21:6; 22:13]. I am the One who is and [the One who] was and [the One who] is coming [see 1:4]. I am the ·Almighty [All-powerful].”