Pastor Luther Walker continues his study in Revelation chapter 1, clarifying that the book was written by the Apostle John around 96 AD during the reign of Domitian (the last Flavian emperor). He corrects prior statements on the timeline and emphasizes that Revelation is prophetic, not historical. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, so references to a future temple (such as the man of lawlessness in it) point to events still to come, requiring a rebuilt temple in Israel.
The purpose of the book is to bring blessing (happiness) to those who read, hear, and keep its words, as the time is near (Revelation 1:3). It is addressed to the seven churches (assemblies) in Asia, which represent seven periods or characteristics of the Church throughout history. Most of these assemblies have been present across church history, though the Ephesus assembly is no longer present in the same form.
Revelation 1:4 extends grace and peace from “Him who is, who was, and who is to come” (referring to Christ, supported by John 1:1, Hebrews 7:25, and Acts 1:11) and from the seven spirits before His throne. Pastor Walker explains the seven spirits as the seven ministries of the one Holy Spirit, not seven separate spirits or angels. This is shown by their connection to Christ (Revelation 3:1, 5:6), their role in the church, and the fact that grace and peace come only from God, never from angels.
The seven ministries of the Holy Spirit are:
Spirit of holiness (sets us apart, Romans 1:4)
Spirit of life (frees us from the law of sin and death, produces desires contrary to the flesh, Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:17)
Holy Spirit of promise (seals us as a guarantee/down payment of inheritance, making loss of salvation impossible because the Godhead cannot be divided, Ephesians 1:13)
Spirit of truth (guides into all truth, teaches by comparing spiritual things, John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 4:6)
Spirit of grace (manifests God’s benefits without merit, Hebrews 10:29)
Spirit of glory (enables proper understanding of God and living out our identity in Christ, 1 Peter 4:14)
Spirit of prophecy (testifies of Jesus, Revelation 19:10)
These ministries directly relate to the church because Christ possesses the seven spirits, and they are pictured as the seven eyes and horns of the Lamb (Revelation 5:6). The Holy Spirit indwells and abides comfortably in believers (1 John 2:27), unlike the Old Testament where He came and went. He teaches us to abide in Christ, not to bypass pastors and teachers.
Continuing in Revelation 1:5, grace and peace also come from Jesus Christ—the faithful witness (Hebrews 2:17, 3:5), the firstborn out from the dead (Colossians 1:18), and the ruler over the kings of the earth. “Firstborn” denotes preeminence and position, not origin (Hebrews 1:6; Romans 8:29). The church is the assembly of the firstborn, registered in heaven (Hebrews 12:23), and believers will be conformed to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).
