“John, to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 1:4–5)
Devotional Thought:
The book of Revelation begins with a message of grace and peace—not chaos or fear—reminding us that no matter what is to come, God remains firmly in control. John writes this greeting to seven literal churches in Asia, but the message transcends time and place. It’s for us, too—for every believer who has ever questioned the future, felt forgotten, or needed assurance that Jesus is still Lord.
This greeting speaks of God in three dynamic ways: “who is, who was, and who is to come.” It describes the eternal nature of God. He’s not a God who once worked wonders and now sits idle. Nor is He just a promise for the future. He is actively present in our lives right now. As I read this, I’m reminded of seasons in my life when I needed this truth to anchor me.
A Real-Life Experience:
Several years ago, I was going through a period of deep uncertainty. I had just lost my job unexpectedly. My finances were crumbling, and I felt as though everything I built was slipping through my fingers. I remember sitting on my living room floor, bills surrounding me, wondering how I was going to make it.
I opened my Bible out of desperation. Not out of habit, but because I needed a living Word to speak to me. I flipped open to Revelation and read this passage. It stopped me in my tracks. The phrase “from him who is, and who was, and who is to come” resonated deep within me.
In that moment, I realized that the same God who had seen me through past trials was still present. I thought about the times He had come through before—how He opened doors I didn’t even knock on and protected me from things I never knew were threatening me. That same God was with me now, even in the quiet despair of my living room.
And the beautiful part? He wasn’t just going to remain in the moment of my struggle—He was the God who was going to come. He was already working on my behalf for what was ahead.
The Faithful Witness and the Firstborn from the Dead
John continues by pointing to Jesus as “the faithful witness.” Jesus didn’t just speak truth; He lived it. In His suffering, death, and resurrection, He proved that obedience to God is worth it—even unto death. He is also the “firstborn from the dead,” which means His resurrection wasn’t just an isolated miracle, but the first of many. It’s a promise that we, too, will rise.
Knowing Jesus is the “ruler of the kings of the earth” gave me peace. No matter who is in power, what laws are passed, or what systems rise or fall, Jesus remains above it all. He is sovereign. Political leaders, financial crises, pandemics—none of these change who Jesus is. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Daily Application:
Today, no matter what you’re facing, I encourage you to rest in the eternal presence of God. He’s not bound by time. He was with you in the past, He is present with you today, and He is already in your tomorrow preparing a way.
When life feels unstable, remember: grace and peace flow from the throne of the One who always was, who always is, and who always will be. You are not alone. Just like I found peace in my lowest moment, you can find it too—right in the middle of your chaos.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the God who was, who is, and who is to come. Help me to trust in Your unchanging nature when everything else feels uncertain. Remind me that You are with me, have always been with me, and will continue to walk with me through every season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
