The Doxology in Rev. 1:4

The Revelation is an unveiling of the amazing visions the Apostle John saw of our Messiah, the risen Lamb. One of the themes of the book is the battle between the Lord and Satan over the souls of man. From the beginning, The Lord is triumphant through His power over everything and immensely splendid in all His Glory.

The Revelation contains numerous doxologies. From the Greek doxologia, it means appearance or glory, and word. It is especially, or most frequently, a short hymn or chant. It was a form of congregational worship, familiar in the synagogues, and where thus, familiar to the Jews and Greeks of the seven churches in Asia Minor.

In the Throne room, part of this battle is played out with mighty worship and prayer toward God. We learn from the Messiah’s unveiling what is going on in Heaven: the never-ending power of the prayers of His servants and angels. This ultimate majesty of God is overwhelming to all those about the throne, hence, the praises or doxologies.

In the first doxology, the Apostle John begins a letter to seven churches with a greeting which contains at the end of it, a doxology. There is praise to the Lord Who is, Who was, Who is to come. This Lord without beginning or end is “given” or ascribed to Him: glory, dominion, and eternity.

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 first-born 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 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1:4-6

The seven churches are being bestowed by the Lord Himself, grace and peace. How wonderful that they hear from their Savior directly! They will be receiving this unveiling, The Revelation, on behalf of Him who is glorious.

The Lord who is “the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth” is the One who has all dominion. This doxology also states that He “ loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. He made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. We are servants to the Most High God! Forever, and ever.

The Apostle is so amazed, he breaks out into worshipful praise ascribing the eternal attributes of The Lord who has all dominion, on earth and in Heaven.