John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne,
We have here an apostolic benediction on those who should give a due regard to this divine revelation; and this benediction is given more generally and more especially. I. More generally, to all who either read or hear the words of the prophecy.
Commenting on Revelation 1:3-8
John to the seven churches which are in Asia,.... In lesser Asia; their names are mentioned in Rev 1:11, grace be unto you, and peace; which is the common salutation of the apostles in all their epistles, and includes all blessings of grace, and all prosperity, inward and outward: See Gill on Rom 1:7.
Verse 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. The word Asia is used in quite different senses, by different writers. It is used (1) as referring to the whole eastern continent now known by that name; (2) Either Asia, or Asia Minor; (3) that part of Asia which Attlus III., king of Pergamos, gave to the Romans, viz., Mysia, Phrygia, Lycaonia, Lydia...