The greeting is trinitarian in structure, with reference first to God the Father (him who is and who was and who is to come
), then to the Holy Spirit (the seven spirits who are before his throne
), and finally to God’s Son (from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth
). Each person within the Godhead plays a role in the Lord’s plan to bring world history to the day of Christ’s return in glory.
4 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,