1:4 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;

John to the seven churches that are in ASIA:

Seven is the number of completeness or perfection. So while this book (Revelation 1:11) is to seven churches - each with their own individual letters" in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, it is in a broader sense to all churches and believers (Revelation 1:1). The area "ASIA" was the region of greatest missionary activity to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul explains why the Gentiles accepted the gospel while the Jews didn't (Romans 11:25-32). It will be interesting to discover how much of Revelation, especially the middle chapters, is based upon the Jewish tabernacle and traditions. Yet it is the Gentiles who receive the Word most readily.

GRACE to you and PEACE,

"GRACE" was the Greek way of greeting someone; "PEACE" the Hebrew way. Both can only come from God; man is only capable of receiving them.

It is GRACE which allows us to participate in and have God's riches. PEACE results from a close fellowship with Jesus Christ (see verse 5); He leaves it with us - John 14:25-27 It removes trouble and fear.

from HIM who is and who was and is to come; and

This is a label for God, the Father. It is found in these Revelations (Revelation 1:8, Revelation 4:8, Revelation 11:17, Revelation 16:5). It is a paraphrase of the Hebrew word, YHWH, and equivalent to "I AM WHO I AM" - Exodus 3:13-14

We find God, the Son, described similarly in John 1:1-2.

from the seven spirits who are before His Throne;

The completeness of the Holy Spirit is shown here. There is only one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4-6), yet He has several ministries. Some believe they are listed in Isaiah 11:1-2.

In any case, the placement of this phrase between God, the Father and God, the Son (verse 5), clearly makes this God, the Holy Spirit. He has a prominent position before God's Throne meaning that the peace He brings is directly from God. See John 14:25-27 that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and Jesus Christ work closely together.

The Old Testament, in Zechariah 4:1-7, prophesied of the sevenfold nature of the Holy Spirit and this close relationship to Jesus Christ, the Top Stone. Note, the salutation of "GRACE, GRACE" given at the end....just like our salutation here.