In our text we have the identification of the author, John. It is almost unanimous that this refers the the apostle. This depending upon the writing, would make John and old man. One of the prevalent views is that the book of Revelation was written at the end of the century, about 96 AD.
Also identified are the ones to whom the book was written, the 7 churches of Asia. The number 7 is a complete or holy number in Jewish literature, and would signify the same in this letter. This is not to say that their were only 7, but the 7 mentioned in chapters 2 and 3 are representative.
Jesus is identified here as the one who washed us from our sins with His own blood, and made us kinds and priests before God. His return is predicted, a time of judgment for all (cf. 2 Peter 3:11-13).
Jesus is the “Beginning and the End” and His Deity and eternal nature is established as true. He is the Almighty, which foreshadows the conflict and end of the entire book.
