There are several views as to the true identity of the seven churches mentioned. Obviously, by the time that Revelation is written, there are more than seven bodies of believers. But, even if this is a specific contextual reference to seven local churches then that is the verse’s historical application. Doctrinally and prophetically, many commentators, such as Spiros Zhodiates, claim that these seven churches represent seven periods of church history. There are some amazing coincidences regarding that viewpoint even if it’s not written in stone and those time periods overlap at points. We’ll study the connection with these seven churches and the history of the Christian church, in brief, later. Remember, Paul was prevented from going into Asia at one point in Acts 16:6 but Peter acknowledged the Jewish believers, at least, in the provinces of Asia, which we know today as Asia Minor or present day Turkey, in 1 Peter 1:1. .

Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Note the prophetic reference here and it’s repetition in verses 8 & 18, in Revelation 2:8; & 4:8 and how the Lord Jesus Christ announces His divinity in John 8:58. 

The number seven plays an important part in the Bible as God’s number of perfection and completion as in seven days of creation to the seven years of the building of the temple in 1 Kings 6:38 (or forgive me for mentioning it but the seven years to completion of the King James Bible). A simple computer word study of “seven” will reveal nearly 400 times its application in the Bible. The seven Spirits of God can possibly be found in Isaiah 11:2 if it is meant to separate them as seven individual entities. This should not be difficult as God resides in each of the millions or so believers by His individual Holy Spirit living in each of them and Satan can be distributed in a “Legion” of spirits as a careful reading of Mark 5:1-16 will reveal. Look at also Revelation 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6 cross referencing the last verse to the entire chapter of Isaiah 11. See seven wicked spirits in Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:24-26 in an unregenerate man who is temporarily freed of devils.

Now, let’s go back to grace and peace. Grace is translated from the Greek word charis 147 times in the New Testament, 130 times of those as grace, with a few times as favour and thanks. Grace is defined as God’s provision for us at Christ’s expense by the Bible itself. Look at Luke 2:40; Acts 4:33; Acts 11:23; Acts 15:11; Acts 20:24; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 2:8. Peace can be translated as calm as in Mark 4:39. But more so it is the consequence of grace applied to you as in Luke 2:14; Romans 5:1; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 4:7.