occurrence of qahal is important.  Gen. 28: 3, 4 records the ratification of the

Abrahamic covenant with Jacob. Let us observe its setting:--

1.

"EL SHADDAI bless thee (cf. Gen. 17: 1), and

2.

Make thee fruitful, and

3.

Multiply thee,

4.

That thou mayest be a multitude (margin, assembly) of people, and

5.

Give the blessing of Abraham to thee, and

6.

To thy seed with thee,

7.

That thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger,

which God gave to Abraham."

Here it will be noticed that the "assembly," or "church," is the central member of this

sevenfold promise. It will be further seen that the Abrahamic covenant is the only

covenant in view; Jacob's seed are the heirs together with Jacob and his forefathers, and

the inheritance of the land of Israel is the final clause of this wonderful promise. It will

be remembered that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob NEVER INHERITED THE LAND,

although God had made the promise unconditionally. Scripture is not silent upon this

fact. It calls attention rather to this evident truth. Stephen says concerning Abraham,

"He removed him into this land wherein ye now dwell, and He gave him NONE

inheritance in it, NO, NOT SO MUCH as to set his foot on." Heb. 11: 13 says, "These all

died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off." One

word, and one word only will constitute an answer that shall meet all requirements, and

that word is resurrection. Apart from resurrection practically no promise of Scripture can

be fulfilled.

This is emphasized by the context of the first N.T. occurrence of the word ekklesia,

Matt. 16: 18, "On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hades shall not

prevail against it." This "church" is not to be confounded with the teaching revealed later

through the apostle Paul. This church has direct connection with the kingdom of the

heavens, and with Peter's ministry in the Acts, particularly as laid down in Acts 2:, and its

references to the day of the Lord, is linked on to the book of Revelation. The Lord Who

spoke of building His church in Matt. 16: is seen in Rev. 1: with the evidences of His

power. He told Peter that the gates of hades should not prevail against it. Here in Rev. 1:

we see Him victor over death, and possessing the keys of death and hades.

There is no warrant for the idea that the church as indicated in the Prison Epistles, or

the church in its wider aspect known as Christendom, is in view here. The seven

assemblies are constituted of believers who shall be found on the earth in the last days, to

whom this book of Revelation is particularly addressed. The days will be rife, and the

words of exhortation to overcome, and the promises and warnings of the seven letters to

the churches, will be needed as never before.

These seven assemblies are in Asia. Asia in Scripture does not refer to the vast

continent known by that name to-day, but to a portion of that part spoken of as Asia

Minor. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and the rest have been spiritualized into many