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assemblies during the period immediately before the Day of the Lord. Events in the near
East may demonstrate still more clearly how prominent this corner of the earth is yet to
be. When we reach verses 10 and 11 we shall find that these seven churches are in
evidence in the future scene of the prophecy, and that the primary interpretation must
have these future assemblies in mind.
We will not occupy time with the discussion regarding the historic fact that no church
was known at Thyatira during the first few centuries, nor into the many conflicting
interpretations which have spiritualized these churches away into the history of
Christendom. We believe the reader will value positive exposition, and with the thought
of the direct future interpretation of the whole book before us we will leave the remainder
of the verse for our next article.
Studies in the Book of the Revelation.
The Salutation (1: 4-6).
pp. 126-130
The book of Revelation, addressed to the seven churches in Asia (and through them to
all who are in a similar dispensational position), affords many points of contrast with the
message addressed to the seven churches by Paul (and through them to all who are in a
similar dispensational position). One such contrast is immediately before us. To the
seven assemblies John send salutation and wishes of grace and peace, as do Peter and
Paul to the churches addressed by them, but the title given to the Lord in connection with
the greetings are of a different character, and should be noted. Paul's invariable salutation
to the churches was, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ" (see Romans to II Thessalonians). The salutation before us is:--
"Grace to you and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and the coming One;
and from the seven Spirits which are before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful
witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth."
Before proceeding with the examination of the titles included in this salutation, let us
observe the general arrangement of the passage:--
Rev. 1: 4-6.
A | a | Grace \ To you.
b | Peace /
B1 | "From" | c | One who is.
d | Was.
e | Coming.
B2 | "From" | f | Seven Spirits.
g | Before the throne.
B3 | "From" | h | Jesus Christ.
i | Faithful Witness (ref. to death).
j | Firstborn from the dead (ref. to resurrection).
h | Who loveth us.
i | And loosed us from our sins by His own blood (ref. to death).
j | And made us a kingdom of priests (in resurrection).
A | a | Glory
\ To Him.
b | Might /