CHAPTER ONE

 

 

1:1:  “lady” = This salutation is given not only to a certain “lady,” but to her children also (verse 1), who, as well as herself, were the objects of the Apostle’s love.  Most commentators regard this as simply an idiom for the Church in a collective sense.  And yet, to go along with the EGW statement below, the Church is never pictured as having children.  In fact, the Church is always presented as a virgin and or, as a Bride.

 

The Letter is addressed to, Greek, “eklekte kuria,” i.e., “the Elect Lady” and her children.  The Greek word “kuria” is a feminine proper name; but “eklekte” is a strange construction for an individual, and never assigned to any other individual in the New Testament as a single predicate.  The view of “kuria” taken as a symbolic description of the Christian Church has been the dominant view as early as Jerome.

 

The view of believers as “children of the church” may have been comfortable for Jerome, for ecclesiastical reasons, but it flies in the face of Scriptural usage:  for we are “children of God,” not “children of the church,” which derives from Roman Catholic origins (Jerome).  It is also significant that this word does not appear elsewhere in the Bible with this signification (if that were the teaching and meaning of it than it would surely have appeared elsewhere many times).  The further allusion to the recipient’s sister and her children (verse 13) would also seem fatal to Jerome’s and most Bible commentators view.

 

On a conjectural note, the “Elect Lady” is loved “by all they that have known the Truth,” verse 1.  Who else would be loved by all other believers?  To whom else could this refer?  This too, seems to point to far more than simply a prominent personage within their local Church.  How about Mary, the mother of Jesus?  The Apostle John was placed in charge of her (John 19:26).  Mary had at least two children (James and Jude) who became believers.  And she certainly could have had a sister (verse 13).

 

“He wrote to a most honorable helper in the Gospel, a lady of good repute and extensive influence.”  RH, February 22, 1881; ST, January 29, 1885; SL:63.

 

1:6:  “this is love, that we walk after His Commandments” = Notice what John’s definition of “love” is, rather, our response to God’s Love.

 

1:7:  “antichrist” = Here is my First John 2:18 Note:  This term has always been taught to mean “Against Christ,” which is very true.  However, it also means “Instead of Christ.”  Instead of attempting to identify this term with one particular individual (which will lead one down a path of false doctrines and misapplications, and thus false assumptions) one should see where this term might apply to those who strive to work against the works of God.

 

Here are all the pertinent points of EGW quotes in reference to the term “antichrist.”  As you will see she does not classify it as applying to ONE particular individual.  However, if an organization lends itself to such actions, then it has become “antichrist.”  One should also look up her statements referring to “anti-Christian,” for they are in reference to also being “antichrist.”

 

“The man of sin [Roman Catholic Church, not an individual, unless applied to Satan], who exalted himself above God, and thought to change Times and Laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week.  In doing this he made a breach in (87) the Law of God.  Just prior to the great Day of God, a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the Law of God, which anti-christ has broken down.”  CET:86-87.

 

“We are not to attend their circles, neither are our ministers to engage in controversy with them.  They are of that class specified whom we should not invite into our houses, or bid them God speed.  We have to compare their teachings with the revealed will of God.  We are not to engage in an investigation of spiritualism.  God has investigated this for us, and told us definitely that a class would arise in the last days who would deny Christ Who has purchased them with His Own blood.  The character of spiritualists is so plainly described that we do not need to be deceived by them.  If we obey the Divine injunction, we shall have no sympathy with spiritualists, however smooth and fair may be their words.  The beloved John continues his warning against seducers:  ‘Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is Anti-Christ that denieth the Father and the Son.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father (but he that acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father also).’ ”  RH, April 15, 1875.

 

“If all that appears to be Divine life were such in reality; if all who profess to present the truth to the world were preaching for the truth, and not against it, and if they were men of God, guided by His Spirit, -- then might we see something cheering amid the prevailing moral darkness.  But the spirit of anti-Christ is prevailing to such an extent as never before.”  PH117:62.

 

“We are living in the time of the end.  Thrones and churches have united to oppose God’s purposes.  The association of man with man, which God designed should be a means of strengthening goodness and happiness, has been a means of strengthening evil and of developing tendencies to rebellion.  Men have assumed despotic power, and human laws have been put in the place of the Law of God.  It is the reign of anti-Christ.  God’s Law is set aside.  The Scriptures are exchanged for the traditions of men.  Satan has become the ruler of the world, and in his hands temptation has become a science.  He rules over a vast, well-organized empire.  Sin has stimulated his followers into fearful activity.  Men have combined to perpetuate evil.”  18MR:185.