D. Scott Meadows

Title to distinguish among 7 “letters,” but to all churches—to us! (2.7 → 7x.)

Context: John (1.9); visions of Christ, His warfare, future triumph. Dramatic, symbolic vision of our King (1.10-20). Charged to relay messages to 7 churches in Asia Minor (1.11, same order in Rev 2-3).

7 literal local churches in first century—not as dispensationalists say:

a description or prophetic outline of the “Spiritual History” of the Church from the time when John wrote the Book in A. D. 96, down to the taking out of the Church, . . . This interpretation of the “Messages to the Seven Churches” was hidden to the early Church, because time was required for Church History to develop and be written, so a comparison could be made to reveal the correspondence. If it had been clearly revealed that the Seven Churches stood for “Seven Church Periods” that would have to elapse before Christ could come back, the incentive to watch would have been absent (Clarence Larkin, 1919, in loc.).

“This interpretation was hidden to the early Church” because it is wrong. These letters are perspicuous for all Christians in all times and places. This principle should serve as a check on fanciful interpretations, e.g.,
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