The Christology of the Seven Letters in Revelation Chapters Two and Three, with Special Reference to Possible Relationships Between the Author's Self-Designations and the Subject Matter of the Letters

This study does not attempt to add to the material on the history of the congregations or to the analyses of their graces and defects, zeal and lukewarmness. Rather, a portion of what: has been written was restudied from the standpoint: of the relationship between the self-designation3 and the contents of the letters against the backdrop of the Christology of the Apocalypse.The biologist and the physicist must begin with certain assumption~. To claim otherwise reveals ignorance and vanity. The theologian, too, must begin somewhere. This study assumes that the Bible is the Word of God, that an inspiration without words is unthinkable, that the seven letters are from Christ Himself, and that He has a reason for every word, including the words about Himself. Our purpose is to determine, if possible, just why He used these words.