The three views as to the identity of the “Elect Lady.” 545-2-3

There are three views as to the identity of the “Elect Lady.”

1. The Christian Church.

2. An individual, probably a prominent lady in the Church.

3. Mary, the mother of Jesus, the most “Elect Lady” in the entire Bible.

In 2 John refers to the “elect lady and her children.” Mary, the elect lady, who John is warning to be on guard against those who will come in her name with false teachings to lead her children, the Church, astray.

As an aside, in Genesis God foretold the virgin birth 3:15, “and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Mary was of the house of David through Nathan, the son of King David thus circumventing the blood curse of Jeconiah.

The angel Gabriel had a message for Mary. Luke 1:31, “And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Mary humbly answered, Luke 1:38, “And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Mary’s reaction to to Gabriel’s message from God was her Song of Praise, often called The Magnificat

Luke 1:46-47, “46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour (G4990).”

Saviour, G4990, a deliverer, that is, God or Christ. Mary made no claim of being a co-creator. Rather she was humbly in need of a deliverer.

Luke 1:48, “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

Mary would be called blessed, however, nowhere does the Bible say that she would bestow blessings. Catholics pray to Mary “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women." Does the Catholic hierarchy consider this as an out-flowing of grace that Mary can infer on those praying to her? I think not.

Luke 1:49-50, “49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.”

Mary is not in a proactive role, rather, she is in a in a passive role and the receiver of great things. She recognized the holiness of God and that the fear of God is rewarded with mercy.

Luke 1:51-53, “51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”

As Paul put it in Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Luke 1:54-55, “54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.”

Mary speaks with gratitude for the eternal faithfulness God has for His chosen people.

So who is the Elect Lady John was referring to in 1 John 2? Mary, the Mother of Jesus.