I John 1:1 “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
Based upon the manner of his writing, we know that the Apostle John was a very humble man; he was so humble that he did not identify himself as the exalted Apostle John. In his account of the Life of Christ, he identified himself as “one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). In this Epistle, he refers to himself as “The elder”, somewhat like Peter, who referred to himself as one “who am also an elder” (I Peter 5:1). There has always been a lot of discussion among theologians about who “the elect lady” was or is. Because of the nature of the message of this Epistle and the fact that the Church is “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9), I am well satisfied that the Apostle John is “The elder” and “the elect lady” is the Church-kingdom and “her children” are the beloved members of our Lord’s Church-kingdom. The Epistle may have, at first, been directed to a particular Church, but its message is the “truth”, and is essential for every Church of Jesus Christ. As with the entire Word of God, it is written to our Lord’s beloved Bride, the Church of Jesus Christ: it is to “you that believe on the name of the Son of God” (I John 5:13); it is to “Theophilus”, meaning the Friend Of God, (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1); it is to “The Church Of God” (I Corinthians 1:2); it is to “The Churches” (Galatians 1:2); it is to “The saints … faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2); it is to the “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (I Peter 1:2); it is to the “elect lady and her children” (II John 1:1); and “to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1). In order to faithfully worship the Lord, the Church must have the “truth”: The Lord declared that “they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23); that “the church of the living God” is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15). She is known as the “elect lady” because our Lord chose her, she didn’t choose Him. She is a real “lady” because her Husband has glorified her above all other organizations, religions, institutions, governments, etc. on this earth. The sole head over her is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God! Let us rejoice, for as “her children” we are nourished, loved, taught, protected, helped, and eternally secure in our Lord’s covenant and love!