It is generally recognized that the 7 letters to the churches in Asia were not only for specific churches of that time but for all churches of all time. It is believed thus because churches other than the seven named were in Asia at the time, but God chose these 7 to address. It would seem these were chosen as a representative of all, specifically because he once again uses the number 7, which is the number for fullness and completion. Therefore we can glean much from them for us now.

In actuality it has 3 applications. One for those specific churches at that time, one that is applicable to all churches in all ages in each message to each individual church, and one for the panoramic history of the church - in other words each of these churches represents an “age” that we have passed through or are in now.

What I most love about Christ’s letters to the churches in Asia, is his example of Leadership and even management that is inherent in them.

Each one has 5 elements to them in common:

1. Each one opens with an aspect of Christ (from what John saw in chapter 1) that was emphasized in addressing each church.

2. The letters are addressed to the angel of each church.

3. He begins by stating to each, "I know your works," although there has been some question about that in regard to a couple of the letters.

4. He first gives a word of commendation, and then He gives a word of condemnation. That is his way , but there were exceptions. There is no word of condemnation to Smyrna or Philadelphia. Smyrna was the martyr church, and he is not about to condemn that church. Philadelphia was the missionary church that was getting out His Word, and he also didn't condemn it. He has no word of commendation for Laodicea, the apostate church, which I find interesting.

(And here is where we have such an excellent example of management. It is always best to give an example of what one is doing right before addressing the negatives.)

5. Each letter concludes with, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith."

Now, unto the specific churches!