'Rev 2:1-20

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Rev 2:1-3:22 LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Apart from occasional minor variations, the seven letters follow the same pattern. They begin with a greeting from the risen Christ (whose titles are mostly taken from the vision described in Rev 1:12-16), followed in turn by a statement of praise and/or criticism concerning the current state of the church, a warning, an instruction and a promise.

Although each church received the particular message for itself, it would also hear the messages for the other churches if the whole book was read in each church. Therefore, there is a note of warning for all to take heed: ‘Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’