Revelation 2 - Introduction

Tomlinson's Comments
CHAPTER II
LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
INTRODUCTION

The letters to the seven churches of Asia were composed in accordance with an exact literary arrangement. Each one consists of the same parts: a salutation to the church addressed; a description of Christ from some particular aspect with direct relation to the spiritual condition of the church; a message of praise or censure; exhortations in keeping with the special need, a promise to him that overcometh and an admonition He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
The only exception to this symmetry is in the matter of the last partthe admonition. In each of the first three letters it precedes the promise to the overcomer; in the last four letters it follows his promise.
The distinction makes two groups of letters, one of three and the other of four, just as the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven vials are divided into two groups each, of four and three. In this study of the seven letters see chart following page 41.