Revelation 2 - Letters to the Churches

There are some who do not take these letters as genuine, rather they see the named churches as just a literary device. Amongst those who take such a view some see the letters as describing general situations that churches face throughout the ages. Then there are those who see the seven churches as representing various periods in church history. With this view a typical scheme is (as outlined by Morris, TNTC):

• Ephesus - 1st century
• Smyrna - period of persecution
• Pergammum - age of Constantine
• Thyatira - the Middle Ages
• Sardis - the Reformation
• Philadelphia - modern missionary age
• Laodicea - apostasy in the last days

Of the first view, it is certainly true that the letters do describe situations and features that are found in churches across the world and across time. But then the same can be said about all the letters in the New Testament, which is precisely why they are so valuable to us! 

Of the second view I consider it to be complete and utter rubbish ( as does Morris). There are no exegetical grounds for such an interpretation, and it is simply reading things back into the text that aren't there. 

The letters were actual letters sent to actual churches, but the lessons that can be learnt are timeless (OK, they won't apply after Jesus returns, but up until that point!).

The fact that the letters were bundled together shows that all churches of the time had something to learn from the others. Clearly the letter specifically directed to that church was most relevant to it, but the others contained lessons as well. Moreover, the fact that the churches are in a rough geographical circle could also be seen as indicative of them applying to all churches. As does the number seven, which represents completeness.

So the letters were real letters. They share a common structure:

• Greeting
• Attribute of Christ
• An "I know ..." section
• Comment on the state of the church. Criticism in most cases, praise for Smyrna and Philadelphia
• Warning
• Exhortation and promise

Exhortation and promise occur in various orders.

There is also a pattern in the letters as a whole. The 1st and 7th receive severe warnings, the 2nd and 6th receive praise, the middle three get a mixture.