Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and. B 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, omit all this clause.
Write in a book. To this book, having such an origin, and to the other books of Scripture, who gives their due weight, preferring them to the many books of the world? (Bengel.)
Seven churches. As there were many other churches in Proconsular Asia (e.g., Miletus, Magnesia, Tralles) besides, seven is fixed upon because of its mystical signification, totality and universality. "Which are in Asia" is rejected by 'Aleph (') A B C, Cyprian, Vulgate, and Syriac. Coptic has it. These seven are representative churches; as a complex whole, ideally complete, embodying the spiritual characteristics of the Church, whether as faithful or unfaithful, in all ages. Those selected are not taken at random, but have a many-sided completeness.
Thus, we have Smyrna, a church exposed to persecutions unto death; on the other hand, Sardis, having a high name for spiritual life, yet dead. Laodicea, in its own estimate, rich, needing nothing, with ample talents, yet lukewarm; on the other hand, Philadelphia, with but little strength, yet keeping Christ's word: so an open door of usefulness set before it by Christ Himself. Ephesus, intolerant of evil and false apostles, yet having left its first love; on the other hand, Thyatira, abounding in works, love, service, and faith, yet suffering the false prophetess to seduce many.
Again, Ephesus in conflict with false freedom - i:e., fleshly licentiousness (the Nicolaitanes); so Pergamos in conflict with Balaam-like tempters to fornication and idol meats; on the other side, Philadelphia, in conflict with the Jewish synagogue - i:e., legal bondage. Finally, Sardis and Laodicea, without opposition to call forth spiritual energies: a dangerous position, considering man's natural indolence. In the historic interpretation, Ephesus ('the beloved' or 'desired') (Stier) represents the waning of the apostolic age.
Smyrna ('myrrh,' bitter, yet costly perfume), the martyr period of the Decian and Diocletian age. Pergamos (a 'castle'), the church in earthly power and decreasing spirituality, from Constantine's time until the seventh century. Thyatira ('unwearied about sacrifices'), the apostate church in the first half of the middle ages; like "Jezebel," keen about its sacrifice of the mass, and slaying God's witnesses. Sardis, from the twelfth century to the Reformation. Philadelphia. ('brotherly love'), the first century of the Reformation. Laodicea, the Reformed church after its first zeal cooled.