If we become bogged down in trying to slice history into seven segments (to correspond with each of the seven elders of the assemblies), then we can easily miss out on the greater opportunity to grow in the Lord through the exhortations given. It is very easy to view what we read in Scripture within such a generalized context however, it does nothing to enhance my spiritual understanding of how I need to be living today. Personally, I see this as a red herring, a tactic to draw our attention away from the reality of what we must be prepared to deal with in our own lives. Such an application is obviously very broad and general, and our attention is drawn to a big-picture view of history – relating the traits of a particular elder to a segment of the “historical church” as it might have appeared over hundreds of years. Many, over the years, have sought to relate the characteristics of these various assembly elders to periods of church history the variations in how this is carried out are almost as numerous as those who have attempted to do so. However, we must realize that these elders were not so unique that what they faced is not common to all of us, and, consequently, we must seek to appropriate, as our own, the exhortations that they received (the secondary application, and most important for us).
These seven assemblies were in existence at the time that John received this revelation, and, therefore, what follows pertained specifically to the primary elder of each of these assemblies – this would be the immediate application. 19 present tense, indicative mood – a factual declaration of the way things stand at this time). John now begins to write of the things which are (v. This begins Jesus’ dictation of what John is to write to the seven messengers (or elders) of the seven designated assemblies. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks
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