The Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing for everyone who reads or hears the words in it, and most importantly, keeps what is written therein.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Each letter starts out with an address to the 'angel' or aggelos of that church.

The Greek word for angel, 'aggelos' (pronounced ang'-el-os) appears 185 times in the New Testament. It is translated 178 times as 'angel' or a variation thereof and 7 times it is translated as 'messenger'.

The word 'aggelos' is used to describe John the Baptist (Mark 1:2), who heralded the coming of Jesus and is also used for the messengers Jesus sent ahead of his group to prepare Samaritan villages for His arrival.

Luke 9:52 And sent messengers (aggelos) before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

Aggelos is also used for the 'messenger' of Satan which was a thorn in Paul's flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7), the messengers of Israel whom Rahab the harlot concealed from harm in Jericho (James 2:25), and the messengers whom John the Baptist sent to inquire of Jesus if He were indeed the awaited Messiah (Luke 7:24).

While it may be that God has assigned specific angels to minister to individual churches, as the Archangel Michael is said to be the angel of the Jewish people (Daniel 12:1), or to individuals themselves as Jesus relates in Matthew 18:10. This letter was written to those men who were entrusted with God's Word in the various churches in Asia. The elect angels, who receive their orders directly from God, have no need of a letter from the hands of men but instead are sent to men with messages from God.

The root of the word aggelos 'ago' is a primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce: - be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.

By implication, aggelos or angel can be used of a Pastor in this context.

Pastor: 1. A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds.

2. A minister of the gospel who has the charge of a church and congregation, whose duty is to watch over the people of his charge, and instruct them in the sacred doctrines of the Christian religion.(Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

The Hebrew word for angel has a similar meaning. In this passage from 2 Samuel the wise woman from Tekoah, whom Joab sent to entreat King David, compares David to a 'malak' or 'angel' of God.

2 Samuel 14:19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel (malak) of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

In this verse from the book of Malachi, a priest is called the malak, or messenger of the Lord.

Malachi 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger (malak) of the LORD of hosts.

malak - From an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher): - ambassador, angel, king, messenger.

While all believers have an individual relationship with God our Savior, Jesus works through the Pastors of a church congregation just as the President of a company might work through department heads and supervisors. They are called to service in his Name and are given responsibility for guarding the souls of, feeding the Word to, overseeing, and praying for the 'flock' of believers God has placed in their care.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

The seven letters can be seen as being similar to an employee review given after a period of service. Jesus notes those things that are praiseworthy and those things that are in need of improvement. These letters were written to a second generation of believers and as such they are written to all believers in what is known as the 'church age'.

The letters to the seven churches of Asia undoubtedly had particular significance to those churches as they existed at that time. However, each letter ends with an exhortation to 'He that hath an ear' to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. This exhortation is for every person who has been called into the family of God. When we receive the Holy Spirit we are given 'ears to hear' the truth of God.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Each exhortation is followed by a promise for those who overcome. This again refers to every person who is born again of God.

To him that overcometh (nikao) - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

1Jo 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh [nikao] the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh [nikao] the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

While these letters were initially written to churches that existed almost 2,000 years ago. They contain important and relevant insights into problems that occur in every generation of believers. It is significant that there are 7 letters written to 7 churches. In the Bible the number 7 represents perfection or completeness. The seven churches here represent 'types' of churches. However, the strengths and weaknesses of each of these churches may have elements that are recognizable as being present to some degree in most every congregation.

The church of God is a Spiritual body of believers, each of whom is called to have a personal relationship with God through our Savior Christ Jesus. Before we start looking at what might be praiseworthy or lacking in the particular church organization we happen to be affiliated with, we should heed Paul's admonition to the believers in Corinth.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?