** Context is to determine what the passage of Scripture meant to its original audience: who wrote it, when, why and to whom did they write it for.  Basically understanding what the Bible meant in its original and its historical context.

** The church format is what Jesus has to say to the church.  They all have a similar layout.

** Prophetic application can be controversial but I put it here because it is possible that the seven churches represent 7 different church periods throughout history – past, current and in the future.  The church associated with a specific time does not mean it applies to every church during that time period.  It simply means that it is a key feature of that time frame.  When you place all the faults of each church side by side, these faults get progressively worse – showing we are headed towards the apostasy.

** Except for the first two (Ephesus and Smyrna), the other five all mention the way or how Jesus will come.  Those statements are prophetic as they are how Jesus also talked to the Apostles about the End of Times.  This is believed based on Jesus’ second coming comments starting from the Pergamum Church.

** The church meaning also may have something to do with linking the church to a specific church period in time. 

** I personally believe that each of these churches shows how we as individuals can be throughout our journey with Jesus.

** Personal application is when you ask yourself what the passage means to you.