Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 1:11

"saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." — Revelation 1:11 (ASV)

I am Alpha and Omega.—In this verse we pass from Saint John to Him who was the Word, of whom Saint John testified. He who is the faithful witness now speaks: “What you see, write, etc.” The preceding words, “I am Alpha, etc.,” are not found in the best manuscripts. The words “which are in Asia” are also omitted.

The seven churches.—There were more than seven churches in Asia Minor; but the number selected indicates completeness. Thus, though having special reference to the conditions of those churches, the epistles may be regarded as epistles conveying ever-appropriate lessons to the churches of succeeding ages. The names of the seven churches are enumerated, as they would naturally be by a person writing from Patmos. “First, Ephesus is addressed, as the Asiatic metropolis, and as the nearest church to Patmos; then the other churches on the western coast of Asia; then those in the interior” (Wordsworth).