Revelation 2

The seven churches

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write: He who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands says these things:

2 “I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot endure those who are evil, and that you have tested those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars, 3 and that you have persevered, and have had patience, and for my name’s sake have laboured, and have not fainted.

4 “Nevertheless I have against you that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works. Or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. 6 But this you have in your favour: You hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give the right to eat of the tree of life, which is in the middle of the paradise of God.

Smyrna

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who was dead and has come to life again, says these things:

9 “I know your works and tribulation and poverty (but you are rich). And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which you are going to suffer. See, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.

Pergamos

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write: He who has the sharp sword with two edges says these things:

13 “I know your works and where you live: where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days when Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan lives.

14 “However I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak how to cause the children of Israel to stumble, to have them eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. 15 Also you have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent! Or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, known to no man except he who receives it.

Thyatira

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like fine bronze, says these things:

19 “I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works, and that the last are more than the first.

20 “However, I have a few things against you, because you permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her fornication, and she did not repent. 22 Look, I will cast her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

2:22 Refusal to repent will always bring God’s punishment, now or later.⚜

23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to every one of you according to your works. 24 But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, to as many as do not hold this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say: I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold on to what you already have until I come.

2:25 Christ did not demand too much of this church or lay heavy burdens on them. (Compare Matt 11:29-30.) It was enough for them to hold to the truth they had heard from God’s true servants and refuse the teachings of false prophets. Compare John 8:31-32; 1 Cor 15:2; 2 Thess 2:15; 1 Tim 3:9; Titus 1:9; Heb 4:14.⚜

26 “And he who overcomes and keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron. Like the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces. This I have received from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

2:29 Verse 7.⚜