Revelation

2.1-29

John resumes revelation of the mystery he began to unfold at the conclusion of chapter one (v1:20) by recounting church by church the declarations Christ made to each of the seven churches. In each pronouncement, John opens by saying this is what "the Lord" says. Yet each time, he describes Christ uniquely from each other section. Chapter Two includes the first four churches. Ephesus does not tolerate apostates but has left their first love and no longer serves as they once did (vv2-4). Smyrna has suffered and endured poverty and blasphemy by those claiming to be Jews but who serve Satan (v9), though they remain rich in faith as heirs to the Kingdom of God - (James 2:5). They are to suffer more and to be tested, but by being faithful until death, they will receive the crown of life (v10). By overcoming, there is no need to fear the judgment that leads to hell for the lost (the second death v11). Pergamum has held to the name of Jesus and not denied faith in Him while living in a hostile place ruled by evil men (where Satan's throne is, where Satan dwells v13), but some among them follow false teaching that causes others also to be misled (v14). Thyatira has grown more in love, faith, service, and perseverance than when they first believed (v19), yet they tolerate deceitful teaching (v20) and have fallen into sexual immorality and adultery, not even wishing to repent of it (v21). They will suffer sickness, tribulation, and pestilence (vv22-23) unless they repent. But some have not listened to the false teaching or committed these acts of Satan, and they will not be subject to these sufferings (v24). As each declaration closes (vv7,11,17,29) with "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches," we know that these words are for ALL people to receive and heed. Likewise, each section includes a promise to him who overcomes (vv7,11,17,26).

CHAPTER 2

To the Church in Ephesus

1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
This is what the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot bear with those who are evil, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, you also have not grown weary.
4 ‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. But if not, I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.
6 ‘Yet this you do have, that 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 grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

To the Church in Smyrna

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
This is what THE FIRST AND THE LAST, who was dead, and has come to life, says:
9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until 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 never be hurt by the second death.’

To the Church in Pergamum

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
This is what the One who has the sharp two-edged sword says:
13 ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 ‘But I have a few things against you, that you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
15 ‘So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 ‘Therefore repent. But if not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war 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, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’

To the Church in Thyatira

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
This is what the Son of God, the One who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet are like burnished bronze, says:
19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your last deeds are greater than at first.
20 ‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and deceives My slaves so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 ‘And I gave her time to repent, and she does not wish to repent of her sexual immorality.
22 ‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
23 ‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
24 ‘But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not have this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you.
25 ‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
26 ‘And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority 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.’