Revelation
Summary
This chapter contains Christ’s specific messages to the first four of the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. Ephesus is commended for its patience but rebuked for leaving its "first love." Smyrna is encouraged in the face of coming tribulation and promised a "crown of life." Pergamum is warned about those holding the "doctrine of Balaam" and the Nicolaitans. Thyatira is rebuked for permitting the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce the servants. To each church, Christ offers a different promise "to he who overcomes," emphasizing His intimate knowledge of their "works" and "tribulation."
To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; "These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands;
"I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil: and you have tested those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
"And have patterns of patience, and for My name’s sake have laboured, and have not fainted.
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.
"Remember therefore from where you are 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, except you repent.
"But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; "These things says the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive;
"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 the synagogue of Satan.
"Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; "These things says He who has the sharp sword with two edges;
"I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan’s seat is: and you hold fast My name, and have not denied My faith, even in those days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
"But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
"So have you also those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
"Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no one knows except he who receives it."
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write; "These things says the Son of God, who has His eyes like to a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;
"I know your works, and love, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you allow 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.
"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the hearts and minds: and I will give to every one of you according to your works.
"But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you no other burden.
"But that which you have already hold fast until I come.
"And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
"And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to pieces: even as I received from My Father.
"And I will give him the morning star.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."