Revelation 2
To the Church in Ephesus
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Parallel theme: Revelation 3:1, 3:8, 3:15, Psalms 1:6, Galatians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:21, 2 Timothy 2:19, Hebrews 6:10, 1 John 4:1 +5
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Parallel theme: Revelation 3:10, John 15:21, Galatians 6:9, Colossians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 6:10, 6:12, 6:15, 10:36, 12:1 +5
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Repentance: Revelation 2:16, 3:19. Parallel theme: Revelation 1:20, 2:19, Isaiah 1:26, Ezekiel 20:43, Hosea 14:1, Malachi 4:6, Mark 12:9, Luke 20:16 +5
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna
8 And unto the angelAngel: ἄγγελος (Angelos). The Greek angelos (ἄγγελος) means angel or messenger. Angels announced Christ's birth (Luke 2:9-14), ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11), and will accompany His return (Matthew 25:31). of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Spirit: Revelation 2:7, 2:17. Parallel theme: Revelation 13:9, 20:6, 20:14, 21:8
To the Church in Pergamum
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. References Israel: Numbers 31:16, Joshua 24:9. Sacrifice: Revelation 2:20. Parallel theme: Numbers 31:8, Acts 15:29, 21:25, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 2:8, 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11 +5
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Parallel theme: Revelation 2:6
16 RepentRepent: μετανοέω (Metanoeo). The Greek metanoeo (μετανοέω) means to change one's mind or purpose—a complete transformation of thinking. John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
To the Church in Thyatira
18 And unto the angelAngel: ἄγγελος (Angelos). The Greek angelos (ἄγγελος) means angel or messenger. Angels announced Christ's birth (Luke 2:9-14), ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11), and will accompany His return (Matthew 25:31). of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1)., and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Prophecy: 2 Kings 9:7. Sacrifice: Revelation 2:14, Exodus 34:15. Parallel theme: Revelation 2:4, 1 Kings 16:31, Acts 15:20, 15:29 +2
21 And I gave her space to repentRepent: μετανοέω (Metanoeo). The Greek metanoeo (μετανοέω) means to change one's mind or purpose—a complete transformation of thinking. John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. Parallel theme: Revelation 12:9, 13:14, Acts 15:28, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 11:3
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Parallel theme: Revelation 1:7, 3:3, 3:11, 22:7, 22:20, John 14:3, Romans 12:9, Hebrews 3:6, 4:14, 10:23 +5
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. Parallel theme: Revelation 12:5, 19:15, Isaiah 30:14, Jeremiah 19:11, Matthew 11:27, Luke 22:29, John 17:24 +2
28 And I will give him the morning star. Parallel theme: Revelation 22:16, 2 Peter 1:19
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. saith unto the churches. Spirit: Revelation 2:7