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Revelation 2

World English Bible

WEB

1“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: “He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things: 2“I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 3You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent. 6But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God. 8“To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: 9“I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death. 12“To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: “He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: 13“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15So also you likewise have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it. 18“To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: “The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things: 19“I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. 20But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22Behold, I will throw her and those who commit adultery with her into a bed of great oppression, unless they repent of her works. 23I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira—as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of Satan’—to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you. 25Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come. 26He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. 27He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots, as I also have received of my Father; 28and I will give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 2 presents messages to the first four of the seven churches in Asia Minor, each addressing their unique circumstances and spiritual conditions. The chapter begins with a message to the church in #Ephesus, commending them for their hard work and perseverance but rebuking them for losing their first love. The call to repentance emphasizes the importance of returning to the passionate devotion they once had for Christ, reminding them of the consequences of neglecting their relationship with Him. The promise to the overcomers is the right to eat from the tree of life, symbolizing eternal life in the presence of God (Revelation 2:7).

Next, the message to the church in #Smyrna acknowledges their suffering and poverty, yet declares them rich in faith. Jesus encourages them to remain faithful even in the face of persecution, promising the crown of life to those who endure (Revelation 2:10). The church in #Pergamum is then addressed, where some members hold fast to their faith despite living in a city where Satan's throne is located. However, they are warned against false teachings and immorality, with a call to repentance and a promise of hidden manna and a white stone to the overcomers (Revelation 2:17). Finally, the church in #Thyatira is commended for their love and service but criticized for tolerating a false prophetess who leads many astray. The call to repentance is urgent, with a promise of authority over nations for those who overcome (Revelation 2:26). This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance, faithfulness, and the importance of maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with Christ.

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Referenced by

  1. Numbers 25:1-3v14Numbers 25:1-3 describes Israel's sin with the Moabite women and their worship of Baal of Peor. Revelation 2:14 references this event as a warning to the church in Pergamum about the teachings of Balaam, who led Israel into sin.
  2. Numbers 31:16v14Numbers 31:16 references the counsel of Balaam leading Israel to sin, which is echoed in Revelation 2:14 where Balaam's teaching is cited as a cause for stumbling.
  3. 2 Kings 9:30-33v202 Kings 9:30-33 describes the death of Jezebel, who is later referenced in Revelation 2:20 as a symbol of false teaching and immorality within the church.
  4. Psalms 2:8v26Psalm 2:8 speaks of the nations as an inheritance for the Son. Revelation 2:26-27 echoes this promise, extending it to those who overcome, sharing in Christ's authority over the nations.
  5. Isaiah 62:2v17Isaiah 62:2 mentions that the nations will see Zion's righteousness and she will be called by a new name, which is echoed in Revelation 2:17 where believers are promised a new name.
  6. Jeremiah 17:10v23Jeremiah 17:10 states that the Lord searches the heart and tests the mind, similar to Revelation 2:23 where Jesus declares He searches hearts and minds.
  7. Luke 23:43v7Jesus promises the repentant thief paradise in Luke 23:43, echoing the promise of eternal life found in Revelation 2:7, where the overcomer is granted access to the tree of life.
  8. Acts 15:28-29v14Acts 15:28-29 lists requirements for Gentile believers, including abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, which is also addressed in Revelation 2:14 as a concern for the church in Pergamum.

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