Open English Translation REV Chapter 2

2 To the assembly’s messenger in Ephesus write:

The one holding the seven stars in his right hand, the one walking among the seven golden lampstands, says these things: 2 “I know about your activities and work, and your endurance and that you can not tolerate evil people, and that you have investigated the ones calling themselves missionaries but are not, and you have found them to be frauds. 3 I’m aware that you’ve endured and even suffered persecution because you’ve believed in me, but you’ve never given up. 4 However, I do have something against you: you’ve abandoned the love that you first had. 5 So now, you need to remember where you’ve fallen from, and repent and repeat how you behaved at the beginning, but if you don’t, I’ll come to you and if you don’t repent, I’ll remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you do have this going for you: you hate what the disciples of Nicolaus are doing,[fn] just like I do.

7 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

I will grant the right to eat from the tree that gives life in God’s paradise to everyone who overcomes.”[ref]

8 To the assembly’s messenger in Smyrna write:[ref]

The one who’s the first and the last, who died but lived again, says these things: 9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty, but you’re actually rich! I also know how about the slander of those who consider themselves to be Jews, but they’re not true Jews because their master is Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid about what you’re going to suffer. Yes, the devil will throw some of you into prison where your faith will be tested, and you’ll experience persecution for ten days. Just remain faithful, even if it means death, and I’ll give you life as a reward.

11 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

Anyone who stays true won’t be affected by the second death.”[ref]

12 To the assembly’s messenger in Pergamum write:

The one with the sharp sword says these things: 13 “I know where you live: where Satan’s throne is. Despite that, you firmly believe in me and you haven’t denied your faith in me, even when Antipas, the faithful man who told others about me was killed in your city, where Satan lives. 14 But I do have a few things against you: you have some people there who hold to the ancient prophet Balaam’s teaching.[ref] He taught Moab’s king, Balak, how to tempt the Israelis and to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols, and to be sexually immoral. 15 In the same way, some of you also follow the teachings of Nicolaus’ disciples.[fn] 16 So turn away from all that, otherwise I’ll come soon and battle against them with the word of my mouth.

17 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.

Anyone who stays true will be given hidden food from heaven, and I’ll give each of them a white stone with a new name written on it that no one knows apart from the person receiving it.”[ref]

18 To the assembly’s messenger in Thyatira write:

God’s son, the one with eyes like a flame of fire and with feet like bronze, says: 19 “I know what you’ve been doing, and about your love and faith, and your service and endurance, and what you’re doing now is better than what you first did. 20 But I have against you that you tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls a prophetess, and she deceives my servants by teaching them to be sexually immoral and to eat food that’s been offered to idols.[ref] 21 Even though I’ve given her time to repent, she’s still not willing to turn away from her immorality. 22 Listen, I’m going to punish her with a terrible sickness, and to punish those who’re committing adultery with her with terrible suffering if they don’t turn away from what she’s doing. 23 I will kill her children, then all the assemblies will know that I am the one who searches people’s affections and hearts, and who punishes or rewards each one of you depending on your actions.[ref]

24 But the rest of you believers in the city of Thyatira have not obeyed that woman’s teachings and haven’t taken part in what she calls ‘the secret practices that Satan taught her’, I have something to say to you all as well. I won’t give you any other other burden 25 except to just to continue to obey the true teaching that you’ve received, until I return. 26 And anyone who’s victorious, who continues to do what I command until the end, I’ll give them authority to rule over the people groups on earth.[ref] 27 They’ll rule them with irresistible power, and those who rebel will be smashed like unwanted clay pots, 28 just like the authority that I’ve received from my father. And I’ll give them the morning star.

29 Everyone who wants to understand needs to listen to what God’s spirit is saying to the assemblies.”