Revelation 2

To the Church in Ephesus

1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of e him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, f who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2 g "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but h have tested those i who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up j for my name's sake, and you k have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned l the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do m the works you did at first. If not, n I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of o the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 p He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. q To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of r the tree of life, which is in s the paradise of God.'

To the Church in Smyrna

8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of t the first and the last, u who died and came to life.

9 "'I know your tribulation and v your poverty ( v but you are rich) and the slander 1 of w those who say that 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 throw some of you into prison, w that you may be tested, and for x ten days y you will have tribulation. z Be faithful a unto death, and I will give you b the crown of life. 11 c He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. c The one who conquers will not be hurt by d the second death.'

To the Church in Pergamum

12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has e the sharp two-edged sword.

13 "'I know where you dwell, f where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not g deny my faith 2 even in the days of Antipas h my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of i Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might j eat food sacrificed to idols and k practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of l the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, m I will come to you soon and n war against them with e the sword of my mouth. 17 c He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. c To the one who conquers I will give some of o the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with p a new name written on the stone q that no one knows except the one who receives it.'

To the Church in Thyatira

18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, r who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 s "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman t Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants 3 u to practice sexual immorality and u to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but v she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he w who searches mind and heart, and x I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call y the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I z do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast a what you have until I come. 26 b The one who conquers and who keeps my works c until the end, d to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and e he will f rule them with a rod of iron, g as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him h the morning star. 29 p He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

  1. Cross References
    Revelation 1:16
    In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
    Revelation 1:20
    As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
  2. Cross References
    Revelation 1:13
    And in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
  3. Cross References
    Revelation 2:19
    'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
    Revelation 3:8
    'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
    Revelation 3:15
    'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
  4. Cross References
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:13
    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
  6. Cross References
    John 15:21
    But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
  7. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:3
    Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
    Hebrews 12:5
    And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
  8. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:2
    Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord, "I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
  9. Cross References
    Revelation 2:2
    'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
    Hebrews 10:32
    But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
  10. Cross References
    Revelation 3:3
    Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
    Revelation 3:19
    Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
  11. Cross References
    Revelation 2:15
    So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
  12. Cross References
    Revelation 2:11
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 2:17
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 2:29
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 3:6
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 3:13
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 3:22
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 13:9
    If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 3:5
    The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
    Revelation 21:7
    The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
  14. Cross References
    Genesis 2:9
    And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
  15. Cross References
    Ezekiel 28:13
    You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.
    Ezekiel 31:8
    The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor the fir trees equal its boughs; neither were the plane trees like its branches; no tree in the garden of God was its equal in beauty.
  16. Cross References
    Revelation 1:17
    When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last.
  17. Cross References
    Revelation 1:18
    And the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
  18. Cross References
    James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
    1 Timothy 6:18
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
    Hebrews 10:34
    For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
    Hebrews 11:26
    He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
  19. Cross References
    James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
    1 Timothy 6:18
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
    Hebrews 10:34
    For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
    Hebrews 11:26
    He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
  20. Cross References
    Revelation 3:9 - 10
    Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie - behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.
  21. Cross References
    Revelation 2:9
    'I know your tribulation and your poverty ( but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
  22. Cross References
    Genesis 24:55
    Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.
    Daniel 1:12
    Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
    Daniel 1:14
    So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 24:9
    Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 10:22
    And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
    Hebrews 3:6
    But Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
  25. Cross References
    Revelation 12:11
    And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
  26. Cross References
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
  27. Cross References
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
  28. Cross References
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
  29. Cross References
    Revelation 20:6
    Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
    Revelation 20:14
    Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    Revelation 21:8
    But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
  30. Cross References
    Revelation 2:16
    Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
    Revelation 1:16
    In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
  31. Cross References
    Revelation 2:9
    I know your tribulation and your poverty ( but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
  32. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:8
    But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
  33. Cross References
    Acts 22:20
    And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.
  34. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:15
    Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing.
  35. Cross References
    Revelation 2:20
    But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
    Acts 15:29
    That you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
    1 Corinthians 8:10
    For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
    1 Corinthians 10:19
    What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
  36. Cross References
    Numbers 25:1
    While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab.
    Numbers 31:16
    Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.
    1 Corinthians 10:8
    We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
  37. Cross References
    Revelation 2:6
    Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
  38. Cross References
    Revelation 22:7
    "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
  39. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 2:8
    And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
  40. Cross References
    Revelation 2:12
    And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
  41. Cross References
    Revelation 2:11
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
  42. Cross References
    Revelation 2:11
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
  43. Cross References
    John 6:48 - 50
    I am the bread of life.
  44. Cross References
    Revelation 3:12
    The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
    Isaiah 62:2
    The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
    Isaiah 65:15
    You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse, and the Lord God will put you to death, but his servants he will call by another name.
  45. Cross References
    Revelation 19:12
    His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
    Revelation 14:3
    And they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
  46. Cross References
    Revelation 1:14 - 15
    The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
  47. Cross References
    Revelation 2:2
    I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
  48. Cross References
    1 Kings 16:31
    And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.
    1 Kings 21:25
    ( There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.
    2 Kings 9:7
    And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord.
  49. Cross References
    Revelation 2:14
    But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
  50. Cross References
    Revelation 2:14
    But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
  51. Cross References
    Revelation 9:20 - 21
    The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
    Revelation 16:9
    They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.
    Revelation 16:11
    And cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 7:9
    Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous - you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!
    Psalms 26:2
    Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
    Jeremiah 20:12
    O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.
    Romans 8:27
    And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
  53. Cross References
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
  54. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:10
    These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
  55. Cross References
    Acts 15:28
    For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
  56. Cross References
    Revelation 3:11
    I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
  57. Cross References
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
  58. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:6
    But Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
  59. Cross References
    Psalms 2:8
    Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
    Revelation 3:21
    The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
    Revelation 20:4
    Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
  60. Cross References
    Psalms 2:9
    You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
  61. Cross References
    Revelation 12:5
    She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.
    Revelation 19:15
    From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
  62. Cross References
    Isaiah 30:14
    And its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.
    Jeremiah 19:11
    And shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts: So will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter's vessel, so that it can never be mended. Men shall bury in Topheth because there will be no place else to bury.
  63. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:19
    And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
    Revelation 22:16
    "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
  64. Cross References
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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