#1 Left Jesus - Message to Ephesus: Left First Love
2Unto the messenger of the church of Ephesus write [r.0]; These things says he who holds the seven stars [r.1] in his right hand [r.2], who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands [r.3];
2 I know thy works [r.4] [r.5], and thy labour [r.6], and thy patience, and how you can not bear those who are evil: and you have tested those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:
[r.5]
3 And have endurance, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have laboured [r.7], and have not become weary.
4 Nevertheless, I have this somewhat against you, because because the love that you had at first, you left. [r.8].
5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent [r.9], and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly [r.10], and will remove thy lampstand out of his place, except you repent.
[r.10]
Re 2:5, Re 2:16
6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans [r.11], which I also hate.
[r.11]
Re 2:6, Re 2:15 — Ephesus hates evil teachers
7 He who has an ear, let him hear [r.12] what the Spirit says [r.13] unto the churches; To him who overcomes [r.14] will I give to eat of the tree of life [r.15], which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
#2 Crown - Message to Smyrna: Ten Days of Tribulation
Important Note: Smyrna mirrors Philadelphia, yet Philadelphia is promised to escape "the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world." This is not the ordinary expected temptation of the church; this is the one that comes on the whole world. Yet here, Smyrna is told to be faithful unto death.
8 And unto the messenger of the church in Smyrna write [r.16]; These things says the first and the last [r.17], who was dead, and is alive [r.18] [r.19];
[r.19]
Re 2:8, Re 13:14 — ἔζησεν — Is alive or did live
9 I know thy works [r.20] [r.21], 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 [r.22].
[r.21]
10 Fear not those things which you will suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you all may be tested; and you all shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death [r.23], and I will give you a crown of life. [r.24] [r.25]
[r.25]
Re 2:10, Re 3:11
11 He who has an ear, let him hear [r.26] what the Spirit says [r.27] unto the churches; He who overcomes [r.28] shall not be hurt of the second death.
#3 Fornication - Message to Pergamum: Doctrine of Balaam
Important Note: Jesus will come to this church with the sword of his mouth. A mirror of Thyatira, false teachers, idols, and fornication.
12 And to the messenger of the church in Pergamum write [r.29]; These things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges [r.30];
13 I know thy works [r.31] [r.32], and where you dwell, even where Satan’s throne is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith [r.33] [r.34], even those days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.
[r.32]
[r.33]
Re 2:13, Re 3:8
14 But I have a little against you, because you have some there who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols [r.35], and to commit fornication [r.36].
[r.35]
Re 2:14, Re 2:20
[r.36]
Re 2:14, Re 2:20
15 So also you have some who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, likewise [r.37].
[r.37]
Re 2:6, Re 2:15 — Pergamum has some evil teachers.
16 Repent [r.38]; or else I will come unto you quickly [r.39] and will war against them with the sword of my mouth [r.40].
[r.39]
Re 2:5, Re 2:16
17 He who has an ear, let him hear [r.41] what the Spirit says [r.42] unto the churches; To him who overcomes [r.43] will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written [r.44], which none knows saving he who receives it.
[r.44]
#4 Fornication - Message to Thyatira: Jezebel
Important Note: A mirror of Pergamum, false teachers, idols, and fornication.
18 And unto the messenger of the church in Thyatira write [r.45]; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire [r.46], and whose feet are like fine brass [r.47];
19 I know thy works [r.48] [r.49], and love, and faith, and service, and thy patience, and thy works [r.48]; and the last to be more than the first.
[r.49]
20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication [r.50], and to eat things sacrificed unto idols [r.51].
[r.50]
Re 2:14, Re 2:20
[r.51]
Re 2:14, Re 2:20
21 And I gave her time to repent, but she would not repent of her fornication.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds [r.52].
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the innermost parts and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
[lex]
Both νεφρούς (kidneys) and καρδίας (hearts) are plural in Greek, reflecting an idiom for the totality of the inner life (“inner parts and hearts”), which English translations often render in the singular for smoothness.
24 But unto the rest of you in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, to you I say, I will put upon you no other burden.
25 But that which you all have hold fast [r.53] till I come.
26 And he who overcomes [r.54], and keeps 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 [r.55]; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
[r.55]
28 And I will give him the morning star [r.56].
[r.56]
Re 2:28, Re 22:16
29 He who has an ear, let him hear [r.57] what the Spirit says [r.58] unto the churches.
Important Note: This church is also shown to need to repent, and there is a promise of the tree of life.