Revelation — Chapter 2

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1Unto 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;

2I 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:

3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5Remember 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.

6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

7He 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.

8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9I 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.

10Fear 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.

11He 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.

12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13I 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.

14But 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.

15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17He 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 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.

18And unto the angel 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;

19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

20Notwithstanding 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.

21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23And 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.

24But 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.

25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27And 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.

28And I will give him the morning star.

29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

1To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

2I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false;

3and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name`s sake, and hast not grown weary.

4But I have [this] against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.

5Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

8And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived [again]:

9I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they art not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

10Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to 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 the crown of life.

11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

12and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:

13I know where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan`s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.

15So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.

16Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.

17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.

18And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

19I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.

20But I have [this] against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

21And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

22Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works.

23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.

24But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.

25Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.

26And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:

27and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father:

28and I will give him the morning star.

29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has a firm grasp on the seven stars in his right hand—the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

2‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false.

3I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.

4But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love!

5Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent.

6But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice—practices I also hate.

7The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’

8“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life:

9‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

10Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.

11The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’

12“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who has the sharp double-edged sword:

13‘I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is. Yet you continue to cling to my name, and you have not denied your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was killed in your city where Satan lives.

14But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

15In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

16Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth.

17The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.’

18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the Son of God, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished bronze:

19‘I know your deeds: your love, faith, service, and steadfast endurance. In fact, your more recent deeds are greater than your earlier ones.

20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

21I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality.

22Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds.

23Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve.

24But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching (who have not learned the so-called “deep secrets of Satan”), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you.

25However, hold on to what you have until I come.

26And to the one who conquers and who continues in my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations—

27he will rule them with an iron rod, and like clay jars he will break them to pieces,

28just as I have received the right to rule from my Father—and I will give him the morning star.

29The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

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 you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise.

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 into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into 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.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus addresses four churches: Ephesus (left first love), Smyrna (faithful under persecution), Pergamos (tolerating false teaching), and Thyatira (tolerating Jezebel) — each receiving praise, rebuke, and a promise "to him that overcometh."

Authorship & Background

Author: The Apostle John, recording Christ's direct words to four churches (see Chapter 1 notes for full details).
Historical Context: Chapters 2-3 contain seven letters from Christ to seven real churches in Asia Minor. Each letter follows a pattern: (1) address to the angel/messenger, (2) Christ's self-description (drawn from ch.1), (3) "I know" — commendation, (4) "I have against thee" — rebuke, (5) command, (6) promise to the overcomer, (7) "He that hath an ear, let him hear." Chapter 2 covers four churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Ephesus (vv.1-7): The loveless church. Commended for works, labor, patience, discernment against false apostles (vv.2-3). Rebuked: "thou hast left thy first love" (v.4). Command: remember, repent, do first works (v.5). Warning: candlestick removed if unrepentant (v.5). Promise: tree of life (v.7).
Smyrna (vv.8-11): The persecuted church. No rebuke — only commendation and encouragement. Suffering, poverty (but spiritually rich), slander (v.9). Command: "Fear none of those things... be thou faithful unto death" (v.10). Promise: crown of life, not hurt by second death (vv.10-11).
Pergamos (vv.12-17): The compromising church. Commended for holding fast in "where Satan's seat is" (v.13). Rebuked: tolerating Balaam's doctrine and Nicolaitans (vv.14-15). Command: repent (v.16). Promise: hidden manna, white stone, new name (v.17).
Thyatira (vv.18-29): The corrupt church. Commended for love, service, faith, patience, growing works (v.19). Rebuked: tolerating "Jezebel" — a false prophetess promoting immorality (vv.20-23). Command: hold fast (v.25). Promise: authority over nations, the morning star (vv.26-28).

Map & Geography

  • Ephesus (v.1): Major city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey); location of a key early church.
  • Smyrna (v.8): City in Asia Minor; one of the seven churches in Revelation.
  • Thyatira (v.18, v.24): City in Asia Minor; one of the seven churches in Revelation.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers each of the four churches with historical background, commendation, rebuke, and application.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "First Love" on v.4 (MTP Vol. 6, No. 337) "Thou hast LEFT thy first love — not lost it accidentally but left it deliberately. You walked away from it. The Ephesians had everything else: works, labor, patience, discernment, endurance. But without love, it was all machinery without a heart. You can be doctrinally correct and relationally cold. You can be busy for God and distant from God. Remember. Repent. Return." Sermon: "Faithful Unto Death" on v.10 (MTP Vol. 12, No. 688) "Faithful unto death — not faithful until death (though that too) but faithful TO THE POINT OF death. Willing to die rather than deny. This is the ultimate test of faith: will you hold on when holding on costs everything? Smyrna was asked to pay the highest price — and promised the highest reward: the crown of life."

Videos

The Bible Project — Revelation Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. Ephesus: "Thou hast left thy first love" (v.4). Have you? Is your relationship with Christ as passionate as it once was? Or have you substituted activity for intimacy? Remember, repent, return.
  • 2. Smyrna: "Be thou faithful unto death" (v.10). Would you hold onto your faith if it cost you everything? What level of suffering would tempt you to compromise?
  • 3. Pergamos: "Where Satan's seat is" (v.13). You may live in a spiritually hostile environment. Are you holding fast to Christ's name without compromising? Where are you tempted to blend in?
  • 4. Thyatira: "Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel" (v.20). Are you tolerating false teaching or immorality in your community that you should be confronting? Tolerance of evil is not love — it's compromise.
  • 5. Which church most resembles your current spiritual condition? What does Christ's word to that church say to you?