Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

Theme

Lost love.

Persecution.

Compromise.

Corruption.

Spiritual Death.

Faithfulness

Spiritual Apathy.

Meaning of the name

Desired one or desirable, beloved, darling

Bitter. Comes from the word for myrrh. It must be crushed and beaten small in order to yield its fragrance. Myrrh is mentioned many times in the Scriptures in connection with the embalming of the dead.

"Gamos" means marriage (as in monogamous or polygamous). Perverted, perversion?

Some believe that Thyatira comes from the Greek words, thea, "a female deity, goddess," and tyrannos, "a tyrant or ruler." So, Thyatira would mean"ruled by a woman." There are others who say the name comes from thuo, "to sacrifice" and means "continual sacrifice"

Escaping ones, those who come out, remnant

Brotherly love

“Lao” means people and “dicea” comes from dikē, which means rights, justice, ruling or governing. Laodicea would mean, then, "rule of the people" or "rights of the people"

Title of Jesus

He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:

'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":

'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

Commendation

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

"I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

None

8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

None

Criticism

You have left your first love.

None

But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

None

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked

Exhortation to the church

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

6 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

"Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Promise to Individuals

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Key Phrase

Before the promise

Before the promise

Before the promise

After the promise

After the promise

After the promise

After the promise