To the church in...

This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand,

the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands

I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.  But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first.

         This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who died and is alive

I know about your suffering and your poverty – but you are rich! I know the slander of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they really aren't because theirs is a synagogue of Satan.  Don't be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The Devil will throw some of you into prison and put you to the test. You will be persecuted for 'ten days.' Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This is the message from the one who has a sharp two-edged sword

"I know that you live in the city where that great throne of Satan is located, and yet you have remained loyal to me. And you refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you by Satan's followers. And yet I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you who are like Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to worship idols by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.  In the same way, you have some Nicolaitans among you – people who follow the same teaching and commit the same sins.  Repent, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are bright like flames of fire,

whose feet are like polished bronze

"I know all the things you do – your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman – that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet – to lead my servants astray. She is encouraging them to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin. I gave her time to repent, but she would not turn away from her immorality.  Therefore, I will throw her upon a sickbed, and she will suffer greatly with all who commit adultery with her, unless they turn away from all their evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.  But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching ('deeper truths,' as they call them – depths of Satan, really). I will ask nothing more of you  except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. "To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.  They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!

above text from Revelation 2:1-29 (not inclusive)

Notes:

While the Lord is speaking to the churches he is also speaking to individual people. You could easily go through the commendations, rebukes and exhortations and see if they apply personally to you!

Ephesus was working hard and they were busy! But they had forgotten their LOVE for the Lord!

Smyrna was a poverty stricken community! By refusing to name Caesar as God they were excluded from the trade guilds and heavily persecuted. While poor in the world, they were rich in spirit. The Lord tells them not to be afraid!

Pergamos Like Smyrna, this was also a persecuted church. Some people who were not really believers had gotten into the church and had lead some of the people away! The Lord hated this!

Thyatira The longest message was sent to the smallest city! Not amount of good they were doing was acceptable when they tolerated evil! God gave them, and their prophetess time to repent, but they didn't. God tells them to REPENT and change their minds!