B X 1. Ephesus. Israel's espousals.
2. Smyrna. Israel's testing.
3. Pergamos. Israel's failure.
Y 4. Thyiatira. The day of Israel's kings.
5. Sardis. Israel's removal.
6. Philadelphia. The day of Judah's kings.
7. Laodicea. Judah's removal.(These churches were in a circle in a geographical area, which represents the churches of the whole world. There were only 2 churches that Christ found no fault with, and those 2 were Smyrna and Philadelphia.)
Revelation 2:1 To the angel (this is an arch-angel) of the church of Ephesus write (Ephesus = permitted. Relate this church to the 10 virgins, i.e. the 5 who were short of God's Word. Misled by the "rapture" theory); 'These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars (these stars are the angels over each of these churches, and the "golden candlesticks" are the seven churches. This was established in the first chapter) in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (which are the 7 churches. See 1:12,13, and cp. Lev. 26:12. Deut. 23:14, &c. 2 Cor. 6:16. Jesus told John to write to the church at Ephesus first. The message is to Christians in all churches of these end times, and now especially to those who have doctrines and works that match that of the Ephesus Church.)
2 I 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:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first (The Father & Christ) love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works (learning & studying); or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes (Baal worship), which I also hate.
7 He 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 (= Christ, the first love), which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna (Smyrna translated means strengthened perfume) write; 'These things saith the first and the last, which was dead (crucified), and is alive (Eternal life);
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) (have peace of mind) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. ("Jews" = Kenites = the sons of Cain. Ioudos has two meanings in the Greek; 1. = offspring of Judah, 2. = resident of the land of Judea. Always use the meaning which is relevant to the context. See also 3:7-10. This church is one of the two churches that taught this were the ONLY two churches Christ found no fault with. Does your church teach this?)
10 Fear 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 (no big deal with Christ on your side) ten days (see Mark 13:9-11): be thou faithful unto death (= the devil, Satan is death), and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He 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./
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos (Theosata claims to be Messiah fortress) write; 'These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I 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 (this hasn't happened yet. Antipas translated means anti-father, he will turn to Christ but Satan will never turn to Christ), where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam (taught people for money, riches. Don't be a beggar), who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He 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' (God's elect. See also Zech. 4:9).
18 And 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;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel (See 1 Kings 16:30-34; 21:25. This patroness of Baal-worship will have her sinister anti-type in the future. Here it is used in irony. Jezebel being translated means chaste), which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication (= idolatry), and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (They listen to her and not to God's Word. This church allowed those that claimed to be prophets of God to lead them into false religion.)
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (Christ paid the price on the cross with His blood and gave them the opportunity to repent, but they wouldn't.)
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed (with the false Christ), and them that commit adultery (= idolatry. The great apostasy) with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death (= spiritual death); and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts (inside of minds): and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Good and bad. God doesn't like false teachers. Judgment begins at the pulpit. May God help those that lead even one of His children astray. Stick to His Word.)
24 But 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 ("religion" of Thyatira), as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Do you know the depths of Satan? Do you realize Satan will be cast down from heaven and be here on earth as antichrist? If you don't, you are already in Thyatira.)
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule (Lit. "shepherd") them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: (quoted from Ps. 2:8,9) even as I received of my Father. (Do you accomplish God's works, or your own? You would be able to know the answer by whether you are being blessed or not. The Son will rule with a rod of Iron. Those that lead others astray through fraud and deceit deserve the rod.)
28 And I will give him the morning star (early light, truth).
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.' (Be certain you are in a church that teaches as Smyrna and Philadelphia. You must know those who claim to be of Judah, but they are of the synagogue of Satan [Rev. 2:9 and 3:9]. You must know the key of David. What do you do with that key? You reach out to your brothers and sisters that are lost.)