Part 59 (1/2)

(7)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of G.o.d.

(8)And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the first and the last, who became dead, and lived again. (9)I know thy affliction, and poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (10)Fear 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 will have affliction ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

(11)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

(12)And to the angel of the church in Pergamus write: These things says he who has the sharp two-edged sword. (13)I know where thou dwellest, where the throne of Satan is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny the faith in me, even in the days in which Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

(14)But I have a few things against thee. Thou hast there men holding the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things offered to idols, and to commit fornication. (15)Thus thou also hast men holding the teaching of the Nicolaitans, in like manner. (16)Repent therefore; but if not, I come to thee quickly, and will make war with them, with the sword of my mouth.

(17)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna; and I will give to him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he that receives it.

(18)And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of G.o.d, who has his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet are like to burnished bra.s.s. (19)I know thy works, and thy love, and faith, and service, and patience; and thy last works are more than the first.

(20)But I have against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel[2:20], who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things offered to idols. (21)And I gave her time that she might repent; and she will not repent of her fornication. (22)Behold, I cast her into a bed, and those who together with her commit adultery, into great affliction, if they repent not of their works[2:22]. (23)And her children I will slay with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts; and I will give to you every one according to your works.

(24)But to you I say, the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who knew not the depths of Satan, as they speak: I put upon you no other burden; (25)but that which ye have, hold fast till I come. (26)And he that overcomes, and he that keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; (27)and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter are they dashed in pieces, as I also have received from my Father; (28)and I will give him the morning star.

(29)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

III.

AND to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things says he who has the seven spirits of G.o.d, and the seven stars. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (2)Be watchful, and strengthen the remaining things, that were ready to die; for I have not found thy works complete before my G.o.d. (3)Remember therefore how thou hast received, and didst hear, and keep, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come upon thee.

(4)But thou hast a few names in Sardis, which did not defile their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

(5)He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed[3:5] in white garments; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, and I will acknowledge his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(6)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(7)And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says the Holy, the True, he who has the key of David, he who opens, and no one shall shut, and shuts, and no one opens. (8)I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which no one can shut; because thou hast little power and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

(9)Behold, I make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie, behold, I will make them to come and bow down before thy feet, and to know that I loved thee.

(10)Because thou didst keep my word of patient endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which is about to come upon the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.

(11)I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no one may take thy crown. (12)He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my G.o.d, and he shall go out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my G.o.d, and the name of the city of my G.o.d, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my G.o.d, and my new name.

(13)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

(14)And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of G.o.d. (15)I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. (16)So, because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth.

(17)Because thou sayest: I am rich, and have gotten wealth, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art the wretched and the pitiable one, and poor, and blind, and naked; (18)I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness not be made manifest, and to anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. (19)As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.

(20)Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him and he with me. (21)He that overcomes, I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

(22)He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.