The Persecuted Church

8 “And to the 4angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says kthe First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are lrich); and I know the blasphemy of mthose who say they are Jews and are not, nbut are a 5synagogue of Satan. 10 oDo 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. pBe faithful until death, and I will give you qthe crown of life.

11 r“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by sthe second death.” ’

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the 6angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says tHe who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13 “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. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of uBalaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, vto eat things sacrificed to idols, wand to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, 7which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and xwill fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden ymanna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone za new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the 8angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, awho has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 b“I know your works, love, 9service, faith, and your 1patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have 2a few things against you, because you allow 3that woman cJezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, 4to teach and seduce My servants dto commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time eto 5repent 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 6their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who fsearches 7the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, 8and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the gdepths of Satan, as they say, hI 9will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast iwhat you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps jMy works until the end, kto him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He lshall rule them with a rod of iron;

They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—

as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him mthe morning star.

29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’