Revelation 2

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 2 of 22

1 To the angel of the Ephesian assembly, write: These things says the One holding the seven stars in His right hand, the One walking in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2 I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and that you cannot bear evil ones; and you tried the ones pretending to be apostles and are not, and found them to be liars.

3 And I know you bore up and have patience and on account of My name you have labored and have not wearied.

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Chapter Summary

What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the assemblies.

Key Greek Words

ἐκκλησία assembly G1577
ἀγάπη love G26
μετανοέω repent G3340
νικάω overcome, conquer G3528
ὑπομονή patient endurance G5281
διδαχή teaching, doctrine G1322

People & Context

Jesus Christ

The risen One holding the seven stars, addressing the assemblies; the First and Last, Son of God with eyes like flame of fire

Antipas

Christ's faithful witness killed at Pergamos, where Satan's throne is

Jezebel

The woman at Thyatira calling herself a prophetess, teaching Christ's slaves to commit fornication and eat idol sacrifices

Balaam

One who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel; his teaching held by some at Pergamos

Balak

The one before whom Balaam set the stumbling block to entice Israel into idolatry and fornication

The Nicolaitans

A group whose works Christ hates, held by some in Ephesus and Pergamos

Timeline

To Ephesus: Return to First Love

Christ commends Ephesus for works, labor, patience, and testing false apostles, but charges them with leaving their first love. He calls them to repent or have their lampstand removed, and commends their hatred of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:1-7
To Smyrna: Be Faithful Unto Death

Christ encourages the persecuted assembly at Smyrna, acknowledging their affliction, poverty, and the blasphemy of false Jews. He warns of coming imprisonment and exhorts faithfulness unto death with the promise of the crown of life.

Revelation 2:8-11
To Pergamos: Repent of False Teaching

Though Pergamos holds Christ's name where Satan's throne is and lost Antipas as a faithful witness, some hold the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Christ commands repentance or He will war with the sword of His mouth.

Revelation 2:12-17

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