给七个教会的信

给以弗所教会的信

“你要给那在以弗所教会的使者[a]写信说:

“那位右手握着七颗星、在七座金灯台中间行走的,这样说: 我知道你的行为,包括你的劳苦和忍耐,也知道你不能容忍恶人[b]。你曾考验那些自称是使徒,其实不是使徒的,而且看出他们是假的。 你也有忍耐,曾为我的名劳苦,并不疲乏。 然而,我有事要责备你,就是你放弃了你起初的爱; 所以你应当记住你是从哪里跌落的,应当悔改,应当行你起初所做的事!否则我[c]就要来到你那里;如果你不悔改,我就要把你的灯台从原处挪去。 不过,你有这一点可取之处[d],就是你恨恶尼古拉派的行为,那些行为也是我所恨恶的。

“凡是有耳的,就应当听圣灵向各教会所说的话!那得胜的,我将要准许他吃神乐园中生命树的果子[e]

给士每拿教会的信

“你要给士每拿教会的使者[f]写信说:

“那位首先的、末后的,那位曾经死去又活过来的,这样说: 我知道你的[g]患难和贫穷;其实你是富有的。我也知道从那些自称是犹太人而来的毁谤,其实他们不是犹太人,而是属于撒旦会堂的。 10 你不要怕将要受的苦。看哪,魔鬼要把你们当中一些人投进监狱,使你们受考验;你们将受十天的患难。你应当至死忠心,我就把生命的冠冕赐给你。

11 “凡是有耳的,就应当听圣灵向各教会所说的话!那得胜的,绝不会被第二次的死亡所伤害。

给佩尔伽马教会的信

12 “你要给那在佩尔伽马教会的使者[h]写信说:

“那位有双刃利剑的,这样说: 13 我知道[i]你居住的地方,就是撒旦宝座所在的地方。不过即使在我忠心的见证人安提帕的那些日子里,你还持守我的名,也没有否认对我的信仰;这安提帕是在你们那里,也就是在撒旦居住的地方被杀害的。 14 然而,我有几件事要责备你,就是在你那里有些人持守巴兰的教导。这巴兰曾教唆巴勒把绊脚石放在以色列子民面前,就是使他们吃祭过偶像的食物,并且行淫乱。 15 同样,你那里也有些人持守与尼古拉派一样的教导。[j] 16 所以,你应当悔改,否则我就会立即来到你那里,用我口中的剑与他们交战。

17 “凡是有耳的,就应当听圣灵向各教会所说的话!那得胜的,我将要赐给他那隐藏的吗哪。我还要赐给他[k]一块白石头,石头上有一个写好的新名字,除了那领受的人以外,没有人认识这名字。

给锡亚蒂拉教会的信

18 “你要给那在锡亚蒂拉教会的使者[l]写信说:

“神的儿子,就是那位眼睛如火焰、两脚仿佛精铜的,这样说: 19 我知道你的行为,包括你的爱心、信仰、服事和忍耐,也知道你最近所做的比先前的更多。 20 然而,我有事[m]要责备你,就是你容忍那自称是女先知的妇人耶洗别,教唆并迷惑我的奴仆们行淫乱、吃祭过偶像的食物。 21 我曾给她时间,好让她悔改,她却不肯[n]悔改离开自己的淫乱。 22 看哪,我要把她扔在痛苦的[o]床上。那些与她通奸的人,如果不悔改离开她[p]的行为,我也要把他们扔在大患难中。 23 我要用瘟疫[q]击杀她的儿女[r],这样各教会就将知道我就是洞察情感和心思的那一位;我也要照着你们的行为回报你们每个人。 24 至于你们其余在锡亚蒂拉的人,就是那些不接受这教训的、那些不知道所谓“撒旦深奥之事”的,我告诉你们:我不会把另一个重担放在你们身上。 25 不过你们应当持守你们所拥有的,直到我来。 26 那得胜的,那把我的工作持守到底的,我将要赐给他权柄统管列国——

27 他将用铁杖治理[s]列国,
如同打碎陶器那样[t]——就像我也从我父那里领受了权柄一样; 28 我还要把晨星赐给他。

29 “凡是有耳的,就应当听圣灵向各教会所说的话!

Footnotes

  1. 启示录 2:1 使者——或译作“天使”。
  2. 启示录 2:2 恶人——或译作“恶事”。
  3. 启示录 2:5 有古抄本附“很快”。
  4. 启示录 2:6 可取之处——辅助词语。
  5. 启示录 2:7 果子——辅助词语。
  6. 启示录 2:8 使者——或译作“天使”。
  7. 启示录 2:9 有古抄本附“行为、”。
  8. 启示录 2:12 使者——或译作“天使”。
  9. 启示录 2:13 有古抄本附“你的行为和”。
  10. 启示录 2:15 有古抄本附“这是我所恨恶的。”
  11. 启示录 2:17 赐给他——有古抄本作“赐给他吃”。
  12. 启示录 2:18 使者——或译作“天使”。
  13. 启示录 2:20 有事——有古抄本作“有几件事”。
  14. 启示录 2:21 有古抄本没有“肯”。
  15. 启示录 2:22 痛苦的——辅助词语。
  16. 启示录 2:22 她——有古抄本作“他们”。
  17. 启示录 2:23 瘟疫——或译作“死症”。
  18. 启示录 2:23 她的儿女——指“那些跟随她的人”。
  19. 启示录 2:27 治理——原文直译“牧养”。
  20. 启示录 2:27 《诗篇》2:9。

The Loveless Church

“To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says (A)He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, (B)who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: (C)“I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And (D)you have tested those (E)who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have (F)not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, (G)or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

(H)“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give (I)to eat from (J)the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’

The Persecuted Church

“And to the [d]angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says (K)the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are (L)rich); and I know the blasphemy of (M)those who say they are Jews and are not, (N)but are a [e]synagogue of Satan. 10 (O)Do 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. (P)Be faithful until death, and I will give you (Q)the 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 (S)the second death.” ’

The Compromising Church

12 “And to the [f]angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says (T)He 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 (U)Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, (V)to eat things sacrificed to idols, (W)and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [g]which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and (X)will 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 (Y)manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone (Z)a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the [h]angel of the church in Thyatira write,

‘These things says the Son of God, (AA)who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 (AB)“I know your works, love, [i]service, faith, and your [j]patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have [k]a few things against you, because you allow [l]that woman (AC)Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, [m]to teach and seduce My servants (AD)to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time (AE)to [n]repent 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 [o]their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who (AF)searches[p] the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24 “Now to you I say, [q]and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the (AG)depths of Satan, as they say, (AH)I [r]will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast (AI)what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps (AJ)My works until the end, (AK)to him I will give power over the nations—

27 ‘He(AL) shall 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 (AM)the morning star.

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

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Or messenger
  2. Revelation 2:2 perseverance
  3. Revelation 2:2 endure
  4. Revelation 2:8 Or messenger
  5. Revelation 2:9 congregation
  6. Revelation 2:12 Or messenger
  7. Revelation 2:15 NU, M likewise.
  8. Revelation 2:18 Or messenger
  9. Revelation 2:19 NU, M faith, service
  10. Revelation 2:19 perseverance
  11. Revelation 2:20 NU, M against you that you tolerate
  12. Revelation 2:20 M your wife Jezebel
  13. Revelation 2:20 NU, M and teaches and seduces
  14. Revelation 2:21 NU, M repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
  15. Revelation 2:22 NU, M her
  16. Revelation 2:23 examines
  17. Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit and
  18. Revelation 2:24 NU, M omit will

Message to Ephesus

“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Ephesus write:

“These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):

‘I know [b]your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the [c]Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who [d]overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’(A)

Message to Smyrna

“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [e]Smyrna write:

“These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]:(B)

‘I know your suffering and your poverty (but you are rich), and how you are blasphemed and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [they are Jews only by blood, and do not believe and truly honor the God whom they claim to worship]. 10 Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.(C) 11 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death ([f]the lake of fire).’(D)

Message to Pergamum

12 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [g]Pergamum write:

“These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]:

13 ‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you did not deny [h]My faith even in the days of [i]Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught [j]Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual] [k]immorality.(E) 15 You also have some who in the same way are holding to the teaching of the [l]Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment]. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the [m]hidden manna, and I will give him a [n]white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’(F)

Message to Thyatira

18 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [o]Thyatira write:

“These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes [that flash] like a flame of fire [in righteous judgment], and whose feet are like burnished [white-hot] bronze:(G)

19 ‘I know your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first. 20 But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.(H) 21 I gave her time to repent [to change her inner self and her sinful way of thinking], but she has no desire to repent of her immorality and refuses to do so. 22 [p]Listen carefully, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children (followers) with [q]pestilence [thoroughly annihilating them], and all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the [r]minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes]; and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds.(I) 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the [s]depths of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you, 25 except to hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, to him I will give authority and power over the nations;(J) 27 and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father;(K) 28 and I will give him the [t]Morning Star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Ephesus, the largest city in Roman-controlled Asia Minor, developed into a major trade center because of its access to the Aegean Sea. It was the primary center for the worship of the goddess Artemis (Diana). The Temple of Artemis, the largest building in ancient times, was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The open-air theatre in Ephesus could accommodate 25,000 spectators and was used for both drama and gladiatorial combat.
  2. Revelation 2:2 Here through 3:18, “your” and “you” are in the singular, referring to the angel of each church. Much of what is said is rebuke and admonishment, so if the angels are heavenly beings, they may serve in some way as representatives of the sinful people in their churches. Jewish tradition maintained that every nation and individual has a guardian angel, and that when God is about to punish a nation, He first punishes its angel. There is even a story of Michael, the guardian angel of Israel, being rebuked by God for the sins committed in the time of Ezekiel. So the original readers of Revelation might have assumed that the angels here are the guardian angels of the individual churches, sharing responsibility for the actions of the members.
  3. Revelation 2:6 There is scant information about the cult of the Nicolaitans, but it appears they adopted a syncretistic worship, combining Christianity and idolatry. They may have held heretical views similar to those mentioned in vv 14 and 20.
  4. Revelation 2:7 The definition of one who overcomes is recorded in 1 John 5:5.
  5. Revelation 2:8 In ancient times Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey) was a beautiful, cosmopolitan city. Located on the Aegean coast, it vied with Ephesus and Pergamum in importance in Asia Minor. It was closely identified with Rome and the cult of emperor worship. Smyrna was later the home of Polycarp, the great Christian church leader who, at the age of eighty-six, was burned at the stake for his refusal to worship the Roman emperor.
  6. Revelation 2:11 The Valley of Hinnom located south of Jerusalem was the place where garbage burned continuously. Often regarded in ancient times as symbolic of hell (the lake of fire), reserved for the wicked. Paradise or Abraham’s bosom (cf Luke 16:22) was the place reserved for the good in anticipation of heaven. Mentioned in Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6.
  7. Revelation 2:12 Pergamum (modern Bergama, Turkey) was built on a promontory about sixteen miles from the Aegean Sea. It was famous as a worship center for many pagan gods including Zeus (Jupiter, king of gods), Dionysus (Bacchus, god of wine and intoxication), and Asklepios (god of healing). The enormous altar dedicated to Zeus is on display in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Pergamum also had an important temple dedicated to the worship of Caesar. Refusal to take part in the imperial cult was considered treason. A culturally sophisticated city as well as a center for pagan worship, Pergamum’s library, believed to contain over 200,000 volumes, was second only to the Library of Alexandria.
  8. Revelation 2:13 I.e. your faith in Me.
  9. Revelation 2:13 Antipas was a pastor or leader of the church at Pergamum.
  10. Revelation 2:14 The king of Moab in the time of the exodus, who hired Balaam to curse Israel.
  11. Revelation 2:14 Pagan worship often included the use of temple prostitutes who served as “priestesses.”
  12. Revelation 2:15 See note v 6.
  13. Revelation 2:17 This probably refers to the pot of manna placed in the Ark of the Covenant by Moses (Ex 16:33; Heb 9:4). Manna was a food supernaturally provided to Israel by God during their wanderings in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt.
  14. Revelation 2:17 White stones were sometimes used as tickets of admission to public assemblies. Here the white stone may symbolize admission to the Messiah’s banquet.
  15. Revelation 2:18 Thyatira (modern Akhisar, Turkey) was famous for its dyeing and indigo trade. It was the home of Lydia, the seller of purple fabrics, who was converted under the ministry of Paul (Acts 16:14). Located in a valley, midway between Pergamum and Sardis, it was originally established as a military base by one of the generals in the army of Alexander the Great.
  16. Revelation 2:22 Lit Behold.
  17. Revelation 2:23 Lit death.
  18. Revelation 2:23 Lit kidneys, i.e. inner man. In Jewish thought, the kidneys were considered a source of wisdom (cf Ps 16:7).
  19. Revelation 2:24 I.e. participated in and experienced evil.
  20. Revelation 2:28 In 22:16 this expression designates Christ as the true Messiah, the root and the descendant of David. Here, the gift probably is the privilege of knowing Christ at a much higher level (see Phil 3:8).

To the Church in Ephesus

“To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus(A) write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand(B) and walks among the seven golden lampstands.(C) I know your deeds,(D) your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested(E) those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.(F) You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name,(G) and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.(H) Consider how far you have fallen! Repent(I) and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand(J) from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans,(K) which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear(L) what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious,(M) I will give the right to eat from the tree of life,(N) which is in the paradise(O) of God.

To the Church in Smyrna

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna(P) write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last,(Q) who died and came to life again.(R) I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!(S) I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not,(T) but are a synagogue of Satan.(U) 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,(V) and you will suffer persecution for ten days.(W) Be faithful,(X) even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.(Y)

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear(Z) what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.(AA)

To the Church in Pergamum

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum(AB) write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.(AC) 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me,(AD) not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness,(AE) who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.(AF)

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:(AG) There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam,(AH) who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols(AI) and committed sexual immorality.(AJ) 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.(AK) 16 Repent(AL) therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.(AM)

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear(AN) what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious,(AO) I will give some of the hidden manna.(AP) I will also give that person a white stone with a new name(AQ) written on it, known only to the one who receives it.(AR)

To the Church in Thyatira

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira(AS) write:

These are the words of the Son of God,(AT) whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.(AU) 19 I know your deeds,(AV) your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel,(AW) who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.(AX) 21 I have given her time(AY) to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.(AZ) 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery(BA) with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds,(BB) and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.(BC)

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,(BD) 25 except to hold on to what you have(BE) until I come.’(BF)

26 To the one who is victorious(BG) and does my will to the end,(BH) I will give authority over the nations(BI) 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter(BJ) and will dash them to pieces like pottery’[b](BK)—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star.(BL) 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear(BM) what the Spirit says to the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Or messenger; also in verses 8, 12 and 18
  2. Revelation 2:27 Psalm 2:9