Revelation 2
1599 Geneva Bible
2 1 John is commanded to write those things which the Lord knew necessary to the Churches of Ephesus. 8 Of the Smyrnians, 12 of Pergamos, 18 and of Thyatira, as that they keep those things which they received of the Apostles.
1 [a]Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write, [b]These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
2 [c]I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear with them which are evil, and hast examined them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.
3 And thou wast burdened, and hast patience, and for my Name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat [d]against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works: or else I will come against thee shortly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou amend.
6 But this thou hast that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 [e]Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in [f]the midst of the [g]Paradise of God.
8 ¶ [h]And unto the Angel of the Church of the [i]Smyrnians write, These things saith he that is first and last, which was dead and is alive.
9 [j]I know thy works and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things, which thou shalt suffer: behold, it shall come to pass, that the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have [k]tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
11 [l]Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt [m]of the second death.
12 [n]And to the Angel of the Church, which is at [o]Pergamos write, Thus saith he which hath that sharp sword with two edges.
13 [p]I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is, and thou keepest my Name, and hast not denied my faith, even in [q]those days when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that maintain the doctrine of (A)Balaam, which taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, that they should [r]eat of things sacrificed unto idols, and commit fornication.
15 Even so hast thou them that maintain the doctrine of the [s]Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent thyself, or else I will come unto thee shortly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 [t]Let him that hath an ear, hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat [u]of the [v]Manna that is hid, and will give him a [w][x]white stone, and in the stone a new [y]name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it.
18 ¶ And unto [z]the Angel of the Church which is at Thyatira write, These things saith the Son of God, which hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass.
19 I know [aa]thy works and thy love, and [ab]service and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and that they are more at the last, than at the first.
20 Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to deceive my servants, to make them commit [ac]fornication and to eat meat sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her, into great affliction, except they repent them of their works.
23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the Churches shall know that I am he which (B)search the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according unto your works.
24 And unto you I say, the rest of them of Thyatira, As many as have not this learning, neither have known the [ad]deepness of Satan (as they speak) I will [ae]put upon you none other burden,
25 But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come.
26 [af]For he that overcometh and keepeth my words unto the end, to him will I give [ag]power over nations.
27 (C)And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken:
28 Even as I received of my Father, so will I give him [ah]the morning Star.
29 Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.
Footnotes
- Revelation 2:1 The former part of this book is comprised in a narration of those things which then were as S. John taught us, Rev. 1:19, it belongeth wholly to instruction and in these next two Chapters, containeth seven places according to the number and condition of those Churches which were named before, Rev. 1:11, figured verse 12, distributed most aptly into their Pastors and flocks, verse 20, which verse of that Chap. is as it were a passage unto the first part. Every one of the seven places hath three principal members, an Exordium taken from the person of the Author: a Proposition, in which is praise and commendation of that which is good, reprehension of that which is evil: an instruction containing either an exhortation alone, or withal a dissuasion opposite unto it, and a conclusion stirring unto attention by divine promises. And this first place is unto the Pastors of the Church of Ephesus.
- Revelation 2:1 The exordium wherein are contained the special praises of Christ Jesus the Author of this prophecy, out of verses 16 and 13 of the first Chapter.
- Revelation 2:2 The proposition, first condemning the Pastor of this Church, verses 2, 3, then reproving him, verse 4, after informing him and withal threatening that he will translate the Church to another place, verse 5. This commutation or threat Christ mitigateth by a kind of correction, calling to mind the particular virtue and piety of the Church, which God never leaveth without recompense, verse 6. Concerning the Nicolaitans see after upon verse 11.
- Revelation 2:4 To deal with thee for.
- Revelation 2:7 The conclusion, containing a commandment of attention and a promise of everlasting life, shadowed out in a figure of which, Gen. 2:9.
- Revelation 2:7 That is, in Paradise after the manner of the Hebrew phrase.
- Revelation 2:7 Thus Christ speaketh as the Mediator.
- Revelation 2:8 The second place is unto the Pastors of the Church of the Smyrnians. The exordium is taken out of verses 17 and 18 of the first Chap.
- Revelation 2:8 Smyrna was one of the cities of Ionia in Asia.
- Revelation 2:9 The proposition of praise is in this verse and of exhortation joined with promise, is in the next verse.
- Revelation 2:10 That is, of ten years. For so commonly both in this book and in Daniel, years are signified by the name of days: that God thereby might declare, that the space of time is appointed by him, and the same very short. Now because Saint John wrote this book in the end of Domitian the Emperor his reign, as Justin and Ireneus do witness, it is altogether necessary that this should be referred unto that persecution which was done by the authority of the Emperor Trajan: who began to make havoc of the Christian Church in the tenth year of his reign, as the Historiographers do write: and his bloody persecution continued until Adrian the Emperor had succeeded in his place: the space of which time is precisely ten years, which are here mentioned.
- Revelation 2:11 The conclusions as verse 7.
- Revelation 2:11 See Rev. 20:6.
- Revelation 2:12 The third place is unto the Pastors of Pergamos. The Exordium is taken out of verse 16 of the first Chapter.
- Revelation 2:12 Pergamos was the name of a famous city in old time in Asia, where the Kings of the Attalians were always resident.
- Revelation 2:13 The proposition of praise is in this verse, of reprehension in the two following, and of exhortation joined with a conditional threat, verse 16. Now this Antipas was the Angel or minister of the Church of Pergamos, as Aretas writeth.
- Revelation 2:13 The faith of them of Pergamos is so much the more highly commended because they remained constant even in the very heat of persecution.
- Revelation 2:14 That which is here spoken of things offered to idols, is meant of the same kind which Paul speaketh of, 1 Cor. 10:13.
- Revelation 2:15 Which follow the footsteps of Balaam, and such as are abandoned unto all filthiness, as he showed in the verse foregoing, and is here signified by a note of similitude. And thus also must the next verse be understood. For this matter especially Ireneus must be consulted withal.
- Revelation 2:17 The conclusion, standing of exhortation as before, and of promise.
- Revelation 2:17 He alludeth to that sermon which we read of John 6, and to the place we find, Ps. 105:40.
- Revelation 2:17 Aretas writeth, that such a stone was wont to be given to wrestlers at games, or else that such stones did in old times witness the quitting of a man.
- Revelation 2:17 The bread of life, invisible, spiritual, and heavenly, which is kept secretly with God, from before all eternity.
- Revelation 2:17 Which is a sign and witness of forgiveness and remission of sins, of righteousness and true holiness, and of purity uncorrupted, after that the old man is killed.
- Revelation 2:17 A sign and testimony of newness of life in righteousness and true holiness, by putting on the new man, whom none doth inwardly know, save the spirit of man which is in himself, the praise whereof is not of man, but of God, Rom. 2:28.
- Revelation 2:18 The fourth place is unto the Pastors of Thyatira. The exordium is taken out of verses 14 and 15 of the first Chapter.
- Revelation 2:19 The proposition of praise is in this verse: of reprehension, for they tolerated with them, the doctrine of ungodliness and unrighteousness, is verse 20, the authors whereof though they were called back of God, yet repented not verse 21, whereunto is added a most heavy threatening, verses 22 and 23, of a conditional promise, and of exhortation to hold fast the truth, is in the two verses following.
- Revelation 2:19 So he calleth those offices of charity which are done to the saints.
- Revelation 2:20 By Fornication, is often in the Scripture idolatry meant.
- Revelation 2:24 He pointeth out the bragging of certain men, which boasted of their deep, that is, plentiful and common knowledge, which notwithstanding is devilish.
- Revelation 2:24 I will speak no worse thing against you, being content to have showed you what I require to be in you.
- Revelation 2:26 The conclusion, wherein Christ assureth unto his servants the communion of his Kingdom and glory, in this verse and the next following, and commandeth an holy attention in the last verse.
- Revelation 2:26 That is, I will make him a King by communion with me, and my fellow heir, as it is promised, Matt. 19:28 and 25:34; Rom. 8:17 and 1 Cor. 6:3; Eph. 2:6 and 1 Tim. 2:12.
- Revelation 2:28 The brightness of greatest glory and honor nearest approaching unto the light of Christ, who is the Son of righteousness, and our head, Matt. 4.
התגלות 2
Habrit Hakhadasha/Haderekh
ב "את המכתב הראשון כתוב אל ראש[a] קהילת אפסוס."
אלה דבריו של האוחז ביד ימינו את שבעת הכוכבים, והמתהלך בין שבע מנורות הזהב:
2 "אני יודע את כל מעשיך הטובים; ראיתי את עמלך הקשה, את כוח סבלך ואני יודע שאינך סובל אנשים רשעים. בחנת בזהירות את דברי אלה שטוענים שהם שליחי האדון, וגילית שלא היו דברים מעולם – הם אינם שליחים, אלא שקרנים! 3 בסבלנות ובאורך-רוח סבלת רבות למעני. 4 אך דבר אחד יש לי נגדך: עזבת את אהבתך הראשונה! 5 חשוב לרגע עד היכן הידרדרת! חזור בתשובה ונהג כפי שנהגת לראשונה. אם לא תחזור בתשובה, אבוא ואסיר את מנורתך ממקומה.
6 לזכותך ייאמר שאתה מתעב את מעשי הניקולסים[b] כשם שאני מתעב אותם. 7 מי שמסוגל לשמוע – שיקשיב לדברי הרוח אל הקהילות:
למנצח אתן לאכול מפרי עץ החיים שנמצא בגן-העדן של אלוהים.
8 "את המכתב השני כתוב אל ראש קהילת זמירנא."
אלה דברי הראשון והאחרון אשר מת וקם לתחייה: 9 "אני יודע שאתה סובל קשות בגלל אמונתך, ואני יודע על העוני שלך, אך דע שמצפה לך עושר רב בשמים! אני גם יודע שמתנגדיך לועגים לך ומקללים אותך – הם קוראים לעצמם 'יהודים', אך למעשה הם קהילתו של השטן! 10 אני מזהיר אותך מראש: אל תפחד מפני הסבל שעומד לבוא עליך! בקרוב ישליך השטן אחדים מכם לכלא, כדי לנסותכם, וסבלכם יימשך עשרה ימים. היה נאמן עד מוות ואעניק לך את כתר החיים. 11 מי שמסוגל לשמוע – שיקשיב לדברי הרוח אל הקהילות: המנצח לא ימות במוות השני."
12 "את המכתב השלישי כתוב אל ראש קהילת פרגמוס."
אלה דבריו של המחזיק בחרב החדה בעלת הלהב הכפול: 13 "אני מכיר את עיר מגוריך – עיר שמרבית תושביה משרתים את השטן! למרות זאת שמרת על נאמנותך ולא התכחשת לי גם כאשר אנטיפס, עדי הנאמן, נרצח בעירכם על-ידי משרתי השטן.
14 אף-על-פי-כן יש לי נגדך כמה דברים: יש ביניכם כאלה שדבקים בתורת בלעם, אשר לימד את בלק כיצד להשחית את עם-ישראל; לאכול זבחים שהוקרבו לאלילים, לזנות ולנאוף. 15 מלבד זאת יש ביניכם כאלה שדבקים בתורת הניקולסים אשר תיעבתי. 16 חזור בתשובה! אם תסרב, אבוא אליך בשעה בלתי צפויה ואלחם באנשים האלה בחרב פי. 17 מי שמסוגל לשמוע - שיקשיב לדברי הרוח אל הקהילות: את המנצח אאכיל מן נסתר, ואתן לו אבן לבנה שעליה חרוט שם חדש שידוע אך ורק למקבל האבן."
18 "את המכתב הרביעי כתוב אל ראש קהילת תיאטירא."
אלה דברי בן-האלוהים אשר עיניו כלהבת אש ורגליו כנחושת נוצצת: 19 "אני יודע את מעשיך הטובים, את אהבתך, אמונתך, עבודתך וכוח סבלך, ואני שמח לראות כיצד אתה הולך ומרבה את מעשיך הטובים.
20 בכל זאת, יש לי נגדך דבר אחד: אתה מניח לאישה הזאת איזבל, שקוראת לעצמה נביאה, להסית את המאמינים לזנות ולנאוף. היא מסיתה אותם לנהל חיים בלתי-מוסריים ולאכול זבחים שהוקרבו לאלילים. 21 נתתי לה הזדמנות לחדול ממעשיה המושחתים ולחזור בתשובה, אך היא סירבה. 22 שים לב למה שאעשה לה: ארתק אותה למיטתה, ואם אלה שמנאפים איתה לא יחזרו בתשובה, אגרום להם צער וסבל נורא. 23 גם את בניה אהרוג, וכל הקהילות תדענה שאני, האלוהים, בוחן כליות ולב ומשלם לכל איש כמעשיו.
Footnotes
- התגלות 2:1 מילולית: מלאך; כך נכון גם בפרק ב' פסוקים 8 & 12 ובפרק ג' פסוקים 1, 7 & 14.
- התגלות 2:6 לפי דעה אחת היו הניקולסים כת בקהילה הקדומה, על שם ניקולס מאנטיוכיה (מעשי השליחים ו 5) אשר שאפה להתפשר עם עובדי האלילים, על-מנת לאפשר למאמינים השתתפות בפעילויות חברתיות ודתיות של החברה שבה היו. הניקולסים כמו בלעם (במדבר כב לא 16) הפיצו תורת שקר המתירה זנות ואכילת זבחים שהוקרבו לאלילים.
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Habrit Hakhadasha/Haderekh “The Way” (Hebrew Living New Testament)
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