启示录 1-3
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
耶稣基督的启示
1 耶稣基督的启示，就是 神赐给他，叫他把快要发生的事指示他的众仆人。他就差派天使显示给他的仆人约翰。 2 约翰把 神的道，和耶稣基督的见证，凡是自己所看见的，都见证出来了。 3 读这书上预言的人，和那些听见这预言并且遵守书中记载的人，都是有福的！因为时候近了。
问候七教会
4 约翰写信给在亚西亚的七个教会。愿恩惠平安，从那位今在、昔在、以后要来的 神，从他宝座前的七灵， 5 又从那信实的见证人、死人中首先复生的、地上众君王的统治者耶稣基督临到你们。
他爱我们，用自己的血把我们从我们的罪中释放出来， 6 又使我们成为国度，作他父 神的祭司。愿荣耀权能都归给他，直到永永远远。阿们。
7 看哪，他驾着云降临，
每一个人都要看见他，
连那些刺过他的人也要看见他，
地上的万族都要因他哀号。
这是必定的，阿们。
8 主 神说：“我是阿拉法，我是俄梅格；我是今在、昔在、以后要来，全能的 神。”
基督向约翰显现
9 我约翰，就是你们的弟兄，在耶稣里跟你们一同分享患难、国度和忍耐的，为了 神的道和耶稣的见证，曾经在那名叫拔摩的海岛上。 10 有一个主日，我在灵里，听见在我后边有一个大声音，好象号筒的响声， 11 说：“你所看见的，要写在书上，也要寄给以弗所、士每拿、别迦摩、推雅推拉、撒狄、非拉铁非、老底嘉七个教会。”
12 我转过身来要看看那跟我说话的声音是谁发的；一转过来，就看见七个金灯台。 13 灯台中间有一位好象人子的，身上穿著直垂到脚的长衣，胸间束着金带。 14 他的头和头发像白羊毛、像雪一样洁白，他的眼睛好象火焰， 15 他的两脚好象在炉中精炼过的发光的铜，他的声音好象众水的声音。 16 他的右手拿着七星，有一把两刃的利剑从他口中吐出来；他的脸发光好象正午的烈日。
17 我看见了他，就仆倒在他脚前，像死了一样。他用右手按着我，说：“不要怕！我是首先的，我是末后的， 18 又是永活的；我曾经死过，看哪，现在又活着，直活到永永远远，并且拿着死亡和阴间的钥匙。 19 所以，你要把所看见的，现在的，和今后将要发生的事都写下来。 20 你所看见在我右手中的七星和七个金灯台的奥秘就是这样：七星是七个教会的使者，七灯台是七个教会。”
给以弗所教会的信
2 “你要写信给在以弗所教会的使者，说：
‘那右手拿着七星，在七个金灯台中间行走的，这样说： 2 我知道你的行为、你的劳苦、你的忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人。你也曾经试验那些自称是使徒，而其实不是使徒的人，看出他们是假的。 3 你有忍耐，曾为我的名的缘故忍受一切，并不困倦。 4 然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你已经离弃了你起初的爱。 5 所以，你应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并且要悔改，作起初所作的事。你若不悔改，我就要来到你那里，把你的灯台从原处移去。 6 不过你有这一个优点，就是你恨恶尼哥拉党的作为，那也是我所恨恶的。 7 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，我必定把 神乐园里生命树的果子赐给他吃。’
给士每拿教会的信
8 “你要写信给在士每拿教会的使者，说：
‘那首先的、末后的、曾经死去而又活过来的，这样说： 9 我知道你的患难和贫穷，但你却是富足的。我也知道那些自称是犹太人所说毁谤的话，其实他们不是犹太人，而是撒但的党徒。 10 你不要怕你将要受的苦。看哪！魔鬼将要把你们中间几个人下在监里，叫你们受试炼，你们要受患难十天。你要忠心至死，我就把那生命的冠冕赐给你。 11 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，决不会受第二次死的害。’
给别迦摩教会的信
12 “你要写信给在别迦摩教会的使者，说：
‘那有一把两刃利剑的，这样说： 13 我知道你居住的地方，就是撒但王座所在的地方。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们那里，就是在撒但居住的地方被杀的那些日子，你还持守我的名，没有否认对我的信仰。 14 然而有几件事我要责备你，因为在你那里有些人持守巴兰的教训。这巴兰曾经教导巴勒把绊脚石放在以色列人面前，叫他们吃祭过偶像的食物，并且行淫乱。 15 同样，你也有些人持守尼哥拉党的教训。 16 所以，你应当悔改；如果不悔改，我就很快地来到你们那里，用我口中的剑跟他们作战。 17 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。得胜的，我必定把那隐藏的吗哪赐给他，并且赐他一块白石，石上写着新的名字，这名字除了那领受的人以外，是没有人能知道的。’
给推雅推拉教会的信
18 “你要写信给在推雅推拉教会的使者，说：
‘ 神的儿子，那眼睛像火焰、两脚像光铜的，这样说： 19 我知道你的行为，你的爱心、信心、服侍和忍耐，也知道你后来所作的比先前的还要多。 20 然而有一件事我要责备你，就是你容让那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别，教导和引诱我的众仆人行淫乱，吃祭过偶像的食物。 21 我曾给她时间，让她悔改，她却不肯为她的淫行悔改。 22 看哪，我要把她拋在大患难的床上；那些跟她行淫乱的人，如果不为她的行为悔改，我也要把他们拋在大患难中。 23 我必以死亡击杀她的儿女；众教会就都知道我是察验人肺腑心肠的，我要照着你们的行为报应你们各人。 24 至于你们其余在推雅推拉的人，就是不跟从那教训，不认识所谓撒但深奥的事的人，我告诉你们，我不会把别的重担放在你们身上。 25 不过，你们要持守已经得着的，直到我来。 26 得胜的，又遵守我的旨意到底的，
我必把统治列国的权柄赐给他，
27 他必用铁杖治理他们，
好象打碎陶器一样粉碎他们，（“我必把……粉碎他们”引自诗2:8~9）
好象我从父领受了权柄一样； 28 我还要把晨星赐给他。 29 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。’”
给撒狄教会的信
3 “你要写信给在撒狄教会的使者，说：
‘那有 神七灵和七星的这样说：我知道你的行为，你有名声，说你是活着的，其实你是死的。 2 你要警醒，把那些剩下来将要死的坚强起来；因为我见你的行为在我 神面前是不完全的。 3 所以，你应当回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的；应该遵守，也应该悔改。你若不警醒，我就要像贼来到一样。我甚么时候来到你那里，你决不能知道。 4 然而在撒狄你还有几名是未曾玷污自己衣服的，他们要身穿白衣与我同行；因为他们是配得上的。 5 得胜的，也必这样身穿白衣，我决不从生命册上涂抹他的名，我还要在我父和他的众天使面前，承认他的名。 6 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。’
给非拉铁非教会的信
7 “你要写信给在非拉铁非教会的使者，说：
‘那圣洁的、真实的，
拿着大卫的钥匙，
开了就没有人能关，
关了就没有人能开的（“拿着大卫的钥匙……没有人能开的”引自赛22:22），这样说：
8 我知道你的行为，看哪！我已经在你面前给你一道开着的门，是没有人能关的；因为你有一点点力量，也遵守我的道，没有否认我的名。 9 看哪！从撒但的一党，就是自称是犹太人，其实不是犹太人，而是说谎的人中，我要使他们一些人来在你脚前下拜，并且知道我已经爱了你。 10 你既然遵守了我忍耐的道，我也必定保守你脱离那试炼的时候；这就是那将要临到普天下，来试炼住在地上的人的时候。 11 我必快来！你要持守你所有的，不要让人拿走你的冠冕。 12 得胜的，我要叫他在我 神的圣所里作柱子，他决不再出去，我也要把我 神的名，和我 神的城的名，就是那从天上、从我 神那里降下来的新耶路撒冷，以及我的新名，都写在他身上。 13 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。’
给老底嘉教会的信
14 “你要写信给在老底嘉教会的使者，说：
‘那位阿们的，忠信真实的见证人， 神创造万有的根源，这样说： 15 我知道你的行为，你不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。 16 因为你好象温水，不热也不冷，所以我要把你从我口中吐出去。 17 你说：我是富足的，已经发了财，毫无缺乏。却不知你是困苦的、可怜的、贫穷的、瞎眼的、赤身的。 18 我劝你向我买精炼的金子，使你富足；又买白衣穿上，使你赤身的羞耻不会显露出来；也买眼药膏抹你的眼睛，使你可以看见。 19 凡是我所爱的，我就责备管教；所以你要热心，也要悔改。 20 看哪！我站在门外敲门；如果有人听见我的声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我要跟他在一起，他也要跟我在一起吃饭。 21 得胜的，我必定赐他和我一同坐在我的宝座上，正像我得了胜和我父一同坐在他的宝座上一样。 22 圣灵向众教会所说的话，有耳的就应当听。’”
启示录 1-3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
1 以下是上帝赐给耶稣基督的启示，让祂把将来要发生的事指示祂的众奴仆。因此，祂差遣天使告诉祂的奴仆约翰。 2 约翰便为自己所看见的一切——上帝的道和耶稣基督做见证。 3 那位宣读这预言的人和那些听见并遵守其中内容的人有福了，因为日期近了。
问候七教会
4-5 我约翰写信给你们亚细亚的七间教会。愿昔在、今在、以后永在的上帝，祂宝座前的七灵[a]和耶稣基督赐给你们恩典和平安。耶稣基督是忠心的见证人，是首先从死里复活的，是世上君王的首领。祂爱我们，用自己的血救我们脱离罪恶， 6 使我们成为祭司的国度[b]来事奉祂的父上帝。愿祂得到一切荣耀和权柄，一直到永永远远。阿们！
7 看啊！祂要驾云降临，世人都要看见祂，包括曾经刺祂的人。地上的万族都必因祂而哀哭。这事必定实现。阿们！
8 主上帝说：“我是阿拉法，我是俄梅加[c]，我是昔在、今在、以后永在的全能者。”
基督的显现
9 我约翰是你们的弟兄，在耶稣里和你们患难与共、同享国度、一起忍耐。我因传扬上帝的道、为主耶稣做见证而到了拔摩海岛上。 10 主日，我被圣灵感动，听见身后有号角般响亮的声音说： 11 “把你所看见的写在书上，然后送给以弗所、士每拿、别迦摩、推雅推喇、撒狄、非拉铁非和老底嘉七间教会。”
12 我转身看究竟是谁在对我说话，我看见七个金灯台， 13 有一位好像人子耶稣的站在这些灯台中间。祂长袍垂脚，金带围胸， 14 头与发白如羊毛、洁白如雪，眼睛像火焰， 15 双脚像炉中冶炼过的铜一样光亮，声音如同洪涛之声。 16 祂右手拿着七颗星，口中吐出一把两刃的利剑，面貌如烈日放光。
17 我一看见祂，便扑倒在祂脚前，像死了一样。祂把右手按在我身上，说：“不要害怕！我是首先的，我是末后的， 18 我是永活者。我曾经死过，但看啊，我永永远远活着。我掌握死亡和阴间的钥匙。 19 所以，你要将所看见的一切——现在和将来要发生的事都记录下来。 20 你所看见在我右手中的七颗星和七个金灯台的奥秘是，七颗星代表七间教会的天使[d]，七个灯台代表七间教会。
给以弗所教会的信
2 “你要写信告诉以弗所教会的天使，那位右手拿着七颗星、往来于七个金灯台中间的主说，
2 ‘我知道你的行为、劳碌和坚忍，也知道你疾恶如仇，曾查验出那些假冒的使徒，揭穿他们的虚假。 3 你曾坚定不移地为我的名受苦，没有气馁。 4 但有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心丢弃了。 5 因此，要回想你在哪里跌倒了，并且悔改，照起初所行的去行。否则，我就要到你那里，将你的灯台从原处拿走。 6 然而你还有一点可取之处，就是你跟我一样痛恨尼哥拉党人的行径。
7 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。我必将上帝乐园中生命树上的果子赐给得胜者吃。’
给士每拿教会的信
8 “你要写信告诉士每拿教会的天使，那位首先的、末后的、死而复活的主说，
9 ‘我知道你遭受的苦难和贫穷，其实你是富足的。我也知道那些人对你的毁谤，他们自称为犹太人，其实不是，而是撒旦的同伙[e]。 10 你不要害怕将要遭受的苦难。魔鬼要将你们当中的一些人下在监里，试炼你们，你们必遭受十天的迫害。但你要至死忠心，我必赐给你生命的冠冕。
11 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。得胜者必不被第二次死亡所害。’
给别迦摩教会的信
12 “你要写信告诉别迦摩教会的天使，那位有两刃利剑的主说，
13 ‘我知道你住在撒旦称王的地方。当我忠心的见证人安提帕在你们这撒旦盘踞之处殉道的时候，你仍然坚守我的名，仍然信靠我。 14 不过有几件事我要责备你，你那里有人随从巴兰的教导。这巴兰从前教巴勒在以色列人面前布下网罗，使他们吃祭过偶像的食物、犯淫乱的罪。 15 同样，你们当中也有人附从尼哥拉党的教导。 16 所以你要悔改，否则我必迅速到你那里，用我口中的剑攻击他们。
17 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。我必将隐藏的吗哪赐给得胜者。我也要赐给他一块白石，石上刻着一个新名字，除了那领受的人以外，没有人认识。’
给推雅推喇教会的信
18 “你要写信告诉推雅推喇教会的天使，那位双目如火焰、双脚像闪亮精铜的上帝的儿子说，
19 ‘我知道你的行为、爱心、信心、事奉、坚忍，也知道你末后所做的善事比起初更多。 20 可是有一件事我要责备你，就是你容许那自称是先知的妇人耶洗别教导我的众奴仆，引诱他们淫乱、吃祭过偶像的食物。 21 我曾给她悔改的机会，她却不肯悔改、离弃自己的淫乱行为， 22 所以我必叫她卧病在床。那些与她有染的人若不悔改，也必遭受极大的苦难。 23 我要击杀她的爪牙[f]，使众教会都知道我洞察人的心思意念，我要照你们各人的行为对待你们。
24 ‘至于你们其余在推雅推喇的人，就是不听那邪说，没有学习所谓的撒旦玄学的人，我告诉你们，我不会将别的重担放在你们身上。 25 但你们要好好持守自己已经得到的，一直到我来。 26 至于那得胜又遵守我命令到底的人，我必赐给他统治列国的权柄， 27 正如我从我父得到的权柄。他必用铁杖管辖列国，将他们如同陶器一般打得粉碎。 28 我也要把晨星赐给他。
29 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。’
给撒狄教会的信
3 “你要写信告诉撒狄教会的天使，有上帝的七灵又有七颗星的主说，
‘我知道你的行为，你名义上活着，实际上是死的。 2 你要警醒！把所剩无几、奄奄一息的生命振作起来，因为我发现你的行为在我的上帝面前不纯全。 3 因此，要回想你以前所领受、所听见的教导，遵守这些教导，并且悔改。你若不警醒，我必在你意想不到的时候像贼一样忽然来到。 4 不过在撒狄，你还有几个人未曾玷污自己的衣服，他们要穿白袍与我同行，因为他们配得这样。 5 得胜者必同样穿上白袍，我绝不会从生命册上抹去他的名字，我必在我父和众天使面前承认他的名。
6 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。’
给非拉铁非教会的信
7 “你要写信告诉非拉铁非教会的天使，那位圣洁、真实、拿着大卫的钥匙、开了门无人能关、关了门无人能开的主说，
8 ‘我知道你的行为，你力量微小，却遵守了我的教导，没有背弃我的名。所以，看啊！我在你面前为你打开了一扇无人能关闭的门。 9 看啊！我要使撒旦的同伙，就是那些假冒犹太人的说谎者，在你面前俯伏下拜，让他们知道你是我所疼爱的。 10 因为你遵守我有关坚忍的教导，所以当将来的试炼临到全人类的时候，我必使你免受磨难。 11 我很快就要来了！你要持守你所拥有的，免得有人夺去你的冠冕。 12 我要使得胜者在我上帝的殿中作栋梁，永不离开。我要将我上帝的名号和我上帝圣城的名号，就是从天上我上帝那里降下来的新耶路撒冷和我自己的新名号，都刻在他上面。
13 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。’
给老底嘉教会的信
14 “你要写信告诉老底嘉教会的天使，那位实实在在[g]、诚信无伪的见证人，就是上帝所造万物的元首说，
15 ‘我知道你的行为，你不冷也不热。我情愿你或冷或热， 16 可是现在你却像温水一样不冷不热，我必将你从我口中吐出去！ 17 你说，我很富有，已经发了财，什么都不缺。你却不知道自己困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身露体。 18 我劝你向我买精炼的金子，使你真正富有。你也要向我买白袍穿在身上，好遮盖你赤身露体的羞辱。你也要向我买眼药抹眼睛，使你能看见。 19 凡我所爱的，我都会责备、管教。因此，你要热心起来，也要悔改。 20 看啊！我站在门外敲门，若有谁闻声开门，我必进去，我与他，他与我，一同坐席吃饭。 21 得胜者可以和我一同坐在我的宝座上，正如我得胜后与我父一同坐在祂的宝座上一样。
22 ‘圣灵对各教会所说的话，凡有耳朵的都应当听。’”
Revelation 1-3
The Voice
Prologue
1 This is the revelation of Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King: an account of visions and a heavenly journey. God granted this to Him so He would show His followers the realities that are already breaking into the world and soon will be fulfilled. Through His heavenly messenger, He revealed to His servant John signs and insight into these mysteries. 2 John, in turn, gave witness to the word of God and to the glorious truth revealed about Jesus, the Anointed One, the Chosen Ruler, by carefully describing everything he saw.
3 Blessings come to those who read and proclaim these words aloud; blessings come to those who listen closely and put the prophetic words recorded here into practice. The finale is approaching.
4 I, John, to the seven churches in Asia:
May you experience God’s favor and rest in the peace that comes from the One who is, the One who was, and the One who is coming; from the seven Spirits, the Perfect Spirit, constantly before God’s throne; 5 and from Jesus the Anointed, the Witness who is true and faithful, the first to emerge from death’s cold womb, the chosen Ruler over all the kings and rulers of the earth.
To the One who loves us and liberated us from the grip of our evil deeds through His very own blood 6 and who established us to be His kingdom and priests for God, His Father. May glory and power be His throughout all the ages. Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, in glory.
He will capture every eye,
Even of those who pierced Him through.
All the nations of the earth will be pierced with grief when He appears.
Yes, may all this be done according to His plan. Amen.
Lord God: 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, [the very beginning and the very end,][a] the One who is, the One who was, and the One who is coming: the All Powerful.
9 I, John, your brother who shares with you this journey in persecution and the establishment of the Kingdom and endurance in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the ministry of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (the first day of the week), and I heard a voice behind me. It sounded like the blast of a trumpet.
A Voice: 11 [I am the Alpha and the Omega, the very beginning and the very end.][b] Make a book of what you see, write it down, and send it to the seven churches [which are in Asia][c]: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
12 When I turned around to see what sort of voice this was that was addressing me, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 And among the lampstands, I saw One like the Son of Man right in front of me dressed in a long robe. Across His chest was draped a golden sash. 14 His head and hair were pure white, white as wool and white as snow; His eyes blazed like a fiery flame; 15 His feet gleamed like brightly polished bronze, purified to perfection in a furnace; His voice filled the air and sounded like a roaring waterfall. 16 He held seven stars in His right hand, from His mouth darted a sharp double-edged sword, and His face shone a brilliant light, like the blinding sun.
The Son of Man is none other than the risen Jesus shining in glory, moving among the lampstands.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet. It was as though I were dead. But He reached down and placed His right hand on me.
The One: This is not the time for fear; I am the First and the Last, 18 and I am the living One. I entered the realm of the dead; but see, I am alive now and for all the ages—even ages to come. [Amen.][d] I possess the keys to open the prison of death and hades.
19 Now write down all you have seen—all that is and all that will be. 20 Regarding the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the heavenly messengers who preside over the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches themselves.
As the story unfolds, we’re told that the lampstands signify the churches. During harsh times of persecution, the faithful often wonder where their Master is. Is He even aware of what they are experiencing? John’s vision confirms what the gospel already teaches: Jesus is present with them even in their suffering, moving among those who dare to bear the light. Lampstands, of course, are not the light. They only carry the light. The true Light that has come into the world is none other than Jesus, the Son of Man (John 8:28).
Letter to Ephesus
2 The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Ephesus. “These are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks and moves among the golden lampstands:
2 “I know your deeds, your tireless labor, and your patient endurance. I know you do not tolerate those who do evil. Furthermore, you have diligently tested those who claim to be emissaries,[e] and you have found that they are not true witnesses. You have correctly found them to be false. 3 I know you are patiently enduring and holding firm on behalf of My name. You have not become faint.
4 “However, I have this against you: you have abandoned your first love. 5 Do you remember what it was like before you fell? It’s time to rethink and change your ways;[f] go back to how you first acted. However, if you do not return,[g] I will come quickly[h] and personally remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you do have this to your credit: you despise the deeds of the Nicolaitans and how they concede to evil. I also hate what they do.
7 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. I will allow the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death to eat from the tree of life found in God’s lush paradise.”
Letter to Smyrna
8 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Smyrna. “These are the words of the First and the Last, the One who was dead and returned to life:
9 “I know [your deeds and][i] the difficult ordeal you are enduring and your poverty, although you are actually rich. I am aware of the offensive accusations preached by those who call themselves ‘Jews.’ But these people are not the Jews they pretend to be; they are actually the congregation of Satan. 10 In the face of suffering, do not fear. Watch; the devil will throw some of you into prison shortly so that you might be tested, and you will endure great affliction for 10 days. Be faithful throughout your life, until the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s wreath of life.
11 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will escape the second death.”
Letter to Pergamum
12 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Pergamum. “These are the words of the One with the sharp double-edged sword:
13 “I know [your deeds and][j] where you live. It is where Satan, the adversary, has established his throne. You have stayed true to My name, and you did not deny your trust in Me even in the eventful days of My faithful witness, Antipas. He was killed among you in that place where Satan dwells.
14 “However, I have a few matters against you: some who live among you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to set up a stumbling block before the people of Israel.[k] As a result, some among you are eating food prepared for idol worship and committing immoral sexual acts. 15 You have others who are holding firm to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, change your ways and turn to Me.[l] If you do not, I will quickly come to where you live and will battle them with the sword of My mouth.
17 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches. To the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will feed you with hidden manna and give you a white stone. Upon this stone, a new name is engraved. No one knows this name except for its recipient.”
Letter to Thyatira
18 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Thyatira. “These are the words of the Son of God, the One whose eyes blaze like flames of fire and whose feet gleam like brightly polished bronze:
19 “I know your deeds, love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your labors greatly increase in quality as you travel along this journey.
20 “However, I have this against you: you have tolerated that woman Jezebel, who is a self-anointed prophetess and who misleads My followers to commit immoral sexual acts and to eat food prepared for idol worship. 21 I have provided her enough time to turn away[m] from her indecency, but she refuses to turn from these immoral acts. 22 Watch; I will throw her back into her sickbed with those who committed adultery with her, and I will make them a bed of great affliction if they do not abandon her indiscretions and turn[n] to follow Me. 23 I will punish her by striking her children dead. Through this all the churches will know I am the One who relentlessly explores the mind and heart, and I will deal with each of you as you deserve according to your acts.
24 “I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, those who have not held to the teachings of Jezebel and who remain ignorant of the real meaning of what is called the deep things of Satan, I will not burden you with anything more. 25 Just keep on task, and keep the faith until I return.
26 “And as for those who conquer through faithfulness even unto death and continue to labor with Me until the close of the final curtain,
I will give them authority over the nations.
27 And they will rule the nations with an iron scepter,
as fragile clay jars are shattered to pieces.[o]
As I received this authority from My Father, 28 I will bestow the morning star to the victor.
29 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”
For centuries many Jews had been scattered throughout the known world, exiled to the lands east of the Jordan River from the promised land by powerful invading nations. After Jerusalem fell in a.d. 70, even more Jews left Judea, this time crossing the Mediterranean looking for some place far from Roman cruelty. That’s why, as John writes these letters to churches in Asia Minor, he recalls some of the most infamous characters from Israel’s past—Balaam, Balak, and Jezebel. The ordeals facing John’s churches are not all that different from those Israel faced hundreds of years before. Many of the same struggles plague churches in the West to this day. The names may change, but the problems confronting God’s faithful do not.
Letter to Sardis
3 The One: Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Sardis. “These are the words of the One who has the seven Spirits of God, the Perfect Spirit, and the One who holds the seven stars:
“I know the things you do—you’ve claimed a reputation of life, but you are actually dead. 2 Wake up from your death-sleep, and strengthen what remains of the life you have been given that is in danger of death. I have judged your deeds as far from complete in the sight of My God. 3 Therefore, remember what you have received and heard; it’s time to keep these instructions and turn back from your ways.[p] If you do not wake up from this sleep, I will come in judgment. I will creep up on you like a thief—you will have no way of knowing when I will come. 4 But there are a few in Sardis who don’t have the stain of evil works on their clothes. They will walk alongside Me in white, spotless garments because they have been proven worthy.
5 “The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death will be clothed in white garments, and I will certainly not erase that person’s name from the book of life. I will acknowledge this person’s name before My Father and before His heavenly messengers.
6 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”
Letter to Philadelphia
7 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia. “These are the words of the holy One, the true One, and the One who possesses the key of David, which opens the possibilities so that no one can shut them. The One who closes all options so that no one can open:
8 “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I have done this because you have limited strength, yet you have obeyed My word and have not denied My name. 9 Watch, and I will make those of the congregation of Satan—those who call themselves ‘Jews’ but are not because they lie—come before you penitent, falling at your feet. Then they will know how much I have loved you. 10 Because you have obeyed My instructions to endure and be patient, I will protect you from the time of trial which will come upon the whole earth and put everyone in it to the test. 11 I will soon return. Hold tight to what you have so that no one can take away your victor’s wreath.
12 “As for the one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death, I will plant that person as a pillar in the temple of My God, and that person will never have to leave the presence of God. Moreover, I will inscribe this person with the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, New Jerusalem—which descends out of heaven from My God—and My own new name.
God’s intention for the world is this: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” This is fulfilled by those who are faithful to Him.
13 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”
Letter to Laodicea
14 Write down My words, and send them to the messenger of the church in Laodicea. “These are the words of the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation:
15 “I know your works. You are neither cold with apathy nor hot with passion. It would be better if you were one or the other, but you are neither. 16 So because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 You claim, ‘I am rich, I have accumulated riches, and I need nothing’; but you do not realize that you are miserable, pathetic, poor, blind, and naked. 18 So here is what I suggest you do: buy true gold from Me (gold refined by fire so that you can be truly rich), white garments (to cover you so that you can keep the shame of your nakedness from showing), and eye ointment (to treat your eyes so that you may see clearly).
19 “Those I love I also correct and discipline. Therefore, be shamelessly committed to Me, and turn back.[q] 20 Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me.
21 “The one who conquers through faithfulness even unto death I will place next to Me on My throne, just as I Myself conquered and took a place of honor with My Father on His throne.
22 “Let the person who is able to hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all the churches.”
Footnotes
- 1:8 Most manuscripts omit this portion.
- 1:11 Early manuscripts omit this portion.
- 1:11 Most manuscripts omit this portion.
- 1:18 The earliest manuscripts omit “Amen.”
- 2:2 Literally, apostles
- 2:5 Literally, repent
- 2:5 Literally, repent
- 2:5 Some manuscripts omit “quickly.”
- 2:9 The earliest manuscripts omit this portion.
- 2:13 The earliest manuscripts omit this portion.
- 2:14 Numbers 22–24
- 2:16 Literally, repent
- 2:21 Literally, repent
- 2:22 Literally, repent
- 2:26–27 Psalm 2:8–9
- 3:3 Literally, repent
- 3:19 Literally, repent
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.