¹⁹ Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. ²⁰ The secret of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven gold lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels^[a] of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands^[b] are the seven churches.

The Letters to the Seven Churches

The Letter to Ephesus

2 “Write to the angel^[a] of the church in Ephesus:

“The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: ² I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. ³ You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. ⁴ But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. ⁵ Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you^[b] and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. ⁶ Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

⁷ “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor^(A) the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in^[c] God’s paradise.^(B)

The Letter to Sardis

3 “Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:

“The One who has the seven spirits of God^(A) and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation^[a] for being alive, but you are dead.