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The Blue Letter Bible

Kress Biblical Resources :: Part Two—The Present Pictorial Condition of the People (Rev 2:1-Rev 3:22)

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PART TWO

The Present Pictorial Condition of the People (Rev 2:1-Rev 3:22)14

  1. The Message for Elapsing Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Ephesus” (Rev 2:1a)
    2. The Description of Christ – 7 Stars, 7 Lampstands (Rev 2:1b)
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 2:2a)
    4. The Deeds of the Church – Testing, Perseverance (Rev 2:2b-3, 6)
    5. The Difficulty within the Church – Left First Love (Rev 2:4)
    6. The Discipline for the Church – Lamp Removed (Rev 2:5b)
    7. The Desire of Christ – “Remember,” “Repent” (Rev 2:5a, c)
    8. The Desire of the Spirit – “hear…overcomes” (Rev 2:7a)
    9. The Destination of the Overcomers – “Paradise” (Rev 2:7b)
  2. The Message for Suffering Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Smyrna” (Rev 2:8a)
    2. The Description of Christ – “the first and last,” “dead, and has come to life” (Rev 2:8b)
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 2:9a)
    4. The Difficulty within the Church – Trials, Poverty (Rev 2:9b)
    5. The Delusion in the Church – “synagogue of Satan” (Rev 2:9c)
    6. The Desire of Christ – “Do not fear…be faithful” (Rev 2:10)
    7. The Desire of the Spirit – “hear…overcomes” (Rev 2:11a)
    8. The Delight of the Overcomers – The “crown of life,” No “second death” (Rev 2:10c, 11d)
  3. The Message for Perceiving Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Pergamum” (Rev 2:12a)
    2. The Description of Christ – “two-edged sword” (Rev 2:12b)
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 2:13a)
    4. The Difficulty within the Church – “Satan’s throne,” “where Satan dwells” (Rev 2:13bd)
    5. The Deeds of the Church – Faith, Martyrdom (Rev 2:13c)
    6. The Delusion in the Church – Holding to Errant Teachings, Immorality (Rev 2:14-15)
    7. The Desire of Christ – “Repent” (Rev 2:16a)
    8. The Discipline for the Church – “the sword” (Rev 2:16b)
    9. The Desire of the Spirit – “hear…overcomes” (Rev 2:17a)
    10. The Delicacy and Delight of the Overcomers – “manna,” “stone,” “new name” (Rev 2:17b)
  4. The Message for Tolerating Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Thyatira” (Rev 2:18a)
    2. The Description of Christ – “Son of God,” Fiery Eyes, Bronze Feet (Rev 2:18b)
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 2:19a)
    4. The Deeds of the Church – “love,” “faith,” “service,” “perseverance” (Rev 2:19b)
    5. The Difficulty within the Church – “Jezebel” (Rev 2:20-21)
    6. The Discipline for the Church – Sickness, Death (Rev 2:22-23)
    7. The Disciples in the Church – “the rest” (Rev 2:24)
    8. The Desire of Christ – “Hold fast” (Rev 2:25)
    9. The Destination of the Overcomers – Rule with Christ, Receive “morning star” (Rev 2:26-28)
    10. The Desire of the Spirit – “Hear” (Rev 2:29)
  5. The Message for Sleeping Sardis (Rev 3:1-6)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Sardis” (Rev 3:1a)
    2. The Description of Christ – 7 “Spirits,” 7 “stars” (Rev 3:1b)15
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 3:1c)
    4. The Delusion in the Church – “dead” (Rev 3:1d)
    5. The Desire of Christ – “Wake up,” “strengthen,” “remember,” “repent” (Rev 3:2a, 3a)
    6. The Discipline for the Church – Surprise Visit (Rev 3:3b)
    7. The Disciples in the Church – Worthy Walkers (Rev 3:4)
    8. The Delight of the Overcomers – “white garments,” “book of life” (Rev 3:5)
    9. The Desire of the Spirit – “Hear” (Rev 3:6)
  6. The Message for Faithful Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)
    1. The Designation of the Church – “Philadelphia” (Rev 3:7a)
    2. The Description of Christ – “holy,” “true” (Rev 3:7b)
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 3:8a)
    4. The Deeds of the Church – “kept My word,” “not denied My name” (Rev 3:8b)
    5. The Destitute in the Church – “synagogue of Satan,” (Rev 3:9)
    6. The Disciples in the Church – “perseverance” (Rev 3:10a)
    7. The Desire of Christ – Kept “from the hour of testing,” “hold fast,” “crown” (Rev 3:10b, 11)
    8. The Destination of the Overcomers – Pillar in God’s Temple with His Name (Rev 3:12)
    9. The Desire of the Spirit – “Hear” (Rev 3:13)
  7. The Message for Lukewarm Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22)
    1. The Designation of The Church – “Laodicea” (Rev 3:14a)
    2. The Description of Christ – “Amen,” “Witness,” “Beginning of the creation” (Rev 3:14b)16
    3. The Discernment of Christ – “I know…” (Rev 3:15a)
    4. The Destitute in the Church – “neither cold nor hot,” “poor, blind and naked” (Rev 3:15b, 17)
    5. The Discipline for the Church – “spit you out” (Rev 3:16, 19a)
    6. The Desire of Christ – Be Cold or Hot, “become rich,” “repent,” etc. (Rev 3:15c, 18-20)
    7. The Destination of the Overcomers – On Throne (Rev 3:21)
    8. The Desire of the Spirit – “Hear” (Rev 3:22)

The wonderful vision of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 1:10-20), and the weighty descriptions of Him in the opening of the letters to the churches (Rev 2:1-3:22), now give way to the prophecy portraying what the Lord will enact in the future. Prepare to witness waves of wrath on earth and waves of worship in heaven, which will take place in the waning days of world history.


14 See Diagram 1, Seven Parallel Messages for Seven Prominent Churches.

15 For more on the 7 “Spirits of God” cf. Rev. 1:10; Rev 4:5; Rev 5:6, and see Footnote 4. For the 7 “stars,” cf. Rev. 1:20. See Footnote 13.

16 The meaning of the word “beginning” conveys the Greek sense of source. NASB’s margin has, “i.e. Origin or Source.”

Part One—The Past Preparatory Vision of the Prophet (Rev 1:1-20) ← Prior Section
Part Three—The Future Panoramic Prediction of the Prophet (Rev 4:1-22:5) Next Section →
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