Revelation 2:18-29
The Letter to the Church in Thyatira
“Here is what I command you to write to the church in Thyatira.
Here are the words of the Son of God. He is Jesus, whose eyes are like blazing fire. His feet are like polished bronze. He says,
‘I know what you are doing. I know your love and your faith. I know how well you have served. I know you don’t give up easily. In fact, you are doing more now than you did at first.
‘But here is what I have against you. You put up with that woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophet. With her teaching, she has led my servants into sexual sin. She has tricked them into eating food offered to statues of gods. I’ve given her time to turn away from her sinful ways. But she doesn’t want to. She lay down to commit her sin so I will make her lie down in suffering. Those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly too. Their only way out is to turn away from what she taught them to do. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I search hearts and minds. I will pay each of you back for what you have done.
‘I won’t ask the rest of you in Thyatira to do anything else. You don’t follow the teaching of Jezebel. You haven’t learned what some people call Satan’s deep secrets. Just hold on to what you have until I come.
‘Here is what I will do for anyone who has victory over sin. I will do it for anyone who carries out my plans to the end. I will give that person authority over the nations. It is written, “They will rule them with an iron scepter. They will break them to pieces like clay pots.” (Psalm 2:9) Their authority is like the authority I’ve received from my Father. I will also give the morning star to all who have victory. Whoever has ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.’
Revelation 3:1-6
The Letter to the Church in Sardis
“Here is what I command you to write to the church in Sardis.
Here are the words of Jesus, who holds the seven spirits of God. He has the seven stars in his hand. He says,
‘I know what you are doing. People think you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what is left, or it will die. You have not done all that my God wants you to do. So remember what you have been taught and have heard. Hold firmly to it. Turn away from your sins. If you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief. You won’t know when I will come to you.
‘But you have a few people in Sardis who are pure. They aren’t covered with evil like dirty clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, because they are worthy. Here is what I will do for anyone who has victory over sin. I will dress that person in white like those worthy people. I will never erase their names from the book of life. I will speak of them by name to my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.’
