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saying, "Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia" [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

Verse ConceptsScrollsWritingChurch, Examples OfPreeminence Of ChristSeven PeopleWriting The New TestamentInspiration

"Write [this] to the angel [i.e., the messenger] of the church at Ephesus [Note: These "messengers," (verses 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14) are thought by some to be evangelists]: These things are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:

Verse ConceptsChurchLettersRight Hand Of GodChrist's HandsSeven LightsWriting Letters

But you have this [in your favor]: You hate the [evil] deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate [Note: These people were probably followers of someone named Nicolas and were known to be false teachers. See verse 15].

Verse ConceptsHatredGod Hating ThingsHating Evil

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Smyrna: These things are the words of the First and the Last [i.e., Jesus], who was dead, but has come [back] to life:

Verse ConceptsBeginningHistoryPreexistence Of ChristNames And Titles For ChristChurch, Examples OfBeginning And EndWriting LettersChrist Is RisenThe Fact Of Christ's DeathGoing To Church

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Pergamum: These are the words of Him who has the sharp double-edged sword:

Verse ConceptsSwordsChurch, Examples OfThe Sword Of The SpiritWriting LettersTwo SidedWeapons Of Christfreemasonry

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Thyatira: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like flaming fire and feet like shiny brass:

Verse ConceptsBronzeChurch, Examples OfChrist's Exalted GloryFire Of ChristEyes In ProphecyWriting LettersThings Like BronzeTypes Of Feet

And I will strike her children dead [or, "kill her children by some terrible calamity" See Ex. 5:3 LXX]. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the inmost being of people [Note: The Greek says, "searches the kidneys and hearts." In that day these internal organs stood for the inner thoughts, emotions, etc.]. And I will repay each one of you people according to what you have done.

Verse ConceptsOutward AppearanceSearchingJesus Christ, Omniscience OfGod KillingMan's ThoughtsGod Searching HeartsGod And The HeartGod Will Kill The PeoplesGod Will RequiteRepaid For DeedsBemaGod Knowing the Human HeartDeath Of A ChildPatience In Relationships

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Sardis: These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God [i.e., Jesus, who has the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [i.e., the seven angels of the seven churches. See 1:20]: I know about your deeds, that you have a reputation for being [spiritually] alive, but you are [really] dead.

Verse ConceptsLettersReputationSpiritsChurch, Examples OfSeven SpiritsSeven LightsNot Maintaining LifeSpiritually DeadChrist Knowing About PeopleWriting LettersOne's Deeds

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Philadelphia: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, [and] who possesses the key [i.e., the power and authority] of King David, [and] who opens [a door] which no one will close, and who closes one that no one will open:

Verse ConceptsTruthHonestyKeysThe Act Of OpeningChrist, Character OfTypes Of ChristChurch, Examples OfOpening To OthersShutting The KingdomWriting Letters

"Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God's creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]:

Verse ConceptsAttending ChurchAmenRulersWitnessing, Importance OfNames And Titles For ChristChrist, Names ForChrist The BeginningThe Witness Of ChristWriting Letterslukewarm

After [seeing all] these things, I looked, and there in heaven I saw [a vision of] an open door, and the voice I had first heard speaking to me like [the sound of] a trumpet [See 1:10], said, "Come up here [i.e., to heaven], and I will show you the things which must happen after these things [i.e., the things just revealed]."

Verse ConceptsNecessityHeaven, Glimpsed By HumansThe Act Of OpeningOpening HeavenGoing Up To HeavenTrumpets For SignallingPredicting The FutureGod's VoiceSpecial RevelationGoing To HeavenRainbowPurgatoryThe Rapturerevelation

And around God's throne there were twenty-four [other] thrones, with twenty-four elders sitting on them. [Note: These "elders" are generally considered to represent all the saved of both covenants. The number twenty-four is thought to be derived from the twelve patriarchs and the twelve apostles]. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads.

Verse Conceptselders, in the churchGoldThroneWhiteWhite And Bright ClothesWhite ClothsGold OrnamentsTwelve BeingsTwenty SomeCrowns For God's PeopleElders In HeavenGreat White Throne JudgmentTwenty Four EldersSpiritual crownsThe Elderlycrowns

And there was an ocean, as crystal-clear as glass, in front of the throne. And at the center, surrounding the throne were four living beings, covered with eyes in the front and back of them. [Note: In view of Isa. 6:1-3 and especially Eze. 10:20ff, these "living beings" appear to be some special order of heavenly beings who inhabit the presence of God].

Verse ConceptsCrystalsMineralsSeaCherubim, At God's ThroneFour CreaturesSea Of GlassTransparencyEyes In ProphecyIn FrontFront And BackExpanse Of The SeaThe OceanThe Sea

After seeing [all] these things, I looked and there [I saw] a huge crowd, which no one could count, from every nation, and tribe, and race, and language group standing in front of the throne [of God] and in front of the Lamb. They were dressed in white robes and had palm tree branches in their hands.

Verse ConceptsMultitudesGentiles, In NtCrowdsAn Innumerable NumberBranches, Types OfAudiencesLanguagesNationalismRobesStandingWhiteGlorified SaintsMany In The ChurchWhite And Bright ClothesWhite ClothsAll LanguagesThe Gospel To The NationsEvangelism During The TribulationGreat White Throne JudgmentLanguageColorRaceculture

Then one of the [twenty-four] elders asked me, "Who are these ones dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

Verse ConceptsPromises To The AfflictedWhite And Bright ClothesWhite ClothsWho Is This?Elders In HeavenWhere From?elders

And the locusts were not given the power to kill these people, but [only] to torture them for five months. And the torment they would inflict was like a scorpion stinging a person.

Verse ConceptsAgony, Of BodyPoisonTortureFive Months And MoreScorpionsSnakebitesTroubling Groups Of Peoplebugs

They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was "Abaddon," and in Greek it was "Apollyon" [Note: These words both mean "Destroyer"].

Verse ConceptsAbyssBottomless PitSatan, Titles ForAngels opposed to GodLanguagesSatan, As The Enemy Of GodNames And Titles For SatanChrist, Names ForThe DestroyerEvil AngelsSatan as Destroyer

One third of mankind was killed by these three plagues --- the fire, the smoke and the sulphur, which proceeded out of the horses' mouths.

Verse ConceptsBrimstoneFractions, One ThirdOne ThirdSulphurDeath Of Other GroupsOther References To Mouthssmokinghumanity

And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, [still] did not repent of what they had made with their hands [i.e., their idolatry]. They did not stop worshiping demons, and gold, silver, brass, stone and wooden idols, which can neither see, nor hear nor walk.

Verse ConceptsDeafnessFalse ReligionDemons, Evil Work Ofdemons, Kinds ofGoldStonesWoodIdolatry Consists OfAtheism, Description OfBrassImpotence Of IdolsIdols Not SeeingIdol WorshipIdolatryUnhearingWorshipping The DevilWood And StoneBronze For IdolsRepentance

and he called out in a loud voice, like a roaring lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders responded to the voice [of the angel]. [Note: These "seven thunders" have not been previously mentioned].

Verse ConceptsSeven ThingsShout Of Godcrusades

These [two witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand in front of the Lord of the earth.

Verse ConceptsTwo Plant ProductsTwo Other ThingsOlive Trees

These witnesses have the authority to shut the sky up so that it does not rain during the time they are prophesying. And they have the authority to turn the waters into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague whenever they want to.

Verse ConceptsBlood, Miracles Connected WithPlaguesRainSkyTurned To BloodLack Of RainAuthority Of DisciplesThe Two WitnessesWeather In The Last DaysweatherempowermentGod Controlling The Rain

And those people living on the earth will be glad over the death of them [i.e., the two witnesses. See verse 3], and they will celebrate by sending gifts to one another, because these two prophets had tormented those living on earth.

Verse ConceptsGiving To OthersMerrinessTwo WitnessesTwo WitnessesIndividual ProphetsRejoicing In EvilUnnamed Prophets Of The LordCelebration

[And] by being given [power] to perform these signs in the sight of the [first] beast, he deceived the people on earth. He told them to make a statue to [honor] the [first] beast, who had been wounded by a sword and yet lived [through it].

Verse ConceptsLiesFalse Miracles, Nature OfIdol WorshipThe False Prophetimage

These people are the ones who did not practice sexual immorality with women, for they were virgins [Note: This probably has reference to people who avoided idolatry]. These are people who followed the Lamb wherever He went. They were purchased from among mankind to be the firstfruits [devoted] to God and to the Lamb.

Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus Christdiscipleship, nature ofDefilement, By SinCommitment, to Jesus ChristAsceticism, TypesMarketsCelibacyMetaphorical Firstfruits144,000UniversalismDefilementFirst fruitsSexual PurityThe Rapturerevelationredeemedvirginity

Then after these things I looked and [saw] in heaven the Temple [consisting] of the Tabernacle of the Testimony was opened up. [Note: This heavenly vision is described in language reminiscent of the Tabernacle of Moses' day].

Verse ConceptsThe Act Of OpeningOpening The TempleThe Temple In Heaven

Then I heard the angel [in charge] of the waters saying, "You are just, [you] who are [in the present] and who were [in the past], O Holy One, because you have judged [that these things should happen].

Verse ConceptsThe Existence Of GodAngels Doing God's Worklegacy

For they [i.e., the followers of the beast. See verse 2] have shed the blood of God's holy people and [their] prophets, and you have given them blood to drink because they deserved it [i.e., these persecutors deserved the punishment they received for shedding blood].

Verse ConceptsBlood, Figurative UseSaintsPeople Consuming BloodBad WaterKilling ProphetsKilling DisciplesProphets KilledGod Makes Evil Rebound

And people were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these judgments [i.e., the authority to inflict them], but they refused to repent and honor God. [See verse 2].

Verse ConceptsCurses, HumanHardened HeartsHeart, Fallen And RedeemedHeatCharacter Of WickedScorchingProfaning God's NameBlasphemyGod Showed His PowerWeather In The Last DaysweatherNot Glorifying God

These kings have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.

Verse ConceptsHeaven And AngelsGod Is LightAngels Doing God's Work

The store owners who sold these things and were made wealthy from her [i.e., from the prosperous trade with Babylon] will stand far away, out of fear over her [See verse 10], crying and mourning,

Verse ConceptsStanding At A DistanceFear Of Other Thingsdistance

After these things I heard what sounded like the loud voices of a huge crowd in heaven, shouting, "Hallelujah [which means, "Praise God"]! Salvation and splendor and power belong to our God.

Verse ConceptsBabylonGod, Glory OfdoxologyCrowdsPraise, Manner And Methods OfShoutingMany In The ChurchGroups ShoutingPraise The Lord!Taken To HeavengaysGay Marriage

Then the angel said to me [See 17:1; 18:1-2], "Write [this]: Those who are invited to the wedding reception of the Lamb are blessed." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

Verse ConceptsBabylonFeastingBanquets, Events CelebratedCelebrationsAngels as agents of judgmentAngels, as God's messengersGuestsHonestyLove FeastMarriage, Customs ConcerningWeddingsBlessed Through GodMarriage To GodWedding GuestsRomanceGay Marriage

Then I saw thrones, with individuals sitting on them who had been given [authority] to judge. And I [also] saw the souls of those who had been decapitated because they had testified about Jesus and [had proclaimed] the message of God. [They are] the ones who had refused to worship the beast or his statue, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And these ones lived again and ruled with Christ for a thousand years.

Verse ConceptsForeheads666Faithfulness, To Godevil, victory overdefianceBeheadingThe BeastJudgesJudgment SeatPunishment, Legal Aspects OfSelf SacrificeThe Immortal SoulMartyrdom, Methods OfSufferings RewardedRemoving HeadsCosmic CreaturesBelievers JudgingMarks On PeopleAuthority Of DisciplesAvoiding IdolatrySubsequent Witness To ChristWorshipping The DevilMark Of The BeastHow First Resurrection Is Spread OutSigns Of The Timesend times prophecyMartyrdom

and he will [again] go out to deceive the nations which are [located] throughout the whole world --- Gog and Magog. [Note: Based on Eze. 35-40, it appears that these names are used here figuratively for all the forces of wickedness which are enemies of God]. Satan will assemble them together for battle, and they will be as numberless as the sand on the seashore.

Verse ConceptsMany CombatantsGog and MagogFour CornersFour SidesAll NationsSand And GravelThe Armies Of HeavenWarDeceptionBattlerevelationrelentless

And these [enemies of God] crossed the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people and the much-loved city [i.e., the church of God]. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

Verse ConceptsBelovedLightningSpiritual UnderstandingEnemies SurroundingFire From HeavenGod's Intervention

And I saw dead people, the most important and the least significant ones, standing in front of the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life [Note: This refers to a record of those to whom God has granted never ending life]. And these dead people [i.e., who have now been resurrected] were judged according to their deeds, based on what was recorded in the books.

Verse ConceptsGod, As JudgeGuilt, Human Aspects OfDestinySmallnessStandingJudgmentWhat Heaven Will Be LikeThe Judgement InvolvesThe Act Of OpeningOpening DocumentsThe Final JudgementGreat And SmallRepaid For DeedsJudgment According To WorksAccountabilityJudgement DayJudging Others Actionsdeeds

Then the One who is seated on the throne [i.e., Christ, or God] said, "Listen, I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write [this], because these words are trustworthy and true."

Verse ConceptsNew ThingsGod, The CreatorNewnessRenewal, Of Natural OrderScripture, Purpose OfTheologyThroneTrustworthinessSpeaking TruthCosmic RenewalGod's Word Is TrueEternal StateGod's Trustworthiness

Then He said to me, "These things have already happened. [Note: These words express the certainty of what has been predicted in this book, even though not all the events had actually taken place yet]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the beginning and the end. I will give the person who is [spiritually] thirsty [a drink] from the spring of water of life without his having to pay for it.

Verse ConceptsAppetite, Satisfaction OfSpiritual Famine, Relief OfendBeginningSpiritual HungerLonging For GodSpring Of WaterChrist, Names ForBeginning And EndGod Providing WaterMetaphorical SpringsFree Of ChargeWater, As A Symbol Of LifeBenefits Of HeavenPrivileges of saintsFinishing Strongatheismrevelation

Then the angel [See 21:9] said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His servants [i.e., through the apostle John] the things that must happen soon [See 1:1].

Verse ConceptsNecessityVisionsNames And Titles For ChristThe Shortness Of TimeSpeaking TruthGod Not DelayingAngels Going At God's BiddingGod Sending ProphetsNear The Time GenerallySlaves Of GodGod's Word Is TrueAngels Activities Among BelieversGod's Trustworthiness

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.

Verse ConceptsBowing To False GodsAngels

I testify to every person who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [Note: This is probably Jesus speaking, but could possibly be John]. If anyone adds to these words, God will add to him the calamities described in this book.

Verse ConceptsPlaguesWatchfulness, Of LeadersAdding To GodBooks Of ProphecyProphecyPunishmentPunishmentsProphecies concerning

The One who testifies about these things [i.e., Jesus] says, "Yes, I am coming soon." May this be so. Come [ahead] Lord Jesus!

Verse ConceptsUrgencyAmenGod Not DelayingThe Timing Of His ComingThe Fact Of His ComingEternal Perspectivetestifying