Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



"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

The secret of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands [is this]: The seven stars are the angels [i.e., messengers] of the seven churches. And the seven lampstands are the seven churches." "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:

"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 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

"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

For [truly] it was both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, who gathered together in this city [of Jerusalem] against your Holy Servant Jesus Verse ConceptsAnointing, Of ChristJesus Christ, Holiness OfChrist, Character OfProphecies Concerning ChristChrist, Names ForThe Anointed OneAntagonism From Jew And GentileNamed Gentile Rulers


"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

"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

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, leaving you standing outside knocking on the door, [and] saying, 'Sir, [please] open [the door] for us.' and he answers you, 'I do not know you or where you came from,' Verse ConceptsGiving, Of TimeDelay, Examples OfThe Act Of OpeningOpening To OthersShutting DoorsKnockingNot Knowing PeopleWhere From?Relationships With Boyfriend

And while they were away [trying] to buy olive oil, the [bride and] groom arrived, and those who were ready [to welcome them] entered the [house where the] wedding reception [was being held] and the door was shut. Verse ConceptsFolly, Effects OfDoorsBanquets, Events CelebratedExclusionShutting SecurelyShutting The KingdomAttitudes While Waiting For Second Coming

"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

And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life. Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofeternal life, gift ofHonestyRevelation, Necessity OfSeeing GodUnderstandingUnion With Christ, Significance OfGod Is TruthfulJesus Christ, Deity OfChrist, Character OfNames And Titles For ChristChrist, Names ForFellowship With ChristKnowing Christ PersonallyLife Is In ChristNature Of GodUs In GodKnowing About God's KingdomEternal lifeLiving For GodKnowing GodChild Of Godeternity


"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

[And] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [i.e., for opening up the way into it]. And whatever [truth] you [and the other apostles. See 18:18] require [people to believe and practice] here on earth will have already been required of them [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people] on earth, will not be required [by God] in heaven." Verse ConceptsExcommunicationequipping, physicalKeysKingdom Of HeavenBelonging To HeavenTying Uporganization

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the pit and a huge chain in his hand. Verse ConceptsAbyssHeaven And AngelsChainsIron ChainsKeysAngelsOthers Going DownBreaking Chains


[When] the fifth angel sounded its trumpet, I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. And the key to the shaft leading to the deep pit [Note: This is thought to be the place where the devil and his demons live] was given to him. Verse ConceptsAbyssKeysFractions, One FifthFalling From HeavenSeven TrumpetsFifthAffecting Sun Moon And StarsLucifer

But [remember] this: The person who plants only a few seeds will harvest a meager crop. And the one who plants many seeds [Note: The Greek says, "plants with blessings"] will harvest a bumper crop. Each person should give what he has decided to in his heart, not grudgingly, nor out of a feeling that he has to, for God loves a cheerful giver.


The person who knows [what] my commandments [are] and obeys them is the one who [truly] loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. [Then] Judas (not the betrayer) [Note: This was the son of James, See Luke 6:16. He is also called Thaddaeus, See Matt. 10:3], said to Jesus, "Lord, what has happened [i.e., to your original plans to be seen by everyone when you came. See Luke 21:27], that you will reveal yourself to us apostles [only] and not to the [whole] world?" Jesus answered him, "If a person loves me, he will obey my teaching, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him [i.e., in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit].





"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: I know about your deeds. (See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can close). [Note: This probably refers to their being assured of some unspecified opportunity]. [I know] that you have [only] a little bit of strength, but [in spite of that] you have obeyed my word and did not deny my name. Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan [See 2:9]; they claim to be Jews, yet they are not, but are lying. Watch, I will make them come and bow down at your feet [in respect] and [they will] know that I have loved you.

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

"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: I know about your deeds. (See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can close). [Note: This probably refers to their being assured of some unspecified opportunity]. [I know] that you have [only] a little bit of strength, but [in spite of that] you have obeyed my word and did not deny my name. Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan [See 2:9]; they claim to be Jews, yet they are not, but are lying. Watch, I will make them come and bow down at your feet [in respect] and [they will] know that I have loved you. read more.
Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth. I am coming soon [or, suddenly. See 2:16, 25; 3:3]. Hold on firmly to what you have [i.e., opportunity, obedience, steadfastness, etc.] so that no one takes away your crown [See 2:10]. I will make the person who has victory [in the Christian life] a pillar in the Temple of my God [i.e., probably a reference to heaven], and he will never leave it. And I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which is coming down from heaven from my God [See 21:2, 10] and my own new name. The person who has an ear should listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches.

[the quality of] each person's work will become evident [i.e., for what is it made of]. For the [judgment] day will expose his workmanship. And it will be revealed by the fire [of judgment], which will test the quality of a person's workmanship [i.e., the faithfulness of his converts]. If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. But if anyone's work is burned up [i.e., does not survive the judgment], he will experience loss [i.e., of his converts], but he himself will [still] be saved, like a person escaping from the fire [i.e., of a burning building, which consumes his efforts].

"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: I know about your deeds. (See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can close). [Note: This probably refers to their being assured of some unspecified opportunity]. [I know] that you have [only] a little bit of strength, but [in spite of that] you have obeyed my word and did not deny my name. Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan [See 2:9]; they claim to be Jews, yet they are not, but are lying. Watch, I will make them come and bow down at your feet [in respect] and [they will] know that I have loved you. read more.
Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth.

"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

As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He spoke out, and said, "You people [think you] know who I am and where I come from. I have not come on my own authority, but God, who sent me, is true and you do not know Him. Verse ConceptsHonestyGod Is TruthfulThe Cries Of ChristChrist TeachingChrist In The TempleThe One Who Sent ChristWhere From?

"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


"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