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The Letter to Sardis
1“Write to the angel of the church in Sardis:
“The One who has the seven spirits of God Rv 1:4; 4:5; 5:6 and the seven stars Rv 1:16,20; 2:1 says: I know your works; Rv 2:2,19; 3:8,15 you have a reputation Lit have a name for being alive, but you are dead. Rm 6:11
2Be alert Mt 25:13; 26:40-41; Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; 1Pt 5:8; 2Pt 3:10 and strengthen Other mss read guard what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.
3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come Other mss add upon you like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you. Or upon you Mt 24:42-44; Mk 13:32-37; Lk 12:35-40; 1Th 5:1-11; Rv 16:15
4But you have a few people Lit few names in Sardis who have not defiled Or soiled their clothes, Zch 3:3-4; 2Co 7:1; Rv 14:4 and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy.
5In the same way, the victor 1Jn 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4-5; Rv 2:7,11,17,26; 3:12,21 will be dressed in white clothes, Mt 17:2; Rv 3:18; 4:4 and I will never erase his name from the book of life Dt 32:32-33; Ps 69:28; Dn 12:1; Rv 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27 but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.
6“Anyone who has an ear should listen Mt 11:15; 13:9,43; Lk 8:8; 14:35 to what the Spirit says Ac 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 21:11; 28:25; 1Tm 4:1; Heb 3:7; 10:15; Rv 14:13; 22:17 to the churches.
The Letter to Philadelphia
7“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia:
“The Holy One, the True One, 1Jn 5:20; Rv 6:10; 19:11 the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens Is 22:22; Mt 16:19 says:
8I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3 that no one is able to close.
9Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying — note this — I will make them come and bow down at your feet, Is 45:14; 49:23; 60:14; 1Co 14:25 and they will know that I have loved you. Is 43:4
10Because you have kept My command to endure, Lit My word of endurance I will also keep you from the hour of testing Lk 8:13; Heb 3:8; 1Pt 4:12 that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Rv 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8,14; 17:8
11I am coming quickly. Rv 22:7,12,20 Hold on to what you have, Rv 2:25 so that no one takes your crown. 1Co 9:25; 1Th 2:19; 2Tm 4:8; Jms 1:12; 1Pt 5:4
12The victor: I will make him a pillar 1Kg 7:21; 2Ch 3:17; Jr 1:18; Gl 2:9 in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God — the new Jerusalem, Ezk 48:35; Gl 4:26; Heb 12:22; Rv 21:2 which comes down out of heaven from My God — and My new name. Rv 2:17; 7:3; 14:1; 22:4
13“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
The Letter to Laodicea
14“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:
“The Amen, 2Co 1:20 the faithful and true Witness, the Originator Or Ruler, or Source, or Beginning Mk 10:6; 13:19; Jn 1:1-5; Col 1:18; 2Pt 3:4 of God’s creation says:
15I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit Or spit you out of My mouth.
17Because you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ Hs 12:8; Zch 11:5; 1Co 4:8 and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,
18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, Zch 13:9; 1Pt 1:7 white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, Gn 2:25; Is 20:4; Ezk 23:29; Rv 16:15 and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
19As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. Heb 12:26 So be committed Or be zealous and repent.
20Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. Lk 24:29-30
21The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, Mt 19:28; 2Tm 2:12; Rv 20:4 just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”