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Ephesus
New American Standard Bible
Revelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
Revelation 2:2
‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
Revelation 2:3
and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:5
Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
Revelation 2:6
Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Revelation 2:8
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
Revelation 2:9
‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’
Revelation 2:12
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
Revelation 2:13
‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.
Revelation 2:15
So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:16
Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.
Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’
Revelation 2:18
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:
Revelation 2:19
‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
Revelation 2:22
Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
Revelation 2:23
And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:24
But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you.
Revelation 2:25
Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Revelation 2:26
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
Revelation 2:27
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;
Revelation 2:28
and I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 2:29
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Cross References
Revelation 2:1: Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:12; Revelation 2:2: Revelation 2:19; 3:1, 8, 15; John 6:6; 1 John 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:3: John 15:21; Revelation 2:4: Jeremiah 2:2; Matthew 24:12; Revelation 2:5: Revelation 2:16, 22; 3:3, 19; Revelation 2:5: Hebrews 10:32; Revelation 2:2; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:6: Revelation 2:15; Revelation 2:7: Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:11, 17; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Revelation 2:11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Genesis 2:9; 3:22; Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 22:2, 14; Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8; Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:8: Revelation 1:11; Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:17; 22:13; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 2:9: Revelation 1:9; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9; James 2:5; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9; James 2:5; Revelation 3:9; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 2:13, 24; Revelation 2:10: Revelation 3:10; 13:14; Daniel 1:12, 14; Revelation 2:13; 12:11; 17:14; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 2:11: Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:7, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Revelation 2:7, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8; Revelation 2:12: Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:16; 2:16; Revelation 2:13: Matthew 4:10; Revelation 2:24; 1 Timothy 5:8; Revelation 14:12; Acts 22:20; Revelation 1:5; 11:3; 17:6; Revelation 2:10; 12:11; 17:14; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 2:14: Revelation 2:20; Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15; Numbers 25:1; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 2:15: Revelation 2:6; Revelation 2:16: Revelation 2:5; Revelation 22:7, 20; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:17 : Revelation 2:7 ; Exodus 16:33; John 6:49; Isaiah 56:5; 62:2; 65:15; Revelation 14:3; 19:12; Revelation 2:18: Revelation 1:11; 2:24; Matthew 4:3; Revelation 1:14; Revelation 2:19: Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:20: Revelation 2:14; 1 Kings 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kings 9:7, 22, 30; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:21: Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:5; Revelation 9:20; 16:9, 11; Revelation 2:22: Revelation 17:2; 18:9; Revelation 2:23: Psalm 7:9; 26:2; 139:1; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; Matthew 16:27; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; Romans 8:27; Psalm 62:12; Revelation 2:24: Revelation 2:18; Revelation 2:24: 1 Corinthians 2:10; Acts 15:28; Revelation 2:25: Revelation 3:11; Revelation 2:25: John 21:22; Revelation 2:26: Revelation 2:7; Matthew 10:22; Hebrews 3:6; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 3:21; 20:4; Revelation 2:27: Psalm 2:9; Revelation 12:5; 19:15; Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 19:11; Revelation 2:28: 1 John 3:2; Rev 22:16; Revelation 2:29: Revelation 2:7
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Adultery
Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin. The Mosaic law prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried by the ordeal of the water of jealousy.
There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the Rabbis made various regulations with the view of discovering the guilty party, and of bringing about a divorce.
It has been inferred that this sin became very common during the age preceding the destruction of Jerusalem. Idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy are spoken of as adultery spiritually. An apostate church is an adulteress, and the Jews are styled an adulterous generation.
Astronomy
The Hebrews were devout students of the wonders of the starry firmament. In the Book of Job, which is the oldest book of the Bible in all probability, the constellations are distinguished and named.
Mention is made of the morning star, the seven stars and Pleiades, Orion, Arcturus, the Great Bear, the crooked serpent, Draco, the Dioscuri, or Gemini, Castor and Pollux. The stars were called the host of heaven. The oldest divisions of time were mainly based on the observation of the movements of the heavenly bodies, the ordinances of heaven.
Such observations led to the division of the year into months and the mapping out of the appearances of the stars into twelve portions, which received from the Greeks the name of the zodiac.
The word Mazzaroth means, as the margin notes, the twelve signs of the zodiac. Astronomical observations were also necessary among the Jews in order to the fixing of the proper time for sacred ceremonies, the new moons, the passover. Many allusions are found to the display of God's wisdom and power as seen in the starry heavens.
Balaam
Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites. He resided at Pethor, in Mesopotamia.
It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfill Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter refers to this as an historical event.
In reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them.
In a battle between Israel and the Midianites Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak. The doctrine of Balaam is in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin.
Church
Derived probably from the Greek, which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew of the Old Testament both words meaning simply an assembly the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found.
There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever used to denote the inhabitants of a country united in the same profession as when we say the Church of England or the Church of Scotland.
We find the word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament. It is translated assembly in the ordinary classical sense. It denotes the whole body of the redeemed all those whom the Father has given to Christ the invisible catholic church.
A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia. All the Christians in a particular city whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship were an ecclesia.
Thus all the disciples in Antioch forming several congregations were one church so also we read of the church of God at Corinth, the church at Jerusalem, the church of Ephesus. The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world are the church of Christ.
The church visible consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion,together with their children. It is called visible because its members are known and its assemblies are public. Here there is a mixture of wheat and chaff of saints and sinners.
God has commanded his people to organize themselves into distinct visible ecclesiastical communities, with constitutions, laws, and officers, badges, ordinances, and discipline, for the great purpose of giving visibility to his kingdom, of making known the gospel of that kingdom and of gathering in all its elect subjects.
Each one of these distinct organized communities which is faithful to the great King is an integral part of the visible church, and all together constitute the catholic or universal visible church.
A credible profession of the true religion constitutes a person a member of this church. This is the kingdom of heaven whose character and progress are set forth in the parables recorded in Matthew.
The children of all who thus profess the true religion are members of the visible church along with their parents. Children are included in every covenant God ever made with man.
They go along with their parents. Peter, on the day of Pentecost at the beginning of the New Testament dispensation announces the same great principle. The promise is unto you, and to your children. The children of believing parents are holy and saints a title which designates the members of the Christian church.
Crown
Denotes the plate of gold in the front of the high priest's mitre. The same Hebrew word so rendered denotes the diadem worn by Saul in battle, and also that which was used at the coronation of Joash.
The more general name in Hebrew for a crown, meaning a circlet. This is used of crowns and head ornaments of divers kinds, including royal crowns. Such was the crown taken from the king of Ammon by David. The crown worn by the Assyrian kings was a high mitre, sometimes adorned with flowers.
There are sculptures also representing the crowns worn by the early Egyptian and Persian kings. Sometimes a diadem surrounded the royal head dress of two or three fillets.
This probably signified that the wearer had dominion over two or three countries, we read of many crowns, a token of extended dominion. The ancient Persian crown, a chaplet, a high cap or tiara. Crowns were worn sometimes to represent honor and power.
They were worn at marriages, and at feasts and public festivals. The crown was among the Romans and Greeks a symbol of victory and reward.
The crown or wreath worn by the victors in the Olympic games was made of leaves of the wild olive; in the Pythian games, of laurel; in the Nemean games, of parsley; and in the Isthmian games, of the pine. The Romans bestowed the civic crown on him who saved the life of a citizen. It was made of the leaves of the oak.
In opposition to all these fading crowns the apostles speak of the incorruptible crown, the crown of life that fades not away. Probably the word amaranth was applied to flowers we call everlasting, the immortal amaranth.
Daystar
Precedes and accompanies the sun-rising. It is found only in 2 Pet. 1:19, where it denotes the manifestation of Christ to the soul, imparting spiritual light and comfort. He is the bright and morning star.
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in The dust shall return to the earth as it was. Thou takes away their breath, they die.
It is the dissolution of our earthly house of this tabernacle; the putting off this tabernacle. Being unclothed. Falling on sleep. I go whence I shall not return; Make me to know mine end; to depart. The grave is represented as the gates of death.
The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the shadow of death. Death is the effect of sin, and not a debt of nature. It is but once, universal, necessary. Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers. There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, the death of the soul under the power of sin.
The second death is the everlasting perdition of the wicked, and second in respect to natural or temporal death. THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth.
But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want.
The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty. Christ keeps an account of every hour's work his servants do for him, and their labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience.
And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared.
Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Savior considers this indifference as sinful.
They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavor to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God. If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of his displeasure.
Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference as to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh.
We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward. All who persevere, shall derive from Christ, as the Tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly.
This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven; and the looking forward to them in this world, by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit.
Believers, take your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him were all things made; he was before all things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge of all. As this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's Brother and Friend, he must be rich in the deepest poverty, honorable amidst the lowest abasement, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church of Smyrna.
Many who are rich as to this world, are poor as to the next; and some who are poor outwardly, are inwardly rich; rich in faith, in good works, rich in privileges, rich in gifts, rich in hope. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty may be well borne; and when God's people are made poor as to this life, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them in spiritual riches.
Christ arms against coming troubles. Fear none of these things; not only forbid slavish fear, but subdue it, furnishing the soul with strength and courage. It should be to try them, not to destroy them. Observe, the sureness of the reward; to I will give thee: to they shall have the reward from Christ's own hand.
Also, how suitable it is; to a crown of life: to the life worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with a much better life, which shall be eternal.
The second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in the agonies of it, and as it is eternal death: it is indeed awful to die, and to be always dying. If a man is kept from the second death and wrath to come, he may patiently endure whatever he meets with in this world.
Christians are called out of the world, from the evil spirit and temper of it; called above the world, to higher and better things, to heaven, things unseen and eternal; called from sin to Christ, from vanity to seriousness, from uncleanness to holiness; and this according to the Divine purpose and grace.
If sanctified and glorified, all the honor and glory must be ascribed to God, and to him alone. As it is God who begins the work of grace in the souls of men, so it is he who carries it on, and perfects it. Let us not trust in ourselves, nor in our stock of grace already received, but in him, and in him alone.
The mercy of God is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for; mercy, not only to the miserable, but to the guilty. Next to mercy is peace, which we have from the sense of having obtained mercy. From peace springs love; Christ's love to us, our love to him, and our brotherly love to one another.
The apostle prays, not that Christians may be content with a little; but that their souls and societies may be full of these things. None are shut out from gospel offers and invitations, but those who obstinately and wickedly shut themselves out.
But the application is to all believers, and only to such. It is to the weak as well as to the strong. Those who have received the doctrine of this common salvation, must contend for it, earnestly, not furiously. Lying for the truth is bad; scolding for it is not better.
Those who have received the truth must contend for it, as the apostles did; by suffering with patience and courage for it, not by making others suffer if they will not embrace every notion we call faith, or important. We ought to contend earnestly for the faith, in opposition to those who would corrupt or deprave it; who creep in unawares; who glide in like serpents.
And those are the worst of the ungodly, who take encouragement to sin boldly, because the grace of God has abounded, and still abounds so wonderfully, and who are hardened by the extent and fulness of gospel grace, the design of which is to deliver men from sin, and bring them unto God.
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes.
In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostasy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their steadfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew.
Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favor to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support.
This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.
Outward privileges, profession, and apparent conversion, could not secure those from the vengeance of God, who turned aside in unbelief and disobedience. The destruction of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, shows that none ought to presume on their privileges.
They had miracles as their daily bread; yet even they perished in unbelief. A great number of the angels were not pleased with the stations God allotted to them; pride was the main and direct cause or occasion of their fall. The fallen angels are kept to the judgment of the great day; and shall fallen men escape it? Surely not.
Consider this in due time. The destruction of Sodom is a loud warning to all, to take heed of, and flee from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. God is the same holy, just, pure Being now, as then. Stand in awe, therefore, and sin not.
Let us not rest in anything that does not make the soul subject to the obedience of Christ; for nothing but the renewal of our souls to the Divine image by the Holy Spirit, can keep us from being destroyed among the enemies of God. Consider this instance of the angels, and see that no dignity or worth of the creature is of avail. How then should man tremble, who drinks iniquity like water!
Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better.
All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church connived at some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper.
Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of which those who know the least are the most happy. How tender Christ is of his faithful servants!
He lays nothing upon his servants but what is for their good. There is promise of an ample reward to the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to their power and dominion.
Christ brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory, in the presence and enjoyment of him their Lord and Savior. After every victory let us follow up our advantage against the enemy, that we may overcome and keep the works of Christ to the end.
False teachers are dreamers and they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These teachers are of a disturbed mind and a seditious spirit forgetting that the powers that be are ordained of God.
As to the contest about the body of Moses it appears that Satan wished to make the place of his burial known to the Israelites in order to tempt them to worship him but he was prevented and vented his rage in desperate blasphemy. This should remind all who dispute never to bring railing charges.
Also learn that we ought to defend those whom God owns. It is hard if not impossible to find any enemies to the Christian religion who did not and do not live in open or secret contradiction to the principles of natural religion.
Such are here compared to brute beasts though they often boast of themselves as the wisest of mankind. They corrupt themselves in the things most open and plain.
The fault lies not in their understandings but in their depraved wills and their disordered appetites and affections. It is a great reproach though unjust to religion when those who profess it are opposed to it in heart and life.
The Lord will remedy this in his time and way not in men's blind way of plucking up the wheat with the tares. It is sad when men begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Twice dead they had been once dead in their natural fallen state but now they are dead again by the evident proofs of their hypocrisy. Dead trees why cumber they the ground! Away with them to the fire.
Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers but when they get into port the noise and terror are ended. False teachers are to expect the worst punishments in this world and in that to come.
They glare like meteors or falling stars and then sink into the blackness of darkness for ever. We have no mention of the prophecy of Enoch in any other part or place of Scripture yet one plain text of Scripture proves any point we are to believe.
We find from this that Christ's coming to judge was prophesied of as early as the times before the flood. The Lord cometh what a glorious time will that be! Notice how often the word to ungodly to is repeated. Many now do not at all refer to the terms godly or ungodly unless it be to mock at even the words but it is not so in the language taught us by the Holy Ghost.
Hard speeches of one another, especially if ill grounded will certainly come into account at the day of judgment. These evil men and seducers are angry at every thing that happens and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy are their only rule and law. Those who please their sinful appetites are most prone to yield to ungovernable passions. The men of God from the beginning of the world have declared the doom denounced on them such let us avoid. We are to follow men only as they follow Christ.
Revelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
Revelation 2:2
‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
Revelation 2:3
and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary.
Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:5
Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
Revelation 2:6
Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’
Revelation 2:8
“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:
Revelation 2:9
‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:11
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’
Revelation 2:12
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
Revelation 2:13
‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality.
Revelation 2:15
So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Revelation 2:16
Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.
Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’
Revelation 2:18
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:
Revelation 2:19
‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
Revelation 2:22
Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
Revelation 2:23
And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:24
But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you.
Revelation 2:25
Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Revelation 2:26
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
Revelation 2:27
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;
Revelation 2:28
and I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 2:29
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Cross References
Revelation 2:1: Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:12; Revelation 2:2: Revelation 2:19; 3:1, 8, 15; John 6:6; 1 John 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:3: John 15:21; Revelation 2:4: Jeremiah 2:2; Matthew 24:12; Revelation 2:5: Revelation 2:16, 22; 3:3, 19; Revelation 2:5: Hebrews 10:32; Revelation 2:2; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:6: Revelation 2:15; Revelation 2:7: Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:11, 17; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Revelation 2:11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Genesis 2:9; 3:22; Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 22:2, 14; Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8; Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:8: Revelation 1:11; Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:17; 22:13; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 2:9: Revelation 1:9; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9; James 2:5; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9; James 2:5; Revelation 3:9; Matthew 4:10; Revelation 2:13, 24; Revelation 2:10: Revelation 3:10; 13:14; Daniel 1:12, 14; Revelation 2:13; 12:11; 17:14; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 2:11: Matthew 11:15; Revelation 2:7, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Revelation 2:7, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8; Revelation 2:12: Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:16; 2:16; Revelation 2:13: Matthew 4:10; Revelation 2:24; 1 Timothy 5:8; Revelation 14:12; Acts 22:20; Revelation 1:5; 11:3; 17:6; Revelation 2:10; 12:11; 17:14; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 2:14: Revelation 2:20; Numbers 31:16; 2 Peter 2:15; Numbers 25:1; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 2:15: Revelation 2:6; Revelation 2:16: Revelation 2:5; Revelation 22:7, 20; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:17 : Revelation 2:7 ; Exodus 16:33; John 6:49; Isaiah 56:5; 62:2; 65:15; Revelation 14:3; 19:12; Revelation 2:18: Revelation 1:11; 2:24; Matthew 4:3; Revelation 1:14; Revelation 2:19: Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:20: Revelation 2:14; 1 Kings 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kings 9:7, 22, 30; Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:21: Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:5; Revelation 9:20; 16:9, 11; Revelation 2:22: Revelation 17:2; 18:9; Revelation 2:23: Psalm 7:9; 26:2; 139:1; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; Matthew 16:27; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; Romans 8:27; Psalm 62:12; Revelation 2:24: Revelation 2:18; Revelation 2:24: 1 Corinthians 2:10; Acts 15:28; Revelation 2:25: Revelation 3:11; Revelation 2:25: John 21:22; Revelation 2:26: Revelation 2:7; Matthew 10:22; Hebrews 3:6; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 3:21; 20:4; Revelation 2:27: Psalm 2:9; Revelation 12:5; 19:15; Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 19:11; Revelation 2:28: 1 John 3:2; Rev 22:16; Revelation 2:29: Revelation 2:7
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Adultery
Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin. The Mosaic law prescribed that the suspected wife should be tried by the ordeal of the water of jealousy.
There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the Rabbis made various regulations with the view of discovering the guilty party, and of bringing about a divorce.
It has been inferred that this sin became very common during the age preceding the destruction of Jerusalem. Idolatry, covetousness, and apostasy are spoken of as adultery spiritually. An apostate church is an adulteress, and the Jews are styled an adulterous generation.
Astronomy
The Hebrews were devout students of the wonders of the starry firmament. In the Book of Job, which is the oldest book of the Bible in all probability, the constellations are distinguished and named.
Mention is made of the morning star, the seven stars and Pleiades, Orion, Arcturus, the Great Bear, the crooked serpent, Draco, the Dioscuri, or Gemini, Castor and Pollux. The stars were called the host of heaven. The oldest divisions of time were mainly based on the observation of the movements of the heavenly bodies, the ordinances of heaven.
Such observations led to the division of the year into months and the mapping out of the appearances of the stars into twelve portions, which received from the Greeks the name of the zodiac.
The word Mazzaroth means, as the margin notes, the twelve signs of the zodiac. Astronomical observations were also necessary among the Jews in order to the fixing of the proper time for sacred ceremonies, the new moons, the passover. Many allusions are found to the display of God's wisdom and power as seen in the starry heavens.
Balaam
Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites. He resided at Pethor, in Mesopotamia.
It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfill Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter refers to this as an historical event.
In reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them.
In a battle between Israel and the Midianites Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak. The doctrine of Balaam is in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin.
Church
Derived probably from the Greek, which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew of the Old Testament both words meaning simply an assembly the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found.
There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post apostolic times it early received this meaning. Nor is this word ever used to denote the inhabitants of a country united in the same profession as when we say the Church of England or the Church of Scotland.
We find the word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament. It is translated assembly in the ordinary classical sense. It denotes the whole body of the redeemed all those whom the Father has given to Christ the invisible catholic church.
A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia. All the Christians in a particular city whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship were an ecclesia.
Thus all the disciples in Antioch forming several congregations were one church so also we read of the church of God at Corinth, the church at Jerusalem, the church of Ephesus. The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world are the church of Christ.
The church visible consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion,together with their children. It is called visible because its members are known and its assemblies are public. Here there is a mixture of wheat and chaff of saints and sinners.
God has commanded his people to organize themselves into distinct visible ecclesiastical communities, with constitutions, laws, and officers, badges, ordinances, and discipline, for the great purpose of giving visibility to his kingdom, of making known the gospel of that kingdom and of gathering in all its elect subjects.
Each one of these distinct organized communities which is faithful to the great King is an integral part of the visible church, and all together constitute the catholic or universal visible church.
A credible profession of the true religion constitutes a person a member of this church. This is the kingdom of heaven whose character and progress are set forth in the parables recorded in Matthew.
The children of all who thus profess the true religion are members of the visible church along with their parents. Children are included in every covenant God ever made with man.
They go along with their parents. Peter, on the day of Pentecost at the beginning of the New Testament dispensation announces the same great principle. The promise is unto you, and to your children. The children of believing parents are holy and saints a title which designates the members of the Christian church.
Crown
Denotes the plate of gold in the front of the high priest's mitre. The same Hebrew word so rendered denotes the diadem worn by Saul in battle, and also that which was used at the coronation of Joash.
The more general name in Hebrew for a crown, meaning a circlet. This is used of crowns and head ornaments of divers kinds, including royal crowns. Such was the crown taken from the king of Ammon by David. The crown worn by the Assyrian kings was a high mitre, sometimes adorned with flowers.
There are sculptures also representing the crowns worn by the early Egyptian and Persian kings. Sometimes a diadem surrounded the royal head dress of two or three fillets.
This probably signified that the wearer had dominion over two or three countries, we read of many crowns, a token of extended dominion. The ancient Persian crown, a chaplet, a high cap or tiara. Crowns were worn sometimes to represent honor and power.
They were worn at marriages, and at feasts and public festivals. The crown was among the Romans and Greeks a symbol of victory and reward.
The crown or wreath worn by the victors in the Olympic games was made of leaves of the wild olive; in the Pythian games, of laurel; in the Nemean games, of parsley; and in the Isthmian games, of the pine. The Romans bestowed the civic crown on him who saved the life of a citizen. It was made of the leaves of the oak.
In opposition to all these fading crowns the apostles speak of the incorruptible crown, the crown of life that fades not away. Probably the word amaranth was applied to flowers we call everlasting, the immortal amaranth.
Daystar
Precedes and accompanies the sun-rising. It is found only in 2 Pet. 1:19, where it denotes the manifestation of Christ to the soul, imparting spiritual light and comfort. He is the bright and morning star.
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in The dust shall return to the earth as it was. Thou takes away their breath, they die.
It is the dissolution of our earthly house of this tabernacle; the putting off this tabernacle. Being unclothed. Falling on sleep. I go whence I shall not return; Make me to know mine end; to depart. The grave is represented as the gates of death.
The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the shadow of death. Death is the effect of sin, and not a debt of nature. It is but once, universal, necessary. Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers. There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, the death of the soul under the power of sin.
The second death is the everlasting perdition of the wicked, and second in respect to natural or temporal death. THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth.
But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want.
The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty. Christ keeps an account of every hour's work his servants do for him, and their labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience.
And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared.
Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Savior considers this indifference as sinful.
They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavor to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God. If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of his displeasure.
Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference as to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh.
We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward. All who persevere, shall derive from Christ, as the Tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly.
This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven; and the looking forward to them in this world, by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit.
Believers, take your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him were all things made; he was before all things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge of all. As this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's Brother and Friend, he must be rich in the deepest poverty, honorable amidst the lowest abasement, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church of Smyrna.
Many who are rich as to this world, are poor as to the next; and some who are poor outwardly, are inwardly rich; rich in faith, in good works, rich in privileges, rich in gifts, rich in hope. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty may be well borne; and when God's people are made poor as to this life, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them in spiritual riches.
Christ arms against coming troubles. Fear none of these things; not only forbid slavish fear, but subdue it, furnishing the soul with strength and courage. It should be to try them, not to destroy them. Observe, the sureness of the reward; to I will give thee: to they shall have the reward from Christ's own hand.
Also, how suitable it is; to a crown of life: to the life worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with a much better life, which shall be eternal.
The second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in the agonies of it, and as it is eternal death: it is indeed awful to die, and to be always dying. If a man is kept from the second death and wrath to come, he may patiently endure whatever he meets with in this world.
Christians are called out of the world, from the evil spirit and temper of it; called above the world, to higher and better things, to heaven, things unseen and eternal; called from sin to Christ, from vanity to seriousness, from uncleanness to holiness; and this according to the Divine purpose and grace.
If sanctified and glorified, all the honor and glory must be ascribed to God, and to him alone. As it is God who begins the work of grace in the souls of men, so it is he who carries it on, and perfects it. Let us not trust in ourselves, nor in our stock of grace already received, but in him, and in him alone.
The mercy of God is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for; mercy, not only to the miserable, but to the guilty. Next to mercy is peace, which we have from the sense of having obtained mercy. From peace springs love; Christ's love to us, our love to him, and our brotherly love to one another.
The apostle prays, not that Christians may be content with a little; but that their souls and societies may be full of these things. None are shut out from gospel offers and invitations, but those who obstinately and wickedly shut themselves out.
But the application is to all believers, and only to such. It is to the weak as well as to the strong. Those who have received the doctrine of this common salvation, must contend for it, earnestly, not furiously. Lying for the truth is bad; scolding for it is not better.
Those who have received the truth must contend for it, as the apostles did; by suffering with patience and courage for it, not by making others suffer if they will not embrace every notion we call faith, or important. We ought to contend earnestly for the faith, in opposition to those who would corrupt or deprave it; who creep in unawares; who glide in like serpents.
And those are the worst of the ungodly, who take encouragement to sin boldly, because the grace of God has abounded, and still abounds so wonderfully, and who are hardened by the extent and fulness of gospel grace, the design of which is to deliver men from sin, and bring them unto God.
The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes.
In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostasy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their steadfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew.
Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favor to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support.
This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.
Outward privileges, profession, and apparent conversion, could not secure those from the vengeance of God, who turned aside in unbelief and disobedience. The destruction of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, shows that none ought to presume on their privileges.
They had miracles as their daily bread; yet even they perished in unbelief. A great number of the angels were not pleased with the stations God allotted to them; pride was the main and direct cause or occasion of their fall. The fallen angels are kept to the judgment of the great day; and shall fallen men escape it? Surely not.
Consider this in due time. The destruction of Sodom is a loud warning to all, to take heed of, and flee from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. God is the same holy, just, pure Being now, as then. Stand in awe, therefore, and sin not.
Let us not rest in anything that does not make the soul subject to the obedience of Christ; for nothing but the renewal of our souls to the Divine image by the Holy Spirit, can keep us from being destroyed among the enemies of God. Consider this instance of the angels, and see that no dignity or worth of the creature is of avail. How then should man tremble, who drinks iniquity like water!
Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better.
All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church connived at some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper.
Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of which those who know the least are the most happy. How tender Christ is of his faithful servants!
He lays nothing upon his servants but what is for their good. There is promise of an ample reward to the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to their power and dominion.
Christ brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory, in the presence and enjoyment of him their Lord and Savior. After every victory let us follow up our advantage against the enemy, that we may overcome and keep the works of Christ to the end.
False teachers are dreamers and they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These teachers are of a disturbed mind and a seditious spirit forgetting that the powers that be are ordained of God.
As to the contest about the body of Moses it appears that Satan wished to make the place of his burial known to the Israelites in order to tempt them to worship him but he was prevented and vented his rage in desperate blasphemy. This should remind all who dispute never to bring railing charges.
Also learn that we ought to defend those whom God owns. It is hard if not impossible to find any enemies to the Christian religion who did not and do not live in open or secret contradiction to the principles of natural religion.
Such are here compared to brute beasts though they often boast of themselves as the wisest of mankind. They corrupt themselves in the things most open and plain.
The fault lies not in their understandings but in their depraved wills and their disordered appetites and affections. It is a great reproach though unjust to religion when those who profess it are opposed to it in heart and life.
The Lord will remedy this in his time and way not in men's blind way of plucking up the wheat with the tares. It is sad when men begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Twice dead they had been once dead in their natural fallen state but now they are dead again by the evident proofs of their hypocrisy. Dead trees why cumber they the ground! Away with them to the fire.
Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers but when they get into port the noise and terror are ended. False teachers are to expect the worst punishments in this world and in that to come.
They glare like meteors or falling stars and then sink into the blackness of darkness for ever. We have no mention of the prophecy of Enoch in any other part or place of Scripture yet one plain text of Scripture proves any point we are to believe.
We find from this that Christ's coming to judge was prophesied of as early as the times before the flood. The Lord cometh what a glorious time will that be! Notice how often the word to ungodly to is repeated. Many now do not at all refer to the terms godly or ungodly unless it be to mock at even the words but it is not so in the language taught us by the Holy Ghost.
Hard speeches of one another, especially if ill grounded will certainly come into account at the day of judgment. These evil men and seducers are angry at every thing that happens and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy are their only rule and law. Those who please their sinful appetites are most prone to yield to ungovernable passions. The men of God from the beginning of the world have declared the doom denounced on them such let us avoid. We are to follow men only as they follow Christ.
Genesis to Revelation Verse by Verse
Brands For Jesus Christ
The Way Christian Church
