Study Desk

But these people attack with insults anything they do not understand; and those things that they know by instinct, like wild animals, are the very things that destroy them.

With their shameless carousing they are like dirty spots in your fellowship meals. They take care only of themselves. They are like clouds carried along by the wind, but bringing no rain. They are like trees that bear no fruit, even in autumn, trees that have been pulled up by the roots and are completely dead.

But remember, my friends, what you were told in the past by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,

save others by snatching them out of the fire; and to others show mercy mixed with fear, but hate their very clothes, stained by their sinful lusts.

I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.

I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars.

But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.

But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

I know your troubles; I know that you are poor—but really you are rich! I know the evil things said against you by those who claim to be Jews but are not; they are a group that belongs to Satan!

But there are a few things I have against you: there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak how to lead the people of Israel into sin by persuading them to eat food that had been offered to idols and to practice sexual immorality.

But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads my servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols.

I have given her time to repent of her sins, but she does not want to turn from her immorality.

"But the rest of you in Thyatira have not followed this evil teaching; you have not learned what the others call ‘the deep secrets of Satan.' I say to you that I will not put any other burden on you.

But until I come, you must hold firmly to what you have.

But a few of you there in Sardis have kept your clothes clean. You will walk with me, clothed in white, because you are worthy to do so.

Listen! As for that group that belongs to Satan, those liars who claim that they are Jews but are not, I will make them come and bow down at your feet. They will all know that I love you.

But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!

You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind.

But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it.