Study Desk

"Write to the angel of the church in Sardis: "The One who has the seven spirits of God^(a) and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation^[a] for being alive, but you are dead.

Be alert and strengthen^[b] what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before My God.

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come^[c] like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.^[d]

But you have a few people^[e] in Sardis who have not defiled^[f] their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy.

In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life^(b) but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels.

"Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

"Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: "The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens^(c) says:

I 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 that no one is able to close.

Take 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, and they will know that I have loved you. ^(d)

Because you have kept My command to endure,^[g] I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have,^(e) so that no one takes your crown.

The victor: I will make him a pillar 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, which comes down out of heaven from My God—and My new name. ^(f)

"Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

"Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: "The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator ^[h](g) of God's creation says:

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit^[i] you out of My mouth.

Because you say, ‘I'm rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked,

I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed^[j] and repent.

Listen! 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.

The victor: I will give him the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne.

"Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

Immediately I was in the Spirit,^[a](a) and a throne was set there in heaven.^(b) One was seated on the throne,

and the One seated^[b] looked like jasper^[c] and carnelian^[d] stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.

Around that throne were 24 thrones, and on the thrones sat 24 elders dressed in white clothes, with gold crowns on their heads.

Flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder came from the throne. Seven fiery torches were burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.^(c)

Something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal, was also before the throne. Four living creatures^(d) covered with eyes in front and in back were in the middle^[e] and around the throne.

The first living creature was like a lion; the second living creature was like a calf; the third living creature had a face like a man; and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.

Each of the four living creatures had six wings;^(e) they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop,^[f] saying: Holy, holy, holy,^[g] Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, the One who lives forever and ever,

the 24 elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, worship the One who lives forever and ever, cast their crowns before the throne, and say:

Our Lord and God,^[h] You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.