2who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
3Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near.
4John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;
5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood—
6and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
9I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11saying, “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.
13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.
16He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man.He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
Introduction to the Seven Churches
The seven churches are first introduced in 1:4 whereby John addresses the Book of Revelation to them (1:11). Described as the “seven lampstands” in 1:20, these real churches, namely, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, are located in the Roman province of Asia Minor (modern southwestern Turkey). In chapters 2-3 a letter is specifically written to each of them, dictated to the apostle John from Jesus Christ (e.g., Rev. 2:1). Each letter addresses their spiritual conditions. For example, the church at Ephesus is commended for its rejection of evil, its endurance, patience, and doctrinal vigilance. But this church is rebuked for serving God out of orthodoxy, not passionate agape-love (cf. Matt. 10:37; Mark 12:28-34). In fact, an examination into each letter reveals a general outline used for all: (1) self-description of Christ which is most apropos to the church’s situation (cf. drawn from Revelation 1:12-20), (2) commendation, (3) criticism, (4) correction, (5) consequence of disobedience, and (6) a promise or incentive for obedience.
There are three minor exceptions to the comments seen above in reference to four of the churches. Smyrna and Philadelphia were not rebuked, though they were warned of the need to obey the instructions of Christ. Sardis and Laodicea are unique among the churches in that they received no commendation. The messages given to the historical churches are applicable today, and the admonition to overcome refers to all believers (cf verses 2-3, 10c, 13, 19, 25; 3:3, 8, 10; 1 Jn 5:4-5.