1“To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write:
“He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lamp stands says these things:
2“I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 3You have perseverance and have endured for my name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent. 6But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
8“To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write:
“The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things:
9“I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.
12“To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write:
“He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13“I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15So also you likewise have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.
18“To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write:
“The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things:
19“I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. 20But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22Behold, I will throw her and those who commit adultery with her into a bed of great oppression, unless they repent of her works. 23I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira—as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of Satan’—to you I say, I am not putting any other burden on you. 25Nevertheless, hold that which you have firmly until I come. 26He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. 27He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots, as I also have received of my Father; 28and I will give him the morning star. 29He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
City of Laodicea, Lycus Valley of Asia Minor
Laodicea was situated on the south bank of the Lycus River, with Hierapolis its neighboring city to the north and Colossae to the east. It was one of five cities founded by the Seleucid ruler Antiochus II around 260 BC, which were named after his wife Laodice. Zeus was the main pagan deity of the city. Its location at a major road junction on the southern Anatolian highway caused the city to thrive as a commercial and banking center. After the Treaty of Apamea in 188 B.C., the city was transferred from Seleucid to Pergamene rule. When Roman control came in 129 B.C., Laodicea became a conventus city in the newly organized province of Asia. Twenty pounds of gold bound for the temple in Jerusalem was confiscated here by the proconsul Flaccus. This amount suggests a Jewish population of over 7,500 male adults plus women and children in the area.
Laodicea was often struck by earthquakes. One occurred during the reign of Augustus, and in 60 AD an earthquake devastated many Asian cities including Laodicea. Laodicea recovered from this quake using its own resources, an indication of Laodicea’s wealth and civic independence. The city was noted for a breed of sheep that produced soft, raven–black wool. Laodicea was also the home of a medical school in the first century. Laodicea is mentioned in Paul’s letter to the Colossians, which was to be read to the church in Laodicea (Col 4:16). It is possible that the circular letter to the Ephesians is the letter from the Laodiceans mentioned in the same verse. Laodicea is the final church addressed by John in Revelation 2-3. A bishop named Sagaris was martyred in Laodicea. The Council of Laodicea met here in AD 363.
Roman Road at Laodicea
Theater at Laodicea (Greek architecture)
Column with Menorah and Cross
Temple, Laodicea
Amphitheater at Laodicea
Laodicea