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The Dead Church
1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who ⚓has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
3⚓Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and ⚓repent. ⚓Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you ⚓as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
4You have ⚓a few names even in Sardis who have not ⚓defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me ⚓in white, for they are worthy.
5He who overcomes ⚓shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not ⚓blot out his name from the ⚓Book of Life; but ⚓I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6⚓“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The Faithful Church
7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says ⚓He who is holy, ⚓He who is true, ⚓“He who has the key of David, ⚓He who opens and no one shuts, and ⚓shuts and no one opens”:
8⚓“I know your works. See, I have set before you ⚓an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9Indeed I will make ⚓those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed ⚓I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10Because you have kept My command to persevere, ⚓I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon ⚓the whole world, to test those who dwell ⚓on the earth.
11Behold,⚓I am coming quickly! ⚓Hold fast what you have, that no one may take ⚓your crown.
12He who overcomes, I will make him ⚓a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall ⚓go out no more. ⚓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 I will write on him My new name.
13⚓“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
The Lukewarm Church
14“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
⚓‘These things says the Amen, ⚓the Faithful and True Witness, ⚓the Beginning of the creation of God:
15⚓“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
17Because you say, ⚓‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
18I counsel you ⚓to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and ⚓white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19⚓As many as I love, I rebuke and ⚓chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
20Behold, ⚓I stand at the door and knock. ⚓If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, ⚓I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21To him who overcomes ⚓I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22⚓“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”