The voice said, “Write in a book all these things you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
Now write this on a sign so all people can see it. And write this in a book. Write these things for the last days. This will be far, far in the future:
There was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira. Her job was selling purple cloth. She worshiped the true God. Lydia listened to Paul. The Lord opened her heart. She believed the things Paul said.
A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. Apollos was born in the city of Alexandria. He was an educated man. He knew very much about the Scriptures. {\cf2\super [370]}
I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, to satisfy my own pride, then I have gained nothing. If people are not raised from death, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.” {\cf2\super [115]}
“So write down this song, and teach it to the people of Israel. Teach them to sing this song. Then this song will be a witness for me against the people of Israel.
I want you to stay in Ephesus. I asked you to do that when I went into Macedonia. Some people there in Ephesus are teaching false things. Stay there so that you can command those people not to teach those false things.
Here is the hidden meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands that you saw: The seven lampstands are the seven churches. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches.
The seven thunders spoke, and I started to write. But then I heard a voice from heaven. The voice said, “Don’t write what the seven thunders said. Keep those things secret.”
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Those people who are invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb are blessed (happy)!” Then the angel said, “These are the true words of God.”
“But you other people in Thyatira have not followed her teaching. You have not learned the things that they call Satan’s (the devil’s) deep secrets. This is what I say to you: I will not put any other burden on you.
The One that was sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.”
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to tell you these things for the churches (groups of believers). I am the descendant {\cf2\super [176]} from the family of David. {\cf2\super [177]} I am the bright morning star.”
But you have a few people \{in your group\} there in Sardis who have kept themselves clean. Those people will walk with me. They will wear white clothes, because they are worthy.