23And I will put her sons to death, and all the Churches shall know that I am the one who examines temperaments and hearts. 19I know your works, and your faith and charity, and your ministry and patient endurance, and that your more recent works are greater than the earlier ones. Yet, Jesus, the Son of God, is the perfect revelation … * [2:8] Smyrna: modern Izmir, ca. The tree of life that is in the garden of God: this is a reference to the tree in the primeval paradise (Gn 2:9); cf. * [2:24] The so-called deep secrets of Satan: literally, “the deep things of Satan,” a scathing reference to the perverse teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:15). 10You should fear nothing amid those things which you will suffer. [2:7] 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9; Mt 11:15. d. [2:14] Nm 22–24; 25:1–3; 31:16; 2 Pt 2:15; Jude 11. 17“‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will … Copyright 2019-2021 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy, On Fraternity and Social Friendship (Fratelli Tutti). The manner of Christ's appearing to him. 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. New name: this is a reference to the Christian’s rebirth in Christ; cf. 24and to the others who are at Thyatira: Whoever does not hold to this doctrine, and who has not ‘known the depths of Satan,’ as they say, I will not set any other weight upon you. a. * ‘These things says the Son of God, # Rev. Kindly note that this site is maintained by a small group of enthusiastic Catholics and this is not from any Church or any Religious Organization. 26“‘“To the victor,* who keeps to my ways* until the end. 2 “I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors.*. If you do not repent, I will … To Smyrna. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear evil men but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false; 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s … However, there is also an element of future application: Modern churches will be able to see the same conditions within themselves. 15And you also have those who hold to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. . Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. * I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.b Repent and do the things you did at first. They are warned against Satanic power or knowledge (Rev 2:24–25). * [2:2] Who call themselves,impostors: this refers to unauthorized and perverse missionaries; cf. REV 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 7“‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the *church in Sardis. 19“I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first. To him who prevails, I will give the hidden manna. Rev 3:4–5. Catholic Gallery offers Daily Mass Readings, Prayers, Quotes, Bible Online, Yearly plan to read bible, Saint of the day and much more. Revelation), written by John toward the end of the reign of Emperor Domitian (A.D. 95), when he was in exile on the island of Patmos. There is little evidence for connecting this group with Nicolaus, the proselyte from Antioch, mentioned in Acts 6:5. * [2:12–17] The letter to Pergamum praises the members of the church for persevering in their faith in Christ even in the midst of a pagan setting and in face of persecution and martyrdom (Rev 2:13). Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Letters of St. John, and Revelation Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch . 8“To the angel of the church in Smyrna,* write this: “‘The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: 20Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2 2 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 8And to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write: Thus says the First and the Last, he who was dead and now lives: 9I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich, and that you are blasphemed by those who declare themselves to be Jews and are not, but who are a synagogue of Satan. * 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman # 1 Kin. For any queries contact us through the e-mail address given below. 3 Blessed is the one* who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, … 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And thou hast patience, and hast endured for my name, and hast not fainted. . * [2:11] The second death: this refers to the eternal death, when sinners will receive their final punishment; cf. 21I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry. 12“To the angel of the church in Pergamum,* write this: “‘The one with the sharp two-edged sword says this: 1“And to the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write: Thus says the One who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your works, and your hardship and patient endurance, and that you cannot stand those who are evil. Revelation 2:1-7. Acts 14:2, 19; 17:5, 13. The Catholic faith is based on divine revelation. 2 Pt 2:15; Jude 11) and others who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:15; see note there). It also had an outstanding library (the word parchment is derived from its name). And thou hast tried them who say they are apostles and are not: and hast found them liars: tribulation. 28just as I received authority from my Father. Nm 25:1–3; 31:16; 2 Pt 2:15; Jude 11), the Nicolaitans in Pergamum and Ephesus (Rev 2:6) accommodated their Christian faith to paganism. For more information on the study Bible, or to * [2:18–29] The letter to Thyatira praises the progress in virtue of this small Christian community (Rev 2:19) but admonishes them for tolerating a false prophet who leads them astray (Rev 2:20). 22. 27And he shall rule them with an iron rod, and they shall be broken like the earthenware of a potter. 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks [] among the seven golden lampstands, says this:. Otherwise, they too shall die (Rev 2:23). 3And you have patient endurance for the sake of my name, and you have not fallen away. 13“I know that you live where Satan’s throne* is, and yet you hold fast to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give to you the crown of life. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tested. 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 14* Yet I have a few things against you. 16So do penance to the same extent. REV 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. And to him I will give the morning star. For this reason the Church held it necessary to issue special decrees on the subject in the Vatican Council. Revelation 2:1-3:22: To the *church in Ephesus. An online version of the translation of the Bible used in Catholic liturgy in the United States as well as an audio guide for daily Mass readings for the current three months can be found on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In this series, we will be going over the major themes of the Book of Revelation and decoding it from the Catholic perspective. Consider how far you have fallen! The Catholic Reader's Bible - Gospels & Acts, Epistles & Revelation (2 Book Set) Scripture in its original form – without all the verse numbers, section heads, comments, references, and footnotes; Generous, single-column pages graced with handsome, readable type; 2 volumes: The 4 Gospels & Acts of the Apostles, and The Epistles and Revelation Those who adopt this standpoint rely in the main on two fundamental objec… Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 7, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest … 9“I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna;* I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”’e. 1 A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him so that he could tell his servants what is now to take place very soon; he sent his angel to make it known to his servant John, 2 and John has borne witness to the Word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw. For Catholic Christians, the Bible--the Old and New Testaments--is more than a document of mere historical interest. * [2:1–3:22] Each of the seven letters follows the same pattern: address; description of the exalted Christ; blame and/or praise for the church addressed; threat and/or admonition; final exhortation and promise to all Christians. The other six churches were located in the same province, situated roughly in a circle; they were selected for geographical reasons rather than for the size of their Christian communities. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Those who remain faithful will share in the messianic reign, having authority over nations (Rev 2:26–27), and will in fact possess Christ himself (Rev 2:28). somewhat . The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan:* on you I will place no further burden, For you permit the woman Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and to eat the food of idolatry. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up … 25except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come. To Ephesus. 7Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. To the victor* I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God.”’a. Revelation 2:12-17. Ps 78:24–25. 2“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. For you have, in that place, those who hold to the doctrine of Balaam, who instructed Balak to cast a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat and to commit fornication. White amulet: literally, “white stone,” on which was written a magical name, whose power could be tapped by one who knew the secret name. forty miles southeast of Pergamum, a frontier town famous for its workers’ guilds (cf. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will … 5And so, call to mind the place from which you have fallen, and do penance, and do the first works. * [2:9–10] The church in Smyrna was materially poor but spiritually rich. It concludes with a reference to the Nicolaitans (see note on Rev 2:6) and a promise that the victor will have access to eternal life (Rev 2:7). thirty miles north of Ephesus, and the chief city of Lydia, with a temple to the goddess Roma. If you do less, I will come to you quickly and I will fight against these ones with the sword of my mouth. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,a. 14But I have a few things against you. * [2:7] Victor: referring to any Christian individual who holds fast to the faith and does God’s will in the face of persecution. 22So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works. Revelation 7:14 And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. 2 who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Revelation 2:2 I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them that are evil. Revelation 2, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest … 29“‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’. Of the three Revelation passages given for funerals, this is the one chosen most often: I saw a new heaven and a new earth. Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus and Thyatira. Ps 2:8–9) and resurrection victory over death, symbolized by the morning star; cf. 3 Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for … —The possibility of Revelation as above explained has been strenuously denied from various points of view during the last century. Acts 20:29–30. To the *church in Thyatira. The Book of Revelation is the most mysterious book of the Bible. Its antagonists may be divided into two classes according to the different standpoints from which they direct their attack, viz: (1) Rationalists (under this class we include both Deist and Agnostic writers). Acts 16:14), membership in which may have involved festal meals in pagan temples. The decree excluding humanity from the tree of life has been revoked by Christ. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. * book of Revelation 2:1–29 10Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Her fate is sealed, but there is hope of repentance for her followers (Rev 2:21–22). * [2:8–11] The letter to Smyrna encourages the Christians in this important commercial center by telling them that although they are impoverished, they are nevertheless rich, and calls those Jews who are slandering them members of the assembly of Satan (Rev 2:9). 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the … In many ways God spoke to us--He revealed Himself. But I say to you, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. The last book in the biblical canon of the New Testament is the book of the Apocalypse (a.k.a. 25Even so, that which you have, hold on to it until I return. To the Church in Ephesus(Acts 19:8–12; Ephesians 1:1–2). * [2:6] Nicolaitans: these are perhaps the impostors of Rev 2:2; see note on Rev 2:14–15. 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kin. Revelation 2:8-11. * [2:20] The scheming and treacherous Jezebel of old (cf. * [2:18] Thyatira: modern Akhisar, ca. Chapter 2 begins the messages to the seven churches. They abused the principle of liberty enunciated by Paul (1 Cor 9:19–23). 6But you have this in your favor: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans,* which I also hate. 22Behold, I will cast her onto a bed, and those who commit adultery with her shall be in a very great tribulation, unless they repent from their works. And I will give to him a white emblem, and on the emblem, a new name has been written, which no one knows, except the one who receives it. * [2:13] Satan’s throne: the reference is to emperor worship and other pagan practices that flourished in Pergamum, perhaps specifically to the white marble altar erected and dedicated to Zeus by Eumenes II (197–160 B.C.). To Thyatira. Repent, and do the works you did at first. The prophetic book is encrypted with many codes and riddles from the Old and New Testaments. 18And to the Angel of the Church of Thyatira write: Thus says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like shining brass. There is no admonition; rather, the Christians are told that they will suffer much, even death, but the time of tribulation will be short compared to their eternal reward (Rev 2:10), and they will thus escape final damnation (Rev 2:11). 16Therefore, repent. Revelation 2 New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) Message to Ephesus. Revelation 3:1-6. Divine Revelation "By Letter" (2 Thess 2:15): The Bible. This contains study questions for the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, the only Catholic study Bible based on the Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition. The Book of Revelation (also called the Apocalypse of John, Revelation to John or Revelation from Jesus Christ) is the final book of the New Testament, and consequently is also the final book of the Christian Bible.Its title is derived from the first word of the Koine Greek text: apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation. 2:2 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. * [2:14–15] Like Balaam, the biblical prototype of the religious compromiser (cf. The Bible calls itself "the Word of God." * [2:1–7] The letter to Ephesus praises the members of the church there for their works and virtues, including discerning false teachers (Rev 2:2–3), but admonishes them to repent and return to their former devotion (Rev 2:4–5). You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the Israelites: to eat food sacrificed to idols and to play the harlot.d * 9:7, 22, 30 Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and … And I will give to him the morning star. 18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira,* write this: “‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: 28The same I also have received from my Father. Revelation 2:18-29. 6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands: this signifies that Christ is always present in the church; see note on Rev 1:4. 1:14, 15 who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 # Rev. forty-five miles northeast of Smyrna, a center for various kinds of pagan worship. To him who prevails, I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of my God. CHAPTER 1. To the *church in Pergamum. St. John is ordered to write to the seven churches in Asia. * [2:26] Who keeps to my ways: literally, “who keeps my works.”. * Revelation 3:7-13. But it admonishes them about members who advocate an unprincipled morality (Rev 2:14; cf. God sees and addresses the conditions that existed within the seven churches at that time. Chapters 2 and 3 are the "things that are" division of Revelation. To Pergamum. 5Realize how far you have fallen. 4Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. 26And whoever will prevail and will observe my works even unto the end, I will give to him authority over the nations. (Read Revelation 2:18-29) Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. To the *church in Philadelphia. 1* “To the angel of the church* in Ephesus,* write this: “‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: because--Translate, "I have against thee (this) that," &c. It is not a mere somewhat"; it … Revelation. Rev 20:6, 14–15; 21:8. * [2:12] Pergamum: modern Bergama, ca. And so, you have tested those who declare themselves to be Apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. Whoever will prevail, he shall not be harmed by the second death. 1 Kgs 19:1–2; 21:1–14; 2 Kgs 9:22, 30–34) introduced pagan customs into the religion of Israel; this new Jezebel was doing the same to Christianity. 21And I gave her a time, so that she might do penance, but she is not willing to repent from her fornication. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Rev 3:12; 19:12; Is 62:2; 65:15. 15Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of [the] Nicolaitans. Accusations made by Jewish brethren there occasioned the persecution of Christians; cf. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out… I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ] Ephesus: this refers to the churches. ” ’ receive their final punishment cf! Spoke to us -- he revealed Himself give you the crown of life, which God to... 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