JESUS POINTS TO ROME-JESUS IN THE APOCALYPSE-THE SEVEN CHURCHES-THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS.

thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city.

Be constant; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

I AM 85 alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.... What thou seest, write in a book, and send to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

FEAR not. I am the First and the Last, and alive, and was dead; and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell. Write, therefore, the things which thou hast seen, and which are, and which must be done hereafter. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars

THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA.

in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 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: and thou hast patience, and hast endured for my name, and hast not fainted. But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity. Be mindful, therefore, from whence thou art fallen; and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.

AND to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith the First and the Last: who was dead, and is alive: I know thy tribulation and thy poverty, but thou art rich; and thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

THE CHURCH OF PERGAMUS.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death.

AND to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat, and to commit fornication: so hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites. In like manner do penance: or else I will come to thee quickly, and will fight against thee with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: to him that

THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA.

overcometh, I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a white counter, and in the counter a new name written, which no man knoweth, but he that receiveth it.

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AND to the angel of the church of Thyatira write these things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet are like to fine brass. I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy charity, and thy ministry, and thy patience, and thy last works, which are more than the former. But I have against thee a few things; because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her a time that she might do penance, and she will not repent of her fornication. Behold, I will cast her into a bed and they that commit adultery with her shall be in very great tribulation, except they do penance from their deeds. And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say, and to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have

THE CHURCH OF SARDIS.

not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will not put upon you any other burden. Yet that which you have, hold fast till I come. And he that shall overcome, and keep my works unto the end, I will give him power over the nations.86 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken, as I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

AND to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast the name of being alive, and thou art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I find not thy works full before my God. Have in mind, therefore, in what manner thou hast received and heard and observe, and do penance. If, then, thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to thee. But thou hast a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in white, because they