and the seven lampstands are the seven Churches.
002:001 "To the minister of the Church in Ephesus write as follows:
"`This is what He who holds the seven stars in the grasp of His
right hand says--He who walks to and fro among the seven
lampstands of gold.
002:002 I know your doings and your toil and patient suffering.
And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, but have put
to the test those who say that they themselves are Apostles
but are not, and you have found them to be liars.
002:003 And you endure patiently and have borne burdens for My sake
and have never grown weary.
002:004 Yet I have this against you--that you no longer love Me as you
did at first.
002:005 Be mindful, therefore, of the height from which you have fallen.
Repent at once, and act as you did at first, or else I
will surely come and remove your lampstand out of its place--
unless you repent.
002:006 Yet this you have in your favor: you hate the doings of
the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
002:007 "`Let all who have ears give heed to what the Spirit is
saying to the Churches. To him who overcomes I will give
the privilege of eating the fruit of the Tree of Life,
which is in the Paradise of God.'
002:008 "To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows:
"`This is what the First and the Last says--He who died
and has returned to life.
002:009 Your sufferings I know, and your poverty--but you are rich--
and the evil name given you by those who say that they
themselves are Jews, and are not, but are Satan's synagogue.
002:010 Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to suffer.