25 Once the head of the house gets up and (A)shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘(B)Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘(C)I do not know where you are from.’ 26 Then you will (D)begin saying, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ 27 And yet He will [a]say, ‘(E)I do not know where you are from; (F)leave Me, all you [b]evildoers.’

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 13:27 Lit say, telling you
  2. Luke 13:27 Or workers of injustice

25 Once the head of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door [again and again], saying, ‘Lord, open to us!’ then He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you are from [for you are not of My household].’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27 but He will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers!’(A)

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The Parable of the Builders

46 “Now (A)why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 (B)Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and [a]acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who [b]dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 6:47 Lit does
  2. Luke 6:48 Lit dug and went deep

A Secure Foundation

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like:(A) 48 he is like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and yet could not shake it, because it had been securely built and founded on the rock. 49 But the one who has [merely] heard and has not practiced [what I say], is like a [foolish] man who built a house on the ground without any foundation, and the torrent burst against it; and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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21 (A)Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 (B)Many will say to Me on (C)that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; (D)leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 7:22 Or works of power

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’(A)

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41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘(A)Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the (B)eternal fire which has been prepared for (C)the devil and his angels;

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41 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons);

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Message to Ephesus

“To the angel of the church in (A)Ephesus write:

The One who holds (B)the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks [a](C)among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Lit in the middle of

Message to Ephesus

“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Ephesus write:

“These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:1 Ephesus, the largest city in Roman-controlled Asia Minor, developed into a major trade center because of its access to the Aegean Sea. It was the primary center for the worship of the goddess Artemis (Diana). The Temple of Artemis, the largest building in ancient times, was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The open-air theatre in Ephesus could accommodate 25,000 spectators and was used for both drama and gladiatorial combat.

Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and (A)repent, and (B)do the [a]deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your (C)lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:5 Lit first deeds

So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent.

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Message to Pergamum

12 “And to the angel of the church in (A)Pergamum write:

The One who has (B)the sharp two-edged sword says this:

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Message to Pergamum

12 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Pergamum write:

“These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]:

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:12 Pergamum (modern Bergama, Turkey) was built on a promontory about sixteen miles from the Aegean Sea. It was famous as a worship center for many pagan gods including Zeus (Jupiter, king of gods), Dionysus (Bacchus, god of wine and intoxication), and Asklepios (god of healing). The enormous altar dedicated to Zeus is on display in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Pergamum also had an important temple dedicated to the worship of Caesar. Refusal to take part in the imperial cult was considered treason. A culturally sophisticated city as well as a center for pagan worship, Pergamum’s library, believed to contain over 200,000 volumes, was second only to the Library of Alexandria.

16 Therefore (A)repent; or else (B)I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with (C)the sword of My mouth.

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16 Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment].

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Message to Thyatira

18 “And to the angel of the church in (A)Thyatira write:

(B)The Son of God, (C)who has [a]eyes like a flame of fire, and [b]feet like burnished bronze, says this:

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:18 Lit His eyes
  2. Revelation 2:18 Lit His feet

Message to Thyatira

18 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Thyatira write:

“These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes [that flash] like a flame of fire [in righteous judgment], and whose feet are like burnished [white-hot] bronze:(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:18 Thyatira (modern Akhisar, Turkey) was famous for its dyeing and indigo trade. It was the home of Lydia, the seller of purple fabrics, who was converted under the ministry of Paul (Acts 16:14). Located in a valley, midway between Pergamum and Sardis, it was originally established as a military base by one of the generals in the army of Alexander the Great.

20 But (A)I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman (B)Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they (C)commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

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20 But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.(A)

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23 And I will kill her children with [a]plague, and all the churches will know that I am He who (A)searches the [b]minds and hearts; and (B)I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:23 Lit death; i.e., a particular kind of death
  2. Revelation 2:23 Lit kidneys; i.e., inner man

23 And I will kill her children (followers) with [a]pestilence [thoroughly annihilating them], and all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the [b]minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes]; and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 2:23 Lit death.
  2. Revelation 2:23 Lit kidneys, i.e. inner man. In Jewish thought, the kidneys were considered a source of wisdom (cf Ps 16:7).

Message to Sardis

“To the angel of the church in (A)Sardis write:

He who has [a](B)the seven spirits of God and (C)the seven stars, says this: ‘(D)I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are (E)dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So (F)remember [b]what you have received and heard; and [c]keep it, and (G)repent. Then if you are not alert, (H)I will come (I)like a thief, and you will not know at (J)what hour I will come to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:1 Possibly a symbolic reference to the Holy Spirit in His fullness, or to seven key angels
  2. Revelation 3:3 Lit how
  3. Revelation 3:3 Or follow

Message to Sardis

“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Sardis write:

“These are the words of Him who has [b]the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:1 Sardis (modern Sart, Turkey), in Roman times, was a wealthy city known for the manufacture and dyeing of woolen fabric and carpets. Originally, it was the capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and was the first city to mint coinage (600 b.c.). A stream that flowed through its market place carried gold dust from a nearby mountain. King Croesus of Lydia (560-546 b.c.) financed the building of the great Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (550 b.c.). The city was conquered twice, under Cyrus the Great and under Antiochus, due to lack of adequate watchfulness.
  2. Revelation 3:1 See note 1:4.

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in (A)Laodicea write:

(B)The Amen, (C)the faithful and true Witness, (D)the [a]Origin of the creation of God, says this:

15 (E)I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; (F)I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, “(G)I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked,

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Or Beginning; i.e., Originator

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Laodicea write:

“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the [b]Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are [c]neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were [d]cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need],(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Laodicea, located beside the Lycus River, was a prosperous city about forty miles south of Philadelphia. It had a well-respected financial center, thriving textile production industry (specializing in black wool), and a leading medical school that produced a famous eye salve. Two other cities were in this general area: Colossae, known for its mountain spring of cold, fresh water; and Hierapolis, a site famous for its hot, therapeutic mineral springs.
  2. Revelation 3:14 I.e. Origin of Source.
  3. Revelation 3:15 This phrase and the word lukewarm in v 16 form a metaphor that is probably based on the quality of the water supply of Laodicea, which was delivered by aqueduct from the hot mineral springs about five miles away. During its journey, the water cooled to a warm or lukewarm temperature.
  4. Revelation 3:15 I.e. alive, productive—beneficial in one way or the other.