Each church receives a special note from Jesus. The description of Jesus, though, isn't small or human. It describes the Jesus in John's vision: magnificent and powerful. Jesus is holding seven stars (angels) in his hand and walking among the seven churches.
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. 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. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3 NIV)
Battles against the Christians started within the church. People claiming to be followers of Jesus were doing things that were not very Christ-like.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:4-6 NIV)
The Nicolaitanes are the followers of that Nicolas who was one of the seven first ordained to the diaconate by the apostles. They lead lives of unrestrained indulgence...these men...practice adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. —Irenaeus, Adversus haereses, i. 26, §3
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7 NIV)
Jesus then encourages them to hold on to the end. Victory comes to the one who hold on.
"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. (Revelation 2:8-10 NIV)
John was writing at a time when the church was being persecuted for it's faith. By this time, it is highly probable that Peter was already crucified (upside down, according to tradition). John is on the island of Patmos for a prison sentence. People are wondering when Jesus will return. They're struggling to hold on. Jesus encourages them to hold on to the end. Don't give up.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:11 NIV)
How about you? Will you stay strong even if the world around us, church members next to us, and the government over us starts persecuting us for our faith? Will you hold on to your faith in Jesus, even to the end? Will you be victorious?
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