saying, "That which you see, write in a book and send to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

John, to the seven churches [which are] in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven-fold Spirit who is before His throne,

And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders. And seven torches of fire [were] burning before His throne, which are seven spirits of God;

And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as [if] slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

And out of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.

Now on the last day, the great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

(But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him were about to receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet [given], because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.

And you also will testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore having being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ in them was revealing when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories which were to follow:

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was as the sun shining in its strength.

The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

"To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

"I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tested those who say that they are apostles and they are not, and you found them [to be] liars;

"I know your works, and your tribulation, and your poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan.

"I know your works, and where you live, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan is dwelling.

"I know your works, and love, and faith and service, and your endurance; and your last works [are] greater than the first.

for this my son was dead and came to life, and he was lost and was found.' And they began to be merry.

But it was necessary to be merry and to rejoice, because your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

And you [He made alive], being dead in transgressions and sins,

even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

But she who is living for pleasure is dead while she lives.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

These are stains in your love feasts, while they feast [with you] without fear, caring for themselves, they are waterless clouds being carried along by winds; late autumn trees unfruitful, twice having died, having been uprooted,