Study Desk

Church leaders, I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ's suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us.

You are holding firmly to the truth that you were given. But I am still going to remind you of these things.

That is why I am doing my best to make sure that each of you remembers all of this after I am gone.

God, our great and wonderful Father, truly honored him by saying, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him."

My children, I am writing this so that you won't sin. But if you do sin, Jesus Christ always does the right thing, and he will speak to the Father for us.

My dear friends, I am not writing to give you a new commandment. It is the same one that you were first given, and it is the message you heard.

Children, I am writing you, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Christ.

Parents, I am writing you, because you have known the one who was there from the beginning. Young people, I am writing you, because you have defeated the evil one.

Children, I am writing you, because you have known the Father. Parents, I am writing you, because you have known the one who was there from the beginning. Young people, I am writing you, because you are strong. God's message is firm in your hearts, and you have defeated the evil one.

I am writing to warn you about those people who are misleading you.

Dear friend, I am not writing to tell you and your children to do something you have not done before. I am writing to tell you to love each other, which is the first thing you were told to do.

The people I am talking about are behaving just like those dreamers who destroyed their own bodies. They reject all authority and insult angels.

The Lord God says, "I am Alpha and Omega, the one who is and was and is coming. I am God All-Powerful!"

I am John, a follower together with all of you. We suffer because Jesus is our king, but he gives us the strength to endure. I was sent to Patmos Island, because I had preached God's message and had told about Jesus.

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last,

and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead.

This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: I am the one who holds the seven stars in my right hand, and I walk among the seven gold lampstands. Listen to what I say.

This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: I am the first and the last. I died, but now I am alive! Listen to what I say.

This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Pergamum: I am the one who has the sharp double-edged sword! Listen to what I say.

This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: I am the Son of God! My eyes are like flames of fire, and my feet are like bronze. Listen to what I say.