Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 129Revelation 21. To the angel of the Ephesian church write: These things saith hethat holdeth the seven stars in his right hand; he that walketh in themidst of the seven golden lamp stands;2. I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy endurance, and that thoucanst not bear the evil, and hast tried them that say that they areapostles, and they are not, and hast found them liars;3. And hast borne and hast endurance, and for my name’s sake hasttoiled, and hast not failed.4. But I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity.5. Be mindful, therefore, of whence thou hast fallen, and repent, anddo the first works; but if not, I will come unto thee quickly, and willmove thy lamp stand out of its place, except thou repent.6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans,which I also hate.7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto thechurches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life,which is in the midst of the paradise of God.8. And to the angel of the church of the Smyrneans write: Thesethings saith the first and the last, who was dead and is alive:9. I know thy works, and affliction, and poverty, but thou art rich; 1and the blasphemy of them who say that they are Jews, and they arenot, but are a synagogue of satan.10. Fear not the things which thou art to suffer. Behold, the devil isabout to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shallhave affliction ten days; be thou faithful even till death, and I will givethee the crown of life.11. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto thechurches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death.12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These thingssaith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword,13. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, where satan’s throneis; and thou holdest my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in thedays wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain amongyou, where satan dwelleth.