Each letter starts with Jesus describing himself and saying, I know your works. To Ephesus he praises their toil and perseverance. They test false apostles and hate the works of the Nicolaitans. But they have left their first love. He calls them to remember from where they have fallen, repent, and do the first works.

Smyrna is facing oppression and poverty, yet Jesus says it is rich. Some of them will be thrown into prison. Be faithful to death, he says, and I will give you the crown of life. Pergamum lives where Satan’s throne is, but it holds firmly to his name. Still, some hold to the teaching of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans, so they must repent.

Thyatira’s latest works are more than its first. But it allows a woman who calls herself a prophetess to lead people astray. Jesus says, I am he who searches the minds and hearts. To each church he gives a promise for the one who overcomes. They will eat from the tree of life, receive hidden manna and a white stone, and be given the morning star.

Jesus’ messages to the assemblies follow a pattern. He names a church, describes himself with a detail from John’s vision, says I know your works, gives praise or warning, and ends with a promise. Ephesus endured and did not grow weary. It refused false apostles and hated the works of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hates. Yet Jesus says, I have this against you, that you left your first love. Correct belief without love is not enough.

Smyrna receives no rebuke. Jesus knows its oppression and poverty, but he says, you are rich. Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Pergamum stays loyal to Jesus’ name even in a hard place, but some members follow the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. Jesus calls them to repent.

Thyatira is praised for love, faith, service, and patient endurance, and its last works are greater than the first. But it tolerates a woman Jesus calls Jezebel, who leads his servants into idolatry and immorality. Jesus gave her time to repent, but she refused. He says all the assemblies will know that he searches minds and hearts. To those who hold firmly until he comes, he promises authority over the nations and the morning star. Each letter closes, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.