Revelation Chapter 2- Fear the Lord

I'm happy to say that Revelation chapter 2 is better than Rev one, because it actually reveals weakness in the church, and grounds upon which they can receive mercy.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Revelation 2 reveals the letters from John to 4 of the 7 churches.  

The church of Ephesus:

• Is commended for enduring hardship in Christ's name, not tolerating the wicked and disproving false apostles. 
• The church of Ephesus is reprimanded for not loving Christ as they once did. The lampstand would be taken from them if they did not repent. Christianity is about living in faith, not just about following rules.

v 7 ...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.

To the church of Smyrna: 

• There is the devil living amongst the Jews resulting in slander. Some will be put in jail for 10 days and may even die. Those who suffer to the point of death or are tested and live will be given life (spiritual life). 

• To those who listen: The victorious will not suffer the second death (eternity in hell).

Romans 13:13

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

 To the church of Pergamum:

• Christ thanks the church for being faithful even as his faithful servant Anitpas was killed.
• The church is reprimanded for some believing the teachings of Balaam, eating the food offerings to the idols and committing sexual immorality, and others following the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
• If the church didn't repent He would come and fight with the sword of his mouth.
• Those who are faithful will receive Manna and a stone with a new name.

To the church of Thyatira:

• Deeds: love, faith, service, perseverance 
• Sin: Jezebel a prophet is tolerated who leads others into sexual immorality and eating of food sacrificed to idols. He would punish her through suffering, and those who did not repent of their sin would suffer with her. All her children would be killed 

v 23...Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

v 26-29 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.