| Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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| 1
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
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The Revelation from Jesus Christ. God gave this to Him, to show to His slaves the things that must happen without delay. He then sent it, signed by His Messenger, to his slave, John,
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| 2
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Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
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who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all the things he saw.
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| 3
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Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
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Blessed is the man who reads, and those who hear, the words of this prophecy, and preserve those things written in this document. The time has arrived.
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| 4
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John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
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(From:) John. To: the seven churches in Asia Minor. Grace to you, and peace, from Him Who is, Who was, and Who shall be, and from the seven spirits in the presence of His throne,
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| 5
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And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
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And from Jesus Christ, the Witness, the Faithful One, the First-born of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him Who loved us, and washed us out of our sins in His own Blood,
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| 6
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And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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And made us kings and priests for God and His Father, be the glory and the rulership for ever and ever. Amen.
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| 7
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Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
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Look! He's coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, including those who pierced Him, and all the clans of the earth will wail on His account. Yes, so be it.
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| 8
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I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
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I am the A and the Z, says the Lord, Who is, and Who was, and Who will be, the All-Ruler.
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The Greek uses the letter names "Alpha" and "Omega," the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. Some manuscripts add "the first and the last," but this is redundant.
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| 9
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I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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I, John, your brother and sharer in oppression, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island named Patmos, on account of the Truth of God, and the witness of Jesus Christ.
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| 10
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I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
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I was in the Sprit on the Lord's Day, and heard behind me a great voice, like a trumpet blast,
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The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), called by God as "my holy day." (Isaiah 58:13) Due to perfect harmonious parallelism throughout the inspired word of God, it would be contradictory to assume the Lord's day of Revelation refers to the first day of the week, never regarded in a single verse as of special divine meaning to God. Therefore the Apostle and Revelator John was referring to the seventh-day Sabbath.
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| 11
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Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
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saying, "Write down what you see in a book, and send it to these churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
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The ancient manuscripts do not repeat "I am Alpha and Omega," nor "seven churches in Asia (Minor)."
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| 12
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And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
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And I turned to see the Voice That was talking to me. After turning, I could see seven golden candlesticks.
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Gold is used here and elsewhere in the Bible as a symbol of royalty.
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| 13
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And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
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In the middle of those seven candlesticks I saw someone who looked like the Son of man. He wore a robe reaching to His feet, and a golden belt.
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| 14
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His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
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His head and hair were like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a fiery flame.
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| 15
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And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
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His feet were like polished bronze, as if they had been fired in a furnace, and His Voice was like the sound of a vast amount of rushing water.
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Brass was unknown in ancient times. Bronze was the copper (and tin) alloy known at the time. Bronze is used here and elsewhere in the Bible as a symbol of judgment.
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| 16
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And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
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He held seven stars in His right hand. Out of His mouth a sharp double-edged broadsword issued forth. His face was like the sun shining at full strength.
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The Greek word ρομφαια (rhomphaia) stood for a long, broad sword. If the shorter μαχαιρα (machaira) was the Roman infantryman's equivalent of the M-16 or AK-47, this sword was the equivalent of a bazooka.
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| 17
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And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
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When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me, and told me, "Don't be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
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| 18
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I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
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I am He Who lives, and became dead. Look, I am alive, for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of hell and of death.
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The Greek idiom translates literally as "into the ages of the ages."
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| 19
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Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
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Write the things you have seen, the things that are happening now, and the things that are about to happen after this,
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| 20
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The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
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the secret of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the Messengers of the seven churches. The seven candlesticks that you saw, are the seven churches.
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| Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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| 1
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Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
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To the Messenger of the Church of Ephesus: He Who holds the seven stars in His right hand, and walks among the seven golden candlesticks, says this:
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The Greek αγγελος (angelos) literally means "messenger" and was the function of the angels.
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| 2
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I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
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I know about your deeds, and your hard work, and your patience, and how you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who say that they are Apostles, though they aren't, and have discovered them to be liars.
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| 3
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And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
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You have patience, and have endured for the sake of My Name, and have not grown weary.
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| 4
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Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
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But I have a few things against you: You have left your first love.
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| 5
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Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
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So remember where you fell from, and get your minds right, and do the most important things. If you don't, I will come and take your candlestick from its place, unless you get your minds right.
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| 6
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But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
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But I'll say this for you: you hate the deeds the Nicolaitans, and I hate them also.
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The Nicolaitan heresy (from niko- conquer and laos the people) involved anything that suggested that an ordinary believer was not qualified to pray directly to God.
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| 7
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
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He who is willing to listen, let him listen to what the Spirit has to say to the churches. To the winner I will give fruit to eat from the Tree of Life, that grows in the middle of God's Paradise.
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That tree is probably an almond tree. The seven-branched lampstand of the Tabernacle had almond-shaped knobs.
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| 8
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And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
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To the Messenger of the Church in Smyrna: The First and the Last, Who became dead, and then lived, says this:
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| 9
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I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
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I know your deeds, and the oppression and poverty that you work under (but in fact you are rich!). I also know the insults you receive from those who say they are Jews but aren't, but are a congregation from Satan.
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This verse is frequently taken out of context by antisemites, such as white supremacists, the Nation of Islam, and Black Hebrew Israelites, who promote a "Jewish Antichrist" narrative. Note that the verse explicitly says that Satan's kingdom claim to be Jews though aren't. The traditional term "synagogue of Satan" is evidently meant to correspond with the usage of "Jews," as if Satan's kingdom claim to be Jewish, then it goes to follow that they also impersonate the characteristic of a synagogue.
The usage of the word "Jews" may very likely be referring to a spiritual sense. Romans 2:29 and Galatians 3:29 describe followers of Christ as spiritual Jews, so by applying the logic into Rev. 2:9, the verse could be understood as Satan's kingdom falsely claiming to represent Christianity. This would be consistent with Satan's prevailing trait of deception, claiming to be what actually isn't.
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| 10
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Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
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Don't be afraid of any of the things that you are about to suffer. Look: the Devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison for trial, and you will suffer oppression for ten days. Be faithful even if it means dying, and I will give you a crown of life.
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| 11
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
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Anyone willing to listen, hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The winner will not have any just cause to suffer the second death.
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| 12
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And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
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To the Messenger of the Church in Pergamos: He Who wields the sharp double-edged broadsword says this:
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| 13
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I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
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I know where you live, in Satan's very capital city. I also know that you are holding My Name fast and did not deny My faith, even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful witness, who was killed among you, in Satan's capital.
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| 14
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But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
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But I have a few things against you: You have in your church those who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumblingblock in front of the sons of Israel, and cause them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit immoral sexual acts.
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| 15
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So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
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You also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.
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| 16
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Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
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Change your hearts about this. If you don't, I will come to you quickly and make war against them with the broadsword of My Mouth.
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| 17
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
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Anyone willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the winner I will give some of the hidden manna, and will also give a white ballot stone, and on that ballot stone a new name written, that only the receiver will know.
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The Greek ψηφος means a stone used for voting, similar to the Athenian ostrakon, but for a completely different purpose.
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| 18
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And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
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To the Messenger of the Church in Thyatira:The Son of God, Who has eyes like a fiery flame, and Whose feet are like polished bronze, says this:
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| 19
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I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
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I know your deeds, your love, your faith, your service, and your patience. I also know that your last works are greater than your first.
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| 20
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Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
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But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead aside My slaves to practice immoral sexual conduct and to eat things that have been sacrificed to idols.
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A woman symbolizes a church. The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:12 strictly forbade a woman ("that woman Jezebel") from teaching ("...who calls herself a prophetess, to teach") and usurping the authority of a man, and elsewhere compares the wife of a husband to the Christian church. (Ephesians 5:25) Who is the man? None other than Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5) Clearly there is a secondary application of 1 Timothy 2:12 prohibiting a church from usurping the authority of God, a transgression the Jezebel power, a church hierarchy, is guilty of.
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| 21
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And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
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I gave her the chance to get her mind right, but she didn't want to change her mind and stop doing sexually immoral things.
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| 22
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Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
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Look: I am throwing her onto a bed, and I am throwing those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, if they don't change their minds and stop doing these things.
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Some manuscripts speaking of throwing into prison, others onto a sick-bed.
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| 23
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And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
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I will surely kill her children, and all the churches will know that I am He Who searches minds and hearts. I will pay each and every one of you according to your works.
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| 24
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But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
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But to you I say, and to the rest of them in Thyatira, who do not go along with this teaching, and have not plumbed the depths of Satan, as those people have: I will not lay any other burden on you.
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| 25
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But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
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What you already have, hold tightly onto until I come.
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| 26
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And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
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To the winner, the one who preserves My works to the end, I will give authority over all ethnic groups.
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| 27
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And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
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He will rule them with an iron sceptre, and like potter's vessels they will be shattered.
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| 28
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And I will give him the morning star.
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Even as I received it from My Father, I will give him the morning star.
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Who/what is the morning star? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! (Revelation 22:16) Of the seven promises, one to each church, it is beautifully perfect that the fourth and central assurance is of the saints' receiving of their Lord and His presence for all eternity if they stay true to God unto the very end.
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| 29
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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Anyone willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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| Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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| 1
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And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
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To the Messenger of the church in Sardis: The One holding the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars, says this: I know your deeds. You have a reputation for being alive, and you are dead.
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| 2
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Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
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Look out! Strengthen what you have left, that is about to die. I have not found your works satisfactory before God.
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Jesus is telling the Sardians to "get with the program." The Greek word rendered "perfect" actually means "accomplished" or "completed in a satisfactory manner."
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| 3
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Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
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So remember how you received and heard the Truth. Hold it fast, and get your minds right. In fact, if you won't become alert, I will come to you the way a thief might, and you won't know at what hour I will come on you.
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| 4
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Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
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But you have a few names in Sardis who haven't soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me dressed in white, because they deserve to.
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| 5
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He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
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The winner will be dressed in white clothes, and I will not strike out his name from the Book of Life, but I will proclaim His name in front of My Father, and in front of His Messengers.
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| 6
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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Anyone willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
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| 7
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And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
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To the Messenger of the church in Philadelphia: The Holy One, the True One, the Holder of the Key of David, Who opens what no man can shut, and shuts what no man can open, says this:
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| 8
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I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
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I know your deeds. Look: I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it. Though you have only a little strength, you have kept My Truth and not denied My Name.
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| 9
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Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
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Look: I will make those belonging to the congregation of Satan, who say that they are Jews but aren't, but are lying, I will make them come and fall down before your feet, and know that I have loved you.
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See note above for verse 2:9. In addition, "congregation" is a better translation here than "synagogue"; see the talk page (discussing "house of worship" as a further option).
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| 10
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Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
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Because you have kept the word of My patience, I will also keep you out of the Hour of the Test, that will come upon the entire inhabited world, to test all the earth-dwellers.
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The use of ek with the ablative connotes taking someone out of a place where he already is. It refers to the Rapture (literally, "Big Snatch") of the Church at the end of the Church Age. Because the word for church does not appear after the end of this chapter, many Bible scholars interpret this verse to fix the Rapture as occurring before the Great Oppression ("Tribulation") to come.
The Greek οικουμενη (oikoumene, whence "ecumenical") means "the inhabited world." Originally it means the territory over which the Roman Empire held sway. Today it means everywhere that men live and work on earth.
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| 11
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Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
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Look: I am coming quickly. Hold tightly to what you have, and let no man take your crown.
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| 12
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Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
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The winner I will make into a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he will never leave it again. And I will write on him the Name of My God, and the Name of the City of My God (the new Jerusalem), that will come down out of the sky from My God, and I will write on Him My new Name.
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| 13
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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Anyone willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
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| 14
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And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
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To the Messenger of the church of the Laodiceans: The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the beginning of God's creation, says this:
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| 15
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I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
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I know your works, and that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other!
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| 16
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So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
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You are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold. I'm about ready to vomit you out of My mouth.
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Or in simpler language, "You make Me sick!"
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| 17
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Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
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You say, "I am rich, and prosperous, and I don't need a thing." You don't realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
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| 18
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I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
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I would advise you to buy from Me fire-refined gold, if you want to be rich, and white clothes to wear, if you want to be clothed and not have all your body parts showing, and to rub some salve into your eyes if you want to see.
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| 19
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As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
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If I love someone, I'm going to scold them and correct them. So start being zealous, and get your minds right.
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| 20
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Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
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Look: I'm standing at the door and knocking. If any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
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| 21
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To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
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I will grant to the winner the seat of honor with Me on My throne, the same way that I won, and earned the seat of honor with My Father on His throne.
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| 22
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He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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Anyone willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
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| Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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| 1
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After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
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After these things, I looked, and saw a door opened in the heavens. The first voice I heard sounded like a trumpet talking to me. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you the things that have to happen after this."
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| 2
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And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
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At once I was in the Spirit. I saw a throne in heaven, and the One sitting on it.
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| 3
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And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
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The sitting One shone like a green jasper and a carnelian, and the throne had a rainbow around it that looked like an emerald.
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| 4
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And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
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Twenty-four chairs stood around the throne, and in those chairs I saw twenty-four elders seated, all dressed in white. They wore golden crowns on their heads.
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| 5
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And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
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Lightnings and thunderings and voices issued from the throne, and seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne. Those are the seven Spirits of God.
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| 6
|
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
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In front of the throne was a sea of glass like crystal. In the middle of the throne, and all around it, were four living creatures, having eyes in front and back.
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| 7
|
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
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The first creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like that of a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
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| 8
|
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
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Each of the four living creatures had six wings all around it, and they were covered on the inside with eyes. They never rested, day or night, and were saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come."
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| 9
|
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
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And as those living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to the One sitting on the throne, the One Who lives for ever and ever,
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|
| 10
|
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
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the twenty-four elders fell down before Him Who was sitting on the throne, and worshipped Him Who lives for ever and ever, and threw their crowns down in front of the throne. They said,
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|
| 11
|
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
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"You deserve, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created."
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| Verse
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King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
| 1
|
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
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I saw in the right hand of Him Who sat on the throne a book written on the inside and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
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Papyrus, the usual material for roll-up books, was laid out in horizontal strips on the regular writing side and vertical strips on the opposite side. Writing on the side opposite the one intended for writing was very difficult indeed. This is obviously a very important document.
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| 2
|
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
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I saw a mighty Messenger proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who deserves to open the book, and to break its seals?"
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| 3
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And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
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Not a man in heaven or earth or under the earth could open the book, or even look at it.
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|
| 4
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And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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I cried a lot of tears, because no man was found who deserved to open and read the book, or even to look at it.
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| 5
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And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
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Then one of the elders said to me, "Stop crying. Look: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right to open the book and to break its seven seals."
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|
| 6
|
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
|
And I looked. And suddenly, in the middle of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, stood a Lamb that looked as though it had been slaughtered. It had seven horns and seven eyes. These are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
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|
| 7
|
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
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He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who was sitting on the throne.
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|
| 8
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And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
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When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down in front of the Lamb. Every one of them held a harp, and golden vials full of incense spices, which are the prayers of the saints.
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|
| 9
|
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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They sang a new song, saying, "You deserve to take the book, and open its seals. You were slain, and you have bought people out of every clan and language-group and people and ethnic-group,
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Some manuscripts say, "You have bought us."
|
| 10
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And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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and have made kings and priests out of them for God, and they will reign on the earth.
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Some manuscripts say, "made us into kings and priests, and we shall reign."
|
| 11
|
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
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And I looked again, and heard the voice of many Messengers all around the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They numbered in myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands.
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A myriad (Greek μυριαδος) is ten thousand, the largest of the "big number" words known to the Greeks. This is surely a very large chorus.
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| 12
|
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
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They said with a loud voice, "The Lamb Who was slain deserves to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."
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|
| 13
|
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
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Every creature in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and in them, I heard them all saying, "To Him Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, for ever and ever."
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|
| 14
|
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
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And the four living creatures said, "So be it!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and kissed the feet of Him Who lives for ever and ever.
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|
| Verse
|
King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
| 1
|
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
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I watched when the Lamb broke one of the seals, and heard one of the four living creatures saying, like a thunderclap, "Come!"
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Some manuscripts, here and elsewhere in this chapter, say, "Come and see!"
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| 2
|
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
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And I saw a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he rode out conquering and bent on conquest.
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The first horseman of the Apocalypse is dictatorship.
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| 3
|
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
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When He had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"
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|
| 4
|
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
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And a fiery-red horse went out. It was given to its rider to take peace from the earth and cause men to kill one another, and an out-sized infantry sword was given to him.
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This is the μαχαιρα, the government-issue short sword of a Roman infantryman. The second horseman of the Apocalypse is war.
|
| 5
|
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
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When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and saw a black horse. Its rider held a pair of balance scales in his hand.
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|
| 6
|
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
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And I heard a voice in the middle of the four living creatures say, "A dry quart of wheat for a shilling, and three dry quarts of barley for a shilling, and do not damage the oil or the grape juice!"
|
A dry quart makes a loaf. The "shilling" is the Roman denarius, equivalent to a day's pay for a typical wage-earner. The third horseman of the Apocalypse is economic depression so severe that it takes a full day's work to earn a day's meals.
|
| 7
|
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
|
When He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"
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|
| 8
|
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
|
I looked, and saw a pale sour-apple-green horse. The name of its rider was Death, and Hades followed with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, with death, and with the wild, ravening animals of the earth.
|
The Greek word θηριον (therion) means an animal so vicious that it would just as soon kill a man as look at him. The modern Greek word θηριο commonly translates as "monster."
|
| 9
|
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
|
When He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain on account of the Truth of God, and for the testimony that they held.
|
|
| 10
|
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
|
They cried out with a loud voice, "How long, O Holy and True Master, must we wait before You hold trial and make those who dwell on the earth pay for our blood?"
|
|
| 11
|
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
|
Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little while longer, until their fellow slaves and brothers, who were about to be killed as they had been, would be.
|
The robe spoken of (Greek στολη or stole) was not an ordinary cloak but the Roman toga, the garment that only a full citizen of Rome deserved to wear in those days. In this context it is a token of heavenly citizenship.
|
| 12
|
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
|
And I watched when He had opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake happened. The sun turned as black as sackcloth made from hair, and the moon turned the color of blood.
|
Extreme volcanic activity might produce these effects.
|
| 13
|
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
|
A shower of meteors fell from the sky to earth, in the same way that a fig tree might drop its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind.
|
|
| 14
|
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
|
The sky seemed to roll up like a scroll being rolled togther, and every mountain and island was displaced.
|
|
| 15
|
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
|
And the heads-of-state of the earth, and the important men, and the senior military men, and the armed men, and every prison inmate and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and the rocks in the mountains.
|
|
| 16
|
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
|
They said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!
|
The Greek word οργη (orge) stands for the attitude of a magistrate before whom a convict is brought for sentencing.
|
| 17
|
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
|
The great Day of Sentencing has come, and who can stand up in Their Court?"
|
|
| Verse
|
King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
| 1
|
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
|
After this I saw four Messengers of God standing on the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that the wind would not blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.
|
|
| 2
|
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
|
I saw another Messenger rising up from the east, holding the seal of the Living God. He cried out with a loud voice to the four Messengers, who had been given power to hurt the earth and the sea,
|
The Greek idiom ανατολη ηλιου (anatole heliou) means "rising of the sun." Here it means the direction from which the sun rises, i.e. east.
|
| 3
|
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
|
"Don't hurt the earth, or the sea, or the trees, until we have sealed the slaves of our God on the forehead."
|
|
| 4
|
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
|
And I heard how many would be sealed: 144,000 men from all the tribes of the sons of Israel were so sealed:
|
The role of these men is difficult to determine. Revelation 14 describes another set of 144,000, and these may or may not be the same men.
|
| 5
|
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
|
|
|
| 6
|
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
|
|
|
| 7
|
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
|
|
|
| 8
|
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
|
|
The tribe identified here as the "Tribe of Joseph" were probably the Ephraimites, because Ephraim, not Manasseh, was given the birthright, on Jacob's orders. Note that the Danites were not included.
|
| 9
|
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
|
After this, I looked and saw a vast crowd too numerous to count, with members from all ethnic groups, clans, people, and languages, standing before the throne, and befor the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm fronds in their hands.
|
Again the "robe" referred to is the στολη, probably a Roman toga.
|
| 10
|
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
|
They cried with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
|
|
| 11
|
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
|
All the Messengers stood all around the throne, and around the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces in front of the throne, and worshipped God.
|
|
| 12
|
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
|
They said, "So be it! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and strength, be to our God for ever and ever. So be it."
|
|
| 13
|
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
|
One of the elders answered and said to me, "What are those people who are dressed in the white robes? And where did they come from?"
|
|
| 14
|
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
|
I told him, "Sir, you know the answer." And he told me, "They are the ones who came out of the Great Oppression, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.
|
These are the Tribulation Martyrs, who will die during the Great Oppression to come.
|
| 15
|
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
|
That's why they are in front of the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. He Who sits on the throne will live among them.
|
|
| 16
|
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
|
They will never be hungry anymore, or be thirsty anymore. Nor will the sun light on them, nor any heat.
|
|
| 17
|
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
|
The Lamb Who is in the middle of the throne will feed them, and will lead them to living fountins of waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
|
|
