He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last, 001:018 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades{or, Hell}. 001:019 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter; 001:020 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels{or, messengers (here and wherever angels are mentioned)} of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies. 002:001 "To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among the seven golden lampstands says these things: 002:002 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false. 002:003 You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have{TR adds "have labored and"} not grown weary. 002:004 But I have this against you, that you left your first love. 002:005 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent. 002:006 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 002:007 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God. 002:008 "To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: 002:009 "I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 002:010 Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 002:011 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won't be harmed by the second death. 002:012 "To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things: 002:013 "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 002:014 But I have a few things against you, because you have there