Revelation 2

He That Holdeth the Seven Stars

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; Revelation 2:1–5

Christ, who holds church leaders in His hand and walks among the churches, knows their works personally and calls Ephesus back to its first love.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 1:13 — in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man
• alludes to Revelation 1:20 — the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches

Tree of Life

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. Revelation 2:7

Christ promises the faithful access to the tree of life lost in Eden. Nephi's vision ties the tree to the love of God shown in the Son.

• alludes to Genesis 2:9 — the tree of life also in the midst of the garden
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 11:21-22 — the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father ... the tree is the love of God
• alluded to by Revelation 22:2 — the tree of life beside the river of the water of life

The First and the Last, Which Was Dead and Is Alive

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; Revelation 2:8–10

To a persecuted church, Christ introduces Himself as the one who died and rose. Because He conquered death, He can promise a crown of life to those faithful unto death.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 1:17-18 — I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead

He Which Hath the Sharp Sword

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; Revelation 2:12–16

Christ's word is the sharp two-edged sword. He praises Pergamos for holding fast to His name and warns that His word will fight against false doctrine.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 1:16 — out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword
• alludes to Isaiah 49:2 — he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword
• alludes to Hebrews 4:12 — the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword

Hidden Manna

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. Revelation 2:17

Manna, the bread from heaven that kept Israel alive, pointed to Christ, the true Bread of Life. He promises the faithful this hidden, heavenly nourishment.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Exodus 16:15 — This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat
• interpreted by John 6:32-35 — my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven ... I am the bread of life

Son of God

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; Revelation 2:18

The only place in Revelation this exact title appears: the one with eyes of fire, who sees everything, is the Son of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Revelation 1:14-15 — his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass

He Which Searcheth the Reins and Hearts

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. Revelation 2:23

Christ claims the very role Jehovah claimed in Jeremiah: the one who searches hearts and judges by works. The risen Jesus is the LORD of the Old Testament.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Jeremiah 17:10 — I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways

Second Coming and Messianic Rule

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25–27

Christ promises to come again and to share with the faithful the rule over nations that He received from His Father, fulfilling the messianic psalm.

• alludes to Psalm 2:8-9 — Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel

The Morning Star

Morning Star — the star that heralds the dawn of a new day

And I will give him the morning star. Revelation 2:28

Later in Revelation Jesus calls Himself the bright and morning star, so this promise means He gives Himself to those who overcome.

• interpreted by Revelation 22:16 — I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star