The Acknowledged Trials and the Promises of Victory to the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation

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THE ACKNOWLEDGED TRIALS AND THE PROMISES OF VICTORY
TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

1. The Church at Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7	Acknowledgement of suffering: "I know your activities, your hard work and your perseverance. [...] I know too that you have perseverance, and have suffered for my name without growing tired." Promised victory: "...those who prove victorious I will feed from the tree of life set in God's paradise."
2. The Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11	Acknowledgement of suffering: "I know your hardships and your poverty and though you are rich, the slander of the people who falsely claim to be Jews but are really members of the synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of the sufferings that are coming to you." Promised victory: "Even if you have to die, keep faithful and I will give you the crown of life for your prize."
3. The Church at Pergamum Revelation 2:12-16	Acknowledgement of suffering: "I know where you live, in the place where Satan is enthroned, and that you still hold firmly to my name, and did not disown your faith in me even when my faithful witness, Antipas, was killed among you, where Satan lives." Promised victory:"..to those who prove victorious I will give some hidden manna and a white stone, with a new name written on it, known only to the person who receives it."
4. The Church at Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29	Acknowledgement of suffering: I know of your activities, your love, your faith, your service and your perseverance, and I know how you are still making progress. [..]. it is I who test motives and thoughts and repay you as your deeds deserve." Promised victory: "but hold on firmly to what you already have until I come. To anyone who proves victorious, and keeps working for me until the end, I will give the authority over the nations which I myself have been given by my Father, to rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like so many pots."
5. The Church at Sardis Revelation 3:1-6	Acknowledgement of suffering: "I know about your behavior: how you are reputed to be alive and yet are dead. Wake up; put some resolve into what little vigor you have left; it is dying fast.." Promised victory: "There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes unstained, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white. Anyone who proves victorious will be dressed like these in white robes; I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my Father and his angels."
6. The Church at Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13	Acknowledgement of suffering: "..I know that though you are not very strong, you have kept my commandments and not disowned my name." Promised victory: "Because you have kept my commandment to persevere, I will keep you safe in the time of trial which is coming for the whole world, to put the people of the world to the test. [..]. Anyone who proves victorious I will make into a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and it will stay there for ever..."
7. The Church at Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22	Acknowledgement of suffering: "I know about your activities: how you are neither cold nor hot. [...]. I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you truly rich, and white robes to clothe you and hide your shameful nakedness,...so repent in real earnest." Promised victory: "If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person's side. Anyone who proves victorious I will allow the share my throne, just as I have myself overcome and have taken my sear with my Father on his throne."