Rev 2 begins the instructions that the Lord gave to the churches. In this chapter, John writes to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. In each address, John first describes whom the message is from, describing Jesus in various ways. He is called "the one who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands", "him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again", "him who has the sharp, double-edged sword" , and the "Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze". In each address, he then encourages each church. Ephesus is commended for "hard work", "perseverance", "not tolerating wicked men", "testing those who call themselves apostles", "enduring hardships for My name, and not grown weary", and "hating the practices of the Nicolations". Smyrna is commended for enduring "afflictions and poverty", and "slander of those who say they are Jews". Pergamum is encouraged for "remaining true to My name", and "not renouncing your faith in Me". Thyatira is commended for "your deeds, love, service, and perseverance", and "doing more than you did at first". Next, to each church, the Lord rebukes each church regarding some things He has "against them" and redirects them towards restoration. He says to Ephesus, "you have forsaken your first love" and you must "repent and do the things you did at first". To Smyrna, He says "do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer", but "be faithful". To Pergamum, He says "you have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam", and "you also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans". , so "repent therefore!" Finally, He says to Thyratira , "you tolerate that woman Jezebel", who "misleads my servants", so you must "repent of her ways" and "hold on to what you have until I come". Then, to each church He says , "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches". Finally, John writes a statement about the rewarding consequences that each church will receive when they "overcome" and follow these instructions from the Lord. Ephesus is told " I will give you the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God". He says the church of Smyrna "will not be hurt at all by the second death" . Pergamum is told , "I will give you some of the hidden manna" and also "a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it". Lastly, Thyatira is told that He "will give (them) authority over the nations", "to rule with an iron scepter", and will give them "the morning star".