Revelation 2:1-7 Messages to the churches from a Jew who follows the Messiah

Chapter 2

Now John begins to address each of the seven churches individually.
A Message for Ephesus
The first is for the folks in Ephesus. John relays everything Jesus says to him.
Jesus wants these Christians to know that he's seen what they're doing. (He does see everything, after all.) He knows they've been doing good work. They're staying faithful and patiently waiting for him to come again.
He knows they don't tolerate evil and that they've even outed some false prophets, too. High five, guys.
But he does have one bone to pick with them—they've lost that loving feeling.
In the beginning, they were filled with love, and now they've kind of lost their passion for him and each other. Threats of death or banishment will do that to you.
He wants them to remember how good things used to be and go back to that.
If they don't do this, Jesus is going to take their candlestick and chuck it out. Too bad, those looked expensive.
But if they do they right thing, they're going to eat from the tree of life in Paradise with God. So, a pretty nice reward.
A Message for Smyrna
Jesus knows the people in Smyrna aren't rich. But, hey, mo' money, mo' problems, right?
He knows they've been turned into the Roman authorities by some of the Jewish people (because Jews don't consider Christians as part of the synagogue anymore).
This is bad, but they shouldn't worry about what's about to happen next.
Some of them are going to be thrown in jail—oh, sure, nothing to worry about.
If they're faithful 'til death (wait, so now they're going to be arrested and killed?), Jesus will give them a crown of life to wear. Well, maybe it's a really fancy crown.
But if they don't stay faithful to him, they're going to receive eternal punishment. That crown is starting to look better and better.