The messages to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 offer an interesting collection of names for Jesus Christ. Each message begins with an explanation of who the message is from and in each case different terminology is used. Their commonality is that they all refer to Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 2:1 to Ephesus, Jesus describes Himself as "He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." This is a reference back to the Revelation 1:10-20 where Jesus, the Son of Man, reveals Himself to John in His glorified state.

In Revelation 2:8 to Smyrna, Jesus describes Himself as "the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life." These descriptions refer to His death and resurrection. For additional scriptures on these events see Revelation 1:18; Ephesians 1:19-20; 4:8-10; Colossians 1:18, 21-22; 2:12.

In Revelation 2:12 to Pergamos, Jesus reminds us that He "has the sharp two-edged sword." This description mirrors His initial revelation to John in Revelation 1:16. Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12 liken the Word of God to a sword. Revelation 19:15 and 21 describe how Christ will use His sword-God's Word will be the basis for judgment and destruction of those who disobey God's law. Revelation 19:13 reveals another closely associated name for Jesus: "The Word of God."

In Revelation 2:18 to Thyatira, Christ describes Himself as "the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass." Here is another reference back to His initial description in Revelation 1:14-15, but now He adds that He is "the Son of God." Revelation 19:12 gives a similar description of His eyes and adds that there is still another name for Jesus to be disclosed at His return.

In Revelation 3:1 to Sardis, Jesus says He "has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars." Once again, this refers back to Revelation 1:20 which says, "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." This reminds us that Jesus is the head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18) and that He controls the angels that represent each Church.

Revelation 3:7 records Jesus' description of Himself to Philadelphia: "He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens." This not only represents Jesus' absolute power and control of events, it also reveals that He is part of David's ancestry. Jesus is called "the Son of David" numerous times throughout the Bible. As a partial list, see Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30; 21:9, 15; 22:42. In Revelation 5:5 He is described as the "Root of David" and in Revelation 22:16 as "the Offspring of David."

In Revelation 3:14 to Laodicea, Jesus is called "the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God." This passage tells us that Jesus has faithfully carried out His Father's business (Luke 2:49). Jesus did the will of His Father in submitting to His crucifixion (Matthew 26:39, 42; John 5:30). We must also do the Father's will if we want to be in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21). Because Jesus was the Creator and the first to be resurrected (Colossians 1:15, 18), He is called "the Beginning of the creation of God." He is the firstborn of "many brethren" (Romans 8:29) and His Church is called the "church of the firstborn" (Hebrews 12:23).