Revelation 2:7 kjv

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 nkjv

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '

Revelation 2:7 niv

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7 esv

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'

Revelation 2:7 nlt

"Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 7 Meaning

Revelation 2:7 is an imperative call to all who are spiritually receptive to heed the divine message from the Holy Spirit, which, though specifically addressed to the church in Ephesus, holds universal relevance for all believers. It promises a glorious, eternal reward—access to life unending and unbroken communion with God, symbolized by the "tree of life in the Paradise of God"—to those who actively persevere in faith and overcome the world's spiritual challenges and temptations. This promise signifies a restoration of the fellowship lost in Eden, bringing believers into the full blessedness of God's presence.

Revelation 2 7 Context

Revelation 2:7 concludes the letter to the church in Ephesus, the first of seven letters delivered by Christ to specific churches in Asia Minor. These letters are prophetic messages addressing the spiritual condition of each church, commending their strengths, rebuking their failings, and providing a call to repentance and perseverance, culminating in a promise to those who overcome. The Ephesian church was praised for its hard work, endurance, discernment against false apostles, and rejection of evil doctrines (including the Nicolaitans). However, their critical failing was having "abandoned their first love" (Rev 2:4)—a loss of passionate devotion to Christ and possibly one another. The promise of eating from the tree of life directly responds to this spiritual challenge, offering eternal life and communion with God as the ultimate incentive for rediscovering and maintaining that foundational love and unwavering loyalty amidst internal struggles and external pressures from a pagan and morally corrupt society.

Revelation 2 7 Word analysis

• He who has an ear (ὁ ἔχων οὖς - ho echōn ous): A frequent expression throughout the letters to the seven churches, emphasizing personal accountability. It is an idiom, also found in the Gospels, highlighting spiritual readiness and the ability to discern and comprehend spiritual truth, going beyond mere physical hearing. It suggests a receptive heart open to divine instruction, vital for understanding profound prophetic messages.
• let him hear (ἀκουέτω - akouetō): An imperative verb, a command not merely to listen passively, but to pay close attention, internalize, and act upon the message. It signifies a demand for spiritual comprehension and obedience, a call to respond with intentionality to what is being spoken.
• what the Spirit says (τί τὸ Πνεῦμα λέγει - ti to Pneuma legei): Clearly identifies the source of the message as the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. This signifies divine authority and infallible truth. It emphasizes the active, speaking role of the Spirit in communicating God's will to the church, consistent with the Spirit's role in inspiring Scripture and guiding believers.
• to the churches (ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις - tais ekklēsiais): Though addressed individually, this plural term indicates the universal applicability of the message. Each letter, and particularly the concluding imperative, is intended for the broader Body of Christ across all places and ages, reflecting Christ's ongoing concern for His entire Church.
• To him who overcomes (τῷ νικῶντι - tō nikōnti): Derived from the Greek verb nikao, meaning "to conquer," "to prevail," or "to be victorious." This crucial term is a recurring theme in Revelation, summarizing the Christian walk—a life of perseverance and faithful resistance against spiritual opposition (sin, the world, the devil, false doctrine, persecution, apathy). It signifies not a one-time event, but an ongoing, active state of victory achieved through Christ.
• I will grant to eat (δωρέω φάγειν - dōreō phagein): Doreō signifies "to give freely," "to bestow as a gift," highlighting that the reward is a divine privilege, not earned by human merit alone, but given by grace through Christ. "To eat" implies reception, partaking, and deriving life and sustenance.
• from the tree of life (ἐκ τοῦ ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς - ek tou xylou tēs zōēs): This is a direct biblical allusion to Gen 2-3, where the tree of life provided perpetual existence in the Garden of Eden. Its significance lies in its symbolism of eternal life, vibrant spiritual vitality, and access to unbroken fellowship with God. Its reappearance in Revelation signifies the restoration of what was lost due to sin.
• which is in the Paradise of God (ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ Παραδείσῳ τοῦ Θεοῦ - ho estin en tō Paradeisō tou Theou): Paradeisos is a loanword from Persian meaning a royal park or garden, commonly used in Greek for Eden. Here, it denotes God's heavenly dwelling place, the restored and ultimate blessed environment. It represents the redeemed state of eternal bliss, perfect communion with God, and a state of holiness and peace akin to Eden but transcending its limitations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says": This common phrase highlights the spiritual requirement for understanding divine revelation. It points to a deliberate choice and spiritual capacity to perceive the deeper meaning behind the words, beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It also signifies that the messages are of urgent, spiritual consequence and universal relevance for all who genuinely seek to walk with God.
• "To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life": This establishes a conditional promise. "Overcoming" is presented as the condition for receiving the unique privilege. It directly connects faithful endurance in the Christian life to the ultimate reward: eternal life and sustenance found only in God's presence, mediated by Christ. This signifies a personal victory over sin, self, and the world, enabled by faith in Jesus.
• "the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God": This powerful imagery depicts the fullness of God's blessing for His redeemed. It is the ultimate destiny for believers—to be in God's perfect presence, enjoying His very life source without hindrance. It encapsulates the full restoration of humanity's relationship with its Creator, an intimate and unending communion in a divinely perfect setting, fulfilling the hope promised since the Fall.

Revelation 2 7 Bonus section

The seven promises to the overcomers in Revelation 2 and 3 collectively form a progressive picture of eschatological blessings, revealing the scope of what is prepared for the faithful. They begin with eternal life (tree of life) and culminate in co-reigning with Christ on His throne. This progression highlights that Christian endurance is not in vain but leads to the deepest and most profound communion and partnership with the King of Kings. The promise in Rev 2:7, being the first in this series, lays the groundwork for all subsequent blessings, emphasizing eternal life and restored divine fellowship as the foundational rewards. It re-establishes humanity's access to the life-giving presence of God, a privilege lost since the Fall but regained through Christ's victory and the believer's enduring faith. This underscores the core message of salvation: restoration of humanity's relationship with its Creator for eternity.

Revelation 2 7 Commentary

Revelation 2:7 encapsulates the foundational principle of divine communication and the ultimate hope for the faithful. The initial call to "hear what the Spirit says" underscores that God's truth is not merely for passive reception but demands active spiritual engagement and discernment. This is a personal appeal to the individual believer, reminding them that the divine word carries authority and eternal implications. The subsequent promise, "To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God," articulates the magnificent reward for perseverance in the faith. Overcoming is not a human feat of strength but a victory secured by enduring steadfastly in Christ amidst trials, false teachings, and the world's pressures. The "tree of life" and "Paradise of God" are powerful biblical metaphors, pointing back to Eden, signifying the complete restoration of unbroken fellowship with God, access to eternal life, and dwelling in His glorious, untainted presence. It promises the full and perfect experience of salvation, bringing believers into their divine inheritance—a reality that transcends any earthly struggle and fulfills the longing of the human soul for ultimate communion with its Creator.

• Examples: Overcoming might involve rejecting cultural pressures that compromise Christian values (e.g., maintaining integrity in business dealings when dishonesty is common). It could mean forgiving someone who has wronged you deeply, maintaining faith during periods of intense personal suffering, or upholding biblical truth even when it is unpopular.