The selected text contains several excerpts from Jesus' letters to the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. It includes:

• Message to the church in Sardis: Jesus tells them that they are a "living" church but are actually "dead", and asks them to wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for their deeds are found to be unfinished in the sight of God. He warns them to remember, therefore, what they have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if they do not wake up, he will come like a thief, and they will not know at what time he will come to them.
• Message to the church in Philadelphia: Jesus praises their faithfulness and promises them protection and a secure position in the presence of God. He acknowledges their little strength, yet they have kept his word and have not denied his name. He promises to keep them from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. He is coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious he will make a pillar in the temple of his God. Never again will they leave it. He will write on them the name of his God and the name of the city of his God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from his God; and he will also write on them his new name.
• Message to the church in Laodicea: Jesus rebukes them for being "lukewarm" and advises them to repent and buy from Him what they really need. He counsels them to buy from him gold refined in the fire, so they can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so they can cover their shameful nakedness; and salve to put on their eyes, so they can see. Those whom he loves he rebukes and disciplines. So be earnest and repent. Here he is! He stands at the door and knocks. If anyone hears his voice and opens the door, he will come in and eat with that person, and they with him. To the one who is victorious, he will give the right to sit with him on his throne, just as he was victorious and sat down with his Father on his throne.

The text also includes descriptions of the places and geographic contexts of some of these churches, such as the hot springs near Laodicea, which were known for their lukewarm waters, providing a vivid metaphor for the church's spiritual state.

Finally, there is an excerpt about Paul's farewell speech to the elders of the church in Ephesus, where he warns them about false teachers and commends them to God. He declares that they will not see his face again, and that savage wolves will come in among them and will not spare the flock. Even from their own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years he never stopped warning each of them night and day with tears. Now he commits them to God and to the word of his grace, which can build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Overall, the text emphasizes the relevance of Jesus' messages to these historical churches and their application to the church today. It underscores the timeless nature of these messages, serving as a reminder, a call to action, and a source of encouragement and hope for the church in every age.