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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev_2:18-29
18"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 19'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22'Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24'But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
Rev_2:18 "The Son of God" It was very common to refer to Jesus as "Son." The most common title using this metaphor was "Son of man," which was Jesus' self-chosen title. The other term was "Son of God" which was a common designation for Jesus in John's writings (cf. Joh_1:34; Joh_1:49; Joh_5:25; Joh_9:35; Joh_10:36; Joh_11:4; Joh_11:27; Joh_19:7; Joh_20:31; 1Jn_3:8; 1Jn_4:15; 1Jn_5:5; 1Jn_5:10; 1Jn_5:12-13; 1Jn_5:20). A third use of "son" is found in the book of Hebrews (cf. Heb_1:2; Heb_3:6; Heb_5:8; Heb_7:28) where Jesus is contrasted with a servant (i.e., Moses, the prophets). He is a full family member with the Father.
This is not one of the descriptive phrases from chapter 1. This term, like "virgin-born," was used sparingly by NT authors probably because of the possible misunderstanding of pagan hearers, who would immediately relate these terms to their usages in the pagan pantheons. The Homeric gods and goddesses often were sexually active with humans, producing special offspring.
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▣ "who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze" This was another title for Jesus taken from Rev_1:14-15. It is an allusion to Dan_10:6 showing Jesus' heavenly origin. It is possible that it was used in connection with Thyatira because this city was famous for its bronzeware.
Rev_2:19 This verse is Jesus' acknowledgment of the ministry of the believers at Thyatira. They were active in kingdom work and getting even more active. This affirmation, however, did not excuse the heresy of Rev_2:20.
Rev_2:20 "But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess" This is an allusion to the Jezebel of 1Ki_16:31-33; 2Ki_9:21-22. Alexandrinus (MSS A) adds "Thy" before Jezebel, which implied that she may have been the wife of the pastor of this church or an active church leader. But this is speculation. Her teachings (cf. Rev_2:20 c) were similar to the Balaamites in Rev_2:14 b and the Nicolaitans in Rev_2:15.
Jezebel was not rejected because she was a woman prophetess. There are many biblical examples of godly women leaders.
1. Miriam, Exo_15:20
2. Deborah, Jdg_4:4
3. Huldah, 2Ki_22:14
4. Anna, Luk_2:36
5. Philip's daughters, Act_21:9
6. Phoebe, Romana Rev_16:1
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Rev_2:21 God's mercy and patience as well as His justice are evident in Rev_2:21-23 (cf. Rom_2:5).
Rev_2:22 "I will throw her on a bed of sickness" This is sarcasm related to her bed of adultery (teachings about immorality).
▣ "great tribulation" See hyperlink at Rev_2:9 and the big end-time one at Rev_7:14.
▣ "unless they repent of her deeds" This is a third class conditional, which referred to potential future action but with an element of contingency.
Rev_2:23 "and I will kill her children" This does not refer to literal children, but to her followers (cf. Rev_2:22; 2Jn_1:1).
▣ "and all the churches will know" This shows that the seven letters were to be read and the truth applied by all the churches, then and now. For "church" see Special Topic at Rev_1:4.
▣ "I am He who searches the minds and hearts" The Bible asserts that God knows the motives and thoughts of all humans (cf. Psa_7:9; Psa_26:2; Psa_39:1; Pro_24:12; Jer_11:20; Jer_17:10; Luk_16:15; Act_1:24; Heb_4:12-13; Heb. 8:27).
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▣ "and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds" This spiritual truth is presented so clearly in Gal_6:7. We reap what we sow. This principle does not imply a salvation by human effort (cf. Eph_2:8-9), but that those who have met God in Christ will live godly, loving, serving lives (cf. Rev_3:12; Mat_25:1-46; Eph_2:10).
This is a spiritual principle. God is ethical-moral and so is His creation. Humans break themselves on God's standards. We reap what we sow. This is true for believers (but does not effect salvation) and unbelievers (cf. Job_34:11; Psa_28:4; Psa_62:12; Pro_24:12; Ecc_12:14; Jer_17:10; Jer_32:19; Mat_16:27; Mat_25:31-46; Rom_2:6; Rom_14:12; 1Co_3:8; 2Co_5:10; Gal_6:7-10; 1Ti_4:14; 1Pe_1:17; Rev_2:23; Rev_20:12; Rev_22:12).
Rev_2:24 "the deep things of Satan" There are several theories relating to this phrase. It could refer
1. to a catch-phrase of Jezebel and her followers
2. to the Gnostic false teachers' emphasis on knowledge
3. to the initiation rites of the mystery religions of the Roman Empire
4. in an antithetical way, to "the deep things of God" (cf. Rom_11:33; 1Co_2:10; Eph_3:18)
▣ "I place no other burden on you" This is an affirmation of the true believers in the city of Thyatira. They had an active, aggressive faith (cf. Rev_2:19).
Rev_2:25 "hold fast until I come" Christ's followers must persevere (cf. Rev_2:20) amidst persecution, heresy and apathy. This is a command (aorist active imperative). Jesus is on His way; He is coming soon (cf. Rev_2:16; Rev_22:7; Rev_22:20). This is the hope and encouragement of every generation of Christians.
Rev_2:26-27 This is an allusion to Psa_2:8-9, possibly with Isa_30:14 and Jer_19:11 added in. Jesus is the Messianic king. His kingdom is coming in worldwide power and consummation. It will be worth it all when His followers see Him!
Rev_2:26 "nations" The use of this term from the OT implies that it refers to those outside the covenant of YHWH (the exception is Rev_7:9). It becomes a way of referring to godless, wicked peoples (cf. Rev_2:26; Rev_5:9; Rev_10:11; Rev_11:2; Rev_11:9; Rev_11:18; Rev_12:5; Rev_13:7; Rev_14:6; Rev_14:8; Rev_16:19; Rev_17:15; Rev_18:3; Rev_18:23; Rev_19:15; Rev_20:8).
Rev_2:27 "I also have received authority from my Father" Jesus has already been given all authority (cf. Psalms 2; Mat_28:18; Php_2:9-11). Jesus' kingdom was present, but not consummated.
The OT quote in Rev_2:27 is from Psa_2:8 which initially referred to the Messiah (cf. Rev_12:5; Rev_19:15), but here it is used for believers who put their trust in Jesus Christ. They reign with Him. See Special Topic at Rev_5:10.
Rev_2:28 "and I will give him the morning star" There have been several possible interpretations of this phrase:
1. it referred to a metaphor for Christ (cf. Rev_22:16)
2. it referred to intimate knowledge and fellowship with Christ (cf. 2Pe_1:19)
3. it referred to resurrection (cf. Dan_12:3)
4. it referred to the military Messiah mentioned in Num_24:17
5. it referred to the joy of God's people (cf. Job_38:7)
6. it referred to a phrase used of Satan in Isa_14:12, but now for Christ
Rev_2:29 See note at Rev_2:7.