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Revelation 2:18
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16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and awill fight against them with the sword of My mouth.  
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden amanna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone ba new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’  

The Corrupt Church

18 “And to the1 angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, awho has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:  
19 a“I know your works, love,1 service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.  
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow2 that woman aJezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,3 to teach and seduce My servants bto commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.  
21 And I gave her time ato repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.  
22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of1 their deeds.  
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who asearches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.  
24 “Now to you I say,1 and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the adepths of Satan, as they say, bI will put on you no other burden.  
25 But hold fast awhat you have till I come.  
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps aMy works until the end, bto him I will give power over the nations— 
27 ‘Hea shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;  
28 and I will give him athe morning star.  
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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<< Revelation 2:17   Revelation 2:19 >>

What Does Revelation 2:18 Mean?



Revelation 2:18-29

The church at Thyatira is guilty of fornication. Spiritually fornication is one of God's terms for being "mixed up with the world." Fornication is something that one should never do, let alone when one is supposed to be in a relationship with another. Fornication represents idolatry'faithlessness to a relationship.

John W. Ritenbaugh
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)

Related Topics: Faithlessness | Fornication | Fornication, Spiritual | Friendship with the World | Idolatry as Spiritual Fornication | Israel's Faithlessness | Seventh Commandment | Spiritual Fornication | Syncretism | Syncretistic Religion | The Seventh Commandment



Revelation 2:1-29

Consider that this is Christ's message to His church just before the end, and this is what is most important for His people as we approach the end. Doctrine is mentioned seven times. Is that interesting in light of the times in which we live? We are seeing a major part of the church going haywire on doctrine! Is there something in the letter to Thyatira that mentions things that are happening in that group?

The letters contain at least eleven warnings to these seven churches but also at least twelve promises. Christ mentions faith, patience, conduct, and doctrine. But the two greatest, related concerns for His church at the end are works (Revelation 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8, 15) and overcoming (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21).

Today, an awful lot of people are interested in church government at this time. It is not even mentioned by Christ! There are people who are interested in rituals, sacraments, and ceremonies, of which would be things like baptism or the Passover. But nothing in the seven letters alludes to these things. Nor is there anything in them about preaching the gospel around the world. These things have their place, but what we see is Christ's concern with doctrine, conduct, warnings to repent, and promises of reward.

Now these things that are not mentioned are less important than faith, repentance, and holiness, all of which directly impact on doctrine, conduct, and receiving the promises. All of these are bracketed between His statements about works and overcoming.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Revelation 2-3 and Works

Related Topics: Conduct | Doctrine | Doctrine, Importance of | Doctrines, Basic | Promises of Reward | Repentance | Repentance, Motivation For | Reward, Promises of | Seven Churches of Revelation



Revelation 2:18-19

Christ compliments these people for their works, love, service, faith, and patience. He mentions "works" (ergon, "deeds, doings, labor") twice, probably for emphasis. These five traits are among the most highly prized of New Testament admonitions to Christians. Not only do these people have them, but they have continued to grow in them—even during the confusion, scattering, and apostasy the church is suffering! What a compliment, considering the woeful spiritual downfall and lackadaisical approach of so many.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira

Related Topics: Apostasy | Charitable Deeds | Christ's Compliment to Thyatira | Church at Thyatira | Deeds | Doings | Ergon | Good Deeds | Labor | Lackadaisical Attitudes | Scattering | Scattering of Church | Thyatira | Thyatira, Church of | Works


 
<< Revelation 2:17   Revelation 2:19 >>

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