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Commentary on Revelation 2 verses 18–29
The form of each epistle is very much the same; and in this, as the rest, we have to consider the inscription, contents, and conclusion.
I. The inscription, telling us, 1. To whom it is directed: To the angel of the church of Thyatira, a city of the proconsular Asia, bordering upon Mysia on the north and Lydia on the south, a town of trade, whence came the woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, who, being at Philippi in Macedonia, probably about the business of her calling, heard Paul preach there, and God opened her heart, that she attended to the things that were spoken, and believed, and was baptized, and entertained Paul and Silas there. Whether it was by her means that the gospel was brought into her own city, Thyatira, is not certain; but that it was there, and successful to the forming of a gospel church, this epistle assures us. 2. By whom it was sent: by the Son of God, who is here described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like as fine brass. His general title is here, the Son of God, that is, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, which denotes that he has the same nature with the Father, but with a distinct and subordinate manner of subsistence. The description we have here of him is in two characters: - (1.) That his eyes are like a flame of fire, signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men (Rev 2:23), and will make all the churches to know he does so. (2.) That his feet are like fine brass, that the outgoings of his providence are steady, awful, and all pure and holy. As he judges with perfect wisdom, so he acts with perfect strength and steadiness.
II. The contents or subject-matter of this epistle, which, as the rest, includes,
1.The honourable character and commendation Christ gives of this church, ministry, and people; and this given by one who was no stranger to them, but well acquainted with them and with the principles from which they acted. Now in this church Christ makes honourable mention, (1.) Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no religion where there is no charity. (2.) Their service, their ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had laboured in the word and doctrine. (3.) Their faith, which was the grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service. (4.) Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet with that which will exercise their patience. (5.) Their growing fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and best at last.
2.A faithful reproof for what was amiss. This is not so directly charged upon the church itself as upon some wicked seducers who were among them; the church's fault was that she connived too much at them.
(1.)These wicked seducers were compared to Jezebel, and called by her name. Jezebel was a persecutor of the prophets of the Lord, and a great patroness of idolaters and false prophets. The sin of these seducers was that they attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication, and to offer sacrifices to idols; they called themselves prophets, and so would claim a superior authority and regard to the ministers of the church. Two things aggravated the sin of these seducers, who, being one in their spirit and design, are spoken of as one person: - [1.] They made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of his doctrine and worship; this very much aggravated their sin. [2.] They abused the patience of God to harden themselves in their wickedness. God gave them space for repentance, but they repented not. Observe, First, Repentance is necessary to prevent a sinner's ruin. Secondly, Repentance requires time, a course of time, and time convenient; it is a great work, and a work of time. Thirdly, Where God gives space for repentance, he expects fruits meet for repentance. Fourthly, Where the space for repentance is lost, the sinner perishes with a double destruction.
(2.)Now why should the wickedness of this Jezebel be charged upon the church of Thyatira? Because that church suffered her to seduce the people of that city. But how could the church help it? They had not, as a church, civil power to banish or imprison her; but they had ministerial power to censure and to excommunicate her: and it is probable that neglecting to use the power they had made them sharers in her sin.
3.The punishment of this seducer, this Jezebel, Rev 2:22, Rev 2:23, in which is couched a prediction of the fall of Babylon. (1.) I will cast her into a bed, into a bed of pain, not of pleasure, into a bed of flames; and those who have sinned with her shall suffer with her; but this may yet be prevented by their repentance. (2.) I will kill her children with death; that is, the second death, which does the work effectually, and leaves no hope of future life, no resurrection for those that are killed by the second death, but only to shame and everlasting contempt.
4.The design of Christ in the destruction of these wicked seducers, and this was the instruction of others, especially of his churches: All the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and the hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works. God is known by the judgments that he executes; and, by this revenge taken upon seducers, he would make known, (1.) His infallible knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper, their formality, their indifference, their secret inclinations to symbolize with idolaters. (2.) His impartial justice, in giving every one according to his work, that the name of Christians should be no protection, their churches should be no sanctuaries for sin and sinners.
5.The encouragement given to those who keep themselves pure and undefiled: But to you I say, and unto the rest, etc., Rev 2:24. Observe, (1.) What these seducers called their doctrines - depths, profound mysteries, amusing the people, and endeavouring to persuade them that they had a deeper insight into religion than their own ministers had attained to. (2.) What Christ called them - depths of Satan, Satanical delusions and devices, diabolical mysteries; for there is a mystery of iniquity, as well and the great mystery of godliness. It is a dangerous thing to despise the mystery of God, and it is as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. (3.) How tender Christ is of his faithful servants: "I will lay upon you no other burden; but that which you have already hold fast till I come, Rev 2:24, Rev 2:25. I will not overburden your faith with any new mysteries, nor your consciences with any new laws. I only require your attention to what you have received. Hold that fast till I come, and I desire no more." Christ is coming to put an end to all the temptations of his people; and, if they hold fast faith and a good conscience till he come, all the difficulty and danger will be over.
III. We now come to the conclusion of this message, Rev 2:26-29. Here we have, 1. The promise of an ample reward to the persevering victorious believer, in two parts: - (1.) Very great power and dominion over the rest of the world: Power over the nations, which may refer either to the time when the empire should turn Christian, and the world be under the government of the Christian emperor, as in Constantine's time; or to the other world, when believers shall sit down with Christ on his throne of judgment, and join with him in trying, and condemning, and consigning over to punishment the enemies of Christ and the church. The upright shall have dominion in the morning. (2.) Knowledge and wisdom, suitable to such power and dominion: I will give him the morning-star. Christ is the morning-star. He brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory; and he will give his people that perfection of light and wisdom which is requisite to the state of dignity and dominion that they shall have in the morning of the resurrection. 2. This epistle ends with the usual demand of attention: He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. In the foregoing epistles, this demand of attention comes before the concluding promise; but in this, and all that follow, it comes after, and tells us that we should all attend to the promises as well as to the precepts that Christ delivers to the churches.
The fourth class intimates the nobility of the faithful, who labour daily, and do greater works. But even among them also He shows that there are men of an easy disposition to grant unlawful peace, and to listen to new forms of prophesying; and He reproves and warns the others to whom this is not pleasing, who know the wickedness opposed to them: for which evils He purposes to bring upon the head of the faithful both sorrows and dangers; and therefore He says:-
"I will not put upon you any other burden." That is, I have not given you laws, observances, and duties, which is another burden.
"But that which ye have, hold fast until I come; and he that overcometh, to him will I give power over all peoples." That is, him I will appoint as judge among the rest of the saints.
"And I will give him the morning star." To wit, the first resurrection. He promised the morning star, which drives away the night, and announces the light, that is, the beginning of day.
He says that he knows the work, the love, the faith, the service and the patience of his church. “And that your latter works exceed the first.” He indicates that at the end of time there will be a great number of saints, when, with the coming of the man of sin, the son of perdition, innumerable thousands of saints will be consecrated with their own blood.
And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass. I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy charity, and thy ministry, and thy patience, and thy last works which are more than the former. This is said to the universal Church, whose works, charity, and faith the Lord knows because he approves them by the grace of choosing. However, these things are mentioned out of order: for you first need to believe, then to love what you believe, and lastly to do the works love and belief force you to. By ministry in this passage he wants us to understand ample almsgiving in extreme poverty. We should however ask the question of why the last works of the Church are declared to be more than the former. So, one should know that at first, the Gentiles converted to Christ were ordered by the apostles to keep only four laws: namely to abstain from things sacrificed, fornication, meat of animals killed by suffocation, and blood; [Cf. Acts 15:19-20] but after a little time had passed, they attained the summit of perfection, so that many of the believers disregarded all things of the world. Either this is the explanation, or it is because starting from the persecution of the Antichrist a greater virtue of works will shine in the Church. Indeed, while the Church made up of Gentiles is now working alone, it will then also bring the Jews to faith, and thus work twice as much.
He said, I know your works, your love and faith and service, just as he said, I praise all your efforts. For he puts "I know," instead of, "I praise," like, "I know you to be spoken of among all men" to Moses, (Ex. 33:12) and "the Lord knows the way of the righteous." (Ps. 1:6) And he says that service is assistance to those in need.
And he says that your latter works exceed the first; it shows that as they went on, they themselves became greater in fulfilling the commandments.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 2:19 presents Jesus Christ's commendation to the church in Thyatira, highlighting their commendable spiritual state. The verse acknowledges their diligent works, profound charity (love), dedicated service, unwavering faith, and steadfast patience. Crucially, it notes that their latter works surpassed their former, indicating significant spiritual growth and increasing faithfulness over time, a rare and highly praised characteristic among the seven churches of Asia.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 2:19 employs several Literary Devices to convey its message with impact. The most prominent is Enumeration, where a list of virtues ("works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience") is systematically presented, painting a comprehensive picture of the church's positive attributes. This list is punctuated by Anaphora, the repetition of the conjunction "and" (καί, kai), which creates a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the cumulative nature of their commendable qualities. The repetition of "thy works" also serves as Emphasis, first acknowledging their deeds generally, then highlighting their growth specifically. The culminating phrase, "and the last [to be] more than the first," uses Comparison to underscore their remarkable spiritual progress, suggesting a dynamic and improving commitment rather than stagnation or decline. This commendation, coming from the omniscient Christ, also implicitly employs Divine Omniscience as a thematic device, reminding the reader that God sees and values every genuine act of faith and love.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 2:19 offers profound theological insights into Christ's relationship with His church and the nature of genuine discipleship. It reveals that Christ possesses an intimate, comprehensive knowledge of His people's spiritual state, seeing beyond outward appearances to the sincerity of their hearts and the diligence of their actions. The commendation of Thyatira's increasing works, love, service, faith, and patience underscores that Christian maturity is not static but a dynamic process of growth and deepening commitment. This spiritual momentum is highly valued by Christ, demonstrating that faithfulness is not merely about starting well, but about persevering and abounding in good deeds, love, and endurance throughout one's journey. It affirms that true faith is always active, expressing itself through love and practical service, even in challenging environments.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 2:19 serves as both a profound encouragement and a powerful challenge for believers today. Firstly, it reassures us that our Lord, Jesus Christ, sees and deeply values every act of faithfulness, love, and service we render. No deed, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, goes unnoticed by His omniscient gaze. This truth should inspire us to live with intentionality, knowing that our efforts for His kingdom are eternally significant. Secondly, the commendation that "the last [to be] more than the first" calls us to a life of continuous spiritual growth and increasing devotion. It challenges us to avoid complacency, to press forward in our faith, to abound more and more in love, service, and patient endurance. Our journey with Christ is not about maintaining a status quo, but about dynamic progress, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us more fully into His likeness, yielding greater fruit over time. This verse encourages a holistic discipleship where internal faith is consistently expressed through outward actions of love and practical ministry, sustained by patient perseverance in the face of life's inevitable trials.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the last [to be] more than the first" specifically mean for the church in Thyatira?
Answer: This phrase is a high commendation, indicating that the church in Thyatira had not only maintained its initial faithfulness but had actually increased in its spiritual activity and virtues over time. Their recent deeds of love, service, faith, and patience were greater in quantity or quality than their earlier ones. This signifies remarkable spiritual growth, perseverance, and a deepening commitment to Christ, which was particularly noteworthy given the challenging pagan environment of Thyatira.
How does this verse relate to the broader message of the letters to the seven churches?
Answer: Revelation 2:19 highlights a unique strength of the Thyatiran church that contrasts with the rebukes given to other churches (e.g., Ephesus for losing its first love in Revelation 2:4 or Sardis for being dead in Revelation 3:1). While Thyatira also receives a severe rebuke for tolerating false teaching (as seen in Revelation 2:20), this verse shows that many within the congregation were genuinely growing in their devotion. It underscores Christ's nuanced assessment of each church, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses, and emphasizing the importance of active, growing faith.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 2:19, with its commendation of increasing works, love, service, faith, and patience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and enabling power in Jesus Christ Himself. He is the perfect embodiment of all these virtues, the one who perfectly "knows" and perfectly acts. His entire earthly ministry was characterized by tireless "works" of compassion, healing, and teaching, culminating in the ultimate "service" of laying down His life for humanity (Mark 10:45). He is the very definition of "charity" or agápē love, demonstrating God's unconditional love on the cross (John 15:13). His "faith" in the Father's plan was unwavering, even unto death (Hebrews 12:2), and His "patience" in enduring suffering and opposition was absolute (1 Peter 2:23). Furthermore, Christ's work was always increasing, moving towards its glorious completion, with "the last" acts of redemption and resurrection surpassing all that came before (John 17:4). As believers, we are called to live in union with Him, for it is through His indwelling Spirit that we are empowered to manifest these virtues, and it is His ongoing work in us that enables our "last works to be more than the first," drawing us into greater conformity with His perfect character and mission (Philippians 2:13).