Revelation 2:18-29 NKJV – “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things say the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, 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 allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 “And I gave her time to 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 of their deeds. 23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 “But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He 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 the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ‘
V18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things say the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass…” Jesus emphasizes to this church His Sonship—He is God the Son. The eyes refer to His power, authority, knowledge of everything, zeal, purity of character, holiness, His testing of people’s character, etc., and so for His feet. When Jesus says that He knows us, He knows us completely—every thought, intent, action, plan, etc.
V19 “…I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and [as] for your works, the last [are] more than the first.” Jesus knows good things of this assembly such as what they are doing, their acts of love to others, their faith in Jesus and His teachings, and their patience in tribulations. If this is not enough, He recognizes their increased actions in their daily lives.
V20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” Somehow, this Jezebel became an influential pastor, and self-named prophetess. Some understand Jezebel to be her given name and others a nickname for her idolatries as the wife of Ahab. Note she calls herself a prophetess even though the Apostle John never commissioned her, nor is there any other church recognition. Her self-styled prophecies were for evil, not righteousness. Many consider this assembly to be the tolerant church because they allowed this fake Christian to have leadership. False prophets are roundly condemned by God. The devil, himself, was the first false prophet (Genesis 3:15 and compare it to 2 Corinthians 11:14).
V21 “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.” God warns, then gives a certain amount of time, and if disobedience continues, He punishes. She was horribly immoral, probably not much better than a whore.
V22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” Those who join her sexual exploits will all enter great tribulation, that is, great suffering. This great suffering probably will be physical and emotional. I doubt she is a Christian believer, so there is no new suffering for her soul which, unless she repents, will go to the Lake of Fire. God often punishes a tooth for a tooth, eye for eye, retribution. Sexual sins in bed, so punishment in the same bed. Vincent writes: “Of anguish. The scene of the sin is also the scene of the punishment.” This is not the Tribulation which is for the nation of Israel to be chastened and refined to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
V23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” If the children are her offspring, then they were among those who were immoral, too. If children refers to her disciples, her students, they there were being educated in sin. Death is the penalty for sin. Jesus again warns that He searches our hearts (our soul) and mind (what we think about). This is a warning to all churches past, present, and future. Sin has consequences. Any leader who does not address sin, preaching against it and/or participating in such sins, will suffer greatly.
V24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.” Evidently, she was teaching them about occultic practices, thus, the depths of satan. It is hard to believe that such sinful teachings (doctrine) could be in church. Let us remember that Jesus sees all, knows all, and punishes accordingly.
V25 “But hold fast what you have till I come.” To the true believers, Jesus commands to stay tightly in alignment with the truth that Jesus and the Apostles taught.
V26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…” There is a blessing to those who continue to believe, think, and live according to the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). They will have authority over nations, which is probably a kingship of whatever area Jesus assigns them to have authority over. God blesses those who fear Him. See Psalms 25:12 and Psalm 112:1. Fearing God is honoring, obeying, worshipping in love. It is something all Christians want to do.
V27 “…He 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…” The Rod of Iron rule means even-handed justice without compromising.
V28 “…and I will give him the morning star.”
Some comments:
• Revelation 2:28 (Ryrie Study Bible Notes) Probably a reference to Christ Himself (cf. 22:16; 2 Peter 1:19) or, perhaps, the immortal life that one will receive from Christ.
• Revelation 2:26 (Walvoord Prophecy Commentary) To the conquerors also is given the promise of “the morning star.” While various explanations of this expression have been given, it seems to refer to Christ Himself (cf. Rev. 22:16) in His role as the returning One who will rapture the church before the dark hours preceding the dawn of the millennial kingdom.
• Revelation 2:26 (Holman Commentary) A further reward of the overcomer is to receive the morning star. Morning stars appear only when night is over and a new day is at hand. The key for interpreting this is Revelation 22:16, where Christ is called the bright Morning Star. The reward is Christ himself, who will end the long night of sin’s rule in the universe. Verse 29 repeats the regular invitation to hear and heed the message.
V29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” A command from Jesus to know this message and obey it. He is Lord of the church and King of all kings.
We learn:
• Jesus knows everything.
• Jesus is the judge.
• Jesus gives warnings when people sin.
• Jesus punishes.
• Jesus rewards obedience.