Revelation 2-3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear ,.... See Gill on Revelation 2:7 , he that overcometh ; and is not intimidated by poverty, confiscation of goods, tribulation, persecution, and death itself, but through Christ is a conqueror, and more than a conqueror over all these things: shall not be hurt of the second death ; by which is meant eternal death, in distinction from a corporeal and temporal one; and lies in a destruction of both body and soul in hell, and in an everlasting... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:12

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write ,.... Of the city of Pergamos; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 . In it was a church of Christ, but when it begun, and how long it lasted, is not certain. Antipas, who is mentioned, Revelation 2:13 ; is thought, by some, to have been the pastor of it. Though, according to the Apostolical Constitutions F19 L. 7. c. 46. , Caius was the first bishop of it; and it appears, that in the "second" century there were several in this place that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:13

I know thy works ,.... Both good and bad, and which in that pure part of this church, which opposed the growing corruptions of antichrist, were for the most part good, And where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is . Pergamos was a city very much given to idolatry, here Satan reigned while it was Pagan, and so was a fit emblem of the idolatrous church of Rome. Pausanias says F1 L. 1. sive Attica, p. 8. , the country the Pergamenes inhabited was sacred to the Cabiri, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee ,.... The members of this church before their open separation from the apostasy; who still continued in the communion of the corrupt church of Rome, though they remonstrated against the errors and evil practices that crept in; and so were a stumbling block, and a snare to others to join in their idolatry and superstition: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:15

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans ,.... These impure heretics sprung up in the time of the apostolic church, but their doctrines were not received, and their deeds were hated, see Revelation 2:6 . This seems to design the doctrines of the church of Rome, which in this period took place; which forbid marriage to the priests, and recommended celibacy and virginity to others also; which were the source of all uncleanness and abominable lusts; for which pardons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:16

Repent ,.... This is said to those who were truly godly in those times, but still retained their communion with these corrupt men, and had not, as yet, separated from then; nor had they protested against these evil doctrines and practices, at least but very coldly, and had too much connived at them; and therefore are called upon to repent of their lukewarmness, negligence, and sinful compliances: or else I will come unto thee quickly : in a providential way, to rebuke and chastise for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear ,.... See Gill on Revelation 2:7 . To him that overcometh ; the Balaamites and Nicolaitans, and do not give in to the doctrines and practices of the one, or of the other, whatever persecution and trouble he meets with, and endures on that account: will I give to eat of the hidden manna ; in opposition to eating things sacrificed to idols, refused by him. The allusion is to the manna which the Israelites ate of in the wilderness, which may be called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:18

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write ,.... Of the city of Thyatira; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 ; a church was formed here very likely by the Apostle Paul; Lydia was a native of this place, who, and her household were converted and baptized by him at Philippi, Acts 16:14 ; though Epiphanius F21 Contra Haeres. l. 2. Haeres. 51. seems to grant, what some heretics objected to the authority of this book, that there was no church at Thyatira when this letter was written;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:19

I know thy works ,.... Good works, as appears from the particular enumeration of them afterwards, and the commendation of proficiency in them, the last being more than the first, and the distinction from the evil ones in Revelation 2:20 ; this is said to the faithful followers and professors of Christ in this interval: and charity ; by which is meant not a relieving the wants of the poor; much less such a charity as connives at the errors and heresies of men; but the divine grace of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:20

Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee ,.... By way of complaint; so the Arabic version renders it, "I have a certain complaint against thee". The impartiality of Christ may be observed in taking notice of the bad deeds, as well as of the good ones of his people, and his tenderness in representing them as few; and these things he had against them not in a judicial way to their condemnation, but in a providential way, in order to chastise them for them, for their good; and they are... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:20

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