Revelation 2:22-23 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 2:23

(23) Her children.—This is to be understood of her followers. The so-called prophetess led the way in looseness of morals, under the pretence of some deeper knowledge. She had her associates and their disciples; the evil and the evil consequences would grow; the disciples outrun their teachers, and more than tribulation—death—is their penalty. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 2:1-29

Revelation 2:1 Compare Milton's magnificent apostrophe, in The Remonstrant's Defence: 'Who is there that cannot trace Thee now in Thy beamy walk through the midst of Thy sanctuary, amidst those golden candlesticks, which have long suffered a dimness amongst us through the violence of those that had seized them, and were more taken with the mention of their gold than of their starry light; teaching the doctrine of Balaam, to cast a stumbling-block before Thy servants, commanding them to eat... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:1-29

CHAPTER IITHE CHURCH ON THE FIELD OF HISTORY.Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22To the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, He that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them which call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; and thou hast patience and didst bear for My name’s sake,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE, THE SEVEN CHURCH MESSAGES, AND THEIR PROPHETIC MEANING CHAPTER 2 1. Ephesus: The post-apostolic period (Revelation 2:1-7 ) 2. Smyrna: The period of persecution (Revelation 2:8-11 ) 3. Pergamos: The corruption period (Revelation 2:12-17 ) 4. Thyatira: The Romish corruption (Revelation 2:18-29 ) The two chapters which follow the introductory chapter contain seven messages to seven local churches which were in existence in the province of Asia in the days when the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:1-29

The Address to Ephesus (vv. 1-7) Each local assembly is addressed on the basis of its responsibility as a testimony for God. Each of these assemblies actually existed and were functioning as assemblies in Asia Minor at the time of John's writing, but the spiritual condition of each is strikingly representative of seven successive stages of the entire history of the Church on earth from its beginning until the coming of the Lord (the Rapture). This interpretation is supported by such... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:1-29

THE SEVEN CHURCHES This section might also be entitled “The things which are.” No agreement exists as to the application of “angel” in the address to each of these churches, but as the word means “messenger,” it may refer to those sent by the churches to interview the apostle at Patmos (see Philippians 4:18 ). Of course, the seven churches existed at this time in Asia, and yet the epistles have not only a local application to them, but apply representatively to the whole church everywhere at... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 2:18-29

(18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (19) I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:18-29

To the Angel of the church of Thyatira. Here is first a commendation of their constancy in the faith, in good works, charity, patience, and ministry, which chiefly regards their bishop, whoever he was at that time. The heretics, called Alogians, who rejected the Apocalypse, (chiefly because of the clear proofs of the divinity of the Word, or Son of God) pretended that there was not church at Thyatria, when St. John is supposed to have written his Apocalypse. They have not proof of this. This... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 2:18-29

18-29 Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better. All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church connived at some... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Revelation 2:1-99

Revelation 2 CHAPTERS 2 AND 3 “the things which are” may be read in three ways. First, as a record of the state of seven churches in the Province of Asia as the first century drew to its close. By then all the Apostles, save the aged John, were gone, and their shepherd care no longer available. Various dangers were discerned and uncovered by the Lord, and various declensions, defections and defilements exposed. Of the seven only two churches, the first and the seventh, are alluded to elsewhere... read more