Revelation 2:26 - Exposition

And he that overcometh . The usual promise ( Revelation 2:7 , Revelation 2:11 , Revelation 2:17 ; Revelation 3:5 , Revelation 3:12 , Revelation 3:21 ) is here closely connected with the charge which immediately precedes. In this and in the remaining three epistles the proclamation, "He that hath an ear," etc., follows instead of preceding the promise. Keepeth my works . This is a phrase thoroughly characteristic of St. John's style; compare for this use of "keep," Revelation 1:3 ; Revelation 3:3 , Revelation 3:8 , Revelation 3:10 , etc.; John 8:51 , John 8:52 , John 8:55 ; John 9:16 ; John 14:15 , John 14:21 , John 14:23 , John 14:24 , etc.; 1 John 2:3 , 1 John 2:4 , 1 John 2:5 ; 1 John 3:22 , 1 John 3:24 , etc.; and for "works," in the sense of works which Christ does or approves, comp. Revelation 15:3 ; John 6:28 , John 6:29 ; John 7:3 , John 7:21 ; John 11:3 , John 11:4 , etc. "My works" here are in marked contrast to "her works" in John 11:22 . "He that overcometh, and he that keepeth" is a nominativus pendens; and such constructions are specially frequent in St. John (comp. Revelation 3:12 , Revelation 3:21 ; John 6:39 ; John 7:38 ; John 15:2 ; John 17:2 ; 1 John 2:24 , 1 John 2:27 ). Links of connexion between the Revelation and the Gospel or Epistles of St. John should be carefully noted. The phrase for "unto the end" ( ἄχριτέλους ) occurs only here and Hebrews 6:11 ; but comp. Hebrews 3:6 , Hebrews 3:14 ; 1 Corinthians 1:8 . "Unto the end" ( εἰς τέλος ) in John 13:1-38 . I probably means "to the uttermost," not "to the end of life." Authority over the nations. "Authority" is better than "power" for ἐξουσία , not merely as implying that the power is rightly held and exercised, but also to mark the parallel with "Have thou authority over ten cities" ( Luke 19:17 ; comp. Matthew 21:23 , Matthew 21:24 , Matthew 21:27 ; Acts 9:14 ; Acts 26:10 ).