Revelation 2:18-29

The Letter to the Church at Thyatira. Thyatira, which was about 4 miles SE. of Pergamum, was relatively much less important than the cities already mentioned. It was a commercial centre, and seems to have been chiefly famous for the dyeing trade (cf. Acts 16:14 f.).

Revelation 2:18. the Son of God: while the rest of the verse is borrowed from the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13, this phrase is an addition.

Revelation 2:19. last works, etc.: contrast Revelation 2:4 f., where the reverse is said of Ephesus.

Revelation 2:20. Jezebel: probably some Jewish-Christian woman of great influence and power, who had been leading the church at Thyatira astray, by advocating the principles of the Nicolaitans. Another, but less likely, suggestion is that the name Jezebel stands for a heathen priestess or Sibyl who exercised great influence at Thyatira, and led an attack upon Christianity. idols: Revelation 2:14 *.

Revelation 2:22. a bed: i.e. a bed of pain or tribulation. those that commit adultery: probably used metaphorically, hence her followers and adherents.

Revelation 2:23. her children: i.e. her converts.

Revelation 2:24. the deep things: the Jezebel party had probably undertaken to lead the church into the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10 *) and had interpreted this phrase to mean, All things are lawful. The writer takes up their phrase and changes it into the deep things of Satan. no other burden: a reference to the Apostolic Decree in Acts 15:28.

Revelation 2:26. authority: the imagery is suggested by Psalms 2:8. Christians are to share in the glory of the Messianic reign.

Revelation 2:27. Cf. again Psalms 2:8 f.

Revelation 2:28. the morning star: in Revelation 22:16 Christ is described as the morning star, and many commentators take this verse as a promise of the Parousia. But though the metaphor is the same, its application may be different, and the words need only indicate in this passage the freshness and beauty of the glory with which the redeemed are to be clothed.