Revelation 2:26

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: AND - implying the close connection of the promise with the exhortation, Revelation 2:25. AND KEEPETH - `and he that keepeth:' alluding, as in Revelation 2:24, to Acts 15:28, end. MY WORKS - in contrast to 'her (or their) works' (Revelation 2:22). The works which I command, the fruit of my Spirit. UNTO THE END - ...

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 wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper. Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God, and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of...

Verse 26. _POWER OVER THE NATIONS_] Every witness of Christ has power to confute and confound all the false doctrines and maxims of the nations of the world, for Christianity shall at last rule over all; the kingdom of Christ will come, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ....

AND HE THAT OVERCOMETH - notes on Revelation 2:7. AND KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END - The works that I command and that I require, to the end of his life. Compare John 13:1. TO HIM WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS - The evident meaning of what is said here, and in the next verse, is, that in accordance with the uniform promise made to the redeemed in the New Testament, they would partake of the final triumph anal glory of the Saviour, and be associated with him. It is not said that they would have exclusive power over the nations, or that they would hold offices of trust under him during a personal reign on the earth; but the meaning is, that they would be associated with him in his future glor

EXPOSITION REVELATION 3:1 _The epistles to the seven Churches. _Once more we have to consider rival interpretations. Of these we may safely set aside all those which make the seven letters to be pictures of _successive periods _in the history of the Church. On the other hand, we may safely deny that the letters are _purely typical, _and relate to nothing definite in history. Rather they are _both historical and typical. _They refer primarily to the actual condition of the several Churches in St. John's own day, and then are intended for the instruction, encouragement, and warning of the Church and the Churches throughout all time. The Catholic Church, or any one of its branches, will at any period find itself reflected in one or other of the seven Churches. For two Churches, Smyrna and Philadelphia, there is nothing but

AND HE THAT OVERCOMETH,.... Jezebel and her idolatries, her children, and all that commit adultery with her; such as are not drawn into the same evil practices with them, but bravely stand their ground against the Romish antichrist and his followers, and bear their testimony against his impious doctrines and idolatrous practices: AND KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END; either of life, or of this church state, or of time, when Christ will personally appear, even at the end of the world; and by his works are meant, not the works which were done by him, as his miracles and works of mercy to the souls and bodies of men, and works of righteousness in obedience to the law, and the work of redemption and salvation; though these are works to be observed, and kept in view, and to be preserved in memory, and for the encouragement of faith and hope; but the works which are commanded, and required by Ch...

II. THE THINGS WHICH ARE, THE SEVEN CHURCH MESSAGES, AND THEIR PROPHETIC MEANING CHAPTER 2 _ 1. Ephesus: The post-apostolic period (Revelation 2:1)_ 2. Smyrna: The period of persecution (Revelation 2:8) 3. Pergamos: The corruption period (Revelation 2:12) 4. Thyatira: The Romish corruption (Revelation 2:18) The two Chapter s 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 Apostle John was prisoner in the isle of Patmos. The view held by the late Dr. Bullinge

REVELATION 2:1 TO REVELATION 3:22. THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. These letters are addressed to individual churches, but their messages are intended for the Church as a whole. In every letter there occurs the phrase, He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches....

_THYATIRA_ IS NAMED FIRST IN ACTS, CHAPTER XVI. IT IS PROBABLE THAT LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD FORMED THE NUCLEUS OF THE CHURCH. THE NAME IS NOT MENTIONED AGAIN UNTIL IT APPEARS IN REVELATION. THE CITY WAS SITUATED NEAR PERGAMOS, STILL EXISTS UNDER. NEW NAME, AND CONTAINS ABOUT. THOUSAND HOUSES. THE CHURCH WAS REBUKED IN THE LETTER OF THE LORD, FOR FALLING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF. WOMAN WHOSE LIKENESS TO THE IDOLATROUS QUEEN OF AHAB GIVES HER THE NAME OF JEZEBEL. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN. PROFESSED CHRISTIAN POPULATION. THE SEVEN CHURCHES.--At the time when John wrote there were hundreds of churches in existence. On the Asiatic Continent many had been founded in Judea, Syria, and elsewhere, and in the district of which Ephesus was the commercial metropolis, and which was especially designated as _Asia,_ we know that in the last quarter of the first century there were not only the seven churches...

THE LETTER TO EPHESUS (Revelation 2:1-7)...