Revelation 2:19, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the messages to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 1-3, given by Christ through John and to be heeded. The seven churches represent successive states of the Christian church from Christ's first advent to His second appearing, each name standing for the church in a different period of the Christian era. With the number seven indicating completeness the messages extend to the end of time and remain in force today, portraying the state of things existing among professed Christians in the churches of the religious world today. In symbol they picture God's professed people as wheat developing among tares, while truth stands on its own eternal basis in contrast with error.

As part of those chapters the verse gives an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. It confronts indifference to the signs He foretold and gives evidence that the end of the world is right upon us. The opening acknowledgment means Christ is weighing the character of those who take His name, knowing their works and the thoughts and intents of the heart, every word and act, their religious experience, and whom each person loves and serves. Every individual is under His supervision, and therefore close self-examination is called for.

The verse describes Thyatira as full of zeal and activity in charity and service and faith and patience, with the last works more than the first, outlining a progressive work to be established in many places. Christ's knowledge also brings approval of faithful service, including giving practical material help to people in need and supporting the cause, so that young people who sacrifice for others and keep themselves unspotted from the world receive His approval. Because God knows human works and His eye is always upon people so that no dishonest act can be hidden from Him, strict honesty and a clear conscience in every transaction are required.

The message to Thyatira continues beyond this verse with counsel to hold fast until Christ comes and to overcome and keep His works to the end, with the promise to the overcomer of authority over the nations and the gift of the morning star. The charities and zeal commended in the verse were endangered by false teachers, and the same danger exists today when worldly schemes and interests take up time and attention and the work of the third angel's message languishes. Christ therefore bids workers to come into line, to arouse, and to let their labors be marked with far greater earnestness, revealing the same diligence and zeal with which He keeps His church. In connection with chapter 2 the verse joins a call to heed the warning about losing first love. Correcting little faith requires seeking the Lord with all the heart, having due respect for their works' sake for those who have borne the burden in the heat of the day, loving God supremely and one's neighbor as oneself, and humbling the heart before God so it is safe for Him to work with and for His people, and then truth will prosper in their hands and go forth as a lamp that burneth.