Revelation 2:16

16 Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 2:16

Repent
This is said to those who were truly godly in those times, but still retained their communion with these corrupt men, and had not, as yet, separated from then; nor had they protested against these evil doctrines and practices, at least but very coldly, and had too much connived at them; and therefore are called upon to repent of their lukewarmness, negligence, and sinful compliances:

or else I will come unto thee quickly:
in a providential way, to rebuke and chastise for such remissness, indifference, and evil communication:

and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth;
of this sword, (See Gill on Revelation 1:16). And it is observable, that Christ does not say, "I will fight against thee"; the true members of his mystical body, though lax and supine, for Christ does not fight against his people, but for them; but he says, "and will fight against them"; the Balaamites and Nicolaitans, for their idolatry and uncleanness.

Revelation 2:16 In-Context

14 But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate.

16 Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the congregations {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}; To him that overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a small white stone and in the stone a new name written, which no one knows except the one that receives it.

18 And unto the angel of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} in Thyatira write; These things, saith the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet like unto brilliant metal: