Revelation 2:23

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he 1who searches mind and heart, and 2I will give to each of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:23 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death
Her popes, cardinals, priests, Jesuits, monks, friars, and all that join in the Romish apostasy, they shall be killed with death; there shall be an utter extirpation of them in God's own time; or they shall be killed with the second death: (antwm) , when used alone, or as distinct from any other kind of death, signifies the plague; compare with this ( 2 Kings 9:24 ) ( 2 Kings 10:1 2 Kings 10:7 ) ;

and all the churches:
that shall be in being at the time of Rome's destruction:

shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and heart;
or am the omniscient God; which will be known by inflicting punishment on the followers of antichrist; when their hidden things of darkness will be brought to light, and exposed by him; and they shall receive the righteous reward of their evil practices, which they have coloured over, and glossed with specious pretences of religion and holiness, and a zeal for God and his glory, when they only meant themselves, the gratifying their carnal lusts, and securing their worldly interests, and amassing riches and honours to themselves:

and I will give unto everyone of you according to your works;
who have connived at, and joined with them in their evil deeds; as many as were seduced by the false prophetess to commit spiritual fornication with her: as Christ is omniscient, and does not judge according to the outward appearance of things, but knows the principles and ends of all actions, however covert they may be; so he is righteous in judging and in punishing, which will be according as men's works are; and not one shall escape his righteous judgment, nor the due desert of their sins, though the punishment of some may be greater than that of others.

Revelation 2:23 In-Context

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 7:9; Psalms 26:2; Jeremiah 20:12; See Romans 8:27
  • 2. See Matthew 16:27
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.