Revelation 2:23

23 I will also kill her followers, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who knows everyone's thoughts and wishes. I will repay each of you according to what you have done. ¹

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 have given her time to repent of her sins, but she does not want to turn from her immorality.

22 And so I will throw her on a bed where she and those who committed adultery with her will suffer terribly. I will do this now unless they repent of the wicked things they did with her.

23 I will also kill her followers, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who knows everyone's thoughts and wishes. I will repay each of you according to what you have done.

24 "But the rest of you in Thyatira have not followed this evil teaching; you have not learned what the others call "the deep secrets of Satan.' I say to you that I will not put any other burden on you.

25 But until I come, you must hold firmly to what you have.

Cross References

• 1. 2.23 aPsalms 7.9;Jeremiah 17.10; bPsalms 62.12.