Revelation 2:16

16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 2:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 "Enough! Don't give in to them; I'll be with you soon. I'm fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 Repent therefore; or else I come to thee quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 So return to me and change the way you think and act, or I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword from my mouth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 Therefore repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 'So turn away from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon. I will fight against those people with the sword that comes out 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 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.
15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S ver 5
  • 2. 2 Thessalonians 2:8; S Revelation 1:16
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