Revelation 2:16

16 Also do thou penance; if any thing less [if not], I shall come soon to thee, and I shall fight with 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 against thee a few things; for thou hast there men holding the teaching of Balaam, which taught Balac to send cause of stumbling [to send offence] before the sons of Israel, to eat of sacrifices of idols, and to do fornication;

15 so also thou hast men holding the teaching of Nicolaitanes.

16 Also do thou penance; if any thing less [if not], I shall come soon to thee, and I shall fight with them with the sword of my mouth.

17 He that hath ears, hear he, what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh I shall give angel meat hid [To the overcoming, I shall give manna hid, or angel meat]; and I shall give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, but he that taketh.

18 And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write thou, These things saith the Son of God, that hath eyes as flame of fire, and his feet like latten [and his feet like to the dross of gold, either latten].