Revelation 2:22 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

Behold I will at length execute judgment upon her, and let the process of my righteous vengeance be observed. I will cast her into a bed Not of pleasure, but of great tribulation I will severely punish these seducers for their evil principles and practices; and this punishment shall reach all who have been partakers in such acts of wickedness: and this threatening shall be accomplished as surely as the punishment was which the Prophet Elijah denounced in the name of the Lord against Jezebel, 1 Kings 21:23. Except they repent, &c. Except they be humbled for, and forsake their vile practices. And I will kill her children I will slay those that presume to follow her in her wickedness; with death An expression which denotes death by the plague, or by some manifest stroke of God's hand. Probably the remarkable vengeance taken on these was the token of the certainty of all the rest. And all the churches To which thou now writest; shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins The desires; and hearts Thoughts; and that though I am very long- suffering with respect to many sinners, and am unwilling immediately to come to extremities; yet I am not to be mocked and trifled with; and therefore they will learn to respect and honour the administration of my government; who, as I know the secrets of men's hearts, so I will at length give unto every one of you according to your works And according to those principles from which I know they have proceeded; and thus I will approve the perfect justice of my treatment of you all. It is observable, the angel of the church at Thyatira was only blamed for suffering such deceivers to seduce Christ's servants. This fault ceased when God took vengeance on these seducers. Therefore he is not expressly exhorted to repent, though that is implied.

Revelation 2:22-23

22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.