The Meaning of Revelation 2:18 Explained

Revelation 2:18

KJV: And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

YLT: 'And to the messenger of the assembly of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who is having his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass;

Darby: And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, he that has his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass:

ASV: And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  unto the angel  of the church  in  Thyatira  write;  These things  saith  the Son  of God,  who  hath  his  eyes  like  unto a flame  of fire,  and  his  feet  [are] like  fine brass; 

What does Revelation 2:18 Mean?

Study Notes

angel
.
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Verse Meaning

Thyatira was the smallest of the seven cities, but it was the one that received the longest letter. It lay about45 miles to the southeast of Pergamum. It was famous for its textiles, especially the production of purple dye (cf. Acts 16:14), and its trade guilds.
Flame-like eyes suggest discerning and severe judgment (cf. Revelation 1:14). Burnished (highly reflective) bronze feet in this context picture a warrior with protected feet (cf. Revelation 1:15; Daniel 10:6). "Son of God" emphasizes Jesus Christ"s deity and right to judge. This is the only use of this title in Revelation , though it is practically equivalent to "Messiah" (cf. Psalm 2:12; Luke 4:41; John 1:34; John 1:49; John 3:18; John 5:25; John 10:36; John 11:4; John 11:27; John 20:31). The main local god in Thyatira was Tyrimnas who, his worshippers said, was a son of the gods. They pictured him on the city coins as a warrior riding a horse and wielding a double-edged battle ax in judgment.

Context Summary

Revelation 2:18-29 - "hold Fast Till I Come"
Note that Jesus does not hesitate to appropriate the sublime title-the Son of God. His eyes penetrate profoundest secrets, and His advent leaves a trail of purity like fire behind Him. He recognizes the many good qualities of His church at Thyatira, but accuses her of having raised no protest against the woman Jezebel. She had actually permitted the promulgation of soul-destroying error, with most disastrous results.
This Jezebel apparently taught that there were deep philosophies in the heathen system around them, and the result was that the professing servants of Christ were led into complicity with the outward corruption of heathendom. An evident attempt was being made to graft on to Christianity the mysteries of darkness, which were in direct antagonism to the purity of the teachings of Christ.
Notice the contrast between her works and my works, Revelation 2:22; Revelation 2:26. The saints who are true to Christ shall be associated with Him in His Kingdom, but best of all they are made to possess the Morning Star, that is, they now stand with their Lord in the dawn of a new era. Already the day has dawned and the Day Star has arisen in their hearts, 2 Peter 1:19. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 2

1  What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8  Smyrna,
12  Pergamos,
18  Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them

Greek Commentary for Revelation 2:18

In Thyatira [εν Τυατειροις]
Some forty miles south-east of Pergamum, a Lydian city on the edge of Mysia, under Rome since b.c. 190, a centre of trade, especially for the royal purple, home of Lydia of Philippi (Acts 16:14.), shown by inscriptions to be full of trade guilds, Apollo the chief deity with no emperor-worship, centre of activity by the Nicolaitans with their idolatry and licentiousness under a “prophetess” who defied the church there. Ramsay calls it “Weakness Made Strong” (op. cit., p. 316). [source]
The Son of God [ο υιος του τεου]
Here Jesus is represented as calling himself by this title as in John 11:4 and as he affirms on oath in Matthew 26:63. “The Word of God” occurs in Revelation 19:13.His eyes like a flame of fire (τους οπταλμους αυτου ως πλογα πυρος — tous ophthalmous autou hōs phloga puros). As in Revelation 1:14.His feet like burnished brass As in Revelation 1:15. [source]
His eyes like a flame of fire [τους οπταλμους αυτου ως πλογα πυρος]
As in Revelation 1:14. [source]
His feet like burnished brass [οι ποδες αυτου ομοιοι χαλκολιβανωι]
As in Revelation 1:15. [source]
Thyatira []
Situated on the confines of Mysia and Ionia. According to Pliny it was known in earlier times as Pelopia and Euhippia. Its prosperity received a new impulse under the Roman Emperor Vespasian. The city contained a number of corporate guilds, as potters, tanners, weavers, robe-makers, and dyers. It was from Thyatira that Lydia the purple-seller of Philippi came, Paul's first European convert. The numerous streams of the adjacent country were full of leeches. The principal deity of the city was Apollo, worshipped as the Sun-God under the surname Tyrimnas. A shrine outside the walls was dedicated to Sambatha, a sibyl. The place was never of paramount political importance. [source]
Son of God []
Compare Son of man, Revelation 1:13; Psalm 2:7; Revelation 19:13. [source]
Who hath His eyes, etc. []
See on Revelation 1:14, Revelation 1:15. [source]
Thy works, and the last, etc. []
Omit and, and read, as Rev., and that thy last works are more than the first. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 2:18

Acts 16:14 Lydia [Λυδια]
Her birthplace was Thyatira in Lydia. She may have been named after the land, though Lydia is a common female name (see Horace). Lydia was itself a Macedonian colony (Strabo, XIII. 4). Thyatira (note plural form like Philippi and one of the seven churches of Asia here Revelation 2:18) was famous for its purple dyes as old as Homer (Iliad, IV. 141) and had a guild of dyers (οι βαπεις — hoi bapheis) as inscriptions show. [source]
Revelation 1:15 Fine brass [χαλκολιβάνῳ]
Rev., burnished brass. Only here and Revelation 2:18. Compare Ezekiel href="/desk/?q=eze+1:7&sr=1">Ezekiel 1:7. The meaning of the word is uncertain. Some explain electrum, an alloy of gold and silver: others, brass of Lebanon ( Αίβανος ) others, brass of the color of frankincense ( λίβανος ): others again, that it is an hybrid compound of the Greek χαλκός brass, and the Hebrew laban to make white. Dean Plumptre observes: “Such technical words were likely enough to be current in a population like that of Ephesus, consisting largely of workers in metal, some of whom were no doubt Jews” (“Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia”). [source]
Revelation 1:14 White as snow [ως χιων]
Just “as snow,” also in Daniel 7:9. In N.T. only here and Matthew 28:3.As a flame of fire (ως πλοχ πυρος — hōs phlox puros). In Daniel 7:9 the throne of the Ancient of Days is πλοχ πυρος — phlox puros while in Daniel 10:6 the eyes of the Ancient of Days are λαμπαδες πυρος — lampades puros (lamps of fire). See also Revelation 2:18; Revelation 19:12 for this bold metaphor (like Hebrews 1:7). [source]
Revelation 1:14 As a flame of fire [ως πλοχ πυρος]
In Daniel 7:9 the throne of the Ancient of Days is πλοχ πυρος — phlox puros while in Daniel 10:6 the eyes of the Ancient of Days are λαμπαδες πυρος — lampades puros (lamps of fire). See also Revelation 2:18; Revelation 19:12 for this bold metaphor (like Hebrews 1:7). [source]
Revelation 1:15 Burnished brass [χαλκολιβανωι]
Associative-instrumental case after ομοιοι — homoioi This word has so far been found nowhere else save here and Revelation 2:18. Suidas defines it as an ηλεχκτρον — ēlecktron (amber) or a compound of copper and gold and silver (aurichalcum in the Latin Vulgate). It is in reality an unknown metal. [source]
Revelation 19:12 A flame of fire [πλοχ πυρος]
As in the opening vision of Christ in Revelation 1:14 (Revelation 2:18). [source]
Revelation 2:1 These things [ταδε]
This demonstrative seven times here, once with the message to each church (Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:18; Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:14), only once elsewhere in N.T. (Acts 21:11).He that holdeth (ο κρατων — ho kratōn). Present active articular participle of κρατεω — krateō a stronger word than εχων — echōn in Revelation 1:16, to which it refers.He that walketh Present active articular participle of περιπατεω — peripateō an allusion to Revelation 1:13. These two epithets are drawn from the picture of Christ in Revelation 1:13-18, and appropriately to conditions in Ephesus describe Christ‘s power over the churches as he moves among them. [source]
Revelation 9:7 Unto horses [ιπποις]
Associative-instrumental case, as is the rule with ομοιος — homoios (Revelation 1:15; Revelation 2:18; Revelation 4:6.; Revelation 9:10, Revelation 9:19; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 13:2, Revelation 13:11), but with the accusative in Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14. So also ομοιοι χρυσωι — homoioi chrusōi (like gold) in this same verse.Prepared for war (ητοιμασμενοις εις πολεμον — hētoimasmenois eis polemon). Perfect passive participle of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō This imagery of war-horses is like that in Joel 2:4. “The likeness of a locust to a horse, especially to a horse equipped with armour, is so striking that the insect is named in German heupferd (hay horse), and in Italian cavalett a little horse” (Vincent).As it were crowns Not actual crowns, but what looked like crowns of gold, as conquerors, as indeed they were (Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14). These locusts of the abyss have another peculiar feature.As men‘s faces (ως προσωπα αντρωπων — hōs prosōpa anthrōpōn). Human-looking faces in these demonic locusts to give added terror, “suggesting the intelligence and capacity of man” (Swete). Vincent actually sees “a distinct resemblance to the human countenance in the face of the locust.” [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 2:18 mean?

And to [the] messenger of the in Thyatira church write These things says the Son - of God the [One] having the eyes of Him like a flame of fire the feet like burnished bronze
Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Θυατείροις ἐκκλησίας γράψον Τάδε λέγει Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔχων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ ὡς φλόγα πυρός οἱ πόδες ὅμοιοι χαλκολιβάνῳ

ἀγγέλῳ  [the]  messenger 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θυατείροις  Thyatira 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: Θυάτειρα  
Sense: a colony of Macedonia Greeks, situated between Sardis and Pergamos on the river Lycus; its inhabitants gained their living by traffic and the art of dyeing in purple.
ἐκκλησίας  church 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκκλησία  
Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.
γράψον  write 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: γράφω 
Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
Τάδε  These  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὅδε  
Sense: this one here, these things, as follows, thus.
λέγει  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Υἱὸς  Son 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὀφθαλμοὺς  eyes 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀφθαλμός  
Sense: the eye.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὡς  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
φλόγα  a  flame 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: φλόξ  
Sense: a flame.
πυρός  of  fire 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: πῦρ  
Sense: fire.
πόδες  feet 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πούς  
Sense: a foot, both of men or beast.
ὅμοιοι  like 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅμοιος  
Sense: like, similar, resembling.
χαλκολιβάνῳ  burnished  bronze 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: χαλκολίβανον  
Sense: some metal like gold if not more precious.