Revelation 2:23 - Exposition

And her children (placed first, in emphatic distinction from those who have been seduced into temporary connexion with her) I will kill with death . With ἀποκτενῶ ἐν θανάτῳ comp. LXX . in Ezekiel 33:27 and Le Ezekiel 20:10 ; and θανάτῳ τελευτάτω , Matthew 15:4 and Mark 7:10 ; the phrase recurs in Revelation 6:8 . Those who have not merely been beguiled into sin by her, but are united to her in a permanent moral relationship ( John 8:44 ), shall perish in some signal manner by the visitation of God. Thus we have three parties marked off:

She and her children are to be visited with sickness and death, because they will not repent, and the others with tribulation, if they do not repent. Her doom and that of her children is certain; that of her victims may yet be averted. Moreover, the one seems to be final, the other remedial. And all the Churches shall know ; literally, shall come to know, shall learn by experience. This statement seems conclusive with regard to the purpose of these epistles. Although addressed to local Churches at a particular crisis, they are for the instruction of "all the Churches" throughout the world, and throughout all time. He which searcheth the reins and the heart (comp. Romans 8:27 ; Psalms 7:9 ; Jeremiah 11:20 ; Jeremiah 20:12 ). But ἐρευνᾷν in this connexion is a New Testament word; the LXX . do not use it, but ἐτάζειν , a word which is not found in the New Testament, or δοκιμάζειν , etc. ερευνᾷν occurs thrice in St. John's writings ( John 5:39 ; John 7:52 ), and thrice elsewhere ( Romans 8:27 ; 1 Corinthians 2:10 ; 1 Peter 1:11 ). We need not attempt to make any sharp distinction between the reins, which were believed to be the seat of the desires, and the heart, which sometimes represents the affections and sometimes the conscience. Put together they are equivalent to "the devices and desires of our own hearts." And I will give to each of you . From the angel of the Church the Lord turns abruptly to the individuals in the Church (comp. Matthew 16:27 ; Romans 2:6 ).