The Meaning of Revelation 2:26 Explained

Revelation 2:26

KJV: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

YLT: and he who is overcoming, and who is keeping unto the end my works, I will give to him authority over the nations,

Darby: And he that overcomes, and he that keeps unto the end my works, to him will I give authority over the nations,

ASV: And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he that overcometh,  and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the end,  to him  will I give  power  over  the nations: 

What does Revelation 2:26 Mean?

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 2:26

He that overcometh and he that keepeth [ο νικων και ο τηρων]
Present active articular participles of νικαω — nikaō and τηρεω — tēreō in the nominative absolute (nominativus pendens) as in Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21, resumed by the dative αυτωι — autōi (to him), as in Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:17. [source]
Unto the end [αχρι τελους]
That is, αχρι ου αν ηχο — achri hou an hēxo above.Authority over the nations (εχουσιαν επι των ετνων — exousian epi tōn ethnōn). From Psalm 2:8. The followers of the Messiah will share in his victory over his enemies (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15). [source]
Authority over the nations [εχουσιαν επι των ετνων]
From Psalm 2:8. The followers of the Messiah will share in his victory over his enemies (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15). [source]
Keepeth my works [τηρῶν τὰ ἔργα μου]
The phrase occurs only here in the New Testament. The works are those which Christ commands, which He does, and which are the fruits of His Spsrit. See on John 4:47. [source]
Power [ἐξουσίαν]
See on John 1:12. Rev., better, authority. [source]
Nations [ἐθνῶν]
See on Matthew 25:32, and see on Gentiles, Luke 2:32. Properly, here, the Gentiles, as opposed to the true Israel of God. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 2:26

John 13:1 Unto the end [εἰς τέλος]
Interpretations differ. The rendering of the A.V. and Rev. is of doubtful authority. The passages cited in support of this, Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13, may all be rendered to the uttermost. Morever, other formulas are used where the meaning to the end is unquestionable. In Revelation 2:26, the only other instance in John's writings where τέλος is used in an adverbial phrase the expression is ἄχρι τέλους , unto the end. Similarly Hebrews 6:11. In Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, μέχρι τὲλους , unto the end. The phrase may mean at last, and so is rendered by many here, as Meyer, Lange, Thayer (Lex.). “At last He loved them;” that is, showed them the last proof of His love. This is the most probable rendering in Luke 18:5, on which see note. It may also mean to the uttermost, completely. So Westcott and Godet. But I am inclined, with Meyer, to shrink from the “inappropriate gradation” which is thus implied, as though Jesus' love now reached a higher degree than before ( ἀγαπήσας ). Hence I prefer the rendering at last, or finally He loved them, taking ἠγάπησεν , loved, in the sense of the manifestation of His love. This sense frequently attaches to the verb. See, for instance, 1 John 4:10(“love viewed in its historic manifestation” Westcott), and compare John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Revelation 3:9. [source]
1 John 2:13 Have overcome [νενικήκατε]
Compare John 16:33. The image is characteristic of Revelation and First Epistle. See Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 21:7; 1 John 2:14; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:5. [source]
Revelation 2:28 The morning-star [τὸν ἀστέρα τὸν πρωΐ́νόν]
The star, that of the morning. One of John's characteristic constructions. See on 1 John 4:9. The reference is, most probably, to Christ himself. See Revelation 22:16. He will give Himself. This interpretation falls in with the promise of power over the nations in Revelation 2:26. The star was the ancient emblem of sovereignty. See Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:2. “It was the symbol of sovereignty on its brighter and benignant side, and was therefore the fitting and necessary complement of the dread attributes that had gone before. The king came not only to judge and punish, but also to illumine and cheer” (Plumptre). Compare 2 Peter 1:19. [source]
Revelation 2:7 The spirit [το πνευμα]
The Holy Spirit as in Revelation 14:13; Revelation 22:17. Both Christ and the Holy Spirit deliver this message. “The Spirit of Christ in the prophet is the interpreter of Christ‘s voice” (Swete).To him that overcometh (τωι νικωντι — tōi nikōnti). Dative of the present (continuous victory) active articular participle of νικαω — nikaō a common Johannine verb (John 16:33; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4.; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 21:7). Faith is dominant in Paul, victory in John, faith is victory (1 John 5:4). So in each promise to these churches.I will give Future active of διδωμι — didōmi as in Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:28; Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 21:6.To eat (παγειν — phagein). Second aorist active infinitive of εστιω — esthiō the tree of life (εκ του χυλου της ζωης — ek tou xulou tēs zōēs). Note εκ — ek with the ablative with παγειν — phagein like our “eat of” (from or part of). From Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. Again in Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:14 as here for immortality. This tree is now in the Garden of God. For the water of life see Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17 (Cf. John 4:10, John 4:13.).Which The χυλον — xulon (tree).In the Paradise of God (εν τωι παραδεισωι του τεου — en tōi paradeisōi tou theou). Persian word, for which see Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4. The abode of God and the home of the redeemed with Christ, not a mere intermediate state. It was originally a garden of delight and finally heaven itself (Trench), as here. [source]
Revelation 2:7 To him that overcometh [τωι νικωντι]
Dative of the present (continuous victory) active articular participle of νικαω — nikaō a common Johannine verb (John 16:33; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:4.; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 21:7). Faith is dominant in Paul, victory in John, faith is victory (1 John 5:4). So in each promise to these churches. [source]
Revelation 3:12 He that overcometh [ο νικων]
Nominative absolute as in Revelation 2:26, resumed by the accusative αυτον — auton (him). [source]
Revelation 3:21 He that overcometh [ο νικων]
Absolute nominative again as in Revelation 3:12, but resumed this time by the dative αυτωι — autōi as in Revelation 2:26. [source]
Revelation 9:19 The power [η εχουσια]
As in Revelation 2:26; Revelation 6:8. This power of the horses is both in their mouths (because of the fire, smoke, brimstone) and in their tails, “for their tails are like unto serpents” Associative-instrumental case οπεσιν — ophesin after ομοιαι — homoiai Οπις — Ophis is old word for snake (Matthew 7:10). [source]
Revelation 2:7 I will give [δωσω]
Future active of διδωμι — didōmi as in Revelation 2:10, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:28; Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:21; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 11:3; Revelation 21:6.To eat (παγειν — phagein). Second aorist active infinitive of εστιω — esthiō the tree of life (εκ του χυλου της ζωης — ek tou xulou tēs zōēs). Note εκ — ek with the ablative with παγειν — phagein like our “eat of” (from or part of). From Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22. Again in Revelation 22:2, Revelation 22:14 as here for immortality. This tree is now in the Garden of God. For the water of life see Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17 (Cf. John 4:10, John 4:13.).Which The χυλον — xulon (tree).In the Paradise of God (εν τωι παραδεισωι του τεου — en tōi paradeisōi tou theou). Persian word, for which see Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4. The abode of God and the home of the redeemed with Christ, not a mere intermediate state. It was originally a garden of delight and finally heaven itself (Trench), as here. [source]
Revelation 6:8 His name was Death [ονομα αυτωι ο τανατος]
Anacoluthon in grammatical structure like that in John 3:1 (cf. Revelation 2:26) and common enough. Death is the name of this fourth rider (so personified) and there is with Death “his inseparable comrade, Hades (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 20:13.)” (Swete). Hades Imperfect active of ακολουτεω — akoloutheō kept step with death, whether on the same horse or on another horse by his side or on foot John does not say.Over the fourth part of the earth Partitive genitive γης — gēs after τεταρτον — tetarton Wider authority First aorist active infinitive of αποκτεινω — apokteinō explanation of the εχουσια — exousia (authority). The four scourges of Ezekiel 14:21 are here reproduced with instrumental εν — en with the inanimate things (ρομπαιαι λιμωι τανατωι — romphaiāiυπο — limōi thanatōi) and τηριων — hupo for the beasts (τανατωι — thēriōn). Death here (λοιμος — thanatōi) seems to mean pestilence as the Hebrew does (λιμος — loimos - cf. limos famine). Cf. the “black death” for a plague. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 2:26 mean?

And the [one] overcoming - keeping until [the] end the works of Me I will give to him authority over the nations
Καὶ νικῶν τηρῶν ἄχρι τέλους τὰ ἔργα μου δώσω αὐτῷ ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν

  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νικῶν  overcoming 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νικάω  
Sense: to conquer.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τηρῶν  keeping 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τηρέω  
Sense: to attend to carefully, take care of.
ἄχρι  until 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἄχρι  
Sense: until, unto, etc.
τέλους  [the]  end 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: τέλος  
Sense: end.
ἔργα  works 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δώσω  I  will  give 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐξουσίαν  authority 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
ἐπὶ  over 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
ἐθνῶν  nations 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ἔθνος  
Sense: a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together.