What does Revelation 2:19 mean?

In this verse Jesus commends the believers at Thyatira for good works, love, faith, service, and patient endurance. The believers produced good works that were evidence of their salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8–10). Also, they evidenced love, the quality said to be lacking in the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:4). While many residents of Thyatira worshiped the sun god, the faith of believers at Thyatira was in the Son of God.

Furthermore, they engaged in service. The word "service" comes from the same Greek word translated into the term deacon. It suggests relief work. Apparently the church reached out compassionately with assistance to the poor. In Thyatira, if a person did not belong to a trade union, he found it difficult to provide for his family. Fortunately, the church was there to help the needy.

The church also exhibited patience in the face of difficult circumstances. Persecution must have been strong in idolatrous Thyatira, where trade unions held banquets at which their members ate food dedicated to idols. Refusal to participate would undoubtedly mark Christians for persecution, not to mention hindering their businesses. Nevertheless, the church was progressing spiritually at an unprecedented rate.