Space to Repent
“And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.” (Rev 2:21 KJV)
God is just. He will punish those that break His commands. Before He pronounces judgment however, He gives us time to come to repentance.
Space – 5550 χρόνος chronos {khron’-os}
Meaning: 1) time either long or short
Origin: of uncertain derivation; TDNT – 9:581,1337; n m
Usage: AV – time 33, season 4, while 2, a while 2, space 2, oftentimes + 4183 1, not tr 5, misc 4; 53
Repent – 3340 μετανοέω metanoeo {met-an-o-eh’-o}
Meaning: 1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent 2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins
Origin: from 3326 and 3539; TDNT – 4:975,636; v
Usage: AV – repent 34; 34
No one knows how much time they will have to repent or when it will be too late. God gave the leadership of the Church of Thyatira time to repent of their fornication and idolatry. They disobeyed God and ignored His grace to repent of their sins and turn back to God. Once God has decided that He’s given enough time for repentance He pronounces judgment.