Definition: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than the first.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly powerful verse from Revelation 2:19. It's a really profound statement about God’s perspective on humanity. Here’s a simple explanation: The Core Idea: This verse essentially says that God knows everything we are doing – our struggles, our good deeds, and even our patience. And He knows that we’re not just focused on the first things, but also on the last things. Let's unpack it word by word: “I know thy works…” - This is a bit metaphorical. It means God sees through everything we do – our good times and bad times, our successes and failures. He understands our motivations, our hopes, and our plans. “…and charity…” - “Charity” refers to kindness, compassion, and goodwill towards others. It’s about being a generous and helpful person. “…and service…” – This is about putting others' needs before your own. It means helping those around you and working for the good of the community. “…and faith…” - Faith is trust in something, belief in something even when we don’t fully understand it. It’s believing that things will work out for the best. “and thy patience…” – Patience is the ability to endure hardship and delay your anger or frustration. “…and works…” - This refers to all of our actions, both big and small. “And the last [to be] more than the first.” – This is the really important part! It means that God values what we do after we’ve done everything else. He sees the enduring, meaningful things we do – the acts of kindness, compassion, and service – as being more significant than our fleeting actions. What does this mean practically? This verse speaks to a deep sense of God's presence and watchfulness over us. It suggests that God isn’t just looking at what we do but also how we treat others and how we handle challenges with grace and patience. It implies that God is aware of our character and will continue to favor those who demonstrate these qualities. In a nutshell: God knows everything we do, but He especially appreciates the things we do through kindness, compassion, and perseverance – even when it’s difficult. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a promise of God's ultimate judgment, but it’s more about His ongoing awareness and favor. It emphasizes that our lives are significant to Him. --- Would you like me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Connect it to a specific story or example from the Bible?