ThThe Seven Churches of Revelation: Thyatira

Thyatira, the first time we hear the word in Scripture is Acts 16:14, and there is a woman in view...

Acts 16:14 KJV 1900

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

The only other time we find the word mentioned in Scripture is in Revelation 2, and again we see a woman at the forefront, however not Lydia a believer but Jezebel a deceiver. Most likely this was not her real name, but she shared the same character of her OT counterpart. She led many astray with her false teaching. What was hated in Ephesus, tolerated in Pergamum, was embraced in Thyatira. On this false church Jesus turns His searching gaze....Revelation 2:18

Revelation 2:18 KJV 1900

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Let the record show that NOTHING gets passed Jesus.

The issue at Thyatira was that they had believed a false teaching and were in church, but not in Christ.

I wonder today if this May describe you, are you in church, but not in Christ?

You can rest assured Jesus knows if you are in Him. This is demonstrated by His all-seeing gaze. Jesus’ all-knowing gaze is demonstrated first by...

What the Lord Detected in This Church v. 18-19

I will call this a church, because that is what Jesus called it. I will call it a church because of the fact there were some Christians there. Will call it a church because of what Jesus emphasized. He emphasized first...

His person

The Son of God - emphasizing His deity

Nowhere else in all of Revelation does Jesus refer to Himself by this title

Yet here to this false Church, worshiping false idols Jesus reminds them that He is the One and Only Most High God!

The Flaming Eyes - I believe this to be twofold:

It emphasizes his omniscience

The fact that Jesus knows everything, sees everything

There is no such thing as “hidden” or “secret” sin. Nothing gets by His holy gaze!

It emphasizes His holy indignation

He was angry at what was happening at this church!

Why shouldn’t He be angry?

He gave His life to institute the church

By now all of the church were known by their identification with Him, as “Christians”

I wonder how Jesus would feel about His church today?

Next we notice the...

The Shining Feet

Brass in scripture always refers to judgment

The idea is that what He sees with His holy eyes he will soon crush under His holy feet.

What we are about to discuss, Jesus takes very seriously, so should we. We see that he emphasizes the holiness of His person, next we see He emphasizes about...

His people Revelation 2:19

Revelation 2:19 KJV 1900

19 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.

There was a faithful remnant among the false church!

I believe today that there are faithful people serving God even in the face of false doctrine and false churches.

You can go to bed tonight assured that Jesus knows who is faking it and who is making it!. He sees all with His holy gaze, and church, let me tell you, He is going to judge this world, but before He does He is going to judge His church!

“Preacher you’re wrong. God is love and God doesn’t judge.” If you think that you need to keep reading. I’m glad that the Lord detected some good in this church, but I want you to see next....

What the Lord Despised of This Church v. 20-23

This crowd that says “God is too loving to judge” has never read the book of Revelation. Listen, God doesn’t wink at sin. God notices sin. God despises sin.

He despised what they permitted v. 20

The word sufferest means plainly to permit or allow

They knew it was wrong, but they turned a blind eye

that is how false teaching creeps into a church

This church had ignored the plain teaching of Scripture!

1 Timothy 3:1-2 “1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”

God does not suffer from gender confusion

Genesis 1:27 “27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

1 Timothy 2:12 “12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

This is not domineering, God is not anti woman

The plan of God is for godly men to be in a place of leadership.

This church ignored this, and many churches today are ignoring this basic principle....once we reject or ignore God’s plan and God’s way…what are we left with but your own will and our own way?

I do want to point out, that the major issue wasn’t just that they allowed a woman to enter an office that was never intended for her to have, but also what they were allowing, which leads us to the next thing He despised....

He despised what they practiced v. 20

The OT Jezebel, led weak king Ahab into a life of sinful indulgence

She introduced Baalism to Israel and led the people into gross sin against God.

Baalism is rooted in promiscuity

The Jezebel mentioned here was probably figurative

I doubt this was her real name, but more likely the religious teaching she represented

It is interesting in Scripture, whenever a woman is used symbolically to convey religious teaching it is always false religion.

This woman led this church away from God and into ungodly practices

Fornication refers to both sexual indulgence and sexual perversion

Does this not sound like our world today?

Sadly, does this not sound like some of our churches today?

Eating things offered to idols is more than just buying and eating meat at the temple market

Paul discussed this in 1 Cor. 8, and from that we know that meat is just meat.

Why then were the believers in Corinth torn and why does God seemingly condemn it here?

The difference here is that those in Thyatira were actively worshiping idols.

This too sounds like some of our churches today!

An idol is anything that takes God’s place in your life.

For this church the idol was their body and their sinful indulgences, what know is Jesus despised what they permitted, what they practiced, and...

He despised what they postponed v.21

Space = time

Jesus gave this church time to repent, and they repented not!

God is longsuffering!

God is patient!

But don’t ever forget God is holy and God will not be mocked

Just because you are not struck dead for your sin instantly does not mean God approves! He is just giving you time to repent!

He despised what they permitted, what they practiced, what they postponed, and we see...

He despised what they paraded v.22-23

Let it be known this Jezebel and her followers were proud of their sin

So many are walking around today, proud of their sinful disobedience to God

So many today in our churches are strutting about with their chests poking out, as if they’re daring God to act.

Let it also be known that Jesus will have the final say-so over His Church! Notice the three sovereign proclamations of Jesus:

“I Will” is coupled with a plea to repent!

Here is a wonderful truth: Every single prophetic warning of doom is seasoned with the love, compassion, grace, and mercy of God!

Consider Jonah’s plea to Nineveh!

He told them they must repent or perish

They listened, and they responded with repentance

The result: God spared them!

Even here, God is calling those caught up in this heresy to repent

“I will” judge perfect judgment

Those caught in this heresy are false professors

If they will not repent they will be killed with death

This sounds silly, but it should sound scary

This phrase literally means the second death

Imagine you hear the truth and reject it. Imagine you know what is right and choose to ignore it. Imagine you die and enter hell, then imagine for a brief moment you are brought back standing before Jesus at the GWT, only to be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. That is what is in mind here.

iii. “I Will” his judgment will be just. v. 23c

These are things the Lord despised about this church, and I am afraid these are things He despises about churches today.

We have seen what the Lord detected from this church, what He despised about this church, and lastly we see...

What the Lord Distinguished From this Church v. 24-29

He distinguished the righteous from the unrighteous v.24-25

He speaks now to the faithful

Revelation 2:24-25 “24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

Hold fast till I come is a reference to the rapture!

Church, keep on holding on!

He distinguished those who would rule from those who not v.26-29

You can be in Church, but not in Christ

Your church membership will not get you into heaven. You better make sure your relationship is right with Him!

Conclusion: Jesus sees all.

Jesus sees much more than just your struggles, He sees your heart. He knows the true you.

Thyatira needed to see the Son of God in His holiness ready to judge them for their sin.

We need to see the holiness of God today and be aware of our sin. We need today to be sure we are not just in church, but in Christ.

Pray - invitation...

This same Jesus knows you. Knows your fears and your failures, your suffering and your sin. This same Jesus knows if you are really His.

Today, if you know you are saved, no doubt in your mind, will you raise your hand in testimony?

Not everyone could raise their hand today that they are sure they’re saved, and I want you to know that this same Jesus is willing to forgive and make you an overcomer. Are you willing to let Him? “How can I let Him?”

Today if you will right where you are admit to God you’re a sinner, believe what the Bible says, and call on Jesus to save you, He will. If that is you this morning will you raise your hand?