Compromise

Revelation 2:18–29 ESV

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

What is the meaning of Nicolaitans in Revelation?

Two-fold consecration is shown here: A. Hearing God’s Word. We must hear God’s Word with an open mind (cf. Rom. 10:17). B. Heeding God’s Word. Hearing the Word is not enough; we must obey His Word (James 1:22). Compromise is the first step downward for Christians. Compromise leads men away from God and allows Satan to have control in their lives. On the other hand, Satan fears consecrated Christians who live overcoming lives. Consecration leaves no room for indifference or compromise in the lives of believers.

1. : one of a group reproved in Revelation 2:6, 14–15 and generally associated with those who were rebuked for eating things offered to idols and for fornication.

What was the sin of the Nicolaitans in the Bible?

(9) What is the precise nature of their sin? They put a stumbling block in the way of God's people “so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality” (v. 14). The former probably refers to eating food sacrificed to idols in the context of idolatrous worship. it is a big deal to God when you cause other people to stumble.

This is why Jesus told them to repent, turn away from that teaching.

One of Satan’s favorite tools is compromise. The Thyatira church was full of compromisers. Compromise not only weakens the person and the church, it also opens the door to other sin which destroys God’s work. It leads to indifference, lack of dedication, and finally, separation from God.

Wheat and tare grows together, but must remain distinct.

Jezebel: Christ condemns her , and the church’s tolerance of her. This woman promoted sexual immoralityand idolalatry.

Christ gave her time to repent, she refused, a refusal is different than a struggle. there was no effort on her part.

I. THE CHURCH—vv. 18–19

A. Place. Thyatira was located between Pergamos and Sardis. The Thyatira church is sometimes called the church of worldly compromise. B. Personality. “This is a message from the Son of God, whose eyes penetrate like flames of fire, whose feet are like glowing brass” (LB). Christ has penetrating power—He sees all, and knows all. C. Praise—v. 19. The church was commended for six things. 1. Works 2. Charity 3. Service 4. Faith (really faithfulness) 5. Patience 6. Increased works. God records all our good works (Mal 3:16).

II. THE COMPLAINT—vv. 20–23

A. Sin—v. 20. Jezebel (different than in 1 Kings 18–19) encouraged the people to commit sexual sins.

B. Stubborn—v. 21. “I gave her time to change her mind and attitude but she refused” (LB).

III. THE CONTROL—vv. 24–28

A. False teaching—vv. 24–25. Jezebel was impressing upon the people that she was teaching “deeper truths” when she was really leading the people into deeper sin.

B. Faithful in testing—vv. 26–27. Overcomers will be rewarded. Note that they will be given power over the nations (they will share in the millennial reign of Christ). Christ will give them the morning star (see Revelation 22:16). Overcoming is the result of faithfulness. Overcoming is necessary for one to see God.

IV. THE CONSECRATION—v. 29

Two-fold consecration is shown here:

A. Hearing God’s Word. We must hear God’s Word with an open mind (cf. Rom. 10:17).

B. Heeding God’s Word. Hearing the Word is not enough; we must obey His Word (James 1:22). Compromise is the first step downward for Christians. Compromise leads men away from God and allows Satan to have control in their lives. On the other hand, Satan fears consecrated Christians who live overcoming lives. Consecration leaves no room for indifference or compromise in the lives of believers.