The Corrupt Church

INTRODUCTION

We are studying the fourth church in the book of Revelation tonight; THE CORRUPT CHURCH. This fourth letter is addressed to the church in Thyatira.

A little history about Thyatira:

Thyatira was known for its trade guilds (this is similar to our labor union; a association of people in a trade). There have been inscriptions found that mention “woolworkers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers and bronze-smiths. Since these guilds were closely connected to their religious observances, Christians could find themselves in financial hardships by staying true to Jesus.

The primary god worshiped in Thyatira was Apollo, the sun god and son of Zeus. There was little if any emperor worship.

One thing about this letter and this church. It was the smallest of all the 7 cities, it was least significant of all 7 cities, and the least known; yet it receives the longest letter and the longest rebuke than any other church.

I couldn’t help but think of us. Smallest most insignificant church in the entire county, and could go probably go under the radar unnoticed, perhaps as Thyatira did. I wonder if they thought since they were so insignificant, they could live in unfaithfulness and never be detected?

We must never forget that it is Jesus who is watching us and who we are accountable to. Let us do everything as unto the Lord, including the way we live in church.

Let’s read the first verse:

Revelation 2:18 ““And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:”

“Son of God”

This is (to my knowledge) the only time this phrase is used in the entire book of Revelation.

The most likely reason Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God is because the son of Zeus, who was worshiped in Thyatira, was believed to be the Son of God. Jesus corrects that assumption and makes it clear that He is the only Son of God. , that is reserved for Jesus.

An important message to this church who isn struggling is to center themselves on the true “Son of God.”

“eyes like a flame of fire”

This symbolizes Jesus’s ability to see all things within the church and even within people’s hearts.

It also speaks of His indignation and judgement.

Hebrews 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

“feet like furnished bronze”

This speaks of Jesus’ ability to crush His enemies beneath His feet in His perfect judgement

The things Thyatira was doing right

Revelation 2:19 “‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.”

QUESTION: Do you remember the church in Ephesus? What was the problem there?

They loved Jesus less than they did at the first.

QUESTION: What does Jesus commend about this church in Thyatira?

That they loved more than they did at the first.

Do you remember what the church at Ephesus did well?

They do not tolerate evil men, and put to the test those who call themselves to be apostles and they are not

They judged false teachers! They did not tolerate false doctrine

QUESTION: Read verse 20 and tell me what Thyatira was doing wrong.

They were tolerating false teaching.

Those at Thyatira were growing in their love, but failing to deal with false doctrine.

What does this mean for us?

We must avoid both extremes.

If we are absolutely Scripturally sound yet do not have love, we have failed and need to repent. It is not enough to know truth and to teach truth.

If we are full of love yet compromising the truth, we have failed and need to repent. It is not enough to just love people, we must be people of truth.

We must be people who “Speaking the truth in love”; this is the biblical balance

The deeds of late are greater than at first

Jesus commends them because they were moving forward in their faith, love, perseverance, service. They were loving more, serving more, their faith was growing.

Let’s make sure we are not going backwards in our Christians walk. We must be sure as a church we are maturing, becoming more like Jesus rather than less like Jesus. We need to be progressing not digressing

The problem at Thyatira

Revelation 2:20–23 “‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. ‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. ‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. ‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”

“You tolerate that woman Jezebel”

This name Jezebel comes from the OT who was the wicked wife of King Ahab. She was a big influencing Israelites to worship the Baals.

Jezebel was probably some prominent woman in the church who was influencing the church people to compromise their faith with cultural practices of immorality or eating things sacrificed to idols.

QUESTION: How could someone come into the church and lead the people of God into sin as Jezebel did?

ANSWER 1): She claimed to be a prophet from God

ANSWER: 2) She led them to do things that are not concrete in Scripture.

Things sacrificed to idols

1 Corinthians 8:8 “But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.”

This is what I call the grey areas of Scripture.

We live by principle, not rules. If the Bible were a rule book we would not be able to carry it.

We must be careful of the grey areas and follow your personal convictions! Just because it is ok for one does not mean it is ok for you!

Always err on the side of caution! If you are unsure about something, it is much better to stay away from it or them! You will be thankful later

ANSWER 3): One small compromise often leads to bigger compromise. Possibly they began by eating a little meat sacrificed to idols, which wasn’t too bad, they went ahead and choose to commit some immorality.

Her judgement

Revelation 2:21–23 “‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. ‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. ‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”

“I gave her time to repent”

This is first off an example of God’s grace. Rarely is His judgement for sin immediate. But His judgement for sin is certain. (v 22)

We must never think we are going to get by with sin no matter who is telling us it is ok.

“and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation…(v 23) “I will give to each one of you according to your deeds”

No matter who deceives us into unfaithfulness, we are ultimately responsible for our actions.

It doesn’t matter if our spouse does it, or our friends, someone we go to church with, or even the preacher, we will bear the consequences of sins.

Ezekiel 18:20 ““The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.”

Satan will often tell us God will not hold us accountable by being led astray, but that is not true. Satan will tempt you and then turn right around and condemn you.

Never compromise your faith for anyone! Follow your convictions and the word of God ALWASY!

To the faithful in Thyatira

Revelation 2:24–29 “‘But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. ‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also 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.’”

Just because a church may be Corrupt, or tolerate evil things, does not mean that everyone in that church is wicked. We must be careful to categorize someone based upon the practices of the majority of their church.

Even if many in the church are doing things that they should not, You be sure and stay faithful to Jesus!

To those walking faithfully, hold fast what you have! Don’t let go! Don’t fall away! Don’t compromise! Great reward is coming for those who hold onto their faithfulness.