Revelation 2:18-29

Please Pray with me.

Friends, if you are able, please stand for the reading of God’s word. Today’s scripture is Revelation 2:18-29

Revelation 2:18–29 (CSB)

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze: I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan”—as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you. Only hold on to what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations— and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery— just as I have received this from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

This is the word of the Lord - please have a seat.

Friends, i’m glad you joined us today for worship. We want to work with God to raise the spiritual temperature of our region - and we believe we do that best by being fully focused on God and his word, fully formed by the Spirit in community, and Fully Engaged with Christ on mission. We are engaging in outreach starting at the end of the month with the grill nights, and i hope you can attend and make it a priority to celebrate with other believers and share love with our neighbors. We spent the first five months of the year weekly meeting in community groups to go after discipleship and spiritual formation. And weekly we come together to refocus on God and his word.

Why? Well because we are constantly being malformed and preached to by countless voices, many of them false, and we need to constantly gather together as the body of Jesus to worship, and to study Scripture. We need God’s voice and direction. So as ordinary and plain as this can be - we need to pray that our eyes are open to the heavenly reality of what happens when we gather. Jesus is here. And he wants to reveal himself to us.

Today we get to the pastoral Prophetic message to the church in Thyatira.

Let’s look at Thyatira on a map again, and look at some of the interesting places in that city. Why do we do this? Because we need to remember that this was a real place, with real people, with a real culture. So much in Revelation needs to be culturally understood, so we want to ground this book in the world that it was written too so as to avoid irresponsible speculation.

Remember - it was written TO THEM and FOR us.

Thyatira was further inland than the last three cities - but it had several things of note. We do have less images and finds of Thyatira, as the modern city of Ahkisar in modern day Turkey is built on the same site. So there are some photos that look like this - with ancient ruins with modern structures across the street. Pretty fascinating.

So not a lot of images of specific places this week - but we do know from historical sources and coins that Thyatira was known for being very involved in the guild trades - clothiers, bakers, tanners, potters, linen workers, wool merchants, slave traders, shoemakers and it’s metal working - perhaps why the image of Jesus with feet of burnished bronze is used.

Also - we read in Acts 16:14 that Lydia was from Thyatira and dealt in purple cloth - a highly sought after commodity. We know from this source and others that it dealt in dyes.

Acts 16:14 (CSB)

A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.

It was a city dedicated first as a shrine to the sun god Tyrimnus, though later it was retconned by the romans to as a city dedicated to worship Apollos the greek sun god. Some scholars also note that there is some historical record of those in Thyatira having worshipped two deities as the sons of Zeus.

This leads us right into the start of our passage, let’s look at Revelation 2:18

Revelation 2:18 (CSB)

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:

This message starts with the same instruction to write to the angel of the church. Again we are reminded that even in the most mundane location that there is a supernatural reality in which we participate as the Church. This has nothing to do with beautiful buildings in or sanctuaries, for almost all the early church congregations were house churches, meeting where they could.

Then there is a picture of Jesus taken from chapter 1, but really tied to the local population too. First - thus says the Son of God. Now this is familiar language to us, especially if we are steeped in the gospel accounts. Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the trinity. There’s an authority here - and also ties into Psalm 2, which will keep coming up throughout this message.

Psalm 2:7-9 says this

Psalm 2:7–9 (CSB)

I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; you will shatter them like pottery.”

Beyond just the Biblical old testament reference - there is a rebuke to not just the twin deities of Thyatira - but also to Caesar too. David Aune writes how Roman emperors regularly claimed in their official letters and decrees that they were sons of god in a special sense to give them high status.

In fact we have a letter written from the emperor Augustus to Ephesus that begins this way: “Emperor Caesar, son of the god Julius.” so when Jesus and the Christians would say the Jesus is the son of God it’s both a theological term, but it also cuts to the core of the political and power dynamics going on in the Roman empire.

Looking at verse 18 again

Revelation 2:18 CSB

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:

It continues “the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame” - this as we discussed in the sermon on Revelation 1 is an image of the gaze of Jesus seeing to the core, burning away the coverings, to the the truth. He sees things as they really, truly are.

Also his feet are like fine bronze - speaking of complete moral purity, but also perhaps understanding and a nod to the local context of metal working.

Jesus is here to see and judge, and does so because he is the son of God, and completely morally pure.

Looking at verse 19, we see Jesus has some good things to say about the Thyatiran church:

Revelation 2:19 (CSB)

I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.

Jesus knows their works - they have love, this is the greek word Agape - godly love, pure love. They have faithfulness, the greek word is pistis, which can also just be translated faith. They have service, the word here is diakonia, meaning ministry, service where we get the word deacon. They also have endurance, or hypomone, steadfastness.

That’s pretty good - and Their latest works are even greater than their first - unlike the ephesian church whose love had grown cold - this church is on mission, and getting better! This is a beautiful trajectory, and honestly seems to be rarer. At least when it comes to modern churches and church planting. Most of the time churches start with a whole lot of fire, passion and faith. Then years in, usually after some success, they tend to grow complacent and shift from taking ground into maintaining. Then time goes on and they try and recapture the excitement that launched them at first. Which is immensely difficult. In talking with my coworkers in ministry, it’s generally accepted that it is much easier to start a new church then to revitalize a complacent church, and that’s not to say starting new church is easy, revitalizing is just that much harder.

This church is a great model in this way - they keep on with love, agape Godly love, faith and faithfulness, service and ministry, and endurance to press on even when it gets hard or dull. To where their works are getting better - even better than they were at first.

And yet - there is something serious that our Lord needs to address - let’s look at verse 20

Revelation 2:20 (CSB)

But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

Jesus is calling out the thyatirans due to their tolerating a woman who called herself a prophetess, but apparently was not, and as she was teaching deceived the congregation to compromise.

They use the name Jezebel, which almost certainly is a symbolic name, like Balaam in the previous messages. Jezebel is an infamous name if you are familiar with the Biblical story at all. Jezebel was the wife to king Ahab in the old testament, and was wicked. She hunted down the prophets of Yahweh while promoting false prophets. She was the antagonist of the Prophet Elijah seeking his death. She became synonymous with evil, especially harlotry and sorceries. she was often remembered as a prostitute - both in the spiritual and physical sense.

So who was this specific woman in Thyatira, and what was she doing? Well, from Christ’s perspective she was perpetrating great evil - for she was a false prophet and false teacher, thus he uses the language of jezebel for her.

She was apparently put into a position of teaching, which was not unknown in the early church. Phoebe was as deacon, Priscilla, with her husband, taught apollos, and Junia held high regard amongst the Apostles - a lot of scholars I read on this suggested that likely she was a patroness, or a host of a house church. She perhaps was a woman of education and of means, and had a home to host some of the church. And perhaps she found herself in conflict with the other house churches and their leaders - specifically in regards to accommodate Christian practices with the culture by participating in the imperial trade guilds pagan services.

Whether the reference to sexual immorality is in the physical sense of spiritual sense in not specifically known - but the scholars i read think this is more in the spiritual sense, and they will draw connections between Jezebel and the great harlot of Babylon coming later on in the book of REvelation - but the idea is again, Christians are called to be faithful to Yahweh and only Yahweh, and this house church leader is suggesting that it’s not a big deal to attend and participate in these pagan festivals - i mean we are called to be in the world - so we gotta go there too.

Remember Thyatira was home a bunch of guilds and merchants - so the imperial trade guild was immensely powerful. And when the guilds would gather, they would often meet in the shrine or temple of the their patron pagan diety, and they would feast in honor of that god to bless their business. This made it really difficult for Christians seeking to be faithful to participate in the trade guilds - for there was blatant pagan influence. If they refused to participate and were no longer a part of the guild this would make being successful exceptionally difficult, costly. So there would have been great temptation to compromise, just a bit, in order to secure their position in the trade guilds that allowed market success a possibility.

And one can see how they could justify it: I mean those gods aren’t real - so who cares right? It’s just eating meat at a table while other people sing or chant towards a statue. I know they aren’t real - so what’s the big deal?

Also, imagine all the good I can do with that money. I need to be financially successful in order to promote all work that JEsus wants me to do! So, like a prostitute, if I have to get into bed with the enemy - i mean ill put the money to a good place. The Ends justify the means right? Man that’s a philosophy that has burned many people - the ends justify the means.

The idea in this that she calls herself a prophetess will come up later in verse 24 - but friends this trend of people claiming some higher spirutal authority, some hidden knowledge is still around now - though with the internet is insane and they lead multitudes of people astray around the globe, and honestly besmirch the name of Jesus.

It griefs my heart when I see people who introduce themselves as a prophet. I mean maybe - but prove it. Because typically these people who claim to be prophets are driving lambos and milking people for money. The prophets of God i read of in Scripture were typically poor, not popular, and also didn’t falsely prophesy.

Jezebel here in thyatira is in that vain - her message is popular, so by claiming some special divine message - she also secures her authority over others. It’s sickening.

Look at verse 21

Revelation 2:21 (CSB)

I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.

Look at that - apparently at some point, God tried to get ahold of Jezebel to confront her about her falseness and urge her to repent. And yet she has not, and does not want to. She’s happy with the bed that she has made.

It is also my experience that those involved in false teaching and false prophecy are slow to repentance. This has prominently happened time and time again - where false prophets are called out, and shown evidence of their ways - and they give a half hearted apology, or confess to something unrelated - but keep on perpetuating the falseness of their lives.

Since she wont repent, what’s next for her?

Revelation 2:22–23 (CSB)

Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

So this false prophet who has gotten into bed with false teachings will be throne into the bed, and it will make her deeply sick. And those who do that with her will also go with her into great affliction - or into a time of great tribulation.

Unless they repent of HER works, those who have become her children will be struck down, killed. So this is an invitation for those who have been following Jezebel and listening to her false prophecy and teaching to turn and repent. Otherwise they will follow her into judgement. This doesn’t mean literal biological children - but those who have put themselves under the authority of Jezebel as their “spiritual mother”

Notice - Jesus then says this will reveal that he is the one who knows the minds and hearts - and repays each according to their works.

This is an allusion to Jeremiah 17:10 we can put that up on the screen.

Jeremiah 17:10 (CSB)

I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.

This is significant - well partly because as we said that Revelation just jumps into the deep end of the old testament and constantly alludes and quotes it - but also because in JEremiah the speaker is Yahweh, but here in Revelation it is Jesus who is claiming the same omniscience - claiming divinity. This is a subtle but clear indication that Jesus declared he was God, and the earliest of Christians believed that JEsus and the father were one.

It also links back into the image of Christ of the one with eyes of fire - he sees the heart. The true intent.

Let’s read on, what Jesus is now saying to the rest of the church in thyatira, verse 24 and 25

Revelation 2:24–25 (CSB)

I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan”—as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you. Only hold on to what you have until I come.

Notice - really he’s just telling the rest of the church - hey don’t give in to them. Just keep holding on to the truth until I come.

He quotes here the “so-called secrets of Satan” what is likely going on here is JEzebel was claiming some secret knowledge, though she likely didn’t say secretes of satan, but God. This is a classic thing that goes on still to this day - people claim hidden or secret knowledge, and it will unlock something so much greater if you listen and subscribe.

I’ve heard stuff like this fairly often. “Hey Jimmy - can I tell you about this (insert bizzarre teaching here). I discovered this and it completely changed my faith and how I read the Bible.” yeah that’s a red flag. “I used to be prideful and wrongheaded, then i discovered this strange teaching and this false prophet and my whole life changed.” Really? I also cringe when I hear pastors talk about something they discovered in scripture that is a new teaching that they discovered. Like really? And is that a good thing? We’ve had the same book for two thousand years - if you’re finding something new, you’re probably not reading it correctly. And this stuff is just so readily available with the internet. We got to be so careful.

We go back to the revealed truth.

That which God has made known - not some secret teaching pill you need to swallow. No, jesus Christ, God revealed in the flesh. Who came and lived a perfect life, and bled and died for our sins, and then rose again on the third day, and whoever confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead will be saved. Then we are called to Love God, obey him, Love our Neighbors, sacrifice for them, and make disciples - preach the gospel. Hold on to that. For Jesus will not fail you.

Let’s read the last four verses - the promise to the overcomer:

Revelation 2:26–29 (CSB)

The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations— and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery— just as I have received this from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Look - what does JEsus say is conquering? Keeps the works of Christ to the end. Faith. Faithfulness. Trust. No need for secret knowledge - just follow JEsus. And in that he will have victory,

and he will give authority over the nations! and then JEsus goes back to Psalm 2. Jesus has received the authority from the father - and he shares that authority with us! Because he will also give us the morning star.

The planet venus, or the morning star was celebrated by a lot of ancient cultures. They typically applied the image to that pf their rulers. Craig keener writes that Romans linked Venus with triumph and reign, and praised this goddess for their conquests. In Revelation however, Jesus himself is the morning star as he will reveal in Rev 22:16. And so Jesus is promising the faithful HIMSELF. We will rule with him, for we will be with him, and he in us, and we will be together.

Revelation 22:16 (CSB)

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

So what?

First, Notice - in this message, JEsus isn’t telling his church to go to the pagan festivals with signs of protest shouting at the pagans that they are going to burn in hell. In fact - he doesn’t speak about those outside the church at all in this message until where he talks about authority of the nations.

No Jesus is inside the church. And he calls us to hold each other to a high standard. I think of Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 (CSB)

For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? God judges outsiders. Remove the evil person from among you.

In our case in Thyatira - I am willing to bet that Jezebel was a wonderful teacher. Charismatic. Wealthy and had influence. Gifted even. And likely avoided the big sins. And yet - prophesied falsely. Lead other Christians to compromise. Preached secret knowledge. And Jesus tells the church in Thyatira to not tolerate her.

Friends - we need to hold ourselves, and especially our teachers to a high standard. When people claim to be a prophet - but they are prophesying falsely - reject them. Or call them to repent, and if they dont, then reject them. We are called to be intolerant of false teachers and false prophets.

We can and should give a call to repent - but if and when they do not choose to repent, we respond accordingly, and lovingly disallow them to have any position of teaching or leadership.

Second, we need to be careful on how we justify ourselves. Friends - we all have mixed motives most of the time. We need to be honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. Friend - we need community to do this well. I have several people in my life, my wife, my mentor, several friends, where I have just committed to live no lies. I’m going to drop all pretense and be fully honest and vulnerable and submit to them for when I need correction. We NEED to be honest friends. Satan is the father of Lies. but JEsus is the way the truth and the life.

Who do you have to be honest with? and I mean about the deep things. The crusty sins that you wish no one would ever hear about. Friend, I invite you to find someone to be fully real and honest with and who can intercede with you. This helps us stay away from where we are at risk of being in error.

Whether its moral compromise, financial shenanigans, sin and mixed motives - friends find someone to be real with. We have incredible elders I know that would be willing to be a coach and friend. But we have so many people here - lean into community and humbly come and we submit to one another out of love.

Lastly, friends economic temptations time and time again lead those in the roman empire astray. And friends, if i can be so bold - they do the same here in our day and age.

It’s an infamous passage, but consider 1 Timothy 6:10

1 Timothy 6:10 (CSB)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

We are prone to buy into the lie that if we just had money we would all be okay. We need to be ever aware of the Christian Karma mentality - if I’m being blessed then God must be happy with me. If I’m poor I must be doing something wrong.

Friends - JEsus came and was perfect and was brutally persecuted and killed. And in that was blessed with eternal life. We will have trouble. And God will entrust us with things - some with great wealth - friends we need to steward that with a whole lot of humilty.

Instead of craving money - listen to the continuation of 1 timothy 6.

1 Timothy 6:10–19 (CSB)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

May God lead us in faithful living until we arrive on eternites shore to receive a glorious inheritance of Jesus Christ himself.

Let me pray.