The Church of Thyatira

JEZEBEL...

This name has never been on the popular list of baby girl names, and for good reason! The name Jezebel carries with it the stigma and personification of evil, wickedness, and immorality.

We’re introduced to Jezebel in the Old Testament in 1 Kings 16:29-33

This Queen Jezebel...

Was a murderer… killing God’s prophets and teachers

Daughter of a priest of Baal

Influenced and seduced her husband King Ahab and a Nation to sin and do evil and seek immorality

Baal Worship horrific sacrifices and immoral acts

The scriptures referred to them as abominations before God

For a period of time even the great prophet Elijah fled from her and hid in fear!

Notice later what God says concerning Ahab and this evil Queen Jezebel… 1 Kings 21:21-26

One has to ask...

Israel… WHY? God had done so much for you and your ancestors!

Ahab… WHY? God gave you the throne, power, riches… God had even proved Himself to you at Mt Carmel

The lure of sin and evil when given a foothold or tolerated in the slightest is so very dangerous… Our church today in Thyatira is dealing with this issue…

We visit the longest message to the smallest of the churches, a penetrating message of REBUKE to ones Christ loves so deeply in Revelation 2:18-29

Church Location

This was the smallest of the towns, a military town of sorts but better known for the many trade guilds that were in the town

This was a blue collar hard working class of people

In this town they are known well for the production of purple dye used for clothing (Lydia in Acts 16 was from Thyatira and was a seller of purple fabric)

They were known also for their expertise in working with BRONZE!

They worshiped Apollo the “sun god”… Here Christ designates Himself as the “Son of God” the one who created the sun! That is authority and power wrapped up in One! “I speak and the sun appears”!

To this church in a small town God describes Himself…

Christ Self Description

Jesus Christ… the Son of God! There is a reference back to the vision displaying Christ’s AUTHORITY, STRENGTH, and PURITY!

“Eyes like a flame of fire” (Daniel)

He sees into the hearts and minds and search His church

He can see into the depths of your soul and mine (BEYOND the surface level)

The flame signifies He judges what He sees as well

“Feet like burnished bronze”

A picture of coming judgement

The power to crush sin and evil

It is this powerful Christ that now writes them, able to see below the surface. As they read the following words, as they hear His message, as they envision peering into His eyes of Flame… Christ says, “I KNOW”…

“I Know Deeds”

“Deeds” are mentioned more in this small section than any other. “I know your deeds”: what is being done, what you are doing, and EVEN the heart in which you are doing these things!

Here is a church most likely that 90% are doing the work rather than the typical 10% doing all the work

This is a blue collar church, working hard…

IN FACT: they were doing more & better than even before! There is improvement

Love… for others and each-other

Faith… a growing Faith!

Service… not complaining but eager to serve

Perseverance… in the midst of sin, evil, and pagan gods, they continue on in adversity

The church in Ephesus could take some lessons from this church!

Christ’s Commendation

“You are DOING good”… the eyes of the Lord see! He commends them

What we do is important and crucial in our Christian walk! Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

We have allowed a pendulum swing in the churches that teach Salvation by grace

We teach Christ did all necessary for salvation and salvation by faith (AND THIS IS TRUE!)

However, we have polluted our minds and hearts to think that our daily lives and our walk and we say that works or deeds don’t matter…

This is a lie from the devil!

Christ has set a standard to live by, we are called to Sanctification… may the churches called by Grace be also known and commended by God for our deeds!

There is a direct connection with what we do and what we believe!

Jesus Christ cares about what we do and wants us to improve and do more for Him!

This church may have been doing well in what they were doing, however there is a very strong admonition given...

Christ’s Concern… Condemnation!

“You Tolerate Evil” Definition : leave it to someone else, stand off or away from, … to allow something to be or occur

There was a woman who had come into the church and was

Calling herself a prophetess (a false prophet)

Teaching (deep things of Satan) & they Let her alone to teach

Leading Astray… WHO? (My Bond-servants) believers/Christians

Her teaching was such that she is given the identifier “Jezebel” most likely not her name but God’s clear thought concerning her!

This is remember where Christ commended Ephesus! (Acts 21)

Identifying false teachers and doctrine

Testing for false prophets

Holding to the purity of God’s Word

God is a God of balance! Do both church!

What is taught and leading them to what? What are the deep things of Satan?

Immorality (pornero) sinful sexual acts 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and 1 Corinthians 6:18

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

Food to idols as well… self-worship

She is basically teaching what Satan himself taught in the Garden

Do what is pleasing to you

Give into what FEELS good

taste, eat, be wise, … nothing new fulfill desires rather than obey God

God is seeking repentance… he gave her time!

Consequence!

Death, sickness, tribulation… wanting repentance

This is a divine act of God that will come upon them (not from man)

LOOK! as Christians when we do these things and fulfill self we are committing ADULTERY with God our Savior!

BUT GOD… look at what I am doing in the church, look at my deeds, look at the ministries I am a part of, I serve, love, I have faith...

But God searches the heart, the mind… cuts past the surface and sees the inner man and woman!

Repent of your deeds, (vs 22)or at least you will serve as an example to the other churches...

The other churches reading would know as well, and there is accountability!!!

Christ Instruction

“Repent / Remain Steadfastness”

We continue to see God’s heart cry for man to repent (not point and blame)

STOP IT!

DON’T DO IT!

DEAL WITH IT!

CHANGE YOUR THINKING & ACTIONS!

Be steadfast… “No other burdens placed on you”

In “His deeds”, in faith, love, service, perseverance… can only happen when we hold to sound teaching

The works and deeds lived out every day

There are two masters ( Christ or Satan )

Joshua reminded the people of Israel… “Choose this day WHO you will serve”

The choice is not to serve but WHO you serve

UNTIL WHEN?… Jesus Christ returns. This is worth it too! Look at…

Christ’s Promise & Encouragement

“Ruling With Him”

There is a reward!

Read verses 25-28 we will rule with Christ…there is a greater authority given in the Millennial Reign

“Until He comes”… Not return but comes for His bride… 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

We will be given authority to rule, & responsibility when He RETURNS to rule in the Millennial reign!

Hear this church… what you do here and now (“My Deeds” says Christ) matters and will impact eternity!

One last word of encouragement before we leave…

Where are you at today listening to this message Christ gave to Thyatira?

Are you living to impress other externally, yet sitting there realizing God is convicting your heart?

Is there sin/evil in your life God wants to deal with? Is He seeking a repentant heart from you?

I want to encourage you… it is never too late with God until it’s too late… 1 Kings 21:27-29

A humble, repentant heart… even for wicked Ahab can be forgiven by God. Let’s pray.