A Corrupted Church

A study on Revelation

A Corrupted Church

Rev. 2:18-29

Message 8

Theme: God is rebuking them for tolerating false teaching

Introduction: The more we study the churches, the more realize that churches are not perfect. Everything is not heavenly and there are seasons in a church where we deal with issues and difficulties. These are real problems of real people.

Here in this church is a corrupted church. The church has a resurrected Jezebel. The problem needs to be addressed and it is the longest letter to the churches. It is also one of the sharpest of the messages to the churches.

A church that tolerates wrong teaching will corrupt the doctrine of Christ. Last week, we learned doctrine is the glue that holds the church together. It is the core, the foundation, and anchor for the church.

God dials in on the corrupt teaching in the church and is calling them to correct this teaching.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2 John 7–11)

This letter not only teaches us how important right doctrine is in the church but what God thinks about wrong doctrine. God places a premium on doctrine.

I. Its conditions vv. 18-19

A. The city v. 18a

1. A very small and remote church-an area 40 miles SE of Pergamos today it is called Akhisar with about 25 K people. A center for dyeing cloth, trade guilds there, and wool. Lydia’s hometown from Acts 16 which is a convert of Paul.

2. It was a place of worship of women deity.

3. Apparently this small church was plagued with teaching problems and needed correction.

4. The city claimed a temple to Apollo-the sun god which shows us why Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God.

B. The Christ v. 18b

1. They had such a serious problem in worshipping Christ, that there was a need to reiterate the doctrine of Christ.

2. Christ is described as eyes like a flame of fire-righteous indignation and judgment.

3. Feet like fine brass-trample sin underfoot

4. Here Christ reveals Himself to the church according to their need-fire and brass speaks of purging and judgment.

C. The commendation v. 19

1. God knows their works and what they do-God knows the motive of our hearts.

2. Charity-greatest asset mentioned first.

3. Service-love at work and what they do.

4. Faith-proven by service that they have great belief.

5. Patience-obtained through tribulation.

6. Last works more the first-growth.

7. Works and doing things does not mean we are right with God-for instance, some churches teach that you “work” your way to heaven. This is not God’s truth but a person must receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

II. Its condemnation vv. 20-25

A. The complaint vv. 20-23

1. The word suffer means they tolerate wrong doing-Christ is pleased with our service for Him, but we must also act against the inroads of the enemy.

2. The woman-Jezebel-a false prophetess in the character of Jezebel. Her characteristics outlined in I Kings 21:1-16-belief effects a person’s lifestyle and how you live will show what you believe.

a. Caused Israel to worship pagan idolatry.

b. Jezebel called herself a prophetess and persecuted true prophets. A heathen woman married to an Israelite king which led Israel to Baal worship and immorality.

c. Jezebel in Thyatira taught them to commit sin with the pagan socity and eat meat sacrificed to idols-any teaching contrary to God’s Word is unscriptural regardless of its name.

d. She was teaching believers how to compromise with Roman religion and the practice of guilds so that Christians would not lose their jobs or even their lives.

3. God gave her a chance to repent v.21-but she refused.

4. God’s judgment on evil vv. 22-23

a. Bed of sin became a bed of suffering.

b. Instrument of wrong doing often becomes the instrument of punishment-God will deal with their children to prove that sin will not be tolerated.

5. God’s testimony stands sure-reins in the heart of the person.

Wiersbe said:

“It is interesting to contrast the churches at Ephesus and Thyatira. The Ephesian church was weakening in its love, yet faithful to judge false teachers; while the people in the assembly at Thyatira were growing in their love, but too tolerant of false doctrine. Both extremes must be avoided in the church. “Speaking the truth in love” is the biblical balance (Eph. 4:15). Unloving orthodoxy and loving compromise are both hateful to God.[1]”

B. The caution vv. 23-25

1. Jezebel and her children would be sentenced to tribulation and death because of their unbiblical actions.

2. God will give them their just reward v. 23c

3. God addresses the Godly remnant within the church in verse 24a.

4. God challenges the faithful, Godly believers to hold fast and don’t compromise.

III. Its challenge vv. 26-29

A. Promise of power vv. 26-27

1. God will rule over nations in the millennium.

2. Christ will rule with a rod of iron

3. When He comes, He will reign completely over all the earth-it will be a righteous kingdom with perfect justice and He will thwart the evils of rebellious men.

“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2:8–9)

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:” (Matthew 25:31)

4. Till I come refers to the rapture of the church at His coming and 1:7 it refers to His coming to earth in judgment to defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom.

B. Promise of the “Morning Star” vv. 28-29

1. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)

2. The promise is that His people will be so identified with Christ that He will “belong” to them.

3. The compromising people in Thyatira were following the depths of Satan which would lead to darkness and death.

Conclusion: The message is twofold from this church: 1. Stay away from sin, compromise, and false doctrine and 2. Purge out anything wrong in our lives.

[1]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 575.