Revelation 2 - Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia

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John’s Letter to 7 Churches in Asia Minor

I. The Apostle John’s Fourth Letter Sent to the Church in Thyatira- (v 18-29) - Referred to as the “TOLERANT” or “CORRUPT” church. Revelation 2:18–29 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

A. Recipients of It: (v 18) Revelation 2:18 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire (referring to his burning hot, laser, knowledgeable look into the church), and his feet are like fine brass (referring to his divine judgment);”

See: Revelation 19:12 “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.” and Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

The Recipients of the letter was the church of Thyatira,” and its “members” - sent to the “angel;” the “messenger,” or pastor of the church located in Thyatira. It was sent to the pastor who would read it to the church and teach them what John’s words from Jesus Christ meant to and for them. There is uncertainty as to who actually founded the church and who the pastor was at the time of John writing to it.

a. Background concerning the City and Church in Thyatira:

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Thyatira

Thyatira. One of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. The city was founded by the Lydian kingdom and later captured by Seleucus, Alexander’s general. It then served as a border settlement to preserve his kingdom from Lysimacus, his rival to the west.

After the kingdom of Pergamum was founded (282 BC), Thyatira became the borderline between Pergamum and the Syrians. The city was without natural defenses. It was not built on a hill and therefore was subject to repeated invasions. The strength of the city lay largely in its strategic location and also upon the fertility of the area surrounding it. Its inhabitants were descendants of Macedonian soldiers and retained much of their ancestors’ militancy. They made formidable defenders of the city.

When Rome defeated Antiochus in 189 BC, Thyatira was incorporated into the kingdom of Pergamum, Rome’s ally. Peace and prosperity followed. Under the Roman emperor Claudius (AD 41–54), Thyatira rose to new prominence and was permitted to issue its own coins. The emperor Hadrian included this city in his Middle East itinerary (AD 134), a hint of the importance of Thyatira in the 2nd century AD

Prosperity attracted many Jews to this area. Among the commercial activities of the city were textiles and bronze armor. The armorers were in a guild, like the silversmiths in Ephesus. A coin from the city reveals a smith hammering a helmet on an anvil, a reminder that in the letter to Thyatira the Son of God has eyes that glow like fire and his feet like white-hot metal (

B. Jesus Christ himself Is Speaking to the church at Thyatira through the Holy Spirit and Writing of John. Revelation 2:18 “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;”

Christ’s Communication Who He is to Them - (vs 18,23) Revelation 2:18 “...These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;” Revelation 2:23 “...I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts:...”

God/Jesus has personal, intimate perfect knowledge of every human heart; no evil can be hidden from his all seeing eyes...see Psalm 7:9 “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” And Proverbs 24:12 “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? Jeremiah 11:20 “But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.” and Jeremiah 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 20:12 “But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.”

And concerning His giving to them (and us) according to our works, human works for the saint and sinner are always the basis for future judgment as we read in Revelation 20:12–13 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” See Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” and Romans 2:6 “Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”

As we know, works do not save, Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” but do evidence salvation as we read in James 2:14–26 “14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I am going to go off course here for a few moments please: I stated I would not discuss politics in these Zoom end times teaching gatherings; however, please allow me to digress for a few moments to share something in light of James. A brother reached out to me about a homeless man sleeping in a tent near him and asked for me help with housing for him. 1st the Lord sent that man to him and not me. So, he being a MAGA believer, who opposes the vast amount of money being mis-spent by our government including on “entitlement’ programs so called, I told him to help this man avoid becoming another burden of our deeply in debt nation, that he should offer him one of the comfortable, warm, emply rooms in his large house. I told him I COULD NOT take the man in due to my living in a HUD development and to do so with Ryan living here would be a violation of my lease. Well, it became clear he was not going to help so I told him to go to the many large churches in our area he frequents and ask the pastors who most have large houses or apartments and empty rooms to help him. His response was for me to help him - and this was his second such request of me with the 1st one within a day apart, being helping a disabled man in a local prison that could be released if he had a place to go to live. The man was in prison for a minor, non-violent crime. But this brother boasted he did lead his Jewish wife or woman to the Lord, her praying the sinners prayer with him. This is rank hypocrisy and is clear disobedience to the Word of God. The anger and grief I felt and do feel for these men and his churches is beyond my ability to express. And yes, I am going to try and help them even though I can not provide housing for them personally. One final note I am neither condoning or condemning the MAGA movement by what I have stated. I am just referring to the fact how so many believers who are MAGA supporters are hypocrites in their living out their faith. And now moving right along...

2. Next we See Christ’s Commendation of Them: - (v 19) Revelation 2:19 “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”

3. Then Christ’s Criticism of Them: (v 20) Revelation 2:20 “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess (a false prophetess as indicated by her doctrine and manner of life), to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication (immorality), and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” (BAD DOCTRINE/TEACHING ALWAYS LEADS TO BAD LIVING!)

See Acts 15:19–29 (this was the determination of the Jerusalem council concerning what to do with the new Gentile converts in the church) “19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:23 And they wrote letters by them af ter this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.…”

a. Who Jezebel is referred to in Revelation 2:20 John MacArthur and others believe this is a "pseudonym” (a fictitious name, especially one used by an author:), for a wicked woman who influenced the church in Thyatira the way Jezebel influenced the OT Jews into idolatry and immorality (which almost always goes hand in hand(. See 1 Kings 21:25–26 “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.”

4. Christ’s Charge And Condemnation To Jezebel First and Then the Church Members Who Followed Her: (v 21-23) Revelation 2:21–23 “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery (immorality) with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

Note the Lords mercy and grace in giving her time to repent of her fornication. See 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Note her sad response - she refused to repent. So she and others who followed her in her fornicating folly on their luxurious beds, would be cast into a bed of great tribulation - unparalleled suffering. AND NOTE - he did not say “The Tribulation” but “great tribulation.” The church was about 40 years old when John wrote to it, and her teaching had produced “children,” a second generation, who were practicing the same debauchery so they would be killed with death.

5. Christ’s Comforting Words Spoken to The Obedient Overcoming Members of the Church - (v 24) Revelation 2:24 “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.” (note there was no punishment for those who obeyed; they were to endure the everyday, burden/burdens of living in a sinful world and would be greatly blessed for it).O’ the great grace, marvelous/magnificent and magnanimous mercy, and lavish love of Christ our Lord!

Regarding “the depthis of Satan” this unbelievable libertinism and license was the fruit of pre-gnostic teaching (false teaching that eventually crept into the churches), that taugh one was free to engage anf explore the spehere/depths of Satan and participate in evil with their bodies without harming thier spirits.

6. Christ’s Challenge to Them: (v 25) Revelation 2:25 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” Hold on to the right doctrine and living! Don’t grow weary and give up until I come he was telling them. And he reminded them that he was “coming.”

7. Christ’s Commintment To Them For Their Overrcoming and Keeping His Works Unto the End (v26-28) Revelation 2:26–28 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end (endures), to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.”

Note: As far as the overcomers co-ruling the nations they had power over given to them by Father God and Christ (a future event); their ruling “them with a rod of iron,” literally means to “shepherd with an iron rod. During the Millenial Kingdom, Christ as King, will enforce His will and protect His sheep with his iron Sceptre from any who would seek to harm them. See Psalm 2:9 “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” This will be a co-venture with Father God, Christ and His saints. And ultimately it will be Christ what will dash them in pieces like a broken potter’s vessel.

The “morning star” referred to: The Apostle John later reveals Christ to be the “Bright and Morning Star” Revelation 22:16 “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.” Although the morning star has already dawned in our hearts, one day we will have Him in all His glorious fullness. 2 Peter 1:19 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:”

8. Christ’s and The Spirit’s Final Challenge to the Saints In the Thyatyran Church: (v29) Revelation 2:29 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

John is ending his letter to the church at Thyatira with a challenge/a strong encouragement to pay attention and apply personally/practically what the Spirt said to the churches. And it would do us well for all of us to do the same!

(My sincere thanks to Dr. John MacArthur for providing me some of the Scriptural information and insights I have shared with you tonight). And please pray for him as his physical heart and his health are not good. He’s getting closer to heaven every day and what a HUGE loss his passing will be to the church and to me particularly.

Pray for our Persecuted brothers and sisters in Afghanistan - classified as a “restricted” nation.

Overview:

The Good News of Christ reached Afghanistan by the second century, but today there are no church buildings. Cultural and religious opposition to the gospel as well as significant security issues remain great challenges for all missions efforts in this Central Asian nation. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith. There is, nevertheless, a special unity among Christians laboring for the gospel in Afghanistan. Indigenous, near-culture and expatriate believers are boldly taking risks and using every possible opportunity to help believers grow in faith and connect with local house churches. While church growth has been slow among the more than 40 unique people groups, significant Christian growth has occurred among the Hazara people, and members of other people groups are also coming to know Christ.

99.8 percent of Afghans are Muslims, with 90 percent Sunni and 10 percent Shiite.

Major Religion: Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic toward Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends and communities.

Persecutor: Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic toward Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends and communities.

What It Means To Follow Christ In Afghanistan

Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan. Although waves of Christians have fled the country to worship openly, some Afghan Christians have stayed to maintain a witness for Christ. A small number of Christians are martyred every year in Afghanistan, but their deaths generally occur without public knowledge. A few are also in prison, but imprisonment is not common. Christian converts from Islam are often killed by family members or other radicalized Muslims before any legal proceedings can begin.

Since there are no traditional church buildings or Christian bookstores in Afghanistan, Bibles are available only through underground ministry networks or in digital formats. There is little access to printed Bibles, and owning one is extremely dangerous. Most believers do not have their own Bible, but online Bibles and other digital formats are available and extremely helpful to believers and seekers. Bible translation efforts are underway for the languages of some people groups who do not have a Bible in their native language.

Prayer Requests:

Pray that Bible translation work will make God's Word accessible to Afghanistan's more than 40 people groups. 

Pray for Christians who have remained in the country and face extreme persecution from the ruling Taliban.

Pray that many Afghans will hear the gospel through social media and broadcast sources.