Spiritual Adultery

The Letters to the Churches - Thyatira Spiritual Adultery - Revelation 2:18-29 July 6, 2025 This morning, we continue in our sermon series Revelation 2-3, where we see Jesus' seven letters to churches in Asia Minor, probably in the late first century. We'll be in chapter 2 today, beginning at verse 18 in Jesus' letter to Thyatira. I'm going to mix things up a little and I want to begin by reading this letter from Revelation 2:18-29: 18 "AND TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA WRITE: 'THE WORDS OF THE SON OF GOD, WHO HAS EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE, AND WHOSE FEET ARE LIKE BURNISHED BRONZE. 19 " 'I KNOW YOUR WORKS, YOUR LOVE AND FAITH AND SERVICE AND PATIENT ENDURANCE, AND THAT YOUR LATTER WORKS EXCEED THE FIRST. 20 BUT I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU TOLERATE THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL, WHO CALLS HERSELF A PROPHETESS AND IS TEACHING AND SEDUCING MY SERVANTS TO PRACTICE SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND TO EAT FOOD SACRIFICED TO IDOLS. 21 I GAVE HER TIME TO REPENT, BUT SHE REFUSES TO REPENT OF HER SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 22 BEHOLD, I WILL THROW HER ONTO A SICKBED, AND THOSE WHO COMMIT ADULTERY WITH HER I WILL THROW INTO GREAT TRIBULATION, UNLESS THEY REPENT OF HER WORKS, 23 AND I WILL STRIKE HER CHILDREN DEAD. AND ALL THE CHURCHES WILL KNOW THAT I AM HE WHO SEARCHES MIND AND HEART, AND I WILL GIVE TO EACH OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS. 24 BUT TO THE REST OF YOU IN THYATIRA, WHO DO NOT HOLD THIS TEACHING, WHO HAVE NOT LEARNED WHAT SOME CALL THE DEEP THINGS OF SATAN, TO YOU I SAY, I DO NOT LAY ON YOU ANY OTHER BURDEN. 25 ONLY HOLD FAST WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL I COME. 26 THE ONE WHO CONQUERS AND WHO KEEPS MY WORKS UNTIL THE END, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS, 27 AND HE WILL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS WHEN EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, EVEN AS I MYSELF HAVE RECEIVED AUTHORITY FROM MY FATHER. 28 AND I WILL GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR. 29 HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES.' The reason I wanted to begin this morning with our reading is because I want to touch on a bit of what we looked at last week. If you weren't here, we looked verses 12-17 at Jesus' letter to Pergamum. Now, when we take these two passages side by side, we see there are several similarities. So, I want to start by speaking to that for a few minutes. * First, notice the same issue with idolatry and immorality in verses 14 and 20. * As we've pointed out in the past, sexual immorality is often associated with pagan worship as part of their practices. * Both churches shared this common theme. * Additionally, they both share the common theme of allowing false teachers to infiltrate and influence them - again see verses 14 and 20. * As a result, both churches are subject to Jesus's judgment, as seen in verses 16 and 22-23. * In fact, while the word "sword" mentioned from verse 16 last week can be associated with the Word of God, the context seems to speak more to its role in Christ's judgement. * Of course, we see the same here with Thyatira in verses 22-23. * Also notice that judgment is reserved for all involved. Specifically in verses 16 and verses 22-23, where we see this judgement was for those who participated, and to those who perpetrated these false teachings. * Finally, both Pergamum and Thyatira need to deal with the false teaching and the unrepentant people within, otherwise Jesus will, see verse 16 and verses 22-23, with a call to repentance in verses 16, 21 and 22. With that said, let's begin with learning more about the church in Thyatira: * So, what do we know about this city? * Biblically, we know of one person associated with Thyatira, which is Lydia from Acts 16, who was a merchant of fine linens. It's likely that she was one of those who brought the message to Thyatira. * Thyatira was the smallest of the seven churches that Jesus wrote to, yet it is the longest of the letters. * It was known as the center of business and trade in the region. * They had many guilds, or associations, that often required the adherence to various pagan practices, to include sexual immorality and participation in things offered to idols. Not to participate would likely mean giving up your success as a business. Thus, many who thrived from business and trade in Thyatira had to participate to continue to flourish. * Thus, we begin to see some of the major problems that in the church in Thyatira had to deal with. Next, we are to identify how Christ is characterized in this letter, which is also found in verse 18. He describes Himself in three ways: * Son of God o This emphasizes the deity of Jesus. o In Jewish thought, to be the "son of" a thing, you are of the nature of that thing. o So, Jesus is saying that He was of the nature of God. o This is why it was well understood by the Jewish leaders that Jesus was calling Himself God when He used this terminology. o Next, He says that ... * He has eyes like a flame of fire o This emphasizes judgement, like that look you get from your mother (or wife) when you do something you shouldn't be doing o Verse 23 makes this connection clear, when Jesus says that He searches the minds and hearts. o It emphasizes that He sees all, that He knows all. o John MacArthur put it this way: A church may feel satisfied with itself, have a good reputation in the community, or even with other churches. [He is referring to verse 19, which we'll discuss shortly] But the penetrating eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ see it as it really is. o Next, Jesus says that He has ... * Feet like burnished bronze. o Like the eyes, bronze represents judgement here. o Again, we see this confirmed in verses 22-23, in Jesus' handling of those who followed the ways of Jezebel. o The feet represent His authority, His dominion, and His rule. Next, what is Christ's commendation for Thyatira? In short, their good works. Here, we see FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAITHFUL CHURCH: First of all, I think these characteristics further emphasize the church as a people. These are characteristics of people, within a community of believers. Let's quickly review each of these. Beginning with ... * A church that loves. o Inside the church, or outside the church. You know, the whole "love your neighbor" command. o The Apostle John talks about this regularly in his writings. o In 1 John 2, he warns about loving world and the things of the world. o In 1 John 3, he reminds us that we are to love one another, later even calling God love. o Also reminding us that He showed His love through the Son's sacrifice. o We are called to love like Jesus, and apparently Thyatira was doing this well. In fact, this is only church that He wrote to here that was commended by Jesus for their love. o Next ... * A church of faith. o This is an obvious characteristic for the believer, as we wouldn't be believers without it. o But what role does faith have in the church? o In one way, faith is what brings us together. o The idea of fellowship in the bible is "a state of sharing, participation, communion, or partnership" o I've said this before, but when Christians call each other "brother" or "sister," it isn't a cheesy thing that Christians do, it emphasizes community and family. * One of the reasons we call ourselves a "Family Church," by the way. o One of the results of fellowship is growing together, learning together, doing life together, and as we'll see shortly, serving together. o One lexicon states that the word for faith used here, may refer to the basis for belief, the act of believing, or the content of what is believed. o Faith is active, not passive. Again, leading us to ... * A church that serves. o This is the same word we see in Acts 6, when the Twelve selected 7 men to serve "tables," so that the Elders can focus on the ministry of prayer and the Word. o This is the word that effectively has been transliterated as "deacon" that is used in the church. o As you may be aware, we have three deacons here at TFC, all dedicated to a specific and vital role within the church, allowing the elders to lead the church. o This word is not always used, however, in the formal since, it is also used in Luke 10 to describe Martha as she was serving her Lord Jesus upon His visit to their home. o Simply put, service is a part of the Christian life. At least it should be. o How are you serving God? How are you serving His people? o Next, we see that the Christian character is one of ... * A church who patiently endures. o I think about Paul's letters to the Thessalonians. They, in many ways, assumed Jesus would be coming back immediately, so they became impatient in their waiting. o I think about Peter's first letter, where he spends most of his opening giving them hope as they suffer for the Lord. o I think about - as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in the weekly newsletter - one of the purposes of apocalyptic literature, which is to give the reader hope. o I think about the church today, as we see the influence of evil being celebrated and literally paraded in the streets. o Patiently enduring requires complete trust in the Lord's promises. o So, we wait. o So, we endure. o Next ... * What is Jesus' condemnation to Thyatira? o Verse 20 reveals the condemnation. o If I were to summarize it in two words, it would be: spiritual adultery. o Jesus identifies the "mistress" here as Jezebel. o Now, it's likely that the name given here was more of a spiritual nickname, likening the false teacher to Jezebel from 1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9. o The implication here is that they allowed this false teacher (self-proclaimed prophetess) into their church, allowing her to lead them into idolatry and immorality. o Jesus calling her "Jezebel" indicated "corruption, immorality, and idolatry." It was a deliberate insult to a person to be called "Jezebel." o Why? In short, the Jezebel from Kings was a nasty woman. Idolatrous, greedy, murderous, and politically and religiously divisive. o Jesus warned about such a person back in Matthew 24, when He warned that many false teachers will come and many will be misled. o We must recognize the problem here. o We can summarize the problem further here with our main idea: If I commit spiritual adultery, I will be subject to judgement. That's the warning! No one gets away from sin. No one can hide their sin from God. What we do, as we saw a couple of weeks ago, is a reflection of our heart. Are you living a changed life, due to your changed heart? So, what is Jesus' solution to this big problem? What is the counsel (or correction) to this church? At the risk of being redundant: * Repent or you will face judgement. o Verse 21 reveals that they have been given plenty of opportunities to repent. o So, He follows this with verses 22-23, revealing that severe judgement is coming. o The children in verse 23 likely refers to her disciples, her followers. Her spiritual children. * Recall His characterization back in verse 18. He foreshadowed this judgement. * In the book of Romans, chapters 1-2, provide a strong description of God's righteous judgement. o The most chilling words that come from Romans 1 are "THEREFORE GOD GAVE THEM UP TO" their sin. o He gives us plenty of opportunity to repent, so we must do so, or He will give you up to your desires. * And trust me, that is not a good thing. * He is warning the church that not only will they be judged, but verse 23 gives us the impression that He will also use them as an example to the other churches. o I think that's what He's doing today. o With the power of the internet and social media, we are quickly made aware of Christian leaders and influencers who fall into this very sin. o It's to reinforce the eyes like a flame and bronze feet that we saw in verse 18. * But praise be to God! * Look again at verse 22. He still provides the time to repent. * So, once again, we see that Jesus acts as a merciful judge. * Friends, if you hear my voice, it is not too late to repent and turn to the Lord. Not because it's my voice, but because you are still here on earth. Finally, we come to Jesus' challenge (or His promise or exhortation) to the faithful in the church. * In verse 25, He tells those who hadn't committed spiritual adultery, to continue to hold fast. * We touched on this last week. * We also touched on this earlier with the commendation of patient endurance. * In verses 26-27, Jesus seems to reference the Millennial reign, and the faithful saint's role in that rule. o This is consistent with teachings from Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 6:3; and may also be alluding to Psalm 2:8-9. * Finally, the promise of the Morning Star in verse 28 o This is referencing Jesus, according to Revelation 22:6. o This pushes us to recall and believe in the promises of God. o That we will be in His presence for eternity. o That we will be in fellowship with Jesus for eternity. o That we will be in fellowship with the Father for eternity. * That's why the phrase "ONE WHO CONQUERORS" that's used throughout the book of Revelation is important. * This phrase describes the faithful saints. The repentant. The true disciple of Jesus. * How do we know we're conquerors? o I think we answered this earlier from verse 19. o Disciples who are loving, faithful, servants, and those who patiently endures, in Christ. * "In Christ" is the qualifier. Those who have been changed by the blood of Jesus. o Conquerors will not follow after the false teachers, like Jezebel. The hard truth of this letter was stated in our main idea when I said, if I commit spiritual adultery, I will be subject to judgement. The hard promise of this letter is that those who repent, deny Jezebel and her teachings, and follow Jesus will not be subject to that judgement. Paul reminds us in Romans 5 that Christ died for the ungodly, as an act of love. So, how will you respond today to that love? Let's pray. 2