Thyatira

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.”

Background

Thyatira was the fourth church addressed by Jesus. Thyatira was located in Western Asia minor. It was a city known for wool trade.

Acts 16:14–15 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

Letter

Again, as Christ has done in all the letters to these churches, he shows his authority and qualifications to send these letters to them. He refers to himself here as the “Son of God”. This shows his deity.

A good definition of deity is that Christ is God in the flesh...the eternal, infinite second person of the Trinity who became fully human without ceasing to be fully divine, possessing all divine attributes like omnipotence, omniscience, and eternality, and performing God-like works such as creation, forgiveness of sins, and judging humanity. This means Jesus is one in being with God the Father, the one true God in human flesh, essential for salvation and worship. 

Christ is who he said he is… The Sinless Son of God. People may say he was a good man, a prophet, a teacher but he is so much more than that.… He is the Son of God.

Matthew 16:13–18 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Again, he starts off by going over their good attributes. He praises them for what they are doing right and tells them to continue in those things. Jesus leaves us with the same message. Continue what you are doing until I come again.

Luke 19:13 “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

They are known for their love of God and love to one another, along with their patience and faith.

However, in spite of all that, they have some things that need corrected. They have allowed the enemy, here referred to as Jezebel, to come in and to seduce some into sexual immorality and eating things that were sacrificed unto idols.

1 Timothy 4:1–3 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

She was given an opportunity of repentance but did not. Because of her refusal to repent, Jesus said she would suffer great tribulation and those who have joined her will also, unless they repent.

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

However, they were those who had not been deceived, those who has held fast to their faith in Christ, he promised them the morning star

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:”

Matthew 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Matthew 21:44 “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

Luke 20:18 “Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”