Thyatira: A Corrupted Church
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Today, we come to the church of Thyatira.
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;
Thyatira was the smallest of the seven cities mentioned in the letters to the seven churches and is also the least known.
However. they received the longest letter from Jesus Christ.
Thyatira was probably founded by Alexander the Great about 300 years before Christ.
The name “Thyatira” means “Unceasing Sacrifice”. It most likely received this because it was a military buffer city, located 40 miles south east of Pergamos, the capital city of Asia that we saw was compromising last week.
Thyatira was destroyed and rebuilt many times because it wasn’t designed well for battle but was simply the gate way to Pergamos and would just simply fight long and hard enough to allow Pergamos an opportunity to prepare.
The city of Thyatira no longer exists today, but we do find the city of Ackisar, inTurkey, located on the site where this ancient city once rested.
Thyatira is mentioned in scripture:
14 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.
The city was a major city of commerce because the trade route passed right through Thyatira.
It was also famous for the dyes produced there, especially the color purple.
Purple was very rare and was a valuable commodity with royalty and the wealthy of that era.
Also, like the other 3 cities we have seen so far, Thyatira was a center of occult worship. In Thyatira, there was a temple dedicated to fortune-telling presided over by a female oracle named Sambathe.
Notice, first of all we have a presentation of Jesus Christ, the author of this letter.
The Christ of Thyatira:
The Christ of Thyatira:
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;
We find 3 phrases describing Jesus Christ.
The Saving One - “The Son of God”
The Saving One - “The Son of God”
The Son of God, the one who was born of virgin, crucified on a cross, buries in a borrowed tomb, rose again on the third day, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He provided salvation and deserves to be praised for his deliverance.
The Searching One - “eyes like unto a flame of fire”
The Searching One - “eyes like unto a flame of fire”
Again, He sees all and knows all. He sees what you are doing but He also penetrates into the heart to see why you doing it.
the flame of fire shows that he is coming in judgment, with anger over sin.
Jesus is the Saving One, the Searching One, but also,
The Sovereign One - “feet like fine brass”
The Sovereign One - “feet like fine brass”
Brass or bronze in the Bible is always symbolic of judgment. He not only sees all, but he is judging all.
Why would Jesus remind them of being their Savior but also their judge?
As we will discover this morning, the church at Thyatira was an Apostate church.
Now, what exactly is an apostate?
The word apostate is derived from the Greek apostasia ("rebellion” or "falling away"),
An apostate signifies a total, conscious departure from Christ and the covenant community. Got Questions +3
Anyone who willfully abandons or rebels against their previously professed faith in God and Christian doctrine.
Unlike backsliding (temporarily falling into sin), that we saw in the church in Pergamos, apostasy is a deliberate, final rejection of the faith, often following a period of participating in the church.
However, notice first
The Commendation of Thyatira:
The Commendation of Thyatira:
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.
Going in Ministry:
Going in Ministry:
Works = “deeds” - Active in good deeds and benevolent outreach.
Service = “ministry” - same word we get our word deacon, “those who kick up dust”. They were so busy serving that they were kicking or stirring up the dust.
Glowing in Motives:
Glowing in Motives:
charity = agape, “love”. An unconditional, unceasing love that knows no boundaries and that is not influenced by the worth of the object being loved. A Godly love.
The only real motive for works is love. If not done out of love, then it is worthless.
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
The problem I believe that we will discover is that this love was more for man than Jesus Christ.
faith = “faithfulness” - you could count on them to get the job done. They were faithful and not fickle.
Growing in Membership:
Growing in Membership:
“thy works; and the last to be more than the first.”
In Thyatira, we see plenty of work and plenty of workers.
They were developing and progressing on their works.
Outreach and ministry to their fellow man was always increasing.
We can be busy, but we must make sure our busyness is focused on the Edifying the Saints; Evangelizing the Sinner; and Exalting the Savior.
If what we are doing is not accomplishing one of these three things, then we don’t need to be doing it.
So, we see the Christ that comes to them and the Commendation that He gives, but thirdly, we discover
The Condemnation of Thyatira:
The Condemnation of Thyatira:
20 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.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 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.
Notice the first word, “Notwithstanding”.
Jesus has mentioned some pretty great things about the church of Thyatira and her work ethic, love and faith.
But with the word “notwithstanding”, he eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass begins to shine through with the now not so great news. The news of things are great, but judgment is coming.
Confronts the Teacher of Thyatira:
Confronts the Teacher of Thyatira:
20 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.
We don’t really know who this individual was, but Jesus refers to her as Jezebel.
Jezebel means “chaste”, but she was anything but that.
Jezebel’s Cognomen:
Jezebel’s Cognomen:
or namesake is found in the Old Testament.
Jezebel was the wife and power behind the throne of Ahab.
31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
She lead her husband and the nation of Israel to worship the pagan gods of Baal and Ashteroth which both associated with the immoral vices of sexual immorality and gross wickedness.
Jezebel was devoted to these gods that she kept 850 prophets of that wicked, sensual religion.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
Jezebel tried her best, after leading her husband and much of Israel to worship Baal, to kill every true man of God she could get her hands on. Even Elijah the great prophet.
There is a lot more we could say about Jezebel this morning but I want you to know for the purpose of this message this morning that Jezebel came to be identified, because of her self appointed right to the throne and influence upon everyone, with wickedness and idol worship.
Jezebel was a very clever woman; a dangerous woman’ and she imported heathenism into Israel. However, she didn’t come out against God. She just mixed the altar of Baal with altar of Jehovah.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Jezebel’s Character:
Jezebel’s Character:
20 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.
Self Appointed Calling:
Self Appointed Calling:
God had not called her to preach.
God had not called her to teach.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Very clearly teaches a woman in not to usurp authority of the man.
However, Jezebel had usurped the authority of scripture and the authority of the church and was teaching.
Seducing Compromise:
Seducing Compromise:
20 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.
teach and seducing:
seducing = “to lead out of the right path”.
Fornication = pornia where we get the word pornography. It refers to any sexual immorality.
Pagan Idolatry = Eating things sacrificed to idols.
Mixing the sacred and the sensual.
I didn’t mention at the beginning, but Thyatira as being the center of trade had what was called trade guilds and or trade unions.
They were known for their textile industry and metal foundries (fine brass).
These trade guilds were something between a professional association, trade union, cartel, and secret society.
Everyone’s life was controlled by these guilds.
To sell anything in Thyatira, you must be a member of one of these guilds.
Everyone of these guilds would also have feasts and worship to false gods that if refused to participate in, you lost your job and ability to sell and was scorned by everyone.
Jezebel was compartmentalizing the sacred and secular worlds.
What you do on Sunday has no effect or connection to your lifestyle during the week. Especially these trade guilds.
Remember, we are free in Christ. Participating in these things is not going to cause me to lose my salvation. God will understand my need for work and paying the bills.
God calls us to Holiness, not Harlotry! Therefore, any sexual immorality or acts of idolatry are a great big deal to God.
We are to stand and live upon the Biblical convictions, not secular compromise.
God calls us to Spiritual Purity, not spiritual prostitution.
Stubbornness Criticized:
Stubbornness Criticized:
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
God offered a reasonable time to repent.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
however the opportunity is passing and God’s patience has run out.
Sentence Clarified:
Sentence Clarified:
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 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.
“I will cast her into a bed” = equals her sick bed; a serious disease; the bed of affliction. God will chasten them.
“them that commit adultery with her” = those following her leadership, embracing her words, sharing in her devilish beliefs and giving encouragement to her evil acts, by not obeying and honor the One True God.
“into great tribulation” = affliction and oppression.
“I will kill her children” = The offspring of Jezebel, those who are begotten of her, those who wholeheartedly practice her teachings and embrace her actions.
Don’t mess with the purity of the church. Jesus expects faithfulness and purity to Him and Him alone.
But the real problem is not necessarily in Jezebel and her self appointed prophetess and her seducing message, The real problem is in the Tolerance of the church.
Confronts the Tolerance of Thyatira:
Confronts the Tolerance of Thyatira:
20 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.
The church has allowed this woman to be in a position of leadership and influence.
Sufferest = to tolerate, to permit, to allow.
How many times today do we hear people say, “Will, I don’t agree with it, but we shouldn’t say anything because we might hurt their feelings.”
We need to start hurting some feelings, especially when it comes to false doctrine and compromise within the church.
There is a reason we are narrow minded, because Jesus is narrow minded.
Paul was narrow-minded.
Peter was narrow-minded.
John was narrow-minded.
We are not to conform to this world we are to be transformed!
Now, Jesus addresses the problem with disobedience and tolerance.
Confronts the Testimony of Thyatira:
Confronts the Testimony of Thyatira:
23 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.
Just because we tolerate doesn’t mean Jesus will let it slide. The groom is coming for His bride and He will not allow His bride to flourish around sin.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
People are watching us as we handle the gospel of Jesus Christ.
People are watching how we share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
People are watching how we honor and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Repentance is the only acceptable response.
The Consolation to Thyatira:
The Consolation to Thyatira:
Comforts With Duty:
Comforts With Duty:
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.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
“the rest in Thyatira” “as many as have not this doctrine” = Those faithful. Those refusing to compromise. Those a part of the Bride, Faithful and True and Waiting and Watching.
Don’t get sucked into false teachers, preachers, and messages.
“no other burden” = rest.
“Hold fast” = Keep focused on being faithful to the groom, Jesus Christ, until His return.
Comforts with Destiny:
Comforts with Destiny:
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 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.
The Bride of Christ will rule and reign with Christ over nations.
He will destroy false religions and leaders as they are not vessels of honor.
Comforts with Delight:
Comforts with Delight:
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Who or what is the morning star?
Well, lets look ahead to Rev 22:16
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.
Jesus Christ is the morning star.
The morning star is the light just before dawn, but only seen by those watching through the night.
As His bride, we are to be watching, looking for His return.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Are you looking for Jesus, the morning star?
Or
Are you sleeping?
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
The Apostle Paul told us in
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Are you listening? Are you hearing?
