Seven Churches Thyatira
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Ephesus - Left their first love - cooling off of the believer 1st century
Smyrna - a time of persecution for the true believer - formation of the organized church system - 2nd century
Pergamum - Worship of God in unprescribed ways - Satans throne - accepting the things of the world into the church - seperation of the laity and priesthood 3rd century
Introduction of statues and pictures, and relicts (Church under Constantine) organized state religion
In 313 CE, the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which granted Christianity—as well as most other religions—legal status. ... In 380 CE, the emperor Theodosius issued the Edict of Thessalonica, which made Christianity, specifically Nicene Christianity, the official religion of the Roman Empire.
325 introduction of Arianism (Jesus not co-eternal) and the worship of Mary
Introduction of Martin Luther in October 1517
Thyatira - Roman Catholic Church
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
But hold fast what you have till I come.
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;
and I will give him the morning star.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
No historical record of the founding but mentioned here
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
Thyatira was the smallest of the seven cities, but the one that received the longest letter. It lay about 45 miles to the southeast of Pergamum and was famous for its textiles, especially the production of purple dye and its trade guilds.
Thyatira now lies within Akhisar. Once a city famed for bronze work and weaving, this modern city is now one of Turkey's largest tobacco and olive oil growing regions.
This church was doing many things well, but they were being led astray by someone teaching false doctrine. Evidently a woman claiming to be a prophetess had been influencing some in this church to join the local trade guilds without which a tradesman could not work in Thyatira. This meant participation in the guild feasts that included immoral acts and the worship of idols created by the bronze workers
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Dominate issues of the RC church - works - patience
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
Introduction of idol worship - worship of statues
Look at the description of Jesus in verse 18
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
Son of God - only here mentioned: “eyes like flames of fire” - He is able to see through all the activity to the motivation behind. Piercing, penetrating, through insight- - v 23 I am He that searches the heart & mind
Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”
But, O Lord of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.
Nothing can be hidden from Him
Important because Jesus warns them they will be judged according to their actions!
But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.
“A church may feel satisfied with itself, have a good reputation in the community, or even with other churches. But the penetrating eyes of the Lord Jesus see it as it really is.”
Remember that the problem was the church began to try to be accepted by the world! It will never be
We can see how those who “say” they are of Christ take great offense at those who “are” of Christ!
We now have an organized normalization of sin being led by the church!
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Jezebel - persecutor of the prophets; Patroness of idolaters; attempt to draw the servants of God into fornication by idol worship;
They made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of His doctrine
The church failed to hold to the truth of God’s Word! What about us?
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
God hates the perversion of His Word! “I will kill her children with death” who? the members of that system! No hope for eternal repentance - no waiting time after death; no hope for redemption because they rejected the truth!
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
RC goes into the tribulation
Recent developments of a universal religion and acceptance of Satans standards of correctness
Escape the great tribulation only through repentance
Reward? According to your works! NO WAY!
“And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken it to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?
I will declare your righteousness And your works, For they will not profit you.
When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain.”
If our righteousness and works are the basis of our salvation we are in trouble!
Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
It isn’t about a system of graces or practices or works by which we are found in right standing with God
What can we learn from all this?
He has infallible knowledge of the hearts of men; His judgement is impartial; The name Christian is not a protection from judgement; The church should not be a sanctuary for sin!
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
But hold fast what you have till I come.
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;
and I will give him the morning star.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
The reward for following the path of God? Christ Himself - we are once again back to the personal relationship
The Christian life should never become stagnant, but always dynamic and growing as we become more like Christ.
Knowing that Christ will judge us for our deeds should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those who love God and follow Him wholeheartedly
Next week - Sardis - Great reformation