Revelation 02 18 29

The Church of Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29

Introduction:

Thyatira was situated in a valley that connected two other valleys. It had no natural fortification at all and although at this time a Roman garrison was stationed there, their aim was not to defend Thyatira, but to delay the invaders long enough for Pergamum, the capital up the road to be prepared for the coming attack. Thyatira was dispensible in the economy of the day.

Thyatira was a small town famous for its purple die & trade guilds

carpenters, dyers, sellers of goods, tanners, weavers, tent makers, etc all making a living from their trade.

Only other Bible reference is in Acts 16:14-15

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. 15And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

No record of any evangelistic outreach there

            *Many speculated that it might have been the word of Lydia

            *If so shows the importance and impact of one person

1.      A description of Jesus Christ

2.      A commendation of the Church

3.      A condemnation of the Church

4.      A challenge to the faithful in the Church

I.                   A description of Jesus Christ v. 18

1.      The Son of God

A reminder of His deity:  He is God in the flesh

This was why they needed to listen to Him

      Not speaking as man but as God

Similar to Paul starting his epistles with:  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

2.      Eyes like a flame of fire v. 18, 1:14

1)      Focused on judgment

2)      Nothing more piercing than fire

               Everything yields and melts before it

               Penetrates all things

3)      Eyes like a flame of fire:  Jesus sees everything:  it is all open before Him

               *There is no escaping His notice

Jer 16:17 - “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.

Heb 4:13 - And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Reminding the Church that they could not hide from God

               *Good reminder for us as well

3.      Feet like fine brass

1)      I think strength and durability

2)      May also be a reference to a shining copper or bronze where the emphasis is on purity and sinlessness

All of this description points to Jesus as the Judge who would judge over them and hold them accountable.

II.                 A commendation of the Church v. 19

1.      I know your works:

Spend more time commending for works that anything else

Mentions works, service, and the fact that growing in their works

They were certainly a hard working Church:  people were busy serving.

Why?  Because of the other good qualities:  works flow from those

When we look at our works for Christ can we say that they are more than the used to be or less?

2.      I know your charity

This was the only Church commended for their love

Charity has idea of loving other people

         *Ought to be a quality that describes all of us

In 1 John we see that love is to be an important quality of every believer and a sign of our faith

3.      I know your faith

Their faith was strong

4.      I know your patience

They were a long suffering Church:  willing to suffer and keep going for Christ.

I can imagine the Pastor of the Church getting a swelled head:  Much was said about the Church that was good

Yet we see that Jesus did not stop there.

III.              Condemnation of the Church vv. 20-23

1.      You allow that woman Jezebel to teach and seduce

1)      The OT Jezebel

·         She was the wife of King Ahab

·         Her name was synonymous with evil

·         She led King Ahab and Israel away from God into the worship of Baal

a.       A religion of immorality

b.      Priests and priestess were actually prostitutes in temple of god of Baal

c.       Encouraged child sacrifice without emotion for fertile crops

·         According to 1 Kings 16 King Ahab provoked God more than all that were before him

·         1 Kings 18:13 she had the prophets of God put to death

·         Scared the daylights out of Elijah even after the contest verses the 450 prophets of Baal

Point is that this one woman influenced all of Israel and led them away from walking with God

2)      The NT counterpart:  Right her in Church of Thyatira

A woman in the Church who

* Called herself a prophetess: a spokesman for God

* Taught and seduced Gods servant into sexual immorality and idolatry

As a prophetess and teacher in the Church people would look up to her as an authority on the Word of God

Yet Satan was using her to cause people to walk away from the Lord

To make matters worse the Church was allowing it!!

Why is it today that so often the Church is more concerned about getting people that teaching and holding to the truth?

Why is it today that when a Church takes a stand on what the Word of God teaching and people are offended the that Church is told that it needs to be more accepting and tolerable?

2.      Note the reaction of God vv. 21-23

1)      God gave her space to repent

Gods first desire before judgment is repentance

Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and behavior

ð     If you are hiding some sin and God has not dealt with it yet there is a reason:  It is not because He is overlooking it, it is because He wants you to repent

ð     If by chance this morning you have never received Christ:  He is giving you the opportunity to repent and turn to Him!

2)      God will judge:

I will cast her into a sickbed:  I will judge her and those who have followed her severely

I will kill her children with death

All will know that I am the one who searches the mind and hearts:  People will know that I am an all knowing God!

I will give to each one according to their works!!

There is a great amount of responsibility on us as Christians to represent the truth:  in our teaching and in our lifestyle.

Ever notice how much others justify their behavior based on what other Christians are doing?

This woman was leading people astray by her teaching and her example:  God was not pleased!!

IV.              The Challenge and encouragement to the faithful vv. 24-25

1.      Hold fast till I come

At times it can be discouraging to be holding on to the truth/living the truth and seeing someone else prosper

2.      I will put no other burden on you: 

      Does not give a list of things to do or not do

Just tells them to keep doing what they are doing:  teaching and living the truth!!

3.      I will reward you!! Vv. 26-28

This is a real challenge to believers to remain faithful:  not just in a few things but in all things that He has given us:  compromise in any area is not acceptable!!