Jesus' Letter to Thyatira

Thyatira- So interestingly enough, this city which was between Pergamos and Sardis, was the longest letter written to the church that scholars considered the smallest, and least important.

This I believe brings at least one worthy point for us to reflect on, and perhaps more but understand this

What man values is not necessarily what God values.

We can all feel unimportant, we can all feel useless, or worthless, the world does a great job of making us feel less-than, frankly some in our lives specifically can beat us down with those feelings. But God thinks your important, God values you, and God can use you for great things!

But anyhow, Thyatira was a small blip on the map, it appeared to have many trade guilds, and is where Lydia, whom the Apostle Paul converted, came from. ref Acts 16:14-15

but very little is known of this city and its achievements. So let’s dig into the Word together.

Revelation 2:18–19 HCSB

18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze, says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first.

Now again, we see that the letter is written to the leader of or leaders of the church in Thyatira, and we start of the letter with the same description we heard in chapter one of Jesus, the eyes like fire. Same description also we see in Daniel 10:5-6

Daniel 10:5–6 NIV

5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Now the Lord goes on to commend Thyatira for a list of things, their deeds of love, faithfulness, service and endurance.

These 4 things are praiseworthy Christian attributes, and an important mark for a healthy church.

Love- of which nothing is greater (1 Corinthians 13:13, Matthew 22:34-40)

Faithfulness- Complete reliance on the Lord

Service- Which believers are called to be doers not just hearers, to act, to serve

Endurance- a steady movement of progress

That church had been doing all of these and in fact they are commended that their last works were greater than their beginning. They were growing in their faith, acting on that faith, and because of it, their work to Glorify the Lord was increasing. This contrasts with the church of Ephesus which was back sliding when Jesus addressed them.

Revelation 2:20–21 HCSB

20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.

A great deal can be drawn out from this passage alone.

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary d. To the Church of Thyatira (2:18–29)

The cause of Christ is not served if Christians appear as a group of old-fashioned people always trying to retreat from the real world.

Revelation 2:22–23 HCSB

22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:24–26 HCSB

24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known the deep things of Satan —as they say—I do not put any other burden on you. 25 But hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—