WAIT FOR THE STAR
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
The letter to the church in Thyatira was the 4th of 7 letters written to the churches of Asia.
The letter to the church in Thyatira was the 4th of 7 letters written to the churches of Asia.
Thyatira, though not as important as other cities in the area, was a wealthy city
The chief deity of the city was Tyrimnos, who was identified with the Greek sun god Apollo, and in whose honor games were instituted
A temple dedicated to Sambethe was located in Thyatira
At this shrine there was located a prophetess who claimed to utter sayings of deity
This prophetess seems to have had a counterpart in Jezebel at Thyatira
Lydia, the seller of purple who was converted by Paul, was from Thyatira
18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:
In Jesus’ address to the church in Thyatira, He refers to Himself as:
The “Son of God” which solemnly affirms the Lord’s divine power
Having “eyes like a flame of fire” symbolic of His omniscience, for Jesus sees all that transpires in the church... "I know thy works" (v. 19)
Having feet “like unto burnished brass” which pertains to the firmness of His tread when He comes to destroy those who are guilty of unforgiven sin
Again, the Son of God sets forth a commendation, a condemnation, counsel, and a promise
DISCUSSION
COMMENDATION
COMMENDATION
19 I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.
This commendation implies that a church’s only security is going forward.
This commendation implies that a church’s only security is going forward.
Thyatira was doing better now than it had earlier
They did as Paul said...
14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
The church in Thyatira grew in:
The church in Thyatira grew in:
“Love” for God and man
“Works,” “faith” and “ministry” - which is love in action
“Patience” - persevering under affliction
Is such growth characteristic of you personally?
Is such growth characteristic of you personally?
Are you growing as a Christian?
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
If a Christian is truly concerned about his spiritual destiny, he will see to it that he continually grows as a Christian
CONDEMNATION
CONDEMNATION
20 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. 22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
Even though the church in Thyatira was doing more than ever before, it still fell short of the will of God, and the Lord was displeased
Even though the church in Thyatira was doing more than ever before, it still fell short of the will of God, and the Lord was displeased
We cannot grow in certain areas to the neglect of others and still be pleasing to God
We must not be involved in “cafeteria style religion”
Saul said, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord” (1 Sam. 15:20) - But had he?...
The sin of the church of Thyatira was that they raised no protest against the woman Jezebel and her terrible teaching
The sin of the church of Thyatira was that they raised no protest against the woman Jezebel and her terrible teaching
The church in Thyatira was not charged with believing this false teaching – but with tolerating it
Even though their love was abounding in good works, it lacked moral force and courage to eradicate evil from its midst
Many are afraid to stand up and be heard for fear of raising a disturbance, but what the Bible says:
3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
Who was this woman Jezebel?
Who was this woman Jezebel?
We are automatically reminded of Ahab’s wife – a very evil woman
Here, the name “Jezebel” seems to be used symbolically to describe a woman depraved of character. Jezebel of the Old Testament did more to provoke God to anger than any before her.
This woman at Thyatira claimed to be a prophetess, and she had the ability of influencing others to commit wrongdoing
This woman at Thyatira claimed to be a prophetess, and she had the ability of influencing others to commit wrongdoing
She claimed inspiration – but was a false prophetess
This Jezebel seduced God’s people to be involved in sexual immorality
She took them to the brink of idolatry
The Lord had been long-suffering to this woman, giving her every opportunity to repent – but she would not (v. 21)
The Lord had been long-suffering to this woman, giving her every opportunity to repent – but she would not (v. 21)
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
It is terribly dangerous for a Christian to backslide into sin and continually reject the entreaties of God’s word to repent
4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries.
This woman Jezebel will have to suffer the consequences of her evil deeds and her refusal to repent
This woman Jezebel will have to suffer the consequences of her evil deeds and her refusal to repent
22 Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
In contrast to the luxurious couch of sin on which she led others to share in her wicked teachings and practice – she would be cast into a bed of pain and affliction
Those who have shared with her in these evils (“her children”) would also share in the consequences
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.
18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
But remember, she and her followers could have escaped this terrible consequence if only they had repented
But remember, she and her followers could have escaped this terrible consequence if only they had repented
Did Thyatira aid in her down fall by their failure to condemn her? Yes!
5 to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
COUNSEL
COUNSEL
24 But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden. 25 Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.
What is the “burden” referred to here, which Jesus will not put on those who abstain from and protest against the sins of Jezebel and her followers?
No burden other than the rule of practice God requires of us in His word
28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
God never lays upon anyone a greater spiritual demand than that which is within his reach
The counsel, then, is that they remain faithful and fight error and remain free from the burden of sin
The counsel, then, is that they remain faithful and fight error and remain free from the burden of sin
“He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved” (Mt. 24:13)
PROMISE
PROMISE
26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
If we overcome and remain faithful we will in some sense share in the rule of Christ over the nations – i.e. to share in the triumph over the world
If we overcome and remain faithful we will in some sense share in the rule of Christ over the nations – i.e. to share in the triumph over the world
The last enemy, death, is defeated and we as God’s faithful people enjoy the victory with Christ
We now sit where Christ sits...
5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:
To Christ’s spiritual conquerors are promised “the morning star”
To Christ’s spiritual conquerors are promised “the morning star”
Jesus calls Himself the “morning star” (Rev. 22:16)
Thus, it seems that in some way He promises Himself to faithful Christians, thus dawning a new day
CONCLUSION
Will we learn from Thyatira?
Will we learn from Thyatira?
Will we learn to:
Will we learn to:
Grow
Condemn and protest against sin
Understand the consequences of sin
Repent
