Part 9 | Letters to the Churches (4)

Revelation 2:18–29 (ESV)

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority 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.’

Church in Thyatira

Background

City of commerce

Known for trades and crafts, particularly metalworking and textiles

The city was especially known for its purple dye (Lydia, Acts 16:14)

During John’s day the city was just beginning to grow in prosperity.

Many trade guilds formed in the city.

Trade guilds = associations of tradesman and craftsman who joined together for economic benefit.

In the Empire, the Roman government held the right to permit such associations.

Refusing to be a part of the guilds would result in economic suicide.

To hold a job or run a business, it was necessary to join a guild.

To belong to the guilds, a person would have participate in activities in pagan temples.

Trade guilds had meals (about once a month) dedicated to patron deities...

These meals included all kinds of idolatry and were often influenced by Emperor worship.

Illustration

This would be like the BBB, Chamber of Commerce, or perhaps a labor union.

Imagine not being able to participate in one of these associations unless you worshipped other gods.

Participation in these guilds was likely the underlying cause of Jesus rebuke to some of the believers in this church.

(1) Depiction of Jesus

Each letter contains some aspect of John’s vision of Jesus from chapter 1 that relates to each particular church.

Revelation 2:18 (ESV)

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

(A) Eyes Like a Flame of Fire

This vision of Jesus emphasizes his role as judge (fire often represents judgment in the Bible).

Jesus is quite aware what is going on in the church and amongst the pagan nations.

(B) Feet like Burnished Bronze

This image of Jesus likely represents his moral purity and his ability to crush his enemies.

Considering Thyatira was known for its bronze work, the use of the image Jesus feet being “like burnished bronze” is surely more than coincidental.

(C) ‘Son of God’

NT Wright - The patron deity of the bronze trade was Apollo Tyrimneaus who also appeared on local coins together with the Roman Emperor (who was considered “the son of god”).

Jesus is the TRUE Son of God and holds the seat of true power and authority.

(2) Encouragement

Revelation 2:19 (ESV)

“ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Though Jesus’ commendation to the church is contained in one verse… it is packed with accolades.

(A) Works

Though Jesus has some strong words for the church, He begins the letter by acknowledging their works.

Latter exceed the first = Christian Maturity

Church in Ephesus had diminished in their works

(B) Love

We are called to love God and love our neighbor

Called to love in demonstration, not just declaration.

Their love was proven by their works.

These believers had the right motive for the works.

(C) Faith

The word “faith” here means to hold to a conviction of who Jesus is, and the word has implications of fidelity or faithfulness.

The TRUE believers in Thyatira—though persecuted—have remained faithful and consistent in their works.

(D) Service

The believers aren’t sitting idly, waiting on the Lord. They are engaged in good works.

The Christians love is demonstrated by acts of service (loving their neighbor).

Hebrews 6:10 (ESV)

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

(F) Patient Endurance

In spite of tribulation—the true believers in Thyatira have endured; they have persevered in the faith. They’ve refused to throw in the towel.

(3) Correction

Revelation 2:20 (ESV)

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Warning to the Church Leaders: Tolerating Sin

Jesus commends the faithful believers in Thyatira for their works and their love—but their love has morphed into a toleration of evil.

Love is sometimes seen as being synonomous with tolerance… but tolerance of a person’s beliefs or actions (that are detrimental to their lives) is NOT love.

Jesus is certainly angry with those in the church who are participating in sin—but He starts by rebuking the faithful Christians who are tolerating such sin in the lives of others.

Church Discipline

Jesus has called His church to be Holy and to be purged from sin

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives instruction for confronting sin in the lives of other believers.

Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV)

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Two-Fold Purpose of Church Discipline:

To call sinning believers back to the path of righteousness

To purge the church of sinful behavior (in extreme circumstances, through excommunication).

Warning to the False Prophetess

The self-proclaimed prophetess resembles Jezebel (1 Kings 16-22)

The wicked wife of Israel’s, King Ahab. She was not a prophetess herself—but she sponsored 850 false prophets and she played a central role in introducing Baal worship to the people of Israel. She was guilty of leading them into spiritual harlotry.

Warning to Jezebel’s Followers

(4) Instruction

(5) The Promise