Thyatira - Week 5

The Letter to Thyatira

RECAP:

Rev1: J’s vision of X | Eph… Re-ignite first love. | Smyr… Be Fearless, Faithful! | Perg… Choose comfort over Christ

TODAY: Thyatira - MAP!!

In a valley between Pergamum and Sardis

The Least of the 7 cities, yet it was a bustling trading post

Received the longest letter

Guilds were like Unions, essential to succeeding in business

Worshipped at the temple of Apollo & Artemis; Would be kicked out for not attending Guild parties

Lydia (discipled by Paul) lived here - moved away, but probably came back

Revelation 2:18-29 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ —just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

The Description of Christ (Auth, Awaren., Anger)

The Authority of Jesus

“...Son of God whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze.”

Son of God = Above and beyond Apollo (called the son of god)

Son of God = Jesus’ authority, deity! Serious situation

The Awareness of Jesus

Fire = Smithing industry; refining fires

T.’s problems were out of sight, but Jesus’ “eyes” see all

Later, X reminds them that Jesus is “He who searches [their] minds and hearts” vv. 23

Nothing can stop fire - it melts, disintegrates, and destroys

The Anger of Jesus

“whose feet are like burnished bronze.”

rare word - combo: bronze, brass, frankincense [repeatedly refined and hammered until it was reflective, shiny; valuable]

Bronze = judgment for sin

In tabernacle/temple, bronze used OUTSIDE Of holy holies. GOLD INSIDE.

Separation — items used w/ sacrific. sys. To purify!

X was coming to judge!

The Idolatrous Church

The Diagnosis of the Church (Again... not all neg; major flaw)

Thyatira was…

...a Laboring Church

diakonos: “Works” = “service” = [deacon]/ministry

They served others faithfully, performed services to the public

...a Loving Church

“I know... your love,”

Greek = ‘agape’ = selfless, unconditional love

...a Loyal Church

“I know... your faith/fulness” - pistis = ‘faith’ / ‘faithfulness’

He who has faith is faithful, loyal, dependable

...a Longsuffering Church

"Perseverence” = hupomeno’: “to bear up under & remain”

Picutre… Atlas; Luisa, Surface pressure (Encanto); Incredible Hulk

“...the last are more than your first”

Growth! Momentum! Also, ability to serve; more & better… despite the pressure of the world!

…a Licentious church!

“Nevertheless… You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet”

Jezebel - seduces Christians into idol worship (spiritual adultery)

Wicked, manipu. queen of Isr. (Ahab wife, opp. of Elijah/sha, eat’n by dogs)

Respon. for leading Isr. into worsh Ashteroth/Baals; “unfaithful” to YHWH.

Sacr. kids to gods, temple prostitues, etc; VIOLENTLY Opp. to [true] prophets of God!

THIS Jezebel - prophetess, revealed “Satan deep secret”, lead ppl away from ways of X

Gnosticism - spirit good, flesh bad; learn secret code/knowl, salv. thru enlighten!

Note: same sins forbidden @ Jerus. council in Acts (Sex.Imm & idol food)

Idol food one participated in ceremony…

The Demand for the Church:

The Message to the Cult: Distress & Death for you!

Distress (vv. 21-22a)

“Cast… into a sickbed.” Strike the prophetess with a disease; judg’t on one leading others astray. (Bed of pleasure into… pain?)

Death (vv. 22b-23a)

“Kill her children” = her followers: Ananias & Sapphira

The Message to the Christians: Hold on !

“...not known the depths of Satan”

HOLD ON! Krateo!… stand firm!

Outlast! Stand strong! Stand for what is right and good. Don’t let this world infect you! (Jesus judges, brings punsih; you stay true to me!)

The Message to the Conquerors: You Rule !

The Power to Rule… great promise in the face of persecution/Rome

Messianic Language;

Psalm 2:8 “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

X’s supremacy over the powers of this world… FOR US.

Promise of the Resur.: take on Christ’s power/role. [Auth. given to Adam/Eve in beginning, rightly played out here in the New Earth (in US)!]

1 Corinthians 6:3 “Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!”

Make sure Jesus is First

Thyatira allowed their focus to be taken OFF of Jesus. Let the desire for ‘secret knowl.’ overtake their trust in God.

Easy to let things overtake our love today…

Society vying for our attention… DESERVE it, WANT this, NEED that… newer/ bigger/ better/ shinier!

ALTAR: Do you Need to Re-orient your Priorities? In Which area/s do you need to make sure Jesus is Top Priority!

Job? (Do my best, vocal about X); Family? (create times to worship/read/ learn about X; give him); Time? (No matter how busy, make space to worsh w/ His ppl); EVERY DAY?

CLOSE: Jesus promises us a great reward - His authority! Now… but perfected in the coming age.