Untitled Sermon (11)

E. The Message to Thyatira: The Church That Is Compromising or Permissive, 2:18–29

1. The recipients

a. The messenger of the church

b. The Thyatira church1

2. The speaker: Jesus

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

3. The commendation for deeds or works

a. For love & faith

b. For service & perseverance

c. For expanding ministries

19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

4. The complaint: Allowing a Jezebel to teach

a. They tolerate a false prophetess

b. They tolerate false teaching, sexual immorality, & idolatry

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

5. The warning: To the compromising & corrupt

a. To Jezebel: She will be cast into a bed of suffering

22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

b. To Jezebel’s followers: The same fate

c. The purpose for the warning

1) To honor Jesus

2) To execute justice

23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

6. The counsel: To the faithful

a. There will be no other burdens or demands made upon the faithful

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

b. They must hold fast

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

7. The promise: To the overcomers

a. They will be given authority & power over the nations

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

b. They will be given the Morning Star, Christ Himself

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.