Message To The Church At Thyatira

MESSAGE TO THYATIRA

Our Text:

Revelation 2: 18-29

In our study of the book of Revelation we have reached the fourth church. We have seen Ephesus the church that lost it's first love. Any church that does not have the Lord Jesus Christ as it's foundation is not really a church but only a meeting place for lost souls. We have been to Smyrna the persecuted church. If you follow the Lord Jesus you will see the hate the world has for the true God of love. We've been to Pergamos the worldly church. It is a true statement that the place of a ship is in the water but if the water gets into the ship it will sink. We now come to Thyatira and we will find a place where this church got so lax that they also were giving in to the world.

Thyatira lay about 40 miles to the southeast of Pergamum. It was situated on the postal route between Ephesus and Laodicea. The city was originally formed as a Greek outpost. However, the city was built on flat, unprotected land, so therefore there were no natural fortifications to protect the area. Eventually, around 190BC the Romans took over the area.

We don't know a lot about the city's religious or political history. It was not steep in culture or Roman Emperor worship like some of the other cities we have studied. We do know that Thyatira had a "guardian" deity called Tyrimnos. A warrior and protector god that is associated with the many trade guilds found in Thyatira. It is also believed that there was a temple to Apollo, the 'sun god'.

The one major thing we know about Thyatira is that it was a successful commercial center. Due to its location along the trade routes, it prospered commercially and became economically strong. Along with this prosperity, came the formation of several trade guilds, or what we may relate to as unions. They had guilds representing workers in the wool, linen, leather, bronze, pottery, baking, dying and slave trades. While we don't know much about the cities overall religious activities, we do know that these guilds involved several forms of pagan worship in their meetings and activities including sacrifices to the pagan gods, eating of sacrificed meat that had been offered to the pagan idols and large sexually immoral gatherings.

We have no history of the start of the church at Thyatira. It is believed that Jewish families flocked to the city because of its commercial success and the Christian church probably formed out of that body. There is no evidence that the Christians of Thyatira were persecuted by the government the way they were in Smyrna and Pergamum, however it seems understood that there were issues with the trade guilds and the impact they had on the holiness of the Christians life.

A European named Lydia was the first one saved from this city though she was at Philippi when this took place.

Act 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Act 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Our Text:

*****Rev 2:18 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;

Again John was to write for the Pastor of this church who was to deliver the message.

(Son of God)

The phrase "Son of God" is used 46 times in the New Testament but only this "one" time is it used in the book of Revelation. Christ wanted this church to know it was the Son of God that gave this message to their pastor.

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

There is a reason for everything Christ does and we will see why He used this name shortly, but we already know the He wanted it known the source of this message to this church. That source was the "Son Of God". This speaks of the deity of Christ but also of the Holy Trinity of God. He does not bear this title in consequence of his miraculous birth, nor of his incarnation, his resurrection, and exaltation to the Father's right hand. This is a title of nature and not of office. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert his true and proper divinity. The second Person of the Trinity, because of his eternal relation to the first Person, is the Son of God. He is the Son of God as to his divine nature, while as to his human nature he is the Son of David.

Rom 1:3 says Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

(eyes like unto a flame of fire)

The phrase "flame of fire" is used exactly seven times throughout the Bible and we know the importance of the number "seven" in in this book. Christ sees everything that happens in His church.

Exo 3:2; Joe 2:5; Act 7:30; Heb 1:7; Rev1:14; Rev 19:12 and in our verse Rev 2:18.

We already know that these angels of the church represent the pastors of these churches. In Hebrews we see:

Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

But they are also the stewards of God's word:

1Co 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

They are also accountable to God:

2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

God knows we will be tempted just as his pastors are tempted:

Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Not only do those eyes of Christ see all these things but He shows us He will be with us through all these things but with these eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ there is also that warning of that devouring flame, that all consuming flame when there is no obedience.

Isa 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Job said:

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

God sees even every thought that we have!

(fine brass)

We already know that this fine brass would be more like sterling silver. Showing how our Lord had spent His time on this Earth sin free, unstained, untarnished and willing to walk us through the flames of purification to refine us.

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

John the Baptist said:

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

The Apostle Paul wrote:

1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

These are the eyes of Our Lord that watch over us every day and this is the same Son of God that had this message for these of Thyatira this day.

*****Rev 2:19 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.

We must not forget that this message was intended for the church. The bride of Christ. Their work of salvation already complete (to believe on the Lord Jesus and Repent their ways). These works are the works done since coming into the family of God.

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, [as those that are alive from the dead], and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

As those that are alive would be those that are "Born Again". Saved by the "grace" of God. Our works are good only when they are for the love of God and have the "glory of God" as the objective.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, [created in Christ Jesus unto good works], which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(charity)

We throw the word "love" around throughout this world but only our English word "charity" can come close to describing the "Agape love" of Christ. This is love based on principle and action. This is love that can have feelings and shared emotions but are not ruled by those emotions. I love my children because they are my children. I'm not going to stop loving them just because they do foolish things. God will never stop loving His children and it shows in His actions. He did send His only Son to save a lost world. He loved us while we were still sinners and lost. We are still sinners but no longer lost if you are Born Again.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

If I had charity, I would not strap a bomb on myself to go kill other people for "any" reason. Nor would I take a rifle to kill the innocent. There is a difference in a true soldier and a killer terrorist.

(service)

It is because of that "agape love" that these believers at this church could serve a Holy God. The word "service"comes from the word "deacon". In other words that service would be directed toward others and for their benefit. If a deacon does things for his own glory then he is not serving God.

A Deacon is a person in the lowest degree of holy orders. The office of deacon was instituted by the apostles, Acts 6, and seven persons were chosen at first, to serve and to minister to the wants of the poor. Every child of God is a servant, a deacon, for the church of the living God, though some may be specifically chosen to perform this honor in the church. And God does have some guidelines for those that are chosen.

1Ti 3:10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

The Strong dictionary of Greek terms says this of "service" in the church: "diakonia": attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher)

And from "diakonos" (to run on errands); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor: - deacon, minister, servant.

Christian service extends in all directions. Our focus should always be on the unsaved but we should also be of service to our brothers and sisters, our church family is another priority and we cannot forget our service extends to God and our Lord Jesus Christ "first".

Christ was pleased with the service of these saints at Thyatira.

(faith)

It took your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ to be saved. It will also takes faith to do the work of God.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

These saints at Thyatira served God faithfully because they believed on Him and His word. The worst any situation gets, the more we need our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

(Patience)

It is the "agape love" of these saints of God and their saving faith that gave them the patience to be those faithful servants. Patience is being steadfast no matter what Satan throws at you. Remember how Noah preached for 120 years while he built that Ark. He never got a single person to believe on God. That took a lot of patience to preach a saving God and no one ever listened.

2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Just because people do not believe the word of God does not make it a lie. When the flood rains from Heaven began those of Noah's day became instant believers but the door to safety had already been closed.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

We have to many examples of the truth of God. We have too many prophesies that have been totally fulfilled and not to forget the work of the Holy Spirit in our own souls to not believe what God says in His word. When you can witness the life saving grace of God in peoples lives and the change that takes place when the best rehabs and clinics fail you know what to be "Born Again" really means.

This church at Thyatira had patience!

(more than the first)

Because of their patience this church persevered in the work of God. These saints started well and continued in the race to the finish line.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

These saints were not on again, off again Christians. They continued to grow spiritually and in their works of the church! Christians should never become complacent in their work for God nor should we ever feel satisfied of the work we are doing.

1Sa 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: [for consider how great things he hath done for you].

*****Rev 2:20 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.

You know the saints of God sitting in the pews have a responsibility! We cannot allow any teaching that goes against the word of God!

(sufferest)

The Strong dictionary of Greek terms says of the word sufferest: to let be, that is, permit or leave alone:

Suffer in the Webster dictionary says: To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder.

Eph 5:11 says And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1Ti 5:20 says Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Tit 2:11 says For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

(Jezebel)

Who was Jezebel?

The dictionary says of this name Jezebel: An impudent, daring, vicious woman.

Vicious means: Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; habitually transgressing the moral law.

You know when a real name "Jezebel" has it's own definition in a book of word meanings, then she must have fit that description.

There was another Jezebel in the Bible.

1Ki 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

This wife of Ahab who worshiped Baal.

Who was Baal? An idol among the ancient Chaldeans and Syrians, representing the sun. The word signifies also lord, or commander; and the character of the idol was varied by different nations, at different times. Thus Baal Berith is supposed to signify the Lord of the Covenant; Baal Peor, the Lord of the dead, Baal Zebub, the god of flies, etc.

She killed God's prophets.

1Ki 18:4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD,

She installed her own prophets who Elijah proved were false.

1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
1Ki 18:22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
1Ki 18:23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
1Ki 18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

Jezebel made vows to her own false god.

1Ki 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. (She would kill Elijah)

Jezebel controlled her husband Ahab.

1Ki 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
1Ki 21:8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

This woman Jezebel did everything she could to make the children of Israel worship a false God. We can see that this Jezebel defied everything about God. She had placed everything on her on false beliefs. She had become a Queen being in her beliefs and now she answered to no one. She even dominated her husband the King of Israel. She was proven to be a pagan and murderous wife. She condoned immorality in her own family. (Ahab had seventy children). This Jezebel of Thyatira was so named of our Lord because she resembled the ways of the wife of Ahab.

There is a pretty good chance this woman at Thyatira was not named Jezebel even though she could have been, but she had the qualities of a Jezebel. Though some say that she was the wife of the Pastor, even that may not be true but it makes sense.

It is more than likely that this Jezebel was a person of some degree from the worship of Apollo, who was in this city, the sun god just as Baal. We can be sure she was not saved but a person as defined who would take charge if so allowed and it was happening at this Church at Thyatira.

1.) It seems she was being allowed to teach men or more probably young men or young adults.

1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

2,) She was teaching immorality and idolatry!

Idolatry is anything we put between us and God. Immorality is every action which contravenes any divine precept, or which is contrary to the duties which men or women owe to each other.

Luk 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; [and thy neighbour as thyself].

The word "fornication" is used here in this verse and "not adultery". This tells me this Jezebel may have been teaching young single adults. We know that this is the doctrine of Satan. Get them hooked on sin while they are still young. We see in our own school systems where abstinence is not being taught but that it is OK to indulge in these immoral things. It was bad then and bad now. She taught that it was acceptable for Christians to engage in fornication. Remember King Ahab had, had at least 70 children. This was a common practice in these guilds, these unions of Thyatira and their pagan rituals. This philosophy still lives in our humanistic and atheist societies. Many today believe that business is business and we have to go along with business to get along in this world. When we teach the young people of this world to live immorally, they carry that wrong all the days of their life.

Every evil doctrine or false science, sinful ways seems to find it's way into the schools. We cannot allow it in our Church!

God says?

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

God's arm is never to short to take care of His children.

Jer 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

If business principles collide with Christian principles then most people will set aside their Christian belief to make what they call a living. The truth is we don't have a clue to what would happen if we totally yield ourselves to the Lord.

King David wrote in his time:

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; [yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread].
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Jesus Christ held the church responsible for the teaching of this evil woman. The saints of God have a responsibility even when we are sitting in those pews. This church needed to stand up against this teaching. When we violate the authority of God's word, then God is no longer in control of our lives and we are in deep sin. If whatever you are living for and whatever makes you happy is not centered around the Lord Jesus Christ "then you have a new god".

Notice she made her own self a prophetess. We already know that their are no more prophets in our day nor were there in this day of Jezebel.

One of the purposes of the Book of Revelation is to show us that it was Christ who was the last prophet of the coming future and He alone. There are no more prophets after Jesus who is our only Saviour!

This woman Jezebel still has followers today. This is another reason God gave us this wonderful book, to show us Satan never changes and sadly he does not have to. His old methods still work. They have for 6000 years.

Christ said her followers would go through the great tribulation. Billy Graham once said that 85% of those sitting on church pews were not saved. Another preacher said 97%. The truth is the first Sunday after the Rapture of the church many will go to church as they always have and will not realize that the church is already in Heaven. Many will slide off the church pew straight into Hell.

Jesus also said that this woman had children which means she had many that had converted to her doctrine. These will suffer at the White Throne judgment seat. This is the "death" of all unbelievers. This is the only sin that will put you in front of Jesus at the White Throne. (The Sin Of Unbelief).

Rom 6:23 [For the wages of sin is death]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3.) This woman was totally unrepentant!

The Jezebel of the Bible, wife of Ahab was still flirting with danger when Jehu came to town.

2Ki 9:30 And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window.
2Ki 9:31 And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?

She was eaten by the dogs at the bottom of a high window!

The name Jezebel still represents sinful ways in our day.

What is "doctrine"? In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master.

Man's doctrine will not work in Heavenly matters.

Only the doctrine of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and His Apostles.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Jesus Christ told this church to continue in the works and even to improve. He recognized that just to hold on in such a wicked place would be enough of a challenge for these believers.

In the time of Paul, the Apostles had given some details of salvation to the Gentiles:

Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Act 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Christ our Lord still gives these details to the church of Thyatira.

The Bible says:

Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. [Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?]

To be steadfast in God's word and being a doer of that word should be the goal of every believer no matter what obstacles Satan places in our path. We are going to fail from time to time but God will pick us up and dust our pants and set us back on His path.

What is the depth of Satan?

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

If your conscience is seared with a hot iron, then you will not have one!

Satan seeks to destroy the church from within. A house divided cannot stand.

Mar 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Churches can be divided over such mundane things as traditions and politics. But if Satan can get a false Preacher, Pastor, or any Teacher in a church they can take a congregation away from Biblical Doctrine and insert their own doctrine that may never be corrected before the house falls. It is important for every church to be based on the written word of God and [not some ones opinion of that word]. The best way to avoid these things is to take God's word and study it for yourself.

God's word says what it means and it means what it says!

What's our challenge?

1.) Be an over-comer.
2.) Keep the word of the Bible(KJV).
3.) Be steadfast in the work of the Lord!

What is His promise?

To rule over these nations with a rod of iron. This rule will be to obey the word of God. A pot broken in shivers cannot be repaired, it would have to be replaced. This is the rule of Jesus during the Millennial Kingdom.

Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

What is a morning star?

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

It is Jesus Christ our Lord! He gives Himself to everyone that believes on Him.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, [If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him].

He's coming again and it will be soon. If you have the Morning Star within you now you will come with Him when He returns the second time!

It seems so simple because it is!

Let's Pray!