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The corrupt church
- 1st – The introduction… vs. 18
- FOUR sections
- Each of the LETTERS to the churches contains FOUR sections…
- Introduction – Positive – Negative – and Encouragement!
- 1st – The Angel…
- To the angel!
- As you will recall – there are TWO thoughts on WHO this ANGEL was…
- FIRST – a guardian ANGEL – who watched over THYATIRA – Hebrews 1:14
- SECOND – it could be the PASTOR of the church…
- ANGEL [ἄγγελος] – means messenger – one who gives Gods WORD…
- Therefore Jesus could be talking about the PASTOR – who gave the church His Word!
- 2nd – The City…
- The church in Thyatira write!
- THYATIRA is the modern day city of Akhisar – a smaller city of around 125k people…
- It is about 80 kilometers southeast of the city of PERGAMOS…
- The RUINS that remain there – are located in a small area in the middle of the modern city…
- An agricultural area – the city is surrounded by FARMLAND – grapes – olives!
- Purple dye…
- THYATIRA was also well known for their TEXTILES – especially PURPLE…
- Lydia – who Paul met in Philippi – was a seller or PURPLE from THYATIRA – Acts 16:14
- PURPLE was a very HARD and EXPENSIVE color to create in ancient times…
- Up until the 1856 – the ONLY way to make PURPLE was from marine SNAILS…
- It took THOUSANDS of snails – boiled for DAYS – causing a TERRIBLE smell…
- THYATIRA [Θυάτειρα] – the name means a BAD smell…
- The high COST – meant it became associated with ROYALTY [only ones who could afford it]
- Workers Unions…
- The various professions in THYATIRA – farmers – textile…
- All had TRADE guilds – we would call them workers UNIONS today…
- Each UNION would have their own god – with an IDOL – that they worshiped…
- Every time you have an OFFICE party – food would be offered to your IDOL…
- And often be followed up with PAGAN practices [sexual immorality]
- Perhaps a SOURCE of the CORRUPTION that marked the church of THYATIRA!
- The church in Thyatira write!
- 3rd – The Tone…
- Describing Jesus…
- In His INTRODUCTION to each of the Churches – Jesus looks back…
- Highlighting specific CHARACTERISTICS of the Vision from – Revelation 1:11-18
- The choice of CHARACTERISTICS – will set the TONE for the LETTER to that church…
- The TONE to Thyatira – was one of JUDGEMENT because of they were morally CORRUPT!
- These things says the Son of God!
- Son of God [45x in NT] – a title often misunderstood – NOT a reference to the virgin birth…
- BEFORE Genesis 1:1 – Jesus had this title – because Jesus is God – John 10:30
- The title describes His relationship to the Father – the SECOND person in the Trinity…
- What Jesus is telling the CHURCH – He will be the God who JUDGES them!
- John 5:22 – “The Father judges no one – but has committed all judgment to the Son.”
- Who has eyes like a flame of fire – and His feet like fine brass!
- The EYES of Jesus are like FIRE – they can BURN right through the exterior…
- The gaze of Jesus can penetrate and see what is INSIDE – see the HEART…
- And His FEET are like of BRASS [bronze] – ready to JUDGE what He sees!
- Jesus FEET are ready to JUDGE the SINNERS of this world…
- Whether that be rebellious men who REFUSE to come to CHURCH…
- Or CORRUPT men who are in CHURCH – but are not living a HOLY life…
- Because it is NOT about just about our attendance – it is about LIVING for the LORD!
- I Peter 4:17 – “The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God.”
- Describing Jesus…
- FOUR sections
- 2nd – The Positive… vs. 19
- 1st – Jesus KNOWS…
- I know your works!
- KNOWS [εἴδω] – to SEE and UNDERSTAND…
- Jesus will make this statement to all SEVEN churches – He sees [perfect] EVERYTHING!
- GOOD and BAD – nothing [perfect] is hidden from our Lord!
- Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight – but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
- 2nd – Good works…
- [Your] love – service – faith – and your patience!
- The GOOD in the church in THYATIRA was defined by FOUR words [nouns]
- LOVE [ἀγάπη] – they were not like Ephesus – they had genuine LOVE for others…
- SERVICE [διακονία] – they were quick to HELP those who were in NEED…
- FAITH [πίστις] – they understood the IMPORTANCE of trusting in Jesus…
- PATIENCE [ὑπομονή] – they were ABIDING [μένω] in – dependent on Jesus!
- A GOOD list…
- If Jesus were to DESCRIBE us – as a church KNOWN for our LOVE…
- Quick to SERVE others – with a strong FAITH – who were ABIDING in Him…
- We would definitely consider than an A+ on our report card!
- A GOOD church – is defined both by their FAITH – and their ACTIONS…
- Because the PROOF that we have FAITH and are ABIDING in Jesus…
- Can be SEEN – in the LOVE and SERVICE that comes from our lives!
- James 2:18 – “I will show you my faith by my works.”
- [Your] love – service – faith – and your patience!
- 3rd – LOTS of works…
- As for your works – the last are more than the first!
- THYATIRA did not just have GOOD works – they had LOTS of good works…
- Comparted to YESTERDAY [first] – they had more GOOD works TODAY [last]
- They were INCREASING in their LOVE – SERVICE – FAITH – and PATIENCE…
- This church was not just an A+ student – they were the VALEDICTORIAN!
- We are not Christians because of what God did in our lives TEN years ago…
- The question we NEED to ask is what is God doing in our lives TODAY…
- There is a DANGER in looking to the PAST – it keeps us from being honest about the PRESENT…
- Our relationship with God is not about what God did YESTERDAY…
- We need to make sure the Lord is working in our lives even more TODAY!
- 1st – Jesus KNOWS…
- 3rd – The Negative… vs. 20-25
- 1st – Who was Jezebel… vs. 20
- [But] – I have a few things against you!
- For ALL their GOOD works – there was a LITTLE [ὀλίγος] problem…
- Ironic Jesus calls it a LITTLE problem – because He dedicates SIX verses to it…
- The only other church to have as much NEGATIVE – was Laodicea [also SIX verses]
- The PROBLEM – was the CORRUPTION in the church – and she had a NAME!
- You allow that woman Jezebel – who calls herself a prophetess!
- ALLOW – they continually [present] allowed a CORRUPTING influence into the church…
- THE [ὁ] woman – not women in general – one PARTICULAR woman…
- JEZEBEL [only here NT] – there are TWO views on who this was!
- FIRST – the INFLUENCE of JEZEBEL from the Old Testament…
- JEZEBEL was the wife of King Ahab – she was from the city of Sidon – I Kings 16:31
- She did NOT worship the God of Israel – instead she taught Ahab to worship other gods…
- She is most famous for KILLING all the prophets of God in Israel – I Kings 18:13
- And even vowing to kill ELIJAH – when he defeated her prophets of Baal – I Kings 19:2
- Because of her wickedness – ELIJAH prophesied she would be eaten by dogs – I Kings 21:23
- And her name has since been associated with CORRUPTION!
- I Kings 21:25 – “There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do [evil] in the sight of the LORD – because Jezebel his wife [corrupted] him.”
- SECOND – One of the PROMINENT women in the church of THYATIRA…
- This seems to be backed up by the fact she called herself a PROPHETESS [2x in NT]
- A woman who was well named – because she acted like JEZEBEL from the OT…
- Some versions of the text read YOUR wife – perhaps speaking of the WIFE of the PASTOR!
- [But] – I have a few things against you!
- 2nd – What Jezebel taught… vs. 20
- [You allow her to] teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality!
- There were TWO results of the INFLUENCE of JEZEBEL…
- FIRST – the SERVANTS [δοῦλος] of the LORD were SEDUCED…
- SEDUCED [πλανάω] – where we get the word PLANET – meaning to WANDER away….
- People did NOT [passive] choose to WANDER – the teachings of JEZEBEL corrupted them…
- So that they committed SEXUAL immorality [πορνεύω]!
- We live in a world that think nothing of SEXUAL immorality…
- Every time we turn on the TV – every time we look at social media…
- Sex sells – JEZEBEL is doing her best to SEDUCE us and CONVINCE us it is normal…
- Everyone looks at those IMAGES [πορνεύω] – its ok to have a relationship before marriage…
- And SADLY – the church has allowed this to come in and infect believers…
- But we are called to be HOLY – we do not to WANDER like the world!
- I Thessalonians 4:3 – “This is the will of God – [our holiness]. That [we] should [avoid] sexual immorality [πορνεύω].”
- And eat things sacrificed to idols!
- SECOND – the believers were SEDUCED to eat things offered to IDOLS…
- A common PAGAN practice – offer food to gods – then eat it in worship…
- Not that we need to be CONCERNED about food – we can eat anything – Matthew 15:11
- The concern is more for our CONSCIENCE and our WITNESS!
- If someone saw a believer eating bacon that had just been offered to Zeus…
- The natural assumption would have been that he was a believer in that false deity!
- We have a LOT of freedom as Christians – but we need to consider our EXAMPLE…
- People are WATCHING us – and making ASSUMPTION based on our ACTIONS…
- If we as Christians look and act just like those who do NOT know Jesus…
- Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…
- God calls us to be DIFFERENT – we are called to be LIGHT in a DARK world!
- I Corinthians 10:28 – “If anyone says to you – This was offered to idols. Do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you – and for conscience sake.”
- [You allow her to] teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality!
- 3rd – Great Tribulation… vs. 21-22
- I gave [Jezebel] time to repent of her sexual immorality – and she did not repent!
- Jesus gave JEZEBEL time – so she MIGHT [subjunctive] repent…
- But she would NOT turn from her SEXUAL immorality [πορνεύω]!
- God is PATIENT – giving TIME to repent and turn back to Him…
- God WAITS to punish sin – because He loves the sinner – II Peter 3:9
- But for those who harden their hearts – do NOT repent – there are CONSEQUENCES!
- Galatians 6:7 – “God is not mocked – for whatever a man sows – that he will also reap…”
- Indeed I will cast her into a bed!
- BEHOLD [imperative] – LOOK and SEE what God will do…
- Cast her into a BED [the word sick is not there] – a POWERFUL play on words…
- JEZEBEL – refused to give up her SEXUAL immorality – get out of BED…
- Therefore God would give her what she wanted – turn her OVER to her sin!
- There can come a place when we have said NO to God so many times…
- That God finally agrees – and SETS IN PLACE our CHOICE!
- Genesis 6:3 – “The LORD said – My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…”
- Those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation – unless they repent of their deeds!
- ANYONE who commits ADULTERY with JEZEBEL…
- This could either speak of a literal extra marital relationship…
- Or those who SPIRITUALLY commit ADULTERY – by being CORRUPTED by the WORLD…
- If they ALSO refuse to REPENT – they will be cast into the GREAT [μέγας] Tribulation!
- There are going to be some VERY shocked church goers when the RAPTURE happens…
- Because coming to CHURCH is no guarantee that we will ESCAPE the GREAT Tribulation…
- They are going to be LEFT behind – because they were SEDUCED by the world…
- And they REFUSED to REPENT – until it was too LATE!
- Luke 21:36 – “Watch therefore – and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass…”
- I gave [Jezebel] time to repent of her sexual immorality – and she did not repent!
- 4th – ALL will know… vs. 23
- I will kill her children with death!
- The CONSEQUENCES of the SIN of JEZEBEL would not be limited to just her…
- Her CHILDREN would also die as a RESULT of her unwillingness to REPENT…
- CHILDREN [τέκνον] – the same word John would use to describe disciples – I John 3:1
- Those who were disciples of JEZEBEL – her spiritual CHILDREN…
- Would suffer the same fate as her – the LORD will KILL them…
- The inference is that God will kill both their body and SOUL!
- Matthew 10:28 – “Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
- All the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts…
- And I will give to each one of you according to your works!
- The REASON Jesus brought such STRICT judgement on JEZEBEL and her DISCIPLES…
- All [πᾶς] the others churches would KNOW [γινώσκω] God looks at our MOTIVES [heart]
- When God KILLED Ananias and Saphira because they LIED to the Holy Spirit…
- Making it VERY clear God would NOT allow CORRUPTION within His body…
- The RESULT was great FEAR came upon the WHOLE church – ACTS 5:11
- God is NOT afraid to make EXAMPLES of those who refuse to REPENT…
- He knows that CORRUPTION in a church can quickly spread and INFECT others…
- And Jesus will move QUICKLY to remove – PUBLICLY – the source of the problem…
- Meaning – if we are a JEZEBEL – or one of her CHILDREN…
- RIGHT now is the time to REPENT – before God judges us as a WARNING to others!
- I will kill her children with death!
- 5th – Hold Fast… vs. 24-25
- Now to you I say – and to the rest in Thyatira – as many as do not have this doctrine!
- To everyone else in THYATIRA – those who were NOT disciples of JEZEBEL…
- There were still MANY in the church who were NOT corrupted…
- They did not follow the TEACHINGS [doctrine] of immorality [πορνεύω] or compromise…
- The question is – what were they to do about JEZEBEL and her CHILDREN!
- [You] who have not known the depths of Satan – as they say…
- I will put on you no other burden – but hold fast what you have till I come!
- Those who REJECTED the TEACHINGS of JEZEBEL…
- Who refused to have a RELATIONSHIP [γινώσκω] with the DEPTHS of satan [Σατανᾶς]
- Jesus did not want to add to their BURDEN [weight]
- All they NEEDED to do – was HOLD onto Jesus until He returned!
- I found this VERY interesting – here you have a church that has been CORRUPTED…
- Yet Jesus did NOT want them to do anything about it – JEZEBEL was NOT their problem…
- GOD would take care of JEZEBEL and her CHILDREN…
- The ONLY thing He wanted the CHURCH to do – was HOLD onto Him…
- Meaning we are NOT called to hunt down problems within the church – SIN seekers…
- Instead we are called to be an EXAMPLE to others – by ABIDING in Jesus!
- Now to you I say – and to the rest in Thyatira – as many as do not have this doctrine!
- 1st – Who was Jezebel… vs. 20
The DAY is about the BREAK forth – Jesus is coming soon!
4th – The encouragement… vs. 26-29
1st – LISTEN… vs. 29
He who has an ear – let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!
This was NOT written just for the church in THYATIRA…
It is for ANYONE who has an EAR – they MUST [imperative] LISTEN…
Because the SPIRIT of God is SPEAKING [present] to ALL churches [plural]
This LETTER is for us – Jesus is writing to us TODAY…
If we are willing to LISTEN to what His SPIRIT has to SAY!
2nd – The PROMISE… vs. 26-28
He who overcomes – and keeps My works until the end!
This same CONCLUSION – is given to all SEVEN churches…
There are a variety of REWARDS described – but all with the same CONDITION…
OVERCOME [νικάω] – to those who have VICTORY [present]
For THYATIRA – VICTORY – meant avoiding the CORRUPTION in the church…
Instead ABIDING in Jesus – KEEPING His works until the END…
And the REWARD for doing that – was TWO things!
To him I will give power over the nations!
He shall rule them with a rod of iron. They shall be dashed to pieces like the potters vessels…
As I also have received from My Father!
FIRST – Jesus would give us POWER [ἐξουσία] over NATIONS [ἔθνος]
As Jesus will be given AUTHORITY over the WORLD from the Father – quoting Psalm 2:9
Ruling them with an IRON grip – crushing like CLAY those who resist…
Psalm 2:6-8 – “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion… I will give You the nations for Your inheritance – and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”
When Jesus returns He will establish His MILLENNIAL Kingdom – Revelation 20:4
And He will share His AUTHORITY with us – we will RULE with Him…
We are in a WAR – a DAILY battle against the INFLUENCE of the world around us…
There is a CONSTANT temptation to believe the world has something better to offer…
Yet embracing the CORRUPTION of the world – means we go through the TRIBULATION…
But HOLDING fast to Jesus – means we will skip the TRIBULATION [rapture]
And RETURN with Him – to RULE beside Him – I Corinthians 6:2
I will give him the morning star!
SECOND – Jesus will give us the MORNING star
MORNING [πρωϊνός] – only here NT – to belong to the morning…
A similar word is used of Jesus – He is the EARLY [ὀρθρινός] star – Revelation 22:16
MORNING star – is actually the PLANET Venus – that is brightest just before the DAWN…
When you see it in the NIGHT sky – you know the DAY is about to come!
To the CORRUPTED church in THYATIRA – battling the DARKNESS of JEZEBEL…
Wondering how LONG would they have to fight – when was the SON coming…
Jesus tells them the MORNING star has appeared – the NIGHT is almost over…
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