4. THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA

 THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA

4.              4. Thyatira — The adulterous Church (Revelation 2:18-29) -- the church that had a false prophetess (2:20). 

Thyatira is located in western Asia Minor about 42 miles inland from the Aegean Sea. The ancient city was known for its textiles and dyeing trade, and is now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar.

The Apostle Paul and Silas might have visited Thyatira during Paul’s second or third journey, although the evidence is entirely circumstantial. They visited several unnamed towns in the general vicinity during the second journey (Acts 16:4-12). While in Philippi, Paul and Silas stayed with a woman named Lydia from Thyatira, who continued to help them even after they were jailed and released (Acts 16:13-15, 40).

(Revelation 2:18-19), “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; 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.” The letter to Thyatira is the longest letter to any of the seven churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. The church of Thyatira had love, faith, patience, and good works. They were people who were eager to grow. Where they fell short was their doctrine, which was infiltrated by idolatry, sexual sin, and pagan traditions.

(Revelation 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.” Thus far in the churches we have seen the doctrine of Balaam, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, and now the teaching of Jezebel. This church is rebuked for tolerating the woman Jezebel. The story of Jezebel is found in Kings 1 and 2, and her name became synonymous with gross idolatry. Whether the person found here was a real person or a metaphorical reference to the Jezebel of the Old Testament, the message is clear: The church must not compromise when it comes to these sins. Those who were not seduced by her - tolerated her - instead of confronting and dealing with her false prophecy and enticement of others to sin. 

Church we must remember, a battle was going on between good and evil before “man” was created. Satan was cast down to earth from heaven. There in the garden he tempted Eve -- the greatest fall of “man” began because Adam kept silent (Genesis 3:6). There are Christians and churches today who feel a need to be tolerant and all-embracing or silentwhen it comes to spiritual and moral boundaries. The ancient church in Thyatira must have felt that way as well. This church allowed or ignored immortality and idolatry in their midst to lead many others away from Christ. Not speaking against false doctrine is as deadly as tolerating or embracing it.  

God’s order of things: (1 Corinthians 11:3)

1.    God 

2.    Christ

3.    Husband

4.    Wife

5.    Children

From the beginning of time, God has called men to lead their families. Before a man can expect their wife and children to submit to him, he must first submit to God (Ephesians 5:20-33; 6:4). Christ should be head of your household and when a man submits to Christ and follows His example, his responsibilities as a husband and father will come into clearer focus. Men should step up and lead in a manner that reflects God’s love.

If you were asked whether your marriage or children are the higher priority, what would you say? Even if you’ve never pondered this question, I’m guessing most parents have struggled at some point with the balance between the two. Our number one priority should be growing in our relationship with God, respecting and supporting our husband comes second, teaching and training our children comes third. That’s God’s order of things. If we don’t keep to God’s order, then there is confusion and rebellion. Husbands, wives, and children will constantly be in a battle to rule and get their way.

God’s plan is for children to be trained to be responsible and disciplined. Parents are warned that “folly is bound up in the heart of a child” (Proverbs 22:15), and we are instructed to train them and discipline them (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). Children are commanded to obey their parents and listen to instruction (Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1-3).

Although women have traditionally fulfilled supportive roles in serving the church and gained their greatest joy and sense of accomplishment from being wives and mothers, the feminist movement has successfully influenced many women to abandon these divinely ordained roles. Unfortunately, this movement has made headway even in the church, creating chaos and confusion regarding the role of women both in ministry and in the home. Any person abandoning these ordained roles or teaching them in the church could possibly fall under the same sin as the Jezebel mentioned in Revelation 2:20. 

From the very beginning, women fulfilled a vital role in the Christian church (Acts 1:12-14; 9:36-42; 16:13-15; 17:1-4, 10-12; 18:1-2, 18, 24-28; Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 1:5; 4:19), but not one of leadership. The apostles were all men; the chief missionary activity was done by men; the writing of the New Testament was the work of men; and leadership in the churches was entrusted to men. 

Although the Apostle Paul respected women and worked side by side with them for the furtherance of the gospel (Romans 16; Philippians 4:3), he appointed no female elders or pastors. In his letters to the churches, he urged that men were to be the leaders in the church and that women were not to teach or exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12). Therefore, although women are spiritual equals with men and the ministry of women is essential to the body of Christ, women are excluded from leadership over men in the church.

The result of the fall on marriage through history and more so in this day and time has been an ongoing struggle between the sexes, with women seeking control and men seeking dominance.

God calls upon both men and women to fulfill the roles and responsibilities specifically designed for them, a pattern that can be seen even in the Godhead (1 Corinthians 11:3). In fulfilling the divinely given roles taught in the New Testament, men and women are able to realize their full potential because they are following the plan of their Creator. Power comes when we surrender to God’s rule and order of things.

(Revelation 2:21), “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.”

What does Christ say to a church that is tolerating immorality and idolatry in her midst? Or allows that woman Jezebel to teach and seduce God’s servants?

Great Tribulation (Revelation 2:22-23), “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.” When the prophetess refused the chance to repent, Christ warned of His judgment: “Indeed I will cast her into a (sick) bed.” Whether taken figuratively or literally, we should take those words as a warning. With so many in this day and hour forsaking God’s order of things, we have seen a rise in divorce, single parenthood, and grandparents raising their grandchildren. There has also been an increase in drug abuse, alcoholism, depression, and suicide. This may very well be the “bed” God cast the rebellious into, God is holy and will not abide rebellion forever. As Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” This warning is not just to the prophetess but also to “those who commit adultery with her.” They would End themselves in “great tribulation” unless they repent of their immorality. 

Death (Revelation 2:23), “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.” Those called her “children” are the ones that participate in her many sexual infidelities and “those too who have embraced her doctrine”.

Message to the Christians (Revelation 2:24-25), “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. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” Jesus encourages those who had remained faithful: “To the rest of you who do not hold to Jezebel’s teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you) only… hold fast what you have till I come”. The faithful believers did not fall into Satan’s trap, and they only needed to remain faithful until Christ’s return. 

Message to the Conquerors (Revelation 2:26-28), “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule over 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. And I will give him the morning star.” This is a message to those who choose to remain faithful to Christ “until the end”. Christ promised they would have power over the nations to reign and rule with Him - just as He has received from His Father. 

And I will give him the morning star - this morning star is Jesus Himself, as Revelation 22:16 reveals: “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.” Jesus will give Himself to His church, and they will fellowship together forever!

(Revelation 2:29), “HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES.”

LESSONS FOR US:

Think of it this way: You can have Jezebel or you can have Jesus, but you can’t have both. If you want Jesus, you must turn your back on the teachings of Jezebel and turn your heart over to the Lord. Just to sum it up -- be careful what you tolerate, be careful what you put up with, be careful with what you compromise. We cannot tolerate or ignore sin in our lives, if we find ourselves committing spiritual adultery we must repent. If we find ourselves outside of God’s ordained rule of power, then we are to repent and submit to those who rule over us. Those who overcome Jezebel’s fornication and idolatry are promised to rule with Christ in His kingdom. Hold fast, stay in the truth, keep overcoming, keep striving, keep His works. Overcome to the very end and God says there is a reward, there is a blessing, we can be the children of God with all the wonderful blessings that it brings. So, let’s keep going! Let’s keep those works to the very end and we can be assured that we will be there at the return of Christ!