The 7 Churches of Revelation - Thyatira

FYI Point:

“Kingdom of God”- a term not found in the Old Testament but the idea of it is; the central theme of Jesus’ ministry as meaning the presence of God and His reign in all of creation that comes now on earth through grace for Christ’s sake; inclusive of the “Church Militant” that wages war with the world and Satan now until “the Kingdom (of glory) comes” and the “Church Triumphant” that will enjoy Heaven’s splendor for eternity after her Lord’s return on the Judgment Day.

The Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29)

Thyatira was located between Sardis and Pergamum on the Lycus River.  It is modern day Akhisar.  It was regarded for its cloth dealing trade; in particular, purple dying was a lucrative trade there.  Lydia, an early Christian convert and dealer of purple, was from there (Acts 16:14-15).  It did have temples to pagan gods but was not particularly religious.  Even the popular emperor cult was not very influential there.

Jesus’ designation in this letter, “Son of God”, is rather unique in the Bible. This is the only use of it in Revelation.  While true, Jesus more frequently referred to Himself as the “Son of Man”.  Thus here we see that Jesus is elevating His divine nature and thus with it, His power, authority and majesty.  But the human nature is reflected, too, by the reference to eyes and feet.  Our Lord received true flesh through Mary but as True God, they are heightened to be eyes of fire and feet of burnished bronze.

Jesus offers the Church is Thyatira a five-fold commendation: works, love, faith, service and perseverance.  These they do well and are growing in from where they started.  There is a direct relationship to these things.  Love and faith produce service and endurance as they mature.  Works rightly follow true faith.  But the righteous anger of the God-man Jesus is kindled with eyes flaring for they tolerate Jezebel.  She is a false and self-proclaimed prophetess in the congregation who, like her namesake who introduced Baal worship to Israel and opposed God’s true prophet Elijah, promoted sexual immorality and pagan practice among God’s people (see Jezebel’s story in 1 Kings 16, 19 and 21 and 2 Kings 9).  “Jezebel” becomes a type in the Book of Revelation to epitomize all that is secular, godless, immoral, and evil.  She embodies the sin of syncretism and pluralism which tries to blend all religious views together and denies the Bible’s claim of the exclusivity on the way of salvation through Christ alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).  The so-called deep secrets of Satan (v. 24) are the nadir of her depravity.  The temptation before Thyatira is not unlike our own- to tone down the Gospel and recognize all religious claims upon the way of salvation as equally valid and true.  Maybe also there is the insinuation of an economic motivation for accommodating all religious views.

God’s mercy is well demonstrated in this passage as He gives the “tolerators” a time to repent for by their complicity they share in Jezebel’s adultery; meaning the comingling of pure faith with idolatry.  This is not merely punitive.  To the others, they are exhorted to hold onto what they have and continue to endure in them; that is, to remain faithful in true doctrine and practice and the unique standing of the Gospel (see Romans 1:16).  But if repentance does not come, they will be cast upon a “sickbed” of suffering.  This would indicate a physical malady of some kind.  It would serve as an example to the other churches lest this sin continue to spread (see 1 Cor. 11:29-32).  The children produced by these evil deeds would not survive in God’s attempt to reign in their influence.  They will be repaid, judged, by their wicked deeds.  Judgment by works is taught by Jesus, Paul and John; not salvation by works however.  “Works” means receiving what you have earned; in other words, what you deserve.

The promise is offered to those who hold on and do not yield.  Jesus will not allow them to be burdened any further than they are already enduring.  “Authority over the nations” does not require that rule to be lived out on earth but indicates the superiority of Christ’s Kingdom over human empires.  Hence, the reference to the iron scepter- absolute power that is Christ’s and those He shares it with.  No better is Christ’s greater power seen than in the reference to the morning star.  Jesus is called this in 22:16.  It speaks to His resurrection; the morning star is that which rises.  Jesus has power and authority even over death.

For Our Discussion

1.        How are we tempted to “jump into bed” with the world? What comfort comes in 1 Cor. 10:13?

2.       How is pluralism common today?

3.       How can God use physical suffering for His greater good?