THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA #4

Rev. 2:18-29 - Thyatira (Another Compromising Church - Jezebel)

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In this lesson, we will examine the short epistle to the church
      at Thyatira.
      1. It is entitled, "Another Compromising Church - Jezebel."
      2. Read Text - Rev. 2:18-29
   B. The city of Thyatira was situated where several valleys came
      together.
      1. With many peoples passing through, Thyatira became a trade
         city.
      2. There were many trades: wood workers, leather workers
         (tanners), makers of various fabrics; e.g., dyers of various
         clothes.
         a. Lydia, a seller of purple, was from Thyatira.  Acts
            16:14.
      3. Also, as the other cities in Asia, Thyatira was             
         characterized by idolatry.

I. DESIGNATION.  Rev. 2:18
   A. Jesus addresses Himself as:
      1. "The Son of God."
         a. This indicates His relationship to God the Father, and
            signifies that He is God.
         b. Contrast the expression, "Son of man" (1:13).  He was
            both fully God and fully man.
      2. "Who has eyes like unto a flame of fire.
         a. The expression is found in two other places in the Bible,
            both used of Christ.  Rev. 1:14; 19:11-16
         b. It suggests bright, penetrating vision; infinite         
            awareness and insight; omniscient.
      3. "And His feet like as fine brass."  Used in Rev. 1:15
         a. This is symbolic of strength.
         b. His enemies will be put under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25)
            and He will tread upon them with the wrath of God
            (Rev. 19:15). 

II. COMMENDATION.  Rev. 2:19
   A. The church was praised for six good qualities:
      1. Works - labor and efforts which were exerted in the         
         spiritual realm.
      2. Love - active good will, unselfish concern that freely      
         accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good.
      3. Service - ministry, work of benevolence, love in action.
      4. Faith - solid and faithful trust in God and the things of   
         God.
      5. Patience - perseverance under difficulties; the ability to
         endure under pressure. 
      6. Growth - "Thy last works are more than the first" (ASV). 

III. CONDEMNATION.  (The Lord now gives His reproof).  Rev. 2:20-21
   A. "You allow that woman Jezebel." - "Thou sufferest the woman
      Jezebel." (ASV).
      1. The word "sufferest" shows that the church was tolerating
         Jezebel's works and influence when she should have been
         withdrawn from.
      2. This woman's name could have been "Jezebel" or perhaps
         she was called this because of her similarity to the Jezebel
         of the Old Testament.  1 Kings 16:31; 18:4; 19:1-2; 21:8-15,
         23-25.
   B. Verse 20 says she "calls herself a prophetess, to teach and    
      beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat     
      things sacrificed to idols."
      1. Remember that Thyatira was a trade city which had many
         trade guilds.  Being in one of the guilds or unions meant   
         the association with idolatry.  Each guild had its own      
         guardian god, and one was expected to attend the festivals, 
         and to eat things which had been offered to their idol god. 
         At the end of the festivals, there were immoral acts which  
         were part of the pagan religions.
      2. In this difficult situation, what was the Christian to do?  
         If he quits the union, he's out of a job, and would suffer  
         want, hunger, persecution.  On the other hand, if he        
         remained in the union, and attended the immoral feasts, ate 
         things sacrificed to idols and committed fornication, he    
         denies the Lord.
      3. No doubt, in this difficult situation, Jezebel pretended to
         have the solution (like the Jezebel of the O.T.). She
         apparently argued that one could not conquer sin unless he
         was thoroughly acquainted with its experiences; hence, one
         must "know the depths of Satan" (vs. 24) to conquer Satan.
      4. Even today, people say, "You need to mingle with the people
         of the world in order to convert them."
         a. Usually, instead of converting anyone from the world
            they get converted to the world.
      5. The old expression, "One does not need to jump into the
         quicksand in order to get someone out of the quicksand" is a
         good one.

IV. WARNING.  Rev. 2:21-23
   A. The Lord was gracious in giving her time to repent, but now,
      since she had not repented, He would bring a terrible judgment
      upon her and her followers.
   B. He would:
      1. "Cast her into a bed" which probably means that she would
         be stricken with a sickness of some kind.
      2. Send "great tribulation" (severe affliction) on those who
         followed her teaching and wickedness.
      3. "And I will kill her children."
         a. Her children (either her own physical offspring, or those
            taught by her) would come to a violent death (vs. 23).
         b. This is similar to what happened to the house of Ahab
            (Jezebel's husband); they all came to a sudden and
            violent end.  1 Kings 22:34-35; 2 Kings 9:30-37; 10:7
   C. From observing these three immediate punishments, the churches
      would know:
      1. It is Jesus who knows, not only the overt acts, but the     
         secret thoughts, counsels, designs of men's hearts.  1      
         Chron. 28:9; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; 20:12; Acts 1:24; 1 Cor. 4:6
         a. The Lord knows all.  He cannot be deceived.  He knows
            us.
      2. And renders to every man according to his works.   Eph. 6:8;
         Col. 3:25 

V. EXHORTATION.  Rev. 2:24-25
   A. Upon those who were remaining faithful, Christ would impose no
      other burden - no other burden than the fight against Jezebel  
      and the abstinence from those immoral practices.  Compare Acts
      15:28-29.
   B. Verse 25 - That which they already had, as in vs. 19, they were
      to hold fast until Christ came to claim the faithful.  See also
      Rev. 3:11; Heb. 4:14

VI. PROMISE.  Rev. 2:26-28
   A. Two blessings are promised to those who overcome:
      1. Power over the nations.
         a. They will share in Christ's dominion over the nations. 
            Rev. 3:21
         b. The picture of their ruling with a "rod of iron" is
            symbolic of the certainty of their vindication and
            triumph with Christ.  See Psalm 2:8-9; Rev. 19:15
      2. Morning star.
         a. The bright and morning star (actually, it is the planet
            Venus) is the forerunner of light, harbinger of day,
            beautiful and brilliant.  See 2 Pet. 1:19
         b. As the morning star rules the heavens (one of the
            brightest in the heavens), so will the faithful rule with
            Christ and share in His royal splendor and dominion.
         c. The star is symbolic of royalty being linked with the
            scepter (Num. 24:17). 
   B. Verse 29 - The same thought is mentioned in every epistle.
      1. Anyone with the disposition to hear, let them hear.  Let him
         take careful heed to the things mentioned.

Concl.
   A. There are some good things we need to imitate regarding the
      church in Thyatira.
      1. Faith, love, service, patience, and we need to have our last
         works more than the first.
      2. Let us not ease up in our work, but keep pressing forward.
   B. There are some evil things we need to avoid.
      1. Keep on guard against those who will lead us into sin.
      2. We cannot allow or suffer such teachers among us.
   C. Let us all seek to overcome, come out victorious, overcome the
      obstacles, for the Lord, who has given us His great promises,  
      is faithful.