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withdrawn from.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.