“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and 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. “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, 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. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…” (Rev. 2:18-29).
We move in our series on the seven churches in Asia to consider the church at Thyatira and the valuable lessons learned from a study of Jesus’ letter to them.
A Growing Church:Jesus said He knew the “works, love, service, faith, and patience” of the church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:19). He said of these works that the “last are more than the first.” This church is a good example in this area. They were a growing church in their work for the Lord. Unfortunately, some do not progress in their knowledge and service (cf. Heb. 5:12-14). We should always seek to be those who “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).
An Undisciplined Church:Jesus said He had a few things against them because they allowed “that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:20). They had allowed (tolerated) one to teach things that were false and by this many became involved in sin. When a false teacher comes, they should be “met at the door.” Paul “did not yield submission even for an hour” to false teachers. Why? He said, “So that the truth of the gospel might continue…” (Gal. 2:4-5). When false teachings are allowed in among the Lord’s people, there are some who will fall prey to it (Rev. 2:22). Thus, false teachers should be noted and avoided (Rom. 16:17).
A Church That Would Be An Example:Jesus was going to punish “Jezebel” and those who followed her teachings (Rev. 2:21-23). He said the result of this punishment would be, “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” (Rev. 2:23). These offending members would serve as an example to others of the Lord’s punishment of those teaching and believing a lie.
An Exhorted Church:To those who had not been involved in the wrong going on amongst the brethren in Thyatira, the Lord gives them an exhortation. He tells them to “Hold fast what you have till I come” (Rev. 2:25). The Lord encourages them to keep on doing those things which they were doing – to continue to grow in their works, love, service, faith, and patience. By doing this, one may overcome and be blessed by the Lord (Rev. 2:26-28).
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”
David Eldridge