The Church in Thyatira

Revelation 2
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 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. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 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. 24 “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. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

Four titles are given to the Lord, 1) the Son of God, 2) eyes like fire and 3) feet like brass and 4) the One who searches the minds and the heart. As the Son of God, He will judge the proclamations of the self proclaiming prophetess Jezebel. His eyes are like fire. They shall pierce to the very core of anything that is in His presence. His eyes shall see all and there is no place to run. His Feet of Brass speaks of judgement. They are the feet of judgement. In verse 23 Jesus also describes Himself as the one who searches the minds and the hearts. He sees the core of a man. 

Thyatira was located in a valley. The city was very successful regarding commerce and it was a flow through for many people. It was vulnerable in that it was in a valley; however, it was a highway of travel. 

The Good Stuff
There are six positives; 1) it is a laboring church; 2) it is a loving church; 3) it is a church of service; 4) it is a church of faith (loyal); 5) it is a patient church and; 6) it is a growing church. 

The Bad Stuff
The church allowed Jezebel. She is corrupting the church. Jezebel was destroying the Holiness of the church. many of you remember the story of the Old Testament Jezebel. She was the wife of Ahab. She was the wife of Ahab and she brought to her marriage many wicked beliefs. Ahab did not have the courage to stop her and Jezebel basically reeked havoc on the people. Jezebel basically brought the act of prostitution into worship. 2 King 9:9-10 predicts Jezebel's demise, "So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10 The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her.’”  2 Kings 9:30-37 describes Jezebel's demise. The original Jezebel had been dead for 1000 years but somehow her teachings and her practices had been revived in the Church in Thyatira. 

Or Else
Jezebel was given a time to repent and she refused. Sin was more important to her than serving Jesus. Sins was more attractive. Jesus then says, He will throw her into sickbed and all that follow her. Have you ever considered that Jesus has done this same thing with you and I regarding a time to repent? What will you do if He turns you over to your sin? Why would we be treated different? He says He gave her a time to repent but she refused. Have you refused? He will give you and I a time to repent. That time is now! Don't wait because you are not in control. Take the time now to repent. Take the road of repentance today because you don't know when He will turn you over.

Jesus says He searches the hearts and minds of the people and He says He will give to each one according to their works. Jesus just said works matter. I will give to each according to their works, that is pretty clear. What are your works? Are you practicing known sin? When you hear teachers, pastors, brothers and sisters in Christ talk about sin, do you fight it? Do you say things under your breath? Do you in the confines of your car and home seek to tear down that which is taught? Do you lead others down a path of sin? Be careful! God's discipline is serious and real and it will come. Under your breath and in the confines of your home with the closest and dearest people to you, the vapors of satan flow from your lips, if you attempt to justify and proclaim right that which the Word of God says is wrong. It is your mind and the minds of those seeking Jesus you infect. Woe is it to those who fight the Word and teachings of Jesus Christ. Woe is it to those who seek to lead the children of God astray. God repeatedly in the Bible will not stand for such actions. 

But look what He says to those who do not fall prey to the false teachings. Jesus says He will not put any other burden on you. You will not have to carry or endure any more, just hold fast until Jesus comes. So as people, whisper distractions and things not of God to you, as they justify at every turn that sin is ok, remember to pray for them with all your heart, but you hold fast to the Word of God and you stay grounded in righteousness. It is unfortunate that many times it is those who claim to love us the most that are attempting to lead us down the slippery slope of destruction. Stand Firm. Hold on until the end and experience the Glory and power of Jesus Christ. True love will lead you in a path of righteousness not destruction. 

RAK CHAZAK,

Brother Big Daddy

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