A message to Thyatira
Jesus Christ has much
good to say about the church of Thyatira but He saw some very troubling things
and had to address this church with a test. He also gives much hope to the true
Christians as the letter progresses in a very special promise.
(18) "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These
things saith the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and
His feet are like fine brass; (19) I know thy works and charity, and service,
and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the
first. (20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess,
to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols. (21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication;
and she repented not. (22) Behold, I will cast her out into a bed, and them
that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of
their deeds. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches
shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give
unto every one of you according to your works. (24) But unto you I say,
and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. (25) But that which ye
have already hold fast till I come. (26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth My
works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (27)
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall
they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. (28) And I will
give him the morning star. (29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Thyatira did not have a bad economy but this city was the
least important of the seven destinations mentioned in the letters to the seven
churches. They had one main industry which was dying cloth to a red or purple
color. This city had trade guilds and it was virtually impossible to succeed in
business unless you joined this club.
In our modern day most people have to go to college to start a
career. These guilds were pagan and there was much immorality. This became a
stumbling block to true believers in Jesus Christ. In our time universities can
take on the same role as the guilds.
When Jesus describes Himself as having eyes like a flame of fire
this depicts His ability to understand their hearts. He found that their
worship to Him was not pure because their motive was wrong. We need to do
things for the right reasons or God will find us out so self evaluation is good
if we are honest.
Jesus also described Himself as having feet of bronze. Judgment
was going to fall on this church if they did not listen to God. It is pretty
obvious that it is easier to take heed than to keep falling into a
downward spiral of destruction. If we are Christians being exposed to
paganism, immorality and fortune - tellers does not sit well with God. It is
hard to separate ourselves from the evil that surrounds us but necessary
because we are called to have a devotion to Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is always fair with His children. He commends them
for five different things. Love, faith, service, patience and works. Our Lord
even recognized that they got progressively more dedicated to Him in service
with love and faith.
There were some problems in the Thyatiran church. A women whose
real name was Sambathe received a nickname Jezebel lured some of the new Christians
into occult practices. The whole idea was to mix idolatry and sexual sin with
their Christianity.
Occult practices, idolatry and sexual sin is so common in the
church today. I would have to say sexual sin is the most popular but the other
two sins are not to far behind. Only evil can come from these practices so if
you are involved in any of these sins then you would want to repent before
God because they will end up destroying your life. This is why Jesus
stepped in because He does not want to see this happen.
Jesus does not remove the women but casts her ... "Into
a bed." This was a test to see who had authentic love for God or who
would consort with this occultic women. Prophetically those who do the second
go into great tribulation which is so true to who will not go up in the rapture
of the church. Those who go up in the catching away have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. If occult practices, idolatry or sexual
sins are in the life of a person they have to repent and
forsake those transgressions or they will be left
behind.
Jesus again goes back to the earnest believers in Him and assures
these genuine Christians that no more burdens will be placed on them. They
already had heavy responsibilities but He did remind them that they were to
keep strong faith in Him. Our Lord promises them that if they listen to what He
is saying they will help Him rule in His one thousand year reign on
earth which will last 1000 years after the 7 year tribulation period is
finished.
Prophetically the church of Thyatira corresponded with the
Middle Ages from 590 A.D to 1517 A.D. In this time frame there was a lot of
image worship and superstitions that did not make any sense
especially in light of what the Bible says regarding these subjects.
There was still a believing remnant in this time frame but it was hard to stay
strong in their faith for Jesus Christ.
I would like to encourage Christians around the world to stay
strong in their faith to Jesus Christ even in the midst of occult practices,
idolatry and sexual sins that are all around us in a very enticing period
of time.
I would like to encourage unbelievers to come to know Jesus Christ
as their very own personal Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and
inviting the Son of the Living God into your heart. The alternative
lifestyle based on the context of this text in the Bible is several
pervasive sins that are in society and have nothing to do with the
holiness of Jesus Christ. The choice is up to you but to have a true pure
relationship with Jesus Christ is the way we should be living our lives on
earth because there is eternal value in that lifestyle.
God Bless,
Bob D.
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