The Message To Thyatira

The Lord described himself in a way that relates to what was going on in each church in his message to the church.  Ephesus had just fallen into a mechanical routine, and the Lord described himsels as the one who is personally there among the people and guiding the pastors.  Smyrna was struggling but faithfully following him, and he described himself as the eternal one who gave his life for them.  Pergamos had begun to focus on wealth and position, rather than God, and Lord portrayed himself as the one with the sharp sword ready to forcibly take back his people.  The church in Thyatira had moved in a different direction, and here he shows himself as an avenging judge. 

On the surface, the church at Thyatira seems like a very good church, as Revelation 2:18-19 describes.  “And unto 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; 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.”  The people were sincere and active in the church, willingly serving others, trusting God and patiently enduring the persecution.  They were actively reaching out to the unsaved. 

Despite all that, there were serious problems in the church, as Revelation 2:20-23 describes.  “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. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.  Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.  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.”

False teachers had come into the church as Peter warned, and had deliberately introduced other doctrines, encouraging the people to go along with other religions, Just as Jezebel had encouraged the nation of Israel to ignore God’s teachings and go along with Baal.  Rather than heeding God’s warnings, they attacked those who disagreed.  Because they refused to listen, many of the church members would be unsaved and face the second death.   The other churches would be able to see the difference, just as Elijah had shown the difference in Jezebel’s day. 

Even in a church that had largely turned away from god there were still some who hadbelieved in the Lord, and he encouraged them to just hang on to what they believed and not give in to what the others were doing, in Revelation 2:24-25.  “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.  But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.”

It is easy to judge people who are involved with a church which teaches false doctrine, but they need to be encouraged to follow God.  They are not going to be judged for what their church believed, but for what they believed and did.  Revelation 2:26-28 promises, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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.  And I will give him the morning star.”  Just like other Christians, they rule and reign with Christ during the Millenium. 

Just as he warned with each of the other churches, The Holy Spirit warns us to listen to these messages, in Revelation 2:29.  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  Clearly these messages are not for people in a particular period of time but for all churches.