Revelation 2:18-29
Thyatira-The Church that Tolerated Sin
The book of Revelation brings the battle that started at the beginning of history when Satan rebelled—resulting in mankind’s plunge into sin and loss of dominion over Earth—to a glorious conclusion as Jesus Christ returns to Earth and claims what is rightly His!
Letters to the Seven Churches–
#3 Thyatira—The Church that tolerated sin!
I. The History of the City
City of trade guilds—Remember Lydia (Acts 16: 14-15)
A huge problem for Christians—1 Cor 8, 10
Principal god of Thyatira—Tyrimnos (sun-god) warrior on horseback carrying a double edged battle ax.
II. The Description of Jesus Christ—
“the Son of God”—
“His eyes a flame of fire”—
“His feet like fine bronze”—
Jesus is our Savior and Righteous Judge (2 Tim 4:8)
III. The Approval—
“their works”—
“love”—
“service”—
“faith”—
“patience”—
“As for your works, the last are more than the first”
IV. The Condemnation—
The church had everything except one thing—HOLINESS
“you allow”—putting up with false teaching and sinful behavior
The Ecumenical movement and New Evangelical Movement is characterized by a “tolerance of error”.
“Jezebel”—2 Kings 9:22 idolatry and sexual immorality (guilds?)
“who calls herself prophetess”—exalting self
“teaching”—women are not to be teachers over men
“seduce My servants”—influenced to accepting error/sinful behavior
“given time to repent”—Jesus is longsuffering (but that has a limit)
V. The Counsel—
Hold fast to truth and purity!
VI. The Promise—
“power over the nations”—church age believers will rule with Christ as joint heirs
“the Morning Star”—Jesus Christ. A wealthy Roman father died and left everything in his estate to his beloved slave Marcellus. His alone! In the father’s will it was states that his one noble son could choose one thing and only one thing from the estate. What did he choose?
Apply the truth—
1. there is always a danger of being busy doing good things but lacking holiness. Let’s commit to holy lives and a holy church.
2. One found faithful in the little things of this life of faith will be given great responsibility in the kingdom to come.
3. Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone? He died for your sin and rose again. Place your faith in Him not in good works or religion.