A MESSAGE TO THYATIRA

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.” Revelation 2: 18-29.

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.