Commission:
to the angel of the church in Thyatira. Meaning “continual sacrifice”, Thyatira sat
at the junction of two valleys and on the road between Pergamos and
Sardis. It was a military outpost (the
chief god was Tyrimos-Apollos, a military figure) though its geography made it
a poor one. Under Rome it became rich
commercially and was known for its trade guilds for, among others, woolworkers,
dyers (cf. Lydia, Ac. 16:14-15) and bronze workers.
Character
of Christ: Christ is the Son of God
who is a Judge, having eyes like a flame
of fire and feet like fine brass (1:14-15). To this city, obsessed with power and might,
Christ speaks to His Church as One to be feared!
Commendation:
As always, the One among the lampstands knows their works. He sees truly commendable activities of love,
service, faith and patience. And not
only that: these good works are increasing.
There is a lot going on that is good.
But this does not excuse that which is condemnable.
Condemnation:
He condemns the church as deviant. She not only has, she tolerates or allows that woman Jezebel. Like Balaam at Pergamos, Jezebel stands for the mixing of the life of Christ with the life
of the world (I Kings 16:31; 18:4, 13; 21:25).
But she is not just in the church, she is a teacher. Christ had been dealing with her for a long
time in hopes the leaders would do something.
Many see at the least an illustration of this in the Church of the
Middle Ages when Mariolatry (veneration of Mary), veneration of the saints, the
use of icons and the Mass incorporated idolatrous doctrines into the worship of
the visible Church. Jesus also condemns
her defiance, the refusal of those involved to repent, promising a terrible
future for her and her followers. The
Old Testament story of Jezebel is a strong illustration of God’s faithfulness
to judge sin and should be a warning to the church (1 Ki. 21:23-24; 2 Ki.
9:30-37).
Correction:
For those who do not have this doctrine,
who have not known the depth of Satan Christ has no more to say than what
He has said to Jezebel, to repent and to hold
fast what you have till I come. Even
if the church will not change the individual members are called to
faithfulness.
Challenge:
To the overcomer who holds fast and does Christ’s works to the end, two
promises are made. First, he will rule
with Christ when He rules from the throne of David in Zion. Second, He will give them the morning star. Jesus is the Morning Star (Rev. 22:16; 2 Pet. 1:19), a title referring to His
return. He may be promising the joy of
an eternal relationship with Him, though it may refer to the removal of the
Church when they meet Christ (1 Th. 4:13-18).
Call:
He who has an ear let Him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. This
church was known for its love and its tolerance for sinful teaching. This often happens because we confuse love
and tolerance. Maintaining our first love requires that we hate the deeds and doctrine that Jesus
hates! Are we listening?
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