dailywordofdestiny

The city of Thyatira was a vital commerce and trade center located about 40 miles southeast of Pergamos. Jesus commended the church here at Thyatira for its good works. He said: “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” (v19). The church in Thyatira has great love and compassion and is a working church trying to improve the condition of the less fortunate around them. This church is patient, which is gained by much tribulation. It is not a stiff cold church, as some of the other churches are, but is a loving caring church. It seems that the works of this church improve as they go along, because the last is more than the first. This is really a very nice statement that Jesus made about them.

However; Jesus saw beyond this outward display of good works and He exposed a stronghold of Satan right in the midst of the church. He says, “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” (V 20). Jesus warned the church of Thyatira of coming judgment to this false teacher and all those who commit spiritual adultery by moral compromise. This “Jezebel” was given time to repent, but refused (v.21).
Throughout the Old Testament, this union of that which is holy with that which is impure is considered by God as spiritual adultery. It was an abomination in His sight!

Many Christians are not aware that they are worshiping idols. These idols can be our material possessions, various lusts, recreation, entertainment, career and selfish ambition. Remember, we are looking at the spiritual and trying to see all of the seven churches in our modern churches today and we must examine ourselves before we start pointing fingers. Some are so full of pride and self deception that their spiritual eyes are blinded from seeing the areas of their lives where they have refused to let Jesus reign as Lord. Many believers today have made moral compromises. They no longer hold high standards of integrity. If you are guilty of moral compromise, spiritual adultery, then you must do what Jesus told these believers to do: Repent and then hold fast! Hold on to your integrity. Guard your Godly standards. Don’t fall prey to moral compromise.

The ‘false teacher’ in this context is referred to as “Jezebel,” which may or may not have actually been her name, but certainly refers to her spirit. It references Jezebel in the Old Testament, who was the wife of King Ahab. She was an idolatrous woman with unscrupulous methods, to perpetuate her power. Jesus shows this church His penetrating eyes which can even discern the intents of the heart.

“And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not” (v 21). The sin God’s Word is pointing out here is fornication. She was not to repent of preaching, but repent of fornication. In the days that John wrote this, there were evil churches that even had harlots working in the church for the convenience of the members.

In our churches today we see that many churches promote sex. I look at what is worn in churches and is seen as permissible. I hear music that is titled ‘worship’ but I can also walk into a bar or casino and hear similar strains. I hear God’s Words being diluted until they do not resemble the original teachings…all in the name of ‘being considerate of the people’s views! God have mercy! Some churches teach that homosexuality and lesbianism are alternate life styles. My Bible says they are an abomination to God, Leviticus 18:22! Not only did Thyatira need to repent, but modern churches need to as well and this can relate to both physical and spiritual adultery. The people who get involved in these sex sins are guilty. It is no excuse to sin just because your minister tells you that you are not guilty. Try every message and the spirit you hear by what the Bible teaches. Do not be deceived by any false prophet, male or female. Their repentance is of their deeds, not whether they were male or female.

What does the Lord say to this?

“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” (vs 22,23).

The word translated reins means “the inner most mind”, perhaps the subconscious mind. The heart will be judged. The motive behind our deeds is just as important as the deed. The works spoken of here are the works of the heart and mind which come to maturity in actual deeds. Good or evil actually begins in the mind and heart. Just as beautiful words cannot come from an evil heart, beautiful deeds cannot either. What we are inside will show in what we do for God.

“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” (Vs 24, 25).

What doctrine is spoken of here? The doctrine that says you can do what you please as long as you are baptized. Jesus wants a chaste virgin for a bride. Jesus wants us to be holy as He is holy. Sin must not be practiced, if we are Christians. Jesus will forgive us of our sins if we ask Him, but we must not go back into that sin over and over. Our heart must desire to live above sin.

Notice that even though this particular church in Thyatira is promoting sin, an individual can repent and be saved even in this situation. God does not judge groups; He judges us one at a time. It would be a terrible burden to have no other church to go to than one that taught fornication was a choice. He tells them to hold fast to sound doctrine until He comes.

“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” (Vs 26, 27).

Jesus specifies His works are what is to be done. It also means that we should not just do a little and get self-satisfied, but stay with the Lord’s work to the very end. Just as Jesus told the parable of the good servant in Luke chapter 19, we must be a good servant and bring the fruits of our labor to Jesus. He tells us that the servant was to rule over ten cities. In vs 27 He also promises that His faithful will rule. We are empowered by the Spirit of God and it is through His power we are enabled to do His will as we rule over the enemy of this world! We are working under Jesus’ direction. He is our Leader. The “rod of iron” means the rule will be strong and unbending.

The rule will be as a shepherd leads if they follow Jesus, but if not, they shall be broken to pieces. This rod spoken of could be a shepherd’s or a king’s. Whichever it is, the rod of correction will be used in love. Jesus was given all power on earth, under the earth, and in heaven by the Father.

“And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Vs 28, 29).

Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star. He promises to give Himself to those who will follow Him. This message is not just given to this one church of Thyatira, but to churches, plural. We must take heed to the warnings. Open the ears of our heart and receive Jesus in His fullness. Amen.