Thyatira: The Tolerant Church

Revelation 2:18-29 (ESV) 

    "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

    [19] " 'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.  [20] But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.  [21] I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.  [22] Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,  [23] and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.  [24] But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.  [25] Only hold fast what you have until I come.  [26] The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,  [27] and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.  [28] And I will give him the morning star.  [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

 

Thyatira, at this time, was famous for trade guilds. 

These can be compared to today’s trade unions with one large difference.  To be employed in this city, one had to be a member, and to be a member you had to worship its god, attend the guild festivals, and eat food, part of which had been sacrificed to its idols. 

One lady we know of from reading the Book of Acts that came from this town was Lydia .  She was a seller of purple cloth (Acts 16:13 -15).

1. Christ’s Commission ( 2:18 )

In light of the idol worship that had crept into the church, Jesus wants to remind the church and the leadership who they’re dealing with.  Jesus Christ is the One with the penetrating gaze.  He is the All-Knowing-One who is in a position to smash anything in His path.  Whose feet are like burnished bronze. This means His judgment is pure and His ability to execute it is sure.  

2.  Christ’s Commendation ( 2:19 )

They were doing well in two significant areas.  By today’s standards, they would be considered a success as a church.

A. They Were a Good Church

They had everything the Church in Ephesus had plus they had the love that the Ephesian Church lacked.  They had Smyrna ’s perseverance and Pergamum ’s faith. 

 

B. They Were a Growing Church

They were a church that was in the process of growing in maturity.  They were doing more, serving more and loving more than they did at first.  In all this they were doing well.

3.  Christ’s Condemnation ( 2:20 )

Their big problem was that they were tolerant. 

The first thing that we have to address in this description is that this person is a woman.  Women are used mightily in the church.  The church would not be what it is without the faithfulness, love, patience and kindness of the ladies that have been models of holiness and humility through the centuries.  However, Scripture is very clear as to the roles of men and women in the church.  Men are to be the leaders in their churches (1 Tim. 2:8-14).

To understand this passage we need to look at a little OT history.  Who was Jezebel and what did she do?  She was the wife of King Ahab of Israel . She practiced witchcraft (2Kings 9), worshipped false gods (1Kings 16), supported and encouraged hundreds of false prophets (1Kings 18), and tried to kill the one true prophet of God, Elijah (1Kings 18).  She succeeded to the point that Elijah thought he was the only true prophet left.  In (1Kings 21) Jezebel proved to be a liar and a murderer (cf. 1 Kings 21:25 -26).

This is what Christ is saying: The church in Thyatira was guilty of allowing false teaching to go on at the expense of the gospel.  They tolerated the false teaching similar to that of Jezebel of the OT.

Paul is very clear how we are to handle these temptations…Flee! (1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Cor. 10:14)

4.  Christ’s Confrontation ( 2:21 -23)

Christ begins His rebuke.  Who is guilty?  Who’s in need of rebuke?

The sting goes to the church leaders, the woman (Jezebel), and those who took part in her sin.

5.  Christ’s Challenge ( 2:24 -28)

It’s good to know that not everyone in this church was guilty of joining this lady and her sinful doctrine. 

What does Jesus say to this last group?  Stay pure.  Hold fast to the truth. 

6.  What can we learn from this letter to the Church in Thyatira?

-Men, we need to step up to the plate, we need to hold each other accountable for the work of the ministry.     

-We must all be on guard against heresy and false teaching not only in our church but also in our homes.

- Remember the mercy and grace of Christ.