Church of Thyatira - Flee from Jezebel

 Revelation 2:18-28

“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.  “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 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. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 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, 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 according to your works. 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.  Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 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. And I will give him the morning star.”

The fourth church in Jesus’ revelation to John was the Church of Thyatira.  Thyatira was a wealthy city of merchants, traders, and skilled laborers.  As with the other cities we have looked at, those in Thyatira also had leanings toward Greek and Roman gods.  Elevating the Roman gods with temples and statues to worship the people of Thyatira would be found in idolatrous festivals throughout the year. 

The Church of Thyatira was a strong, active church as recognized by Jesus’ words of encouragement.  “I know your works, your love and faith, and service, and patient endurance, and increasing works from where you began.”  Jesus comes to them in this letter, representing the characteristics of strength against a formidable foe – eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze.  These strengths point to his purity and the ending judgment of the corruption in their city.

Upon acknowledging the church’s strengths, though, He is quick to call out the sinful actions of sexual immorality, and allowing the spirit of Jezebel to resonate throughout the church.  As with the other churches, Satan is busy challenging Jesus’ authority from within the church, and being accepted.  This requires repentance and turning away from.  

He is clear to those that do not repent, great tribulation, sickness, and even death will come.  God is the supreme authority and He states it clearly that they will come to know this.  Some within the church are holding true to His teachings and living according to His works, and they will be rewarded, but woe to those who do not.

This is the first church where Jesus talks of His “coming back”.  If you notice in His statement to those who are holding strong and true, he says continue to hold on until I have come, and you will be conquerors and have authority over others.  This is a soft encouragement to those in the church who are abiding in Him, a promise of things to come.

We are living in a time where the spirit of Jezebel is rampant throughout our society, and yes, even the church in many cases.  We must be able to stand strong on the principles Jesus taught us and hold fast to what is righteous and in line with His word.  Jesus is going to judge all mankind one day, when He returns, and He is not playing around.  His judgment will be consistent with His character in this letter - eyes of flames of fire and feet of burnished bronze.  Likewise, we are called to repent from our wicked ways and turn back to His teachings.

There is no patience extended for following the teachings of Jezebel within the church.  Seductiveness, following the world, raising up idols, and worshiping man over God will not be tolerated.  Recognize how this is so prevalent today and turn from it.  Let us not be found chasing Jezebel when He returns.