Revelation chapter 2: Seven Churches - Thyatira

IV. Thyatira – Background – Founded around 300 B.C. as a military outpost. It was an important trading city. Thyatira had numerous trade guilds/unions. A person who wanted to do business in Thyatira had to be a member of a guild. Guild meetings usually involved banquets that involved much drinking and eating. They also involved worshipping the gods of their respective occupations. For these reasons, Christians in Thyatira refused to join guilds which made Christians unpopular in the city.

1. How does Jesus introduce Himself? Son of God; flaming eyes – intense/stern/angry/serious; feet like burnished bronze - Symbol of strength. Bronze used to create weapons, tools, armor, etc. Symbol of purity – Bronze resists corrosion better than other metals such as steel.

2. Words of praise – Praises Thyatira for their good works, love, faith, service. and perseverance. The church is doing more now than when they began.

3. Words of criticism – Tolerated false teaching and sin in the church. Underneath all the good of Thyatira was a great evil – an evil the church tolerated. There was a woman in the church who held a position of authority/leadership in the church – a prophetess. What is a prophet/prophetess? They are not someone who predicts future events. A prophet/prophetess is someone who proclaims the word of God, “thus saith the Lord …” A prophet is similar to a preacher. This woman who held a respected/important a church position. In her position, she was leading Christians in the church to sin. What Jesus call this prophetess? That woman Jezebel! If I were to call one of you ladies here “Jezebel,” how would you take it? Not very good. Who was Jezebel? Her story can be found in I Kings chapter 16-II Kings chapter 9. Jezebel is regarded as the most evil queen/woman in Israel’s history. She was the daughter of the king of Sidon. Her husband was Ahab, ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. When Jezebel married Ahab, she brought her gods with her, primarily Baal – a fertility god. Worship rituals involved sexual immorality. Her god’s name found in her name. She used her influence over her husband to lead Israel to worship Baal. Jezebel was also into witchcraft (II Kings 9:22.) Jezebel’s character traits – a) Domineering, strong-willed, unsubmissive b) manipulative c) seductive d) self-centered e) ambitious f) fearsome demeanor/scary/intimidating – Elijah, a man of God feared Jezebel more than he did God (II Kings 19.) The prophetess in the church of Thyatira mirrored the actions, character, and attitude of Jezebel. She used her position and character traits (read Jezebel list) to lead church members to sin. The prophetess promoted a false teaching that involved learning what some called the deep things of Satan. She probably called it the deep things of God. Her teachings were probably a mixture of mystery cults and Christianity. It bore just enough resemblance to Christianity to seduce members of Thyatira to commit sin. Those in the church who refused to accept her teachings were too intimidated/scared by her character to openly oppose her. They acted like Ahab and Elijah. Consequently, she controlled the church.

4. If they don’t repent… - Jesus says He has given the prophetess and her children (followers in the church) ample time to repent but she and they have refused to do so. Consequently, He is going to hand down severe punishment. She will be made an example to other churches that might have similar issues. Verse 23 – he who searches the minds and hearts – Jesus acknowledged the church’s good works, love, faith, service, and perseverance. However, He looked deeper and saw a tolerance for sin. To Jesus, that is unacceptable. He demands holiness in His church.

5. Promise if they overcome – Jesus acknowledged that there members of the church who rejected the false teachings of the prophetess. Encouraged them to persevere. To those who overcome, He will give them authority over nations (see later in Revelation) and He will give them the Morningstar. What does the Morningstar symbolize? The end of a long night and the beginning of a new day. The darkness of Jezebel is coming to an end. Dawn will break soon.