Introduction

(Revelation 2:18-29)

18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze, says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known the deep things of Satan —as they say—I do not put any other burden on you. 25 But hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—27 and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery — just as I have received this from My Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

This letter to the fourth of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation is the longest of them all. But, it is well known that Thyatira was one of the smallest cities of the seven. Although it was a small town, it was known as a military and commercial center because it was originally founded by Alexander the Great as a military garrison and because of the numerous trade guilds or what we call today, unions. They were famous for cloth making, dyeing, leather working, bronze working, and pottery making. The city didn’t have huge temples to any particular god, but Apollo, who was seen as the son of Zeus, was worshiped as the guardian of the city. Anyone in the guilds was expected to worship Apollo.

Commendation

So, now we can understand why Jesus introduced Himself in this letter as the genuine "Son of God" and why He put a tremendous emphasis on describing Himself with eyes of flame and feet of bronze. The god Apollo was know as the son of god (Zeus), but Jesus said He and He alone was the real Son of God and therefore He has a right to speak to them and has a right to demand that what He says will be heard.

Jesus once again addresses these churches with the phrase "I know." He commended them for growing in their action of good deeds. This church had continued growing in their love for God and their fellow man. This love and faithfulness to God and man produced their service and assured their perseverance in their commitment to Him. Jesus went on to say that their growth in these areas was to be commended because they were now loving and doing more than when they first became Christians. It is interesting to note that Jesus said the exact opposite to the Church at Ephesus.

Condemnation

Although this Church is to be commended, Jesus had a major condemnation for them. Some of their members were being led astray by a prophetess (Jesus insults her by calling her Jezebel which probably refers to the story in 1 Kings 16) within the Church who was encouraging them to compromise their faith so they would be able to live comfortable but compromising lives and still worship God.

The city of Thyatira possibly heard the Gospel years before from a woman named Lydia who the Apostle Paul converted during his ministry. Now interestingly, this woman that Jesus called "Jezebel" was a self-proclaimed prophetess who was now influencing the Church. She was encouraging them to take part in sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. No one believes this was Lydia but to be for sure it was a women.

Counsel

In the next few verses Jesus made some powerful statements. He addressed three groups of people in this section of His message. First, He warns those who claim to be Christians and who are now being deceived by Jezebel that they still have a chance to repent, but if they don’t they will suffer greatly. Secondly, He pronounces judgment on Jezebel and her dedicated followers that His judgement on them will possibly involve physical sickness and even death. Lastly, He encourages those Christians who have rejected Jezebel's teaching that He will give them authority over all the nations and will also give them the morning star.

Jesus promises to the victorious and overcomers that they will reign with Him in His Messianic kingdom and that together they will delegate authority over the pagan powers that have been so ruthless. This promise points to the millennial reign or thousand reign of Christ on earth after His Second Coming.