The Book of Revelation has seven letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor. These seven churches represent the church throughout the church age until Jesus returns. This fourth church is the church of Thyatira.

1 – The city of Thyatira (vs. 18)

The city of Thyatira is now Akhisar. The city was on the trade route south east of the capital Pergamum and a period of great prosperity and increase was only beginning when the seven letters were written. More trade guilds were known in Thyatira than any other Asian city. The inscriptions mention the following: wood workers, linen workers, makers of outer garments, dryers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave dealers and bronze smiths. The woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth came from the city of Thyatira, (See Acts 16:14). This purple dye was very expensive.

2. The Lord’s delight (vs. 19)

The church is pleasing the Lord in many ways.

• They had a great programme. “He knew their works”. They were not a lazy church. They were very busy. There are churches that want things to happen, those who hope things will happen and there are those who make things happen. They were serving. God does not want us to be in a grandstand.
• They had a great passion – “I know your love”. They had a burning love. It was “agape” love. A love that comes from God. It is a shame to go to God’s church and find division. People want to come to a church that has love for them. We also need to bring love to church.
• They had a great persistence – “I know your faith and your patience”. It shows courage in the face of adversity. This Church was not blowing up but rather growing up. There were being martyred but they were persistent. They knew how to keep coming when things get tough. Their faith meant that they knew God could help them to tough it out.
• They had a great progress – “the last to be more than the first”. They are even more loving than they use to be. They are more persistent than they used to be. They have more passion than they used to be. They have a better programme than they used to have. Can you say the same thing? Are you advancing in your Christian life? Are you still stumbling over the same things that you used to years ago?

3. The Lord’s disturbance (vs. 20-21)

There are some bad things going on with some in the Church. The church was tolerating Jezebel. They were tolerating false doctrine in the church and it was spreading. This “Jezebel” is in the same spirit as the Old Testament one. Jezebel was a vile, evil and wicked woman. She led the people astray with false worship to Baal. Like the King of Israel the church was not standing up against Jezebel. They were being over tolerant. Any other Gospel was to be considered accursed. See Galatians 1:6-9. Salt is a composition of two poisons. You cannot have love without the right doctrine. If you do, it will kill you.

• She was self-appointed. She called herself a prophet. God didn’t call her.
• She was also seductive. She seduced others. She looked good and had the charisma to persuade people.
• She was scholarly (vs. 24). Jesus calls her doctrine the depths of Satan. Some people want to leave the simplicity of the Gospel in search of something deeper. There is nothing deeper! If it is hidden then it comes from the pit! A muddy river doesn’t mean it is deep!
• She was stubborn (vs. 21). Jesus gave her space to repent of her fornication but she had refused. It is like cancer. It is hard to get rid of. God even gives the false teachers time to repent. He is such a God of love and mercy. God would rather correct than condemn.

4. The Lord’s determination (vs. 22-29)

There are consequences if they don’t listen to Jesus. There is something better for those who do listen to Jesus.

• Suffering (vs. 22) – They are going to suffer as a church if they stay outside of the will of God. There is an end to God’s patience. God will bring an end to a church if they go away from the Word of God. God does not call the church to give the people what they want.
• Sorrow (vs. 23-25) – There will be sorrow. Notice that the people who are pure are not to leave the church. They are to stay in the Word of God and the church. If good people go then wickedness will win. God is sovereign.
• Satisfaction (vs. 28) – They will have the “morning star”. See Rev 22:16. When you get Jesus you get satisfaction. This star shines the brightest in the darkness and heralds the coming dawn. Jesus will help us through the darkness and into eternity.

Categories: Revelation