September 11, 2016
Evening Service

Revelation 1:10-11  I came to be in the Spirit in the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  (11)  saying, “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.” Also, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

·         We have read the letter to the church of Ephesus and the commendations for good works, labor and patience.  They were also rebuked for having left their first love.  The church at Smyrna was commended for their endurance of tribulations, but also warned that more were coming.  He encouraged them to stay faithful and to not be afraid.  Pergamos was commended for being faithful in the midst of many false teachers and cults.  They were rebuked however for being tolerant of some of those false teachings.

 

Thyatira- meaning perpetual sacrifice or continual offering.  It was a city in the Roman province of Asia lying inland between Pergamos and Sardis.  It was a key city along the Roman trade route that led to the eastern provinces. Manufacturing also flourished here as they produced dyed garments, pottery and brass products. Lydia, whom we saw in our study of Acts, was probably the overseas agent for a Thyatiran manufacturer of purple. 

 

 Revelation 2:18  And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, He who has His eyes like a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass, says these things:

·         Jesus’ introduction of Himself again reveals things to us about Him.  He first plainly states His deity as the Son of God.  This was something that while He was on earth He often hesitated in saying because the time was not right for that revelation yet as it is now.

·         The “eyes like a flame of fire” speak of the piercing and penetrating vision Christ possesses looking into the very intent of the heart and soul of man.  (Heb. 4:12)

·         The “feet like fine brass” could refer to His purity and holiness that guides His perfect wisdom into action.  This city in particular would know what that meant as producers of many brass products.

 

Revelation 2:19 I know your works and love and service and faith and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.

·         He again begins with the commendations.   He knows their works, love, service, faith, and patience.  Their works are even increasing as time passes rather than decreasing.

 

How about those things in our lives and in our church?

·         There is no place to quit and become satisfied or even complacent with where we are in our Christian walk.  We should be continually looking for ways to increase these acts of worship in our lives.

 

 

Revelation 2:20 But I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel to teach, she saying herself to be a prophetess, and to cause My servants to go astray, and to commit fornication, and to eat idol-sacrifices.

·         Again, like Pergamos, the church in Thyatira allowed or tolerated this prophetess to teach false doctrine within the church.  Just as Jezebel of the OT, this woman misled the church into the corruption of idol worship and sexual immorality.

·         One possibility of this could have been she encouraged Christians to be active in Thyatira’s many trade guilds.  These guilds honored the god or goddess of their particular trade and required offerings to them form its members to participate in the local markets.   This would be a compromise for the Christian believer.

 

Are there areas in our home or work life that we are compromising our faith?

Do we “conform” to the ways of the world or are we being “transformed” into the ways of God?

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

 Revelation 2:21-23  And I gave her time that she might repent of her fornication, and she did not repent.  (22)  Behold, I am throwing her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction, unless they repent of their deeds.  (23)  And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works.

·         Hebrews 12:29 for also, "Our God is a consuming fire."  There is a wrathful side to God.  He strongly opposes those who attack His bride with false and harmful doctrine and do not heed the call to repent from it.

·         His vengeance will be quick and painful to the prophetess and her family.  Sickness, affliction and even death will be given if repentance for their deeds is not proclaimed.  The result will be the “churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”

 

Do we often ignore the wrathful side of God?

·         He has created the perfect gift of salvation for everyone.  Those who choose not to accept His loving gift will receive His just judgement.

 

Revelation 2:24-25  But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put on you no other burden.  (25)  But that which you have, hold fast until I come.

·         To those who were not involved with these sinful acts and conformed to the worldly ways, Christ simply asks them to hold fast to the faith.

 

 

 

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised),

·         When we know and trust Christ we are able to “hold fast” what we believe because we know He is faithful and true to deliver upon His promises.  We are able to go through our daily lives with the many trouble and trials we face because we know He will not fail us.

·         When we falter it is often due to our lack of faith.

 

Are we holding fast to our faith?

Have we found Christ faithful in our lives?

·         Hold onto that and use that knowledge daily.

 

Revelation 2:26-29 And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations.  (27)  And he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces, even as I received 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.

·         In closing each letter there is always another promise for the overcomer.  In this one we are promised the chance to reign and rule with Christ in His coming kingdom.  He quotes Psalms 2:9 stating that the kingdom will help rule will be one of strength and power that will never be subdued or defeated because the enemy is broken beyond repair.

·         The promise of the “Morning Star” could have different meanings, but both seem to fit.  Jesus refers to Himself as the “Bright and Morning Star” in Rev. 22:16.  The promise fits perfectly that the overcomer is given a relationship with Christ Himself.  That is one of the greatest of all His promises.

·         The other explanation could refer to the “Morning Star” which refers to the planet Venus that appears brightly in the east right before dawn.  This could refer to Christ’s return for the church and the overcomer would be a partaker in it with Him.

 

Is the promise of a relationship with Christ enough for us?

Does knowing “we win” make things any easier?

 

Lord may our works and labors come from a pure heart and may we hold fast until Your return.