CENTRAL THOUGHT
True allegiance should be solely to Christ.
Hymn: “When We Walk with the Lord”
TEXT: REV. 2:18-29
INTRODUCTION:
The church belongs to Christ and He is very interested in what goes on in it. The city of Thyatira was prominent for her flourishing trade in clothes, leather works, bronze works, and pottery. The city could boast of powerful cults that controlled the ruling authorities.
The church in this city had her fair share of the influence of the society. The Lord Jesus commenced this church for her exemplary acts of good deeds in material provisions but expressed concern and disgust about the prominence of an active “Jezebel” who advocated and practiced immoral behavior and idolatry in the church.
The letter to the church in Thyatira was intended to serve as a reminder of where true allegiance should lie.
This study is therefore intended to examine the documented state of the church in Thyatira and draw valuable lessons.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1.) Explain the significance of Christ’s introduction
2.) Identify points of commendation for this church
3.) State points of complaint against this church
4.) Discuss the instructions and promises to this church
5.) Relate the state of this church to present day Christian experience.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) HOW DID CHRIST INTRODUCE HIMSELF TO THIS CHURCH AND OF WHAT SIGNIFICANCE IS IT? Rev. 2:18
Jesus Christ described Himself in three ways to the church in Thyatira. First, He is the Son of God. Secondly, He had eyes like unto a flame of fire, and thirdly, His feet are like fine brass. He is the only begotten Son of God who was made the Lamb of sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. His eyes likened unto a flame of fire signifies His piercing insight and the seriousness of His judgement. His feet being likened to fine brass signifies perfect strength and steadiness of His authority.
QUESTION 2) WHAT ARE THE POINTS OF COMMENDATION FOR THIS CHURCH? Rev. 2:19
Their true state was well known to the Lord, and the Lord reflected on the aspect of their works, charity, service, faith, patience, and their increasing acts of good works. The commendation on this church centered on their charity and service which was exceptional. Their patience and growing fruitfulness received the Lord’s mention. It is the Lord’s desire that all Christians should manifest growing fruitfulness.
QUESTION 3) WHAT WERE THE POINTS OF COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS CHURCH? Rev. 2:20-23
The Lord had few points of complaint against the church in Thyatira, and they all centered around the conduct of a certain false prophetess named Jezebel. The church was accused of tolerating Jezebel, a self-appointed prophetess and false teacher, who was the ringleader of an entangling web of false doctrines mingled in hypocrisy and immorality. She also advocated that believers could participate in eating things sacrificed to idols. The Lord had given her space to repent, but she remained adamant and obstinate. Now it is judgement of destruction against her and her immoral partners, except they repent. They attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication and to offer sacrifices to idols. They abused the patience of God to harden themselves in their wickedness. They will be cast into a bed of pain, and her children will not be spared. God uses judgement to stop the obstinate, for the safety of the faithful. God will always assure His church of equity, and will make the hypocrite to realize that there is no secret before God.
QUESTION 4) DISCUSS THE INSTRUCTIONS AND PROMISES PLACED BEFORE THIS CHURCH. Rev. 2:24-28
The Lord Jesus Christ had words of comfort and encouragement to the rest of the brethren in Thyatira, who did not subscribe to the doctrines of Jezebel and her occultic practices. No other burden or tribulation would come upon them. They were commanded to hold fast to the
virtues of grace and the Cross of Christ until the coming of the Lord.
The Lord promised them that to those who will overcome and endure to the end, He will give authority and He will give the morning star. They will receive great power and dominion over the rest of the world. They will be ushered in the light of grace and glory.
QUESTION 5) HOW DO WE RELATE THE STATE OF THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA TO PRESENT DAY CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE?
The present day church shares some similarities with the church in Thyatira, both in the commendation and in the complaints of the Lord Jesus. The Son of God, with eyes like a flame of fire, and feet as of a fine brass, is still active in His church. Charity and service is still a focus of present day church, as well as growing fruitfulness. The church appears to be losing control of moral discipline and idolatry has taken new forms that dangle material and financial rewards. A lot of hypocrisy and pretence is on display in the present day church.
In all, the Lord still has words of encouragement to the faithful and threat of judgement to those who have yielded already. We cannot hide anything from God. The title of “Prophetess” adopted by Jezebel did not exempt her from God’s searchlight, and did not exclude her from judgement. God is no respecter of persons and His standard for judgement remains the same.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
It is the expectation of God that we make daily progress in our Christian race. The virtues of love, faith, and patience should manifest regularly amongst believers. We should not be carried away or deceived by humanly assigned titles. We must use the grace and gift of God to advocate and uphold righteous living, and not to justify ungodly conduct and immorality. Idolatry, no matter the weight of benefit, has no place within the church of God.
MEMORY VERSE:
Rev. 2:25
“But that which you have already, hold fast til I come”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Ahab sold himself to work wickedness. (1 Kings 21:25)
TUE: Have no fellowship with devils. (1 Corinthians 10:19-20)
WED: God searches the hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7)
THU: God renders to every man according to his works. (Psalms 62:12)
FRI: The goodness of God leads to repentance. (Romans 2:4-6)
SAT: The righteous God tries every heart. (Psalm 7:9)