"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." - Rev 2:18-29
Last week, we saw Christ reveal Himself as the incarnate Word of God typified by a sharp two-edged sword. Wielded in power against the enemy, and in healing as a surgeons lancet to cut out corruption in the Body of Christ. Two aspects held in perfect balance. This duality is reflected in multiple different ways in scripture, where as a Christian we are challenged to balance what might sometimes be two seemingly conflicting aspects in our daily walk. Grace and Holiness. Being part of the World yet remaining separate from it. Loving the sinner, but hating the sin. Judging Good and evil. Our heart yearns for simple answers in black and white, but our practical experience involves judging amongst a million shades of gray! Aaaaaargh!! ... Lord, please - just give us a checklist!!! :-)
Well, that's all part of growing up! The whole work of the Spirit in our sanctification is to work in us --"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, -- may grow up -- into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Eph 4:11-15)
Growing up is really important! Why? - "Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;" - Gal 4:1 As long as we remain "spiritual minors" - we are not able to fully administer and use our inheritance - just as a son may "own" his fathers Cadillac, but can't drive it till he is of age. Though we are heirs already -outwardly - we are indistinguishable from slaves.Growing up means maturing into WHOLENESS -beyond- justification, for our benefit, as well as for the work of the Kingdom! - read this sentence again, and again till you get it! 10 Lepers came to be cured of Christ, and they were, but only the one who returned to give thanks was made WHOLE! ( Luke 17:12) It enables us to use and exercise the gifts given to us for His Glory! Part of that wholeness also involves taking a clear inventory of our strengths and weaknesses so that we may be complete in His eyes - and those eyes see right down to the thoughts and intents of our heart!
THE REPORT CARD OF THYATIRA
A. Issuing Authority :From the one who SEE's all things perfectly, and JUDGES (feet of brass) perfectly! Christ here again, stresses the key elements of the vision of Himself as given to the apostle in Chapter 1, that are applicable to the church He is addressing.
B. What's going well : A lot! In fact, better than the church of Ephesus in some ways!
The church at Ephesus was chastised for turning away from its first love, and was asked to turn back to do the first works. The congregation at Thyatira,in contrast, is commended extremely highly for their outward works (Agape - Love/Charity, and their Diakonia - Service), as well as their inner attitude of Faith and Patience, and the fact that their works are INCREASING (latter greater than the first). This is a church that has the right attitude and the fruit that demonstrates it! Wow! This is praise indeed from the Superintendent of all churches! Nice job Thyatira!!
C: What's not going well: The church may be too nice in terms of tolerating bad people and doctrine.
Again in contrast to the church at Ephesus, which was careful to evaluate the doctrine of all who aspired to the pulpit there, the congregation of Thyatira seems to be tolerating a woman (calls herself a prophet) and her disciples, who seem to be getting "higher revelation" that is at odds with the apostles teaching of avoiding food offered to idols, and sexual immorality. We saw this corruption in Pergamos - where it was associated with the doctrine of Balaam, and the teaching of the Nicolaitans - here an Old Testament reference to a queen called Jezebel is invoked.
Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31) was a pagan priestess/prophetess that Ahab the King of Israel married. She wielded so much influence over him, that she got him to worship Baal and maintain about 450 prophets that she managed and directed. These ultimately perished in a famous showdown with Elijah (1 Kings 18:20). The reason for bringing up this person as a reference is that the person in Thyatira was using Jezebels playbook! She was being allowed to teach, and seduce the servants of God to indulge in loose living, under the so-called covering of Hyper-Grace!
The graciousness of God is revealed here in that Christ says He gave her space to repent! But of course she didn't. What comes next is a sobering wake up call for all of us as well. He says that not only will she be judged - in a bed (punishment fitting the crime?) - but those that are partners with her in her doctrine and acts (which is what the phrase "commit adultery with her" means) will be killed with the second death. "Dying you shall die" (Gen 2:17), "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prov : 29:1) This judgement will be executed so that all the churches will know that Christ is not one to be trifled with, and He knows our works intimately!
Once sentence has been pronounced by the Supreme Judge, there is no further court of appeal. That is it! We are told and warned "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is soon kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." (Psalm 2:12) If today you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts. Change (repent!) and Live! while there is still time!
D: Recommendations and next steps/consequences
Hang on to what you have. The congregation at Thyatira was doing very well, and so Christ does not address His words of judgement to those that were not following the doctrine of this woman. He tells them - keep doing what you are doing because its working and its good! The others - well, he characterizes their doctrine as the "depths of Satan" - and He has already said what He is going to do to them. He tells this church - NO OTHER BURDEN! - Faith, and Patience, Love and Service! Thats it and that works!!
E: The benefits of following the recommendations
Beginning with this church, we see a subtle shift in the promise of benefits. To the first three churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamom), He first calls to whoever has an ear, and then pronounces the benefits. Beginning with Thyatira, that call is written AFTER the benefits of overcoming are articulated - perhaps indicating that not all will pay attention to His exhortation. We referenced Psalm 2 earlier, and this exhortation actually points back to it. The imagery of ruling with a rod of iron, and breaking the earthen vessels that were not fit into pieces are from Psalm 2. Christ promises Himself (as the morning star) to those who overcome!
Grace and Judgement. Here are two aspects of the duality that characterize our God. He is merciful and compassionate, but also wrathful and righteous! He can extend Grace to a Jezebel, but also correct a congregation He loves. In all aspects HE is worthy to be magnified and glorious in His ways!
He stoops to breathe His Spirit into us so that we too can grow up to be like Him! Let us then strive to grow into the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Through the Heart - by doing works driven by love and not by duty/obligation, through the Mind - by correctly handling the Word of Truth, through our Might - by resisting and throwing out those that would corrupt the Gospel and His Body through their teaching and their actions.
Hallelujah!