Thyatira - the tolerance-of evil.

THYATIRA: the immoral church who tolerated a mix of paganism and Christianity. 

Jesus =“the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire,

 and his feet like fine brass = Representing his omniscience and sense of justice.

God has committed all judgment into the hands of the Son (John 5:22).

Concerning believers, 2 Corinthians 5:10 says:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Compliment:

I know your: works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

It all sounds very good, doesn’t it? Jesus doesn’t forget the good deeds and he is pleased with them, BUT…

Nevertheless:

I have a few things against you,

you tolerate that woman Jezebel,

who calls herself a prophetess, who teach and seduce my servants

to commit sexual immorality

and eat things sacrificed to idols.

History:

King Ahab married the pagan princess Jezebel and she seduced the king and the people to worship the pagan god Baal. The prophet Elijah opposed this and you can read about it in 1 King chapter 16 – 21. Apostasy was openly rampant and the people said nothing against it. God had given the people his Law and it stated first of all that they should not have any god beside God.

 1 Kings 21:25  There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 

The "Jezebels of life" in our time has the same purpose as in the days of  Ahab  to lead a Christian away from God's plan and love.

Thyatira was controlled by strong trade guilds. To be able to work and earn money people had to live  in a certain way which also included participating in meals that were dedicated to idols. If you refused, the chances were that you would lose your income and life in society.

I remember reading a story from the former Soviet Union about how Christian children were persecuted at school for not wearing the special red “Pioneer's necktie” that showed that they were members of the communist pioneer movement. Their parents refused to sign them up as members

( children were entered  into the organization in elementary school and continue until adolescence) and  were punished in various ways. Mostly the parents lost their jobs and the children could not get higher education.  The control was the same as in Thyatira but with a different idol; the communist party and its leaders. 

THE WARNING

²¹ I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

²² So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. ²³ I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that

I am he who searches hearts and minds,

 and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

The tolerance of worshiping  idols and living a life that is opposed to the will of God is summed up in one word: Destruction” For both the advocate for it and the followers.

God is willing to grant mercy and wait before he executes his punishment; which is the consequence of our sins. Sin destroys on every level but Repentance brings new life in Jesus.

Comfort

²⁴ Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira,

to you who do NOT hold to her teaching and have Not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,

‘I will not impose any other burden on you, ²⁵ except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

THE PROMISE

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end,

I will give authority over the nations;

²⁷ that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery just as I have received authority from my Father.

 ²⁸ I will also give that one the morning star.

²⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

According to Revelation 22:16, the “bright and morning star” is Christ Himself.  

He was the “Star out of Jacob,” (Numbers 24:17),

 and “the daystar” of hope, that, according to Peter, shall “arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19)