Revelation 1-3f: taking the bond-slaves of , and through her false ’ Last Great Challenge For The Church teaching, leading them into all kinds of immorality and A sermon series by Pr. Johnson false rituals. Jesus chooses the name, , to describe this destructive woman, even though that name is most So far in this series we have dealt with John’s intro- likely symbolic of her influence rather than her true name. duction and God’s first three letters of Revelation to the Jesus condemns this church full of good works, for churches at , , and Pergamum. Though their lack of dedication to the pure Word of God. He has each church received praise for one area or another, Ephe- already stated that their service for Christ is exemplary, sus and Pergamum also received a spanking of sorts for and even growing with time. However, they have ne- their failures. Ephesus had lost their first love (their initial glected one very critical deed, to deal with those in the passion for the things of God), and Pergamum, though standing Body who have strayed into false doctrine and are pulling strong against the evil around them, had begun to allow others astray as well. compromise to continue in some of their members. The word Jesus uses is “tolerate.” We tend to think of This brings us to the next letter in this sequence of this as putting up with something. But in this context, Je- admonitions...the letter to the church at . sus is saying that the Thyatiran leadership is actually per- To the Church in Thyatira: mitting this false doctrine to continue (permit or leave :18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and alone - commit, suffer - to allow one to do as he wish). They His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: have identified the error in this “Jezebel’s” teaching, and Once again we see Jesus address the pastor and lead- have chosen to ignore it and allow it. They have simply ership of a religious community. This time the city is put the problem away and let it to continue, disregarding Thyatira, smaller than Pergamum, but no less a center of its damage to the body at large. Modern-day case in point; Roman society. it been said that Haiti is 50% Catholic, 30% Protestant, In this letter’s introduction we see a very vivid image and 100% Voodoo. of Jesus, again flashing back to chapter 1: One commentator added this connection between Je- Rev. 1:14-15 His head and His hair were white like white wool, sus’ introduction and His accusation against Thyatira: like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet “The flaming eyes penetrate into all the deceptions of the were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow false prophetess of Thyatira...the feet that are similar to gold- in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. bronze...crush and burn to ashes all such opposition.” - Lenski Jesus begins with a hint of praise for this church. Revelation 2:21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want Revelation 2:19 I know your deeds, and your love and faith and to repent of her immorality. service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are As always, God, in His mercy desires repentance ra- greater than at first. ther than judgment. Even in the case of this Jezebel, His True to His pattern in previous letters, Jesus begins desire is that she would come to her senses and turn from this message by acknowledging the good and godly ef- her evil teachings and be converted. This season of con- forts of the believers in Thyatira. You will notice that he viction may go on for some time, but eventually God’s uses the term deeds twice in this passage. Although this patience will run out and justice will be applied. Greek word is generally translated “deed,” Jesus is not Jesus’ flaming eyes and burnished bronze feet sud- referring to a specific work or action. It is a general refer- denly move against this Jezebel: ence to the godly conduct of the church in Thyatira. Revelation 2:22-23 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, It also appears that the characteristics praised next are and those who commit adultery with her into great tribula- sequentially connected. For example, their conduct is an tion, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her extension of their love for Christ...which comes from children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that their Faith...which leads them on to service and persever- I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give ance. Each of these work together to create a conduct that to each one of you according to your deeds. At first glance, verse 22 seems to be the beginning of is not only exemplary, but seems to be steadily increasing the judgment, but it isn’t. It is still another extension of (“your deeds of late are greater than at first”). grace. It’s actually one last warning, one last opportunity But sadly, while Pergamum had a few in their congre- for repentance. But the sharp truth remains, if this last op- gation that had brought in some doctrinal compromise, portunity goes unheeded, harsh justice will come, and will the leadership in Thyatira had allowed a strong cultic el- be carried out on Jezebel, her followers (fellow adulterers), ement to grow, unchecked. 2nd generation followers that may arise Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the and her children ( ). woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she Now, we’re not told what this judgment is, whether teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they com- it’s a physical disease or a spiritual condemnation. But mit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. regardless, the desolation of this punishment will be It seems that this contingent was led and taught by a clearly seen, and horribly destructive. God’s not kidding. singular woman, a self-professed prophetess who was The reason for this housecleaning is two-fold. First, God demands purity. He cannot stand compromise. Com- promise, literally, turns God’s stomach (see Rev. 3:16). Secondly, this cleansing will be an example to the church at large, showing the degree of seriousness attached to sound doctrine and practice. God truly cares about the de- tails of doctrine, and properly handling His Word. He will punish anyone who handles His Word carelessly, and He will reward anyone whose godly conduct is based on a solid understanding of Scripture. Revelation 2:24-25 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. Jesus then attaches a type of qualifier (I paraphrase), “I know that this warning doesn’t apply to all of you. Those who are not caught in this Jezebel’s trap, or are not part of the delinquent leadership, don’t need to be burdened. Simply hold on tight until I come. Keep on pressing on in sound doctrine and righteous conduct.” And then He closes with a welcomed promise: Revelation 2:26-29 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the na- tions; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the ves- sels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority 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.’ Jesus closes by admonishing His bond-servants in Thyatira to stay the course, overcome hardship (both from error within and persecution without), and maintain godly conduct. As a reward Jesus promises authority, and the blessing of watching the enemies of God crumble under the omnipotent power of God. And so the true believers in Thyatira are left with a hope and promise, very similar to that shared by the Apostle Peter in our lesson for today: 1 Pet 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various tri- als, 7 so that the proof of your faith, {being} more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the sal- vation of your souls.