THE SEVEN CHURCHES LESSON FOUR THYATIRA JANUARY 25, 2015

REVIEW: Ephesus - Apostolic Period - 31-100 A.D. Smyrna - Roman Persecution Period - 100-313 A.D. Pergamos - Age of Constantine - 313-538 A.D.

THYATIRA - DARK AGES - 538-1517 A.D.

Ephesus: The Desired One Smyrna: Myrrh; Death Pergamos: Mixed Marriage Thyatira: Continual Sacrifice Sardis: Remnant Philadelphia: Brotherly Love

Laodicea: People Rule

REV. 2:18-29 OVERVIEW: The Thyatiran Age began in 538 A.D. when the bishop of Rome was declared the pope of the whole church. The church was commended for its works, love, service, faith and patience; but was rebuked for its full-scale idolatry, immorality and tolerance for both. The false teachings of Jezebel were accepted by some and rejected by some. Both were addressed by Jesus. 1.) The name Thyatira means continual sacrifice. REV. 2:18 A.) The church placed a great emphasis on personal sacrifices in order to please God, which contradicted the truth that Jesus did all that was required to free us from sin. B.) HEB. 13:15 Praise is the sacrifice we offer to God continually. 2.) The Title of Jesus. Relevant to the message of each church. A.) The Son of God. A title challenged by Satan, and many today. B.) Eyes of Fire. Fire is a picture of God's judgement and purification. Fire destroys the perishable and purifies the imperishable. There is a fire that punishes or purifies. One can allow God to burn out the impurities or one can be eternally tormented in the lake of fire. C.) Feet of Brass or Bronze. Bronze symbolizes judgement. His feet of bronze means all enemies will be judged and placed beneath His feet and crushed. HEB. 10:12-13. 3.) Commendations. REV. 2:19 A.) Jesus commends them for their works, love, service, faith and patience. Over time these increased and expanded, or their faith and patience matured. B.) Their love for God moved them to serve. Their faith coupled with patience enabled them to continue on course while facing persecution and affliction. 4.) The Rebuke. REV. 2:20-24 A.) The sin was that of toleration. They knew she was teaching heresy, idolatry, and immorality, but did nothing to stop her. B.) Jezebel was a self-proclaimed prophetess who taught false doctrine and seduced God's people to commit fornication and eat things offered to idols. ACTS 15:28-29. C.) Jezebel refers to Ahab's wife who worshiped Baal, killed God's prophets, vowed to kill Elijah, murdered God's people and incited her husband to do evil. D.) If Pergamos was the beginning of compromise. Thyatira represents full-scale compromise, adultery, idolatry and error. E.) Jezebel was given time to repent, but refused. She was thrown out of a window and eaten by dogs, leaving only her skull, hands and feet. 2 KGS. 9:32-37. * There comes a time when God will no longer tolerate blatant sin. God is merciful and righteous. God is patient, but will not be mocked. 2 PET. 3:9 5.) The Punishment. Involves three groups: A.) Jezebel. Cast into a bed of agonizing pain; coffin. B.) Those who commit adultery with her. Great tribulation means great suffering, intense affliction. This could mean sexually transmitted diseases such as Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and AIDS. C.) Her children means those who teach and practice the same. Death may refer to the second death of eternal separation. 6.) The Goal. REV. 2:23 A.) To purify, strengthen and help the church. This is what judgement and discipline accomplishes. 1 COR. 5:5-7. B.) To learn that only God is qualified to search the minds and hearts of people. C.) To know that God rewards every man according to his deeds. GAL. 6:7-9. 7.) The Faithful. REV. 2:24 A.) Those who have not fallen to the deep secrets of Satan. They didn't buy into the teaching that the spirit and body are separate entities. B.) Hold on to what you have. 1 THESS. 5:21-22; HEB. 3:14 Hold fast to the Word, the Gospel, to holiness, to good works, love, service and perseverance. 8.) The Rewards. REV. 2:26-28 A.) Power over the nations. This means the saints will reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom. PS. 2:8-9. B.) The Morning Star. REV. 22:16 This means Christ for eternity, or eternal victory. Conclusion: First, we learn about the seriousness of sin and how God reacts to it. Second, we learn that true Christianity holds fast to good works, love, service, faith and patience, and refuses to get involved with error and sin. Third, we learn that obedience is rewarded. Our God is a jealous God who will tolerate no rivals. We are to worship and serve Him alone.