SESSION 4 THE POINT: STRONG IN PURITY IN ALL THINGS IMPACTS YOUR PURITY SERVICE FOR CHRIST. Leader pages on pp. 116-119

REVELATION 2:18-29

18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first...... 20 “But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works...... 24 “I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan”—as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you. 25 Only hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my MEMORY VERSE works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—27 and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery—28 just as I have received this from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. 29 Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”

KEYWORDS

Jezebel (v. 20) — The infamous that in order to fully understand wife of King Ahab of Israel (ruled the grace of God one needed to 874-853 BC) and daughter of experience the depths of sin. King Ethbaal, the king of Sidon Morning star (v. 28) — A reward (1 Kings 16:31), who brought promised to those who triumph Baal worship into Israel. and are faithful to the end. It sym- “The so-called secrets of bolizes God’s presence which Satan” (v. 24) — An ambiguous they will enjoy forever in heaven. phrase that may refer to the idea

YOU 31 Increase Your Love and Service and Love Increase Your Revelation// 2:18-19 wasThyatira a large not city in comparison with theother cities Jesus addressed in Revelation 2–3. It was poorly defended and often overrun, but what had Thyatira going it for was its variety merchantsof and manufacturing trades. It was probably best known its for purple cloth—the same sold purple (Acts cloth Lydia that 16:14). the church theLike city, have may in Thyatira been small, but it was an active church. Jesus addressed this church first by identifying Himself as “the Jesus Son God.” of stressed His Jesus deity. also described Himself as a warrior “whose a fiery are eyes like flame and whoseAs the Sonof feet fine are like bronze.” God, His are eyes able pierce to through any façade people that put up and the get right to heart what of is happening—and what that’s Jesus With “feet did in this letter. fine … like term the local bronze workers would bronze”—a identifiedhave with—He is to trampleable any foot. mighty His under sin

When sign the highway You understand this one instead if, You Do we reallyDo we need a printed warning telling use a hairus to not dryer in the shower? come of with a sigh Some warnings relief. a speedingof ticket, a police officeryou lets go with a warning. catch attention our Some warnings immediately. says, “Bridge or the doctor tells out ahead,” current your healthyou habits are leading heartto disease, certainly we change directions—or least at should. we Some fall in the category in Some fall obvious. of 32 YOU • • How seriously take such we warnings can also depend on who is giving us the warning. Certainly, when a warning comes from God Himself, should we definitely heed without delay! That was the experience the of church in Thyatira. They needed a course correction, and Jesus warned them what happen would if they change. to failed • Warnings come us inWarnings a variety to forms. of STRONGLY? HOW CAN WE EMBRACE PURITY WE EMBRACE CAN HOW PURITY

Strong In Purity + Revelation 2:18-29 THE POINT: Purity in all things impacts your service for christ.

Jesus commended the church in Thyatira for four specific things they were doing right—their “love, faithfulness, service, and endurance.” The church’s love wasn’t just the casual expression of love we often use to describe our love for certain foods. It was agape love, a selfless love that spoke highly of what these believers had for Christ and as a result was being lived out in their actions to those around them. Love was the motivation behind their service, just as their faithfulness was the motivation behind their endurance.

Jesus told them their current works, those things they were doing to expand the kingdom of God, were “greater than the first” things they did. In other words, their love and faithfulness DIGGING DEEPER were growing, and their service and endurance were JEZEBEL increasing! When we have that same kind of love for Christ Don’t miss the implications of the these believers had, others will see it through our service to person identified as Jezebel in Him in every aspect of our lives. We would be wise to learn Revelation 2:22-24. The name has from the way this early church loved and served others. They become identified and personified had great faith, and they kept on growing in that faith. Let’s with evil. The real Queen Jezebel: strive to grow in our faith and service as well. • Ruled over her husband WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN • 850 priests at her beck and call WORKS AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH? • Killed a man without leaving the palace or breaking a sweat Do Not Permit Immorality // Revelation 2:20-23 • Threatened God’s prophet Here was a church that was doing well in its love, faithfulness, • Had her husband and son killed service, and endurance. In fact, they were increasing in these • Died a violent death and dogs things, yet they still needed a “come to Jesus meeting,” literally! licked her blood Despite all their love and faithfulness to Christ, they were Read her story in 1 Kings 19:1, 2; tolerating immorality and idolatry in the church. 21:1-15; 2 Kings 9:7-10, 30-37. The key player behind these sins was a woman Jesus Jesus wanted the hearers to know identified by the name Jezebel. Jezebel was likely not her name just how evil these teachings were. but a reflection of her character. This woman was behaving Using the name Jezebel accurately like wicked Queen Jezebel in the Old Testament who actively depicted that. It was also a promoted the worship of Baal among God’s people (1 Kings warning in a warning. Anyone 16:31ff). Although the woman in Thyatira called herself a intentionally leading God’s people prophetess, she was not speaking for God. Giving unbelievers into immorality will suffer a Jezebel- and believers alike permission to engage in sexual immorality like demise. and idolatry. Unfortunately, the church at Thyatira stood silent How would you describe and allowed Jezebel’s message that one could serve God and Jezebel and the evil still do things that were contrary to His Word and purpose to she represented? be heard.

YOU 33 Jesus is Authority the over nations. given all authority the and over power Thankfully, everyone not had in Thyatira been deceived the teachings by Jezebel of or these faithful hercaptivated secrets. by evil To believers, Jesus them only gave one charge: until I come.” “Only have hold what you on to It wasn’t just a command orthe day that for next week. He continue them told holding to on until He earth. returns to in the church We need same adhere that today to to message. Stand strong, hold the truth on regardless to of popular opinion, and remain faithfuluntil the day Jesus calls our eternal us home to with Him. the deception avoid How do we a Jezebel? of theStick gospel! to must “keep our noses” We is truth,His it and Word we Word. by in God’s can discern what is true. not This means more than just casually reading Scripture; need we be diligentto ensure in our study are to we “correctly (2 teaching the truth” of word Tim. Satan is the and2:15). master his lies deceiver, can sound believable, but anything even that slightly is from not God. veers Word from God’s the church in Thyatira, Jesus promisedTo two thosethings who to the stay course, holding on the truth into Christ. • 34 YOU Cults and mystery religions flourished in the first century. A common was feature the promise afterthat a person was initiated, would they The wisdom.” “special or secrets” “deep gain wasirony Jezebel that claimed be God’s to prophetess and claimed bring to from a word God, but all she supplied was lies from hell. So, these “deeper those secrets” for special receiveenough to them were nothing more than “the so-called secrets Satan.” of Remain Faithful to the Gospel the to Faithful Remain Revelation// 2:24-29 When God’s judgment comes against such comes against judgment God’s When sins, it sends a clear message the other to churches. “Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, eachand according I will you of to your give to 23). (v. works” WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO GUARD THE CHURCH FROM IMMORALITY? Consequently, many churches could today be condemned the for same thing which for the church had Thyatira been at condemned. We are encouraged things of a lot that tolerate to go against the clear Word: teachings God’s of silence in theface injustice of (Is. 58:6a), inequalities in education (Is. 58:6b), family dissensions (Is. 58:7). They allow teachings when contradictthat it comes Word God’s to sexual immorality and idolatry. interesting It’s thethat Lord links sexual immorality with idolatry. Hedoes so because one ultimately and unfailingly leads the other. to In His grace, her Christ repent,” time to “gave His Therefore, so. do to refused she but judgment was coming it against would her—and be But severe. Jesus’ condemnation wasn’t just against the false prophetess. Hiscondemnation was also against those in the church Thyatira at who her had tolerated teachings.

Strong In Purity + Revelation 2:18-29 THE POINT: Purity in all things impacts your service for christ.

nations (Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:9-11), and He DID YOU KNOW? will share this rule with those who persevere “Jeremiad,” according to Dictionary.com, and overcome (Matt. 19:28 and 1 Cor. is a prolonged lamentation or mournful 6:2). complaint. Not noted is that it was derived from Jeremiah the prophet who was known • The morning star. We know from for warning the Israelites of God’s coming astronomy that Venus is the brightest object judgement with lengthy complaints and in the sky after the moon. The planet is often woes. As we end this week’s session on called the morning star because we can purity and the need to speak firmly and see it right before the sun rises, signaling directly to immorality, the jeremiad comes the new day ahead. But the true morning to mind. Would it be correct to say that star is Christ Himself (Rev. 22:16). He is the a prominent voice lifting up a jeremiad is morning star that appears the brightest just missing in places where people are dying before the dawn, when the night is darkest. because of hunger or lack? Take the next That means the greatest thing Christ few days and get familiar with the jeremiad promises to give us is Himself. term and people who have no food to eat HOW WOULD YOU SUMMARIZE JESUS’ and no place to stay in various places throughout the world. Then discuss the MESSAGE TO THE CHRISTIANS AT THYATIRA? following questions within your group: As dark as the world is today, we can remain How does Jesus’ warning of tolerance faithful to Christ and reflect the light of Christ to apply to hunger or lack? Do starving those around us. We must remain faithful to the people have a representative who can gospel of Christ and to sharing it faithfully with help them overcome their conditions? those who are walking in darkness. What can you do to help? HOW CAN OUR GROUP HELP ONE ANOTHER REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL?

LIVE IT How can we live out purity according to God’s will without losing sight of Jesus’ true mission? We must be cautioned by the warning of Jesus. Our service to God and others may be faithful and loving, but just like Thyatira our churches knowingly and unknowingly tolerate immorality. When we become aware of it we should avoid brow beating God’s people with Jesus’ warning. Remember that God is the Judge; you are the messenger. Live it out in this way:

• Commit. As you wake every day, even before you get out of bed, pray and ask the Lord to give you the strength to live for Him and by His standards as you go through the day. • Rebuke. Consistently offer rebuke for any type of immorality with the truth of God’s Word, not from your personal list of dos and don’ts. • Contrast. Make a list of things the world says are perfectly OK to do. Contrast those things with what the Bible says about them. Dig into the Scripture and find verses that address those things.

YOU 35 DAILY READINGS

1. IMPERFECTLY PURE // disappear. The atmosphere within our churches JAMES 2:23 would become filled to overflowing with the Spirit of This week’s session on purity may leave you feeling God. JYS! anxious. The point alone, “purity in all things impacts Take time today to repent of any ungodly your service for Christ,” might leave you asking, thoughts or actions toward God or others. “Can I be pure in all things?” Without God, it’s impossible. Abraham is a great example for us. His 4. PRACTICE MAKES life was not perfect. But Abraham believed God and PREDICTABLE // PROVE RBS 26 :15 righteousness was credited to him. We must do the same–believe God. Trust that the God who Himself Lady B, a dedicated servant of God, is a stickler is love (1 John 4:8) and righteousness (Psalm 11:7), for decency and order. She has a peculiar saying, will faithfully guide our daily living, and His purity will “Practice makes predictable.” You may offer a be credited to us. correction to Lady B and say, “Practice makes We will then be free to serve others and perfect.” To which she will clarify in response, “No. encourage failing brothers or sisters. every practice isn’t perfection, and if you keep practicing imperfectly you become predictably 2. WORK TRUST // TITUS 3:8 imperfect.” What Lady B is saying is a perfect segue to next week’s session. We must examine how we Now that we understand that purity belongs to God, live out our faith in Christ. Is it safe, routine, and let’s talk about how it fits in working for Him. The predictable? Are we like the lazy folks in Proverbs church at Thyatira was commended for increased 26:15 sticking our hands in the bountiful spiritual love, faith, service, and perseverance. If they had spread, but too lazy to feed our souls? read Titus 3:8, they would be pleased to know Let us humbly recognize our own that good works is a mark of believers. They (and imperfections so that what we do for the Lord we) must realize that those who trust in God will will not be impaired. be trusted to work for Him. Our good works glorify God and make Him real to others, when they are not 5. BUSY BATTING // shrouded in insincerity and evil deeds. REVELATION 3:1 If our love grows cold, we must determine to outlast its chill with the warmth of dedicated Is there a difference between complacency and faith, service, and lasting love. tradition? Some would say yes, but Jesus might think differently. Why might that be true? He points 3. JUDGE YO’ SELF (JYS)! // to the church at Sardis’s reputation for being alive JAMES 1:13-15 and calls them dead. Which means their activities projected viability and masked monotony. Some explanations just hit a little harder and more Could those things have been traditional holiday accurately with a little slang attached. This is one services, annual meetings, and the like? And could such message. How do we as believers keep those things have been good things to do, but not immorality out of our churches? Judge yo’ self! How ministry-driven? Complacency does not equate to do we not tolerate things that set themselves up stillness. It’s possible to be busy batting at the air. against the knowledge of God? Judge yo’ self! How Let us identify our ministry target and bat with can we remain faithful to the gospel when evil is the goal of connecting. so prevalent? Judge yo’ self! If all of God’s people would diligently examine and control the lust of their own hearts, immorality within the church would

36 YOU