02 Revelation 18-29

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Thyatira is the name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar or “white castle” − Thyatira was founded as a military outpost by Saleucus I Nicator in 209 BC − It was a strategic military town due to it’s geographical position − It was on the road that connected three major cities – Smyrna, Pergamum and Sardis − It was considered the gateway to the capital city Pergamum − The city was known as Pelopia, but was named Thyatira Seleucus after hearing news of his daughter’s birth - Thyatira means daughter − Thyatira was a center of the indigo trade and was famous for the manufacture of purple dye − Lydia, a new convert mentioned in Acts 16:14-15, was a seller of purple from Thyatira − Although it wasn’t as big as Ephesus, Smyrna or Pergamum - it was known for having more guilds (trade unions) than any other contemporary city in the Roman province of Asia. − It was believed that the trades provided an auxiliary function for the military − Inscriptions mention wool workers, makes of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave dealers and bronze smiths − SUMMARIZE: Thyatira was hub for the fashion industry of the ancient world

The Spiritual Condition of Thyatira was dark − Thyatira was regarded as a holy city − Apollo, the “sun god” was the chief deity − No emperor worship occurred in Thyatira because Apollo was the true son of Zeus, not the emperor who claimed to be a son of Zeus − The Nicolaitans were highly influential with their idolatry and licentiousness under a “prophetess” who defied the church − There were also temples for the worship of Artemis (goddess of the hunt, wilderness and fertility) and to Sambathe (one of the Sybils, a local prophetess / oracle) or the individual gods / goddesses of the guilds

There is no mention of any evangelistic effort in Thyatira − We don’t really know how the church of Thyatira was established − Lydia’s role as a seller of purple indicates that she was a distributor and

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well known in the fashion industry representative − It is possible that Lydia was instrumental in starting the church there

The large numbers of guilds present in Thyatira is significant − The guilds were centers for social, commercial and civic life − Every part of life was influenced by the guilds − There were very few workers and business owners who did not belong to a guild − The city was divided into sections and each guild controlled each section − The guilds were the center of religious life − Each guild had it’s own patron god or goddess − The feasts, religious in nature, were sponsored by the guilds and were the heart of social and commercial life in the city − To refuse to participate meant a loss of goodwill and business – it was hard to find a job if you didn’t participate in the social functions of the guild. − The pressure on Christians to participate in the idolatrous life of the people was linked to the guilds − Christians who refused to honor pagan gods, eat meat sacrificed to an idol and engage in sexual immorality jeopardized their ability to make a living. − Christians were regarded as outcasts of society

Imagine the set up − It was a center for the fashion industry − Social and business life centered around the party life of the city − The spiritual leadership - a prophetess named Sambathe - encouraged immorality − It was like living in Las Vegas, New York, Paris, Rome or London – and if you weren’t part of the party scene, then you weren’t included in the business deals − The Christians allowed the immorality of the culture to influence them − Jesus begins by introducing Himself…

Revelation 2:18 (NKJV) The Corrupt Church 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

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− This is the only letter where Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God − One reason can be seen in the text itself − Jesus quotes from Psalm 2 - a Messianic Psalm − In Revelation 2:27 Jesus quotes Psalm 2:8, 9

Psalm 2:7 says… Psalm 2:7 (NKJV) 7 “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

− This view holds that Jesus addressed Jews who rejected His divinity − Another reason can be seen from history − Thyatira was worship center for the “sun god” Apollo – son of Zeus − Jesus introduces Himself as the Son of God making the statement that only Jesus, not Apollo, is the true Son of God

Jesus also describes Himself as having eyes like a flame of fire

− An allusion to Daniel 10:6 Daniel 10:6 (NKJV) 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

− Eyes Like A Flame of Fire portray the penetrating insight of Jesus Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV) 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

− Jesus sees everything – nothing escapes His eyes, not because He is omniscient, but because He is present − He knows because He sees and He sees because He’s there Jesus describes Himself as having feet like fine brass − Fine brass represents judgment for sin

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− The altar of sacrifice in the temple was made of brass and was referred to as the brazen altar − The word “fine brass” is only found here and it suggests that the metal was bright and shiny − It reflected light – speaking of the glory of Jesus − Jesus is the righteous judge who has judged sin once and for all at the cross

I think it’s important to note that Jesus doesn’t judge from a far – but He is present in all His glory. − When He judges He is not looking at our sinfulness, but He is looking for the reflection of His glory − The problem with most Christians is that they judge from afar… they are unwilling to engage in relationship and thus their judgment and condemnation is impersonal and based on gossip and hearsay − It’s one thing to judge someone based on a rule − It’s another thing to judge someone based on personal knowledge of who they are, what they’ve been through and where they need Jesus − That is the difference with Jesus… when He speaks, He speaks from a place of relationship

After Jesus introduces Himself, He addresses three kinds of works 1. The works of Thyatira 2. The works of Jezebel 3. The works of Jesus

1. The works of Thyatira: Jesus knows their works Revelation 2:19 (NKJV) 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

− Works: they were involved in sacrificial ministry for the sake of others − Love: they demonstrated God’s agape love to others − Service: they were known for their ability to render assistance to others, often of a humble or menial nature… they were great servants − Faith: they had complete and total reliance on God − Patience: they had the capacity to endure difficult circumstances − The Last are more than the first – their works were increasing, not decreasing

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− But despite all that they were doing right, something was wrong

2. The works of Jezebel Revelation 2:20–22 (NKJV) 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

Jesus mentions a woman called Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess − Scholars believe that the use of the name Jezebel is symbolic − History tells us of a Persian Sibyl by the name of Sambathe that was reported to be a descendent of Noah − Sibyl’s (Latin for prophetess) were believed to have supernatural power to foretell the future − This Sybil was said to have foretold the exploits of Alexander the Great − They would work themselves into a frenzy and utter prophesies under a demonic influence − Only 10 Sybil’s are historically recorded – the one in Thyatira was referred to as a Hebrew or Persian Sybil… which made her palatable to Jews and made her influence so damaging

Why did Jesus refer to this Sybil as Jezebel? − Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab − This was the first recorded mixed marriage between a King of Israel and a heathen princess and signified and unholy alliance − This alliance was a turning point in the moral history of the kingdom − She influenced Israel to compromise and fornicate by worshipping Baal and the sun god on a magnificent scale. − Jezebel urged King Ahab to worship the fertility goddess Asherah and to construct a temple and a sacred Asherah pole. − The feasts that accompanied the worship of these false gods were often accompanied by sexual orgies − It is believed that Jezebel ministered as a priestess, participated in immoral acts and employed 450 priests − She sought to exterminate the prophets of Jehovah − Like Jezebel, the Sybil in Thyatira was promoting participation in the

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idolatrous aspects of the guilds as permissible − Don’t be left out, it’s good for business, it’s how business is done here − She seduced and taught Christians that is was okay to commit sexual immorality and eat foods sacrificed to idols

The word seduce refers to a fundamental departure from the truth − What is sensual knowledge… sensual does not mean sexual − Plato referred to a vacillation of the soul which comes about as a result of man being drawn into what is changing through the senses − Sensual is knowledge gained through the senses − Touch, Taste, Feel, Hear, Smell… it is knowledge that is gained through human experience − In other words, it is knowledge or truth that makes us feel good − THE PROBLEM: This knowledge is devoid of faith, truth or reason and changes with the latest sensation

There is a old doctrine making a new come back called Universalism − Universalism is the philosophy that all humans will eventually be saved and eventually come to harmony in God’s Kingdom – either in this life or the life to come. − Universalists will tell you that this view was widely held among theologians in Early Christianity − However, early church father’s such as Origen and Clement of Alexandria opposed Universalism − The most popular communicator of universalism today is Rob Bell − In Rob Bell’s book – Love Wins – He argues… would a loving God send people to eternal torment forever? − He says… because God is merciful, those who don’t believe in Christ will find their way to him in the end. All are saved except those who outright reject God’s love − What Rob Bell doesn’t say is that Love is not the determining factor for salvation – being Born Again is. − John 3: Jesus told Nicodemus – you must be born again − Ephesians 2: Paul tells us that this happens by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ − Universalism makes love the issue and the fundamental departure from truth comes from a sentimental view of God as love − God is love, therefore God is not mean and it’s mean to condemn people to hell, therefore God can’t condemn people to hell because that

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is not love. Therefore in the end, everyone is saved and God wins. − TRUTH: Hell is a real place. God doesn’t condemn anyone to hell. People choose hell by rejecting God, by refusing to be Born Again. − Rob Bell’s view is consistent with universalism, although he denies this − When God is reduced to a philosophical concept that is devoid of personal relationship. When God becomes depersonalized to a conceptual level, then God is no longer THE TRUTH, but A TRUTH that can be debated and ignored.

What are the works of Jezebel? − She taught and seduced Jesus’ servants to commit sexual immorality − She taught to eat things sacrificed to idols o You could not work in Thyatira without being confronted with the pressure to participate in these two business practices − She was unrepentant… she believed her actions were right

Why was this a problem for Jesus? We’re not under the law, why not have a little fun? It doesn’t bother me, why should it bother you? − Sexual immorality destroys people from the inside out − 37% of American males and 29% females have committed adultery − Infidelity is the number 2 cause of divorce and since 1990 the divorce rate is up 700% − 1/3 of all children born in the U.S. are born to unwed mothers − 80% of these women will end up in poverty or dependent on welfare − Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended and 40% of these pregnancies are terminated by abortion − 18% of abortions occur with teens between the ages of 15-17 − 24% of women who had abortions reported sexual abuse − In 1967 Time magazine declared that the Sexual Revolution was upon us and we are experiencing the destructive results in our culture today

Paul writes to the Corinthians… 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NKJV) 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

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− Sexual immorality is self destructive − Jezebel was leading the people of God into self destructive behaviors

It’s easy to understand immorality, but what’s wrong with the beef? − When Gentile converts began joining Jewish believers, they would buy meat at the market that was sacrificed to idols − This was offensive to the Jewish believers who believed that by eating the meat they were endorsing idolatry − This became a point of contention that led to division − The Jerusalem Council settled the matter by urging Gentile converts to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols – not as a matter of legalism, but to keep peace − My right to exercise my personal freedoms is over ruled by love for others… I don’t want to do anything that will cause a division − Jezebel was leading the people of God to devalue one another in the interest of personal freedom which caused divisions and contentions

The Church at Thyatira tolerated evil and it destroyed them − Here is the reality – no amount of loving and sacrificial works can compensate for the tolerance of evil − Unfortunately there are consequences for tolerating evil

Revelation 2:22–23 (NKJV) 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

− I will cast her into a sickbed – the word for sickbed implies suffering… not only is Jezebel spiritually sick, but it causes her needless suffering − I will kill her children with death – they will remain under the judgment of the law – not under grace – the wages of sin is death − The churches will know that I am He that searches the mind and hearts – Jesus will act based on intimate knowledge, not on hearsay… He will be present and act personally and everyone will know that He is right − He will give to each one according to your works – the consequences of living under the law

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o To those who are under grace – Jesus gives to each one according to His work o To those who are under the law – Jesus gives to each one according to the law − If someone is dominated by sin, they are still under the law – they are not under grace − If they claim to be under grace and because of grace they have the freedom to sin – they are still dominated by sin and under the law – not grace − According to Jesus – they are in the same sickbed as Jezebel − What is the solution – Jesus says… repent of their deeds – does this mean stop doing bad things? NO. − “Deeds” speak of works. Repent means to change your mind. Jesus is saying – come out from under the law and come to grace. − Stop thinking that you’re okay. God doesn’t mind. He understands what you have to do. It’s how business is done. I still believe in Him so what’s the big deal. − The big deal is one of faith – faith is not a general tip of the hat… I believe in God. Faith is a moment by moment dependence and trust on God for everything in life – including finances, relationships and careers.

3. The works of Jesus Revelation 2:24–26 (NKJV) 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

− Scholars say that the depths of Satan is a reference to a Gnostic Sect of the Ophites − They believed that the fall of man was not a transgression, but the will of God and an emancipation from the authority of evil − They saw the serpent not as their destroyer, but their benefactor leading them to higher wisdom − The Law of God is replaced with the pleasure principle… God wants me experience pleasures evermore!!! − PROBLEM: this lifestyle led them back into bondage under the law through immoral and unethical living.

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− Satan is the great deceiver, he wants to keep you under the law − Jesus says I will put no other burden on you – what burden? The burden of the law − Jesus says hold on to what you have – what do YOU have? YOU have relationship with God by grace through faith − Jesus says overcome and keep My works – what is Jesus’ work? The finished work of the cross… salvation, deliverance, freedom, forgiveness… Jesus said it is finished. − THE PROMISE: If we don’t give in to the pressure of the culture, cling to our relationship with Jesus that is based on His grace, sustained by His power – then we will have power over the nations – we will have power over the culture.

Revelation 2:27–29 (NKJV) 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received 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 this letter by promising to give the morning star. What does this mean? Peter tells us this… 2 Peter 1:17–19 (NKJV) The Trustworthy Prophetic Word 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

− The Morning Star refers to Jesus Himself − He is the confirmation and the fulfillment of every word of prophecy − He is the guarantee that His Word will be fulfilled