And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass: I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first. But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth, and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. But to you I say, to rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden. Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. Revelation 2:18–29
Read More Than Conquerors, pp. 87–90.
A. THE ADDRESS, verse 18a
So far, in our visits to the seven churches we have been traveling in a generally northern direction: from Ephesus to Smyrna to Pergamum. We now make a turn to the right, circling in a south-eastern direction on the road that leads from Pergamum over Thyatira (thirty miles), and so to Sardis. This is the Thyatira whence came Lydia the seller of purple. It was the place where the trade-guilds or “unions” thrived.
B. CHRIST’S SELF-DESIGNATION, verse 18b
The description of the Son of God with his eyes like a name of fire and feet like burnished brass (see 1:14b, 15a) spells punishment and destruction, and this not only for the foe without (emperor-worshippers, brutal and hostile pagan populace, Christ-hating Jews, etc.), but also for the foe within: Jezebel and her followers (Rev. 2:20–23).
C. THE COMMENDATION OR PRAISE, verse 19
The members of the trade-guilds did not wage war against the creed, and were even known for their “good deeds.” They contributed liberally to all good causes. In fact, their generosity was even growing when this letter was written. Their “last works” were more than “the first.” So far so good!
D. THE CONDEMNATION, verse 20
There was in this church a self-styled “prophetess,” a Jezebel of a woman. She advised the church-members who were also union-members to go right ahead and participate in all the activities of the union; especially, to have a good time at every party to which they would be invited. If this meant dancing and drinking and embracing prostitutes, what of it? The only way to defeat Satan is to encounter rum and learn by experience his deep secrets (see verse 24). Moreover, as to eating food that had been sacrificed to idols, as long as they would bear in mind that an idol was not really anything at all, that, too, was perfectly all right.
Of course, this terrible teaching, and especially the fact that the church allowed it to remain unmolested, so that even “God’s servants” were being seduced by it, was the object of the sharp denunciation and wrath of the great Church Visitor, Christ.
E. THE WARNING AND THREAT, verses 21–24
If this Jezebel of a woman remains impenitent she will be stricken with sickness. Her natural children will die a violent death; her spiritual followers will suffer punishment also. Thus all the churches will know that Christ is the One who searches the reins and hearts. His penetrating eyes see the hidden motive of agreeing with this wicked woman, namely, unwillingness to suffer persecution for the cause of Christ.
Upon those who remain faithful Christ will impose no fresh burden. In their relation to the world they must abstain from and vigorously protest against all wickedness. They do not need to “go out of the world” (cf. I Cor. 5:10).
F. EXHORTATIONS AND PROMISES, verses 25–29
Exhortations “Hold fast till I come”; “He that hath an ear let him hear,” etc. Promises: authority over the nations, the morning star.
When the wicked will be broken to shivers on the great Day of Judgment the righteous will share in Christ’s dominion and glory (see Ps. 149:5–9; I Cor. 6:2, 3; Rev. 15;1–4). Let them therefore take heed to the words of Christ, and let them persevere in their loyalty to him over against the menace of the devil.
Questions
1. Which of these propositions, if either, is true, or are both true perhaps?
a. Real Christians abound in good works.
b. Every one who abounds in good works is a real Christian. Answer this question in the light of Revelation 2:19 and 20.
2. How can you warn others against worldly shows if you have not seen them yourself? See verse 24.
3. I what form is the church of Thyatira still with us? I mean this: to what particular, and very concrete, present-day problem does the message to this church apply?
4. What is your own solution of this problem?
5. Just what, would you say, was wrong with the prophetess “Jezebel”? Can you name similar women in later ages?
6. “I am he that searcheth the reins.” Does not such language imply a conception of the importance of certain bodily organs which is contrary to modern science and therefore erroneous? Does it not show that the Bible is, after all, not infallible?
7. “And I will give him the morning star.” Explain that please.