Revelation 2:18-29 | The Corrupted Church

Revelation 2:18-29
The Corrupted Church

I. v. 18a Historical background to the church and city

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:”

1. City
   1. Map of trade routes
      
      
      
      
   2. The city is the smallest of those addressed in Revelation.
      
      “Thyatira has been described as ‘the least known, least important and least remarkable’ of the seven cities addressed in Revelation. The city was located in the region of Lydia in western Asia Minor, about thirty-five miles inland from the Aegean Sea. Situated at the intersection of several trade routes, Thyatira was home to a large number of trade guilds that functioned as social and religious clubs or organizations. The wool and textile industries were particularly strong in Thyatira, as was also the production of purple dye. The book of Acts describes Paul’s encounter in Philippi with Lydia, a native of Thyatira, who was a seller of purple cloth (16:14–15).”^[1]
      
2. Chief source of income
   1. Bronze, silver, and pottery were also well-known commodities.
   2. The city had no notable achievements other than being a city known for producing purple dye for clothing.
      1. The minerals in the water made for red clothing unlike any other.
      2. Lydia was a seller of purple.
   3. The pagan culture of Thyatira was not dominated by emperor worship, but each trade guild had its own god, and members of the guild were pressured into participation in the pagan feasts and immoral practices of guild members.
   4. Christians would face a problem of job security and acceptability if they refused to participate.
3. Work guilds were very prominent
   
   “As a communications center, the city had become a commercial city with multiplied trade guilds outnumbering those in every other city. Guilds for wool workers, linen workers, manufacturers of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave dealers, and bronze smiths were known. Membership in a guild was compulsory if one wanted to hold a position. Dyeing and manufacturing of woolen goods appears to have been a foremost industry of the city.”^[2]
   
   1. Alexander founded this as a city military, and they worshiped the patron god called the son of god.
   2. In John’s day, the god of the guilds was Apollo.
      
      “Guilds had a patron god; the local god of Thyatira, a representation of Apollo, probably served that purpose. The feasts of the guilds were held in a temple and were viewed as religious occasions; the meat was offered to the god, so that participators shared it with him, and the occasions not infrequently ended in debauchery.”^[3]
      
      “These guilds, and the difficulties the Thyatiran Christians had in them, are perhaps the problem mentioned in the letter to the church. The guild was an officially constituted body with legal powers, and with the right of owning property, legislating, or initiating public works programs. The ancient businessman derived many advantages, both social and economic, from his membership in the guild. Such societies served a useful and sometimes humane function in antiquity, but their gatherings were connected with idolatrous worship and often led into immoral conduct.”^[4]
      
4. Church
   1. According to Acts 16, Lydia was from Thyatira.  She was a seller of purple.
   2. Though Lydia was converted in the city of Philippi in Macedonia, some speculate it was through her testimony that the church was begun in the city of Thyatira. 

II. v. 18 How Jesus reveals Himself

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:”

1. Son of God
   1. This title of Jesus was not used in the opening chapter of Revelation 1.
   2. This was a title that spoke of great authority.
   3. Some have speculated that the introduction of Himself as the Son of God was challenging Apollo, the son of Zeus.
   4. “Christ’s description of himself as the speaker to this church is that he is the Son of God. This sets him against Apollo and the emperor, who were said to be sons of the chief god, Zeus.”^[5]
   5. Jesus was declaring that He is the true Son of God and allegiance was due Him.
2. Eyes like flame of fire
   1. The description is found in Revelation 1:14 and in Revelation 19:12 as the warring King of heaven returned to judge the earth.
   2. Jesus is revealed as a Judge who can look through all the spiritual compromise and see them as they really were.
   3. As we will see, this church had many commendable attributes, yet some in their midst were worthy of death.
   4. God’s eyes cut through the religious façades and see us and our hearts as they really are.
3. Feet like brass
   1. This was one of the principal commodities of Thyatira.
   2. Once again, we see the Lord revealing Himself as one who is coming in judgment.
   3. Brass, as noted before, is representative of the judgment of God.
   4. Beware of the lies that say Jesus would never deal in judgment.

III.  v. 19 Commendation to the church

¹⁹ “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”

1. Who is being commended?
   1. The commendation is directed towards that remnant element of the Church that was in the midst of a corrupt gathering.
   2. I believe that you have one church, but two different groups attending the same location.
2. A loving church
   1. The Lord commends them for their love.
   2. This love would be towards God and others.
      1. Our love for the Lord is seen in our obedience to Him.
      2. Our love for each other is seen in our selfless decisions to put others first.
   3. John made it quite clear in His epistle that a love for God will manifest itself in a love for the brethren.
      
      1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
      
      
   4. We live in such a selfish society. We must constantly reject the spirit of the day that says “Care for self and look out for self.”
   5. We should let generosity mark out conduct.
3. A serving church
   1. This was a church that was noted for its many good works.
   2. We will return to this point in just a minute.
4. A faith-filled church
   1. Despite the rebuke that many at the church of Thyatira were about to receive, there was a faithful element. It could have been the majority or the minority.
   2. They had remained true to the belief in Jesus Christ and had not compromised their commitment to Him.
5. A patient church
   1. In the difficulties and hardships that life had brought their way.
   2. They hadn’t yielded to the pressures that many do when faced with trials.
6. A church that was increasing in good works
   1. This church was not only commended for their service, but also for their ever-increasing good works.
   2. Too often we see those who once used to be very busy for the Kingdom of God but now have become nearly invisible.
   3. Are you increasing in good works, or are you becoming increasingly further away from a life filled with service?
      
      1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
      
      
   4. The Lord wants His people to serve and give themselves away.
      
      Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
      
      
   5. What has caused you to shrink back from growing in your good works?
      1. Hurt.
      2. Busyness.
      3. Priorities other than the Kingdom of God.
      4. Afraid of the cost.

IV. vv. 20-21 Jesus corrects His Church.

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.

1. False Prophetess
   1. The woman who was teaching this doctrine of tolerance was given the name Jezebel.
      1. This reminds us of the wicked wife of Ahab.
      2. She encouraged and protected Baal worship.
      3. This is meant as a sarcastic insult that would awaken the dull of hearing to the seriousness of this woman’s destruction.
   2. They allowed a dangerous doctrine of compromise in their midst.
   3. Jesus desires for His Church to walk in doctrinal purity.
   4. The sin of Thyatira was worse than in Pergamos, although similar.
      1. “Apheis (‘you tolerate’) is quite revealing. It shows that the dangers to this church were not external but internal, not a pagan deity but a false prophetess (Charles). Their guilt was greater than that of their neighbors in Pergamum because apheis implies a tolerance of evil that is not suggested by the ἔχεις (echeis, ‘you have’) of 2:14. Even more conspicuous is the disparity between their attitude toward the Nicolaitans and that in Ephesus. The Ephesians hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, yet the Thyatirans not only had the problem among them, but also permitted it to remain (Swete).”^[6]
         
   5. Jezebel probably argued that the idols were real and our bodies are not what matters to God.
      1. “Since an idol has no real existence (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4), you need not hesitate to go along with the simple requirements of the trade guild and participate in a common meal dedicated to some idol (Mounce).”^[7]
2. Sexual immorality
   1. Excuses are always plentiful for people who indulge their flesh.
   2. Sexual sin is a favorite tool of our enemy, and we must be vigilant against compromise.
   3. If you are engaged in sexual sin, the Lord is calling you to purity today.
   4. He is asking you to make the necessary decisions to walk uprightly.
3. Idolatry
   1. Pagan worship often included sex as part of the worship and eating the meat that had been offered to the idols. They believed the demons entered the meat and then them as they ate.
      
      “The draw to the guilds and their meetings was powerful. ‘No merchant or trader could hope to prosper or make money unless he was a member of his trade guild.’ (Barclay) Nonetheless, Christians were expected to stand in the face of this kind of pressure.  One ancient Christian named Tertullian wrote about Christians who made their living in trades connected to pagan idolatry.  A painter might find work in pagan temples or a sculptor might be hired to make a statue of a pagan god.  They would justify this by saying, ‘This is my living, and I must live.’ Tertullian replied Vivere ergo habes? ‘Must you live?’”^[8]
      
4. Unrepentant
   1. When the Lord speaks to our hearts and brings conviction, we must be quick to respond and yield to His will and desire for our lives
   2. Notice how the Lord gave the church space to repent.
   3. Do not misunderstand a lack of consequences as approval or indifference to your choices.
5. A lesson is learned about a loving church and sin.
   1. Even though there were commendable qualities among the overcomers at the church, those who were disciples of Jezebel were given a scathing rebuke.
      1. This church had love, but it had allowed false teaching to remain in their midst, whereas Ephesus lacked love but did not tolerate false teaching.
      2. God’s love does not mean we tolerate sin.
      3. In the name of “love,” many sinful practices are allowed in today’s churches.
      4. Neither of these positions is commendable nor acceptable.
   2. Those who are like Ephesus could become more concerned with doctrine than with people.
   3. Yet, to be so concerned with love that you are willing to accept false teaching is not commendable either.
   4. The balance in all of this is that true love will not allow another person to be led astray out of fear of offending him.

V. vv. 22-23 Jesus Warns His Church

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.

1. The disobedient will be thrown into great tribulation.
   1. Whether this is a reference to the specific great tribulation highlighted in the coming chapters or just a reference to tribulation is disputed.
      1. I lean to the understanding that this is a specific reference to the tribulation that is coming upon the whole world.
      2. Contextually, it fits with the larger theme of Revelation.
      3. In addition, it connects to the promise at the end of this message that those who overcome will be given a place of ruling in the millennial Kingdom.
   2. There will certainly exist a church that is spiritually troubled like Thyatira at the rapture, who will not go but find themselves in the great tribulation.
   3. It is also true that those who bring this kind of trouble can find themselves with God standing against them, ready to bring terrible calamities upon them apart from the great tribulation.
2. Her children will be killed.
   1. Those who have become followers and the most ardent of her followers.
      
      “The second group could be church members who have been drawn into her syncretistic teaching but have not yet become full followers, while the third group has completely joined Jezebel in her unwillingness to repent.”^[9]
      
3. Each one will receive from God
   1. To some there will be rewards, and to others it will be judgment.
   2. While we are not saved by works, it is an unbiblical conclusion to think that God is not aware of our works.

VI. vv. 24-29 Promise to the church

1. vv. 24-25 No other burdens.
   
   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.
   
   1. Those who have not received the doctrine of Jezebel, the Bathos.
      1. Bathos means “deep,” but in religious circles it came to be known as secret spiritual knowledge. The Gnostics boasted of possessing this deep, secret knowledge.
      2. The false teaching had some secret, mysterious teaching that was rejected by the faithful remnant.
         
         “Moreover, they have never ‘learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,’ probably meaning they have not accepted or believed the teachings. Calling these teachings ‘deep secrets’ has an ironic, sarcastic air; the cult’s claim to know ‘the deep things of God’ is shown to be in reality ‘the deep things of Satan.’”^[10]
         
   2. The Lord promises them that they will not have to bear any further burden.
      1. The Lord knows what we can handle and rewards faithfulness to Him.
      2. It does not mean we won’t face difficulty, but it does mean God is active in withholding hard times for those who stand strong and faithful to the Lord.
   3. v. 25 Exhortation to hold fast so that the promises might be received.
      
      ²⁵ But hold fast what you have till I come.
      
      1. Although they had done well, the exhortation comes to keep pressing on.
2. vv. 26-27 Authority in the coming Kingdom
   
   ²⁶ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 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
   
   1. Believers will hold a position of authority when the Lord returns to earth as His Second Coming.
   2. The blessings are so deep and rich for those who follow the Lord.
   3. Don’t allow the passing pleasure of sin to cloud your vision.
3. vv. 28-29 Give the morning star
   
   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.
   
   1. Being given the morning star may speak of the close, abiding fellowship that overcomers will have with Jesus.
   2. Or it may refer to a similar promise found in Matt 13:43 that those who live righteously will shine brightly in the Kingdom.
      
      Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
      
      1. In this case, it is the idea of receiving a position of honor.

VII. Conclusion

1. Just because I am being blessed, active in my church’s ministry, properly motivated, and committed to the message of God’s Word in my life does not mean that everything is okay or that God is pleased with everything I say and do.
2. Let us not be deceived into thinking that I can live in immorality and still have the hope of immortality.
3. Jesus gives strong words to repent of these things.

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^[1] Mitchell Reddish, Revelation, ed. R. Alan Culpepper, Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary (Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Incorporated, 2001), 63.

^[2] Robert Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1992), 207.

^[3] George Beasley-Murray, “Revelation,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1430.

^[4] Paul Wallace, “Journey by Lamplight a Visit to the Seven Churches of Asia — Part 3,” Bible and Spade 5, no. 3 (1976): 67.

^[5] Bruce Barton, Revelation, ed. Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2000), 32.

^[6] Robert Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary, 213.

^[7] Ibid., 216.

^[8] David Guzik, “Revelation 2 – The Letters to the Churches of Smyrna and Pergamum,” Enduring Word, enduringword.com.

^[9] Grant Osborne, Revelation: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 64.

^[10] Ibid., 65.