The Seven Churches

The city of Thyatira was situated inland, approximately forty-five miles southwest of Pergamum. It was a military outpost designed to serve as the first line of defense for Pergamum. Because of its lack of natural fortification, it could only stave off hostile forces temporarily until reinforcements arrived.  In the letter to the Church of Thyatira, Christ describes Himself as one who has eyes so piercing that they go to the core of a person´s soul.  His feet like brass were more then capable to execute chastisement. His eyes were as flames of fire that discern evil, for He cannot tolerate it. By this, he knew the works of the church and that the most recent works were greater then those done in the past.

Thyatira was noted for the trade guilds. Powerful among them was guilds of the purple dyers. The guilds were closely connected with the Asiatic religion of this place.  Pagan feasts were held with many present, and with far too many indulging in immoral practices.  Because of this, the guilds were in direct opposition with the Christians. The roots of apostasy grew deep in this city.

One of the many temples in this ancient city was dedicated to Sambethe. At this shrine was a prophetess, who some supposed to represent the Jezebel of Revelation 2:20. She uttered the sayings, which this deity would impart to the worshippers.

This city is first mentioned in connection with Paul´s missionary labors in Europe. His first convert on that continent was a woman of Thyatira, Lydia, a seller of purple, a commodity from which the city was famous (Acts 16:14).

Thyatira is the longest of all the letters. It marks the beginning of the second group of letters in which the moral history goes on to the second coming of Christ.  The title ‘The Son of God´ is only used here in the Revelation.

The name of this church is derived from two words. The first meaning is 'a sacrifice' (incense-offering), the other word means 'that which goes on continually´. Thus, we  interpret this as 'continual sacrifice'.  However, considering the compromising evils of this church, I fail to see these sacrifices as ones holy unto God. Thyatira seems to set forth the period, which was the result of the uniting of church and state, as we saw in the church of Pergamum. It was not until the 7th century, when the Bishop of Rome was recognized as Christ's vicegerent (holder of delegated authority), and visibly head of the church at Rome.  I might add, that there was no protestant church until the days of Luther. The six centuries preceding this, found the churches becoming more corrupt and slipping further away from the Word of God. One of the fundamental errors of this time period, and in which I might add, speaks of the meaning of the word Thyatira, was the sacrifice of the mass, in the Church of Rome.  In this practice, the priests offered a 'continual sacrifice' for the sins of the living and the dead.  This was certainly a root of apostasy that has found its way throughout the centuries. The Word clearly defines Christ's sacrifice for sin as being one act of atonement for all time.  To declare otherwise, is to bring shame to Him, to continually put Him back on the Cross-to die again.  The cross was the finished work.  It was the one, and all-sufficient offering for the sins of a sin-cursed world. The living need not a  'continual sacrifice' offering for sin, because our sins are under His precious blood ~the blood of Calvary. The dead need no sacrifice. Their destiny is sealed as they draw their last breath. (ref. Hebrews 9: 1-28;  10:1-25)

Chapter 2

Vs. 18:  "And unto the angel of the church of Thyatira write:  These things says the Son of God, who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass."

As you have noticed from the other three churches, the Lord presents Himself in each one of these letters, in a way that meets the special conditions in which the church is found.  In this church, He speaks solemnly as 'the Son of God'.  Here He is not just Jesus, He is the Son of the Most High God!  He is allowing them to see His position.  His eyes are like the flames of fire and His feet are comparable to fine brass. These things speak of His holiness and His righteousness.  He must judge ALL that is evil, and in this church there was much evil in the guise of apostasy. Yet, even with all the evil, He never overlooked the things in the church that could be commended.

Vs. 19:  "I know (appreciate) your works, and charity (love), and service, and faith, and your patience (persistence), and your works; and the last to be more than the first."

Here we see that this church has produced many good works. And unlike the church of Ephesus, who had grown weary and let down their guard, this church's works were greater than their beginning works.  But as we will see, this church, so much like Pergamum, were far too tolerant of False Teachers, but even worse was the fact that they allowed the symbolic Jezebel in their midst.

Vs. 20:  "Not withstanding I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess (the interpreter), to teach and to seduce (mislead) my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols."

Thyatira was well known for its magnificent Temple of Artemis, which was another name for Diana.  It is thought by some, that Jezebel may have been a prominent woman devoted to Diana.  She apparently had a gift of leadership, and had a following of influential people in the city.  It may even be said, that she attached herself to the Church, rather militantly insisting that she had the right to teach and practice licentious indulgence. She even claimed that her teaching was 'inspired'.

Now, let's take a closer look and see why this woman was referred to as Jezebel.

During King Ahab's time, his wicked wife (Jezebel) introduced the abominations of astarte worship into Israel. (1 Kings 16:31).  Jezebel undertook the task of uniting in one the religion of Israel and the religion of Phoenicia.  This is called (by most) Romanism.  And Romanism is a mixture of Heathenism, Christianity, and Judaism. And God abhors this vile combination.  

This woman was so much like Ahab's Jezebel, and she was introducing the same vile practices into the Christian Church.  Not all of the Thyatira pastors held to her teachings, but many of them become liberal in their thinking. Some even thought that she might even be able to win over the entire city to the Name of Christ. Sadly, many of that day accepted her as a fellow pastor. My, doesn't this just reek of some of today's compromising churches???

Compromise is good when solving a dispute, but in the hands of godless teachers, it is a tool straight from Satan's lying lips!  The Lord was not pleased with this intermixing of beliefs. And so, you see why He reminded them that He was and is the Son of God, and that a penalty would be paid for such compromise as this!

Vs. 21:   "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not."

This church had 1,000 years to repent. They had the testimony of Martin Luther, John Knox, Wickliffe, Calvin and many other mighty men of God.  But she did not repent even then. This church's apostasy will not end until the last days of the Tribulation.

Vs. 22-23:  "Behold, I will cast her (the apostate church) into a bed, and them that commit (promote pagan religious ideas) adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent (turn away from) their deeds. " And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches will know  (realize) that I AM He which searches (judges) the reins and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."

These are strong and fear producing words.  But, Judgment always comes, have no doubt about it.  Be sure, that our sins are never hidden from the all-seeing eyes of God Jehovah. The Lord does not just suggest that this church will be harshly judged, He proclaims the certainty of it. Those who have been partakers of these abominable acts; iniquity, idolatry and unfaithfulness, will be part of the Great Tribulation (the literal 7 year time of devastation that will come upon the earth in the future). God hates sin, but He is a compassionate, loving and patient God. But, when His love is repeatedly spurned, when He is mocked, denied, and rejected of men, and love sin more than they love Him, then His holiness demands punishment.  Impending judgment awaits them and all who live unrighteous, sinful lives without Him.

Thyatira (like some carnal Christians) was so highly praised for her good works at the beginning of this Chapter, and now we witness the judgment that will befall this church.  They compromised their faith by holding hands with the world of apostasy. The Word says, Come ye out, and be separate from the world (worldly things, worldly ideas that lead to apostasy). By allowing a godless woman who was steeped in liberal idealism and works of the flesh, to preach in their pulpits, this church found its demise. All their countless hours of serving Him, and storing up rewards in Heaven by their good works in His name, will be gone. What a loss! (2 John 8). This church is a counterpart of today´s religion, a religion hundreds of years in the past that now call themselves New Age.

Sadly, too many churches today have abandoned the real Truth; have compromised their beliefs and the real doctrines of Jesus, for a comfort-fit theology that reeks of hell.  All I can say to those preachers who trample underfoot the Truth of His Word, and teach apostasy to unsuspecting believers and sinners, is Judgment is coming!

Vs. 24 - 25:   "But unto you, I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not have not known (experienced) the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put upon on you no other burden. "But that which you have already, hold fast until I come."

This is the third mention of Satan in the seven churches. If you recall, in the church of Smyrna, Satan cast the Christians into prison (2:9-10). In the church of Pergamos, we saw Satan's throne, as he persecuted the Christians and corrupted them with false teachings (2:13-14).   Here in Thyatira, Jezebel's teachings were classed as 'the deep things of Satan' (2:24).  We will also see him in the church at Philadelphia (3:9).

The only thing good about the church of Thyatira was the remnant of believers who stood faithful in spite of the church's sinful condition. Their rewards await them. Jesus tells them to hold tight to what they have, meaning their faithfulness, their undying love for Him, and to the doctrines and beliefs the Spirit has instilled in them. In other words, to be faithful until death, and you will rejoice at His coming.

Vs 26-29:  "And he that overcomes, and keeps (maintains) my works to the end, to him will I give power of the nations."

This is a promise to the faithful believers and one of the many rewards He has for us upon His return to Earth. (Rev 20:4) These will be rulers over the nations during the Millennial Reign.   This reward that He has promised those faithful ones, is eternal!

Vs 27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father."

This reward for overcoming is the sharing of this glorious period in time, when perfect righteousness is the rule of the day, when as a result of Christ's personal enforcement of law and order, we will reign in peace and love. (Psalms 2:8-9).

Vs. 28-29   "And I will give him the morning star.  He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches"

He is the bright Morning Star (Numbers 24:17) (Rev. 22:16), and for those who overcome, He will be their shining star throughout eternity. We will abide always in His glorious presence.  In His Light, we will glory in Him, the Morning Star, in whom there is no darkness, only the pure white light of His Love.

My prayer is that we all remain faithful, as we walk in this sinful world that cries out for us to join their sins and abominations, their false teachings and misconstrued doctrines.  There is only one way we can conquer the world, the flesh and the devil in these trying times.  And that is through the Holy Spirit, and the spiritual armor that Jesus has so generously provided for His own. Let us never be guilty of having eyes that are blinded to the Truth, and ears that are dull of hearing. And may we ever listen to what the Spirit has to say to the churches.

Tara Hart © 2005 all rights reserved by the author.