Revelation 2:18-29

THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA

Revelation 2:18-29

 Rev 2:18  "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze: Rev 2:19  "I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. Rev 2:20  "But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead My servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.

Thyatira was a manufacturing town of cloth making, dyeing, leatherworking, bronze working, and pottery making. It was being chastised for the opposite of Pergamum. They were not trying to keep the Christian church going instead they were listening to Jezebel. She was teaching comprise with Apollo and the Roman Ruler of the time Revelations 2:14-15 This Christian church started with Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Philippi, was and she merchant from Thyatira (Act_16:14). God know they were good people in Thyatira and  he pointed that out.

 Rev 2:21  I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. Rev 2:22  "Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds.

Jezebel had been giving many chances to repent from here position on life. Now God was going to act on her satanic beliefs. The part that says "those that commit adultery with her" would be her followers. They, however, would be able to repent from Jezebels lifestyle and return to Christianity. I think that is important because we all sin it is wonderful that we can repent to the father and know that we have been forgiven.

 Rev 2:23  I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who  searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

I have another thought from the Life Application New Testament Commentary:"The phrase I will strike her children dead most likely refers to Jezebel’s followers, her spiritual “children,” those whom she had convinced to compromise with the pagan world. God wanted the church to deal with Jezebel. This judgment would be an example so that all the churches would know that God can see the thoughts and intentions of every person. No matter how a person appears on the outside, God alone knows what is going on in that person’s heart. No one can hide from Christ; he knows what is in every person’s heart and mind. Those who work against Christ will be found out and will receive whatever they deserve."

I know that I use the Life Application New Testament Commentary but it does a good job of explaining in Depth.

 Rev 2:24  "But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching ('deeper truths,' as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you Rev 2:25  except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. Rev 2:26  To all who are victorious, who obey Me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations.

All God wanted was to stop following or assisting Jezebel in any way. The last part where "authority over all nations" is more difficult. From the Life Application New Testament Commentary: " 2:26-27 Christ says that those who are victorious (over Jezebel, etc.) and who obey to the very end will rule over Christ’s enemies and reign with him as he judges evil. The promised authority over all the nations fulfills Psalm 2, a messianic psalm describing how God will hand the nations of the world over to Christ (Psa_2:8-9). Christ applies this psalm to the readers by showing that the future reign of the Messiah will be shared with those who remain faithful (see Rev_1:6; Rev_3:21; Rev_20:6; 1Co_6:2)."

Rev 2:27  They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. Rev 2:28  They will have the same authority I received from My Father, and I will also give them the morning star! Rev 2:29  "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.

God is telling you what the reward will be. We may not understand what it means to have the authority equal to that which the father gave Jesus, but should that matter. Whatever that is it will be spectacular and should be sought after.

Agape

Dave