Letter to Thyatira Rev 2:18-29

Seven Churches of Revelation: Thyatira

Church of Compromise: To the Church at Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) Background Background Smallest of the 7 cities... but received the longest message! Smallest of the 7 cities... but received the longest message! Because of its position in a valley, it was rich agriculturally, but lacked the necessary features to protect itself from invasion. It protected another rich region by being in the right of way for its invasion, so it was overrun a number of times. Because of its position in a valley, it was rich agriculturally, but lacked the necessary features to protect itself from invasion. It protected another rich region by being in the right of way for its invasion, so it was overrun a number of times. Had healthy commerce, which in turn produced a multitude of workers’ guilds; examples include linen workers, wool workers, dyers, leather workers, people who made outer garments, potters, bakers, and bronze smiths. Membership in a guild was compulsory if one wanted job security. Had healthy commerce, which in turn produced a multitude of workers’ guilds; examples include linen workers, wool workers, dyers, leather workers, people who made outer garments, potters, bakers, and bronze smiths. Membership in a guild was compulsory if one wanted job security. Emperor worship was not so much a factor here. Instead, guild members were expected to attend the guild festivals, to eat the food that had been offered to one of the gods, and participate in grossly immoral activities that would follow these feasts. Emperor worship was not so much a factor here. Instead, guild members were expected to attend the guild festivals, to eat the food that had been offered to one of the gods, and participate in grossly immoral activities that would follow these feasts.

Church of Compromise: To the Church at Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) Attributes of the Speaker Attributes of the Speaker The Son of God – only place where this title is used in Revelation; emphasizes Christ’s divine character The Son of God – only place where this title is used in Revelation; emphasizes Christ’s divine character Eyes like a flame of fire Eyes like a flame of fire Feet like burnished bronze Feet like burnished bronze Knowledge of the People Knowledge of the People Christ knows their works, “their love and faith and service and endurance” Christ knows their works, “their love and faith and service and endurance” First two are inner motives, last two the outer results; love motivates service, faith enables endurance. First two are inner motives, last two the outer results; love motivates service, faith enables endurance. In contrast to what happened at Ephesus, love and good works were on the increase here. In contrast to what happened at Ephesus, love and good works were on the increase here.

Church of Compromise: To the Church at Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) State of the Church State of the Church Danger was a false prophetess within the church, who (again in contrast to what happened at Ephesus) was being tolerated by the church. Danger was a false prophetess within the church, who (again in contrast to what happened at Ephesus) was being tolerated by the church. Jezebel – evil wife of King Ahab in the OT who was notorious for promoting idolatry and adultery in Israel. Jezebel – evil wife of King Ahab in the OT who was notorious for promoting idolatry and adultery in Israel. There evidently was a woman in Thyatira claiming to be a prophetess but doing the same kind of thing as the OT Jezebel, and the church was not dealing with it. There evidently was a woman in Thyatira claiming to be a prophetess but doing the same kind of thing as the OT Jezebel, and the church was not dealing with it. The errors that the woman was promoting were eating things sacrificed to idols and immorality, probably in connection with the trade guilds in the city. Gnosticism may also have been a factor. She had been given time to repent and had not. The errors that the woman was promoting were eating things sacrificed to idols and immorality, probably in connection with the trade guilds in the city. Gnosticism may also have been a factor. She had been given time to repent and had not. The Lord’s Coming: She and her children (i.e., those who follow her teaching) will be cast into great tribulation and killed with pestilence. Christ commends and exhorts those who have not been involved in these practices to hold fast until He comes. The Lord’s Coming: She and her children (i.e., those who follow her teaching) will be cast into great tribulation and killed with pestilence. Christ commends and exhorts those who have not been involved in these practices to hold fast until He comes.

Church of Compromise: To the Church at Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) Promise to the Overcomer: Twofold He will share with the Messiah in the victory over His enemies (Rev 19:15). Christ bestows this authority on His own, just as the Father bestowed it on Him. He will share with the Messiah in the victory over His enemies (Rev 19:15). Christ bestows this authority on His own, just as the Father bestowed it on Him. He will receive the morning star, i.e., shine like the stars in the messianic kingdom (cf. Dan 12:3; Matt 13:43), sharing Christ’s glory. He will receive the morning star, i.e., shine like the stars in the messianic kingdom (cf. Dan 12:3; Matt 13:43), sharing Christ’s glory. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church.

For Next Week: Letter to Sardis Read Rev 1:1 to 3:6