1. S EVEN C HURCHES OF A SIA C HURCH AT T HYATIRA : T HE C HURCH T HAT T OLERATED J EZEBEL

3. T HE T EXT “ 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: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.” R EVELATION 2:18,19

4. T HE T EXT “ 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. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.” R EVELATION 2:20,21

5. T HE T EXT “ Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 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.” R EVELATION 2:22,23

6. T HE T EXT “ 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. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- ” R EVELATION 2:24-26

7. T HE T EXT “ 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; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ” R EVELATION 2:27-29

8. Thyatira Thyatira was situated in a fertile valley through which trade routes passed. Although damaged by an earthquake during the reign of Augustus, Thyatira was rebuilt with Roman help Thyatira (modern Akhisar) has population of ~ 74,000 (courtesy of www.holylandphotos.org)www.holylandphotos.org

10. Thyatira “ Thyatira (modern Akhisar) was a city in the province of Asia, on the boundary of Lydia and Mysia. Thyatira has no illustrious history, and is scarcely mentioned by ancient writers...” http:// www.inspirationsbyswain.com/thyatira.htm

11. B ACKGROUND Located 30-40 miles from Pergamos A wealthy city on the Lycus River. Purple dye and dyed garments. Many temples of idolatrous worship. Apollo was the chief idol god. Powerful trade guilds. Meeting had meats sacrificed to idols, and all manner of debauchery.

12. T HE C HURCH AT T HYATIRA The longest of the letters written to the least known and least important of the cities The first convert at Philippi was from here and was a seller of purple (Acts 16:14)

13. C HRIST ’ S S ELF -D ESCRIPTION S ON OF G OD. “Eyes like a flame of fire.” “Feet like fine brass.” All-seeing eye—piercing! Hebrews 4:13. Saw immorality and corruption!

14. C OMMENDATIONS “I know thy works. ” Faith is demonstrated by works Motives Done or left undone—He knows! – James 2:18 “But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

15. C OMMENDATIONS “Love. ” Correct motive Must be our reason behind our service Promotes true obedience – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

16. C OMMENDATIONS “Service. ” Serving God Serving mankind Actively diligent Not waiting on others – Matthew 5:13-16 “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

17. C OMMENDATIONS “Faith. ” It’s must! Faith based on evidence Faith and fidelity demonstrate commitment – 1 Thessalonians 1:8 “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”

18. C OMMENDATIONS “Patience. ” Putting on divine nature Perseverance. Keeping on Depends on depth of our faith – Hebrews 10:32-39 “For you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.”

19. C OMMENDATIONS “The last are more than the first. ” Brethren are making progress and moving forward Not slacking off – Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

20. C OMMENDATIONS “The last are more than the first. ” Brethren are making progress and moving forward Not slacking off – Ephesians 4:15 “ But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ.”

21. C OMMENDATIONS “The last are more than the first. ” Brethren are making progress and moving forward Not slacking off – 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.”

22. C OMMENDATIONS “The last are more than the first. ” Brethren are making progress and moving forward Not slacking off – 2 Peter 3:18 “ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

23. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION “You allow Jezebel...to teach and beguile My servants. ” Spiritual gifts were in the first century Laying on of apostles’ hands – Acts 6:1-6 “ Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”

24. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION “You allow Jezebel...to teach and beguile My servants. ” Spiritual gifts were in the first century Laying on of apostles’ hands – Acts 8:14-18 “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given...”

25. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION “You allow Jezebel...to teach and beguile My servants. ” Word was still being revealed—then Others’ claims were false! – Acts 21:8,9 “… who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.”

26. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION “You allow Jezebel...to teach and beguile My servants. ” Woman in Thyatira— ” prophetess ” Lord another name-- Jezebel – 1 Kings 19:2 “Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”

27. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION “You allow Jezebel...to teach and beguile My servants. ” Her name is personified for EVIL Shows the wickedness of this woman’s work! – Revelation 2:21 “ And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.”

28. W ORDS OF C ONDEMNATION The Influence… Led God’s people to commit sexual immorality Eating things sacrificed to idols Refused to repent-- impenitent heart! – Hebrews 3:13 “ But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

29. T HE W ARNING ! God Makes No Idle Threats! Jezebel and followers cast into tribulation Dangers of tolerating error! – 1 Corinthians 5:11 “ But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person.”

30. T HE W ARNING ! God Makes No Idle Threats! Jezebel and followers cast into tribulation Dangers of tolerating error! – Romans 1:32 “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

31. T HE W ARNING ! God Makes No Idle Threats! Jezebel and followers cast into tribulation Dangers of tolerating error! – Proverbs 4:14,15 “ Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.”

32. E XHORTATION TO THE F AITHFUL “Hold Fast Till I Come!” Put no other burden on them Not allow us to be over burdened – 1 Corinthians 10:13 “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

33. E XHORTATION TO THE F AITHFUL “Hold Fast Till I Come!” Put no other burden on them Not allow us to be over burdened – 2 Corinthians 8:12 “ For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.”

34. E XHORTATION TO THE F AITHFUL “Hold Fast Till I Come!” Put no other burden on them Not allow us to be over burdened – Galatians 6:9 “ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

35. E XHORTATION TO THE F AITHFUL “Hold Fast Till I Come!” Put no other burden on them Not allow us to be over burdened – Revelation 2:10 “ Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

36. C ONSOLATION TO THE F AITHFUL “He will rule with a rod of iron!” “He will have power over the nations.” – Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

37. C ONSOLATION TO THE F AITHFUL “He will rule with a rod of iron!” “He will have power over the nations.” – James 4:6,7 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

38. C ONSOLATION TO THE F AITHFUL “He will rule with a rod of iron!” “He will have power over the nations.” – Romans 12:21 “ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

39. C ONSOLATION TO THE F AITHFUL “He will rule with a rod of iron!” “He will have power over the nations.” – Hebrews 13:5,6 “… I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me ?”

40. “B RIGHT AND M ORNING S TAR.” Arrival of new day! Only for those who overcome “He that hath ears, let him hear…” – Revelation 2:16 “ I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. ”

41. “B RIGHT AND M ORNING S TAR.” Arrival of new day! Only for those who overcome “He that hath ears, let him hear…” – Ephesians 1:3 “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. ”

42. “B RIGHT AND M ORNING S TAR.” Arrival of new day! Only for those who overcome “He that hath ears, let him hear…” – Hebrews 6:18 “That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. ”