See Rev 2:18-29
This particular church also received a letter from Jesus Christ. Before we look at the letter, let's look at what is about Jesus Christ.
1. He is the Son of God.
2. He has eyes like a flame of fire.
3. He has feet like fine brass.
Now we see the things Jesus knew about the church. ( of course He knows everything about any and everything that exists any and everywhere, but here's what He said He knew about this church particular church, by the way they had many good qualities along with their toleration of things that they ought not to have tolerated )
1. I know your works.
2. I know your love.
3. I know your service.
4. I know your faith.
5. I know your patience.
6. I know your works are more now then when you started.
Here's are the several things that Jesus had against this church.
1. I'm against that you allow that woman Jezebel to be active in the church.
2. I'm against Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess.
3. I'm against her teaching and beguiling My servants to do two particular things.
4. I'm against her teaching them to commit sexual immorality.
5. I'm against her teaching them to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Here's what the Lord had given to Jezebel, and here's what He will do to her.
1. I gave her time repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
2. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed.
3. I will also cast those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation.
4. I will not cast them into great tribulation if they repent of their deeds.
5. I will kill her children with death.
6. I will cause all the churches to know that I am He.
7. I will make them know that I search the minds and hearts.
8. I will give to each one according to their works.
The final things Jesus says to those in that church who did not have the above teaching.
1. They were said to not have this doctrine, or they did not believe it, and practice it.
2. They had not known the depths of Satan as they call them.
3. I will put no other burden on you.
The very final things Jesus says to them.
1. Hold fast what you have till I come.
2. To those who overcome and keep my works until the end.
3. To those people, I will give power over the nations.
4. He then quotes from Ps 2:8-9
5. I'll give as I've received from my Father.
6. I'll give the morning star.
7. The Holy Spirit will speak to those who have an ear and listen.
For Reflection, and application.
Jesus is wonderfully described throughout these letters, We will see Him one day, just as He is described in these letters. And, though we can't see Him now with our eyes, He is like this today in the church, and we can hear Him speak if we will but listen.
Jesus is aware of, and blessed by, and acknowledges the good and Godly things and activities in the church. This is of course what He is seeking to promote. This church at Thyatira was in many ways a model church.
Nevertheless, in-spite of their good things, Jesus did not hold back from talking about what He had against them. They were allowing, or tolerating, and doing nothing about this woman named Jezebel who was teaching a corrupting doctrine within the church. She was a self promoting person, claiming she spoke for and from God, and God's servants ( some of them anyways ) were going along with her teaching. They were being taught to commit sexual immorality, and then to eat foods that had been sacrificed to pagan idols. This was a corrupting influence within the church to say the least
Jesus Christ had given this woman time to repent. He either spoke to her directly, or had someone or some person speak to her, but He clearly was being patient with her, and it was so that she would repent of her sexual immorality but, she chose not to, and continued right along in it.
Jesus tells in this letter what He would do to her and to those who went along with her teaching. He would not do it if they repented, but if they would not repent, He was going to move upon them in judgment. He knew what was going on there. He searches hearts and minds. And would deal with each one individually according to their works.
He had a different attitude to the others in the church, the ones who did not hold to that doctrine, and who did not personally know the depths of Satan as they called it, ( or the deep things of Satan, his false doctrines which lead you down and away from God ) He had many blessings He would give to them.
Jesus encouraged these doctrinally true christians to simply hold on to the truth they had, and to keep holding on to it, until He returned again.
Blessings await the man who trusts in the Lord, and who waits upon the Lord, it's a promise from the Lord.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
