7 Churches of Revelation: Thyatira   

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 2:18-29:  "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. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. And 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. But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they call them, 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    `He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter's vessels shall be broken to pieces' 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.'' '  

Thyatira was a wealthy trading town. The temple to the god Apollo (son of Zeus). Apollo was the god of the sun, healing and music. The city was famous for its purple dye. Lydia was from Thyatira. Acts 16: 14-15: “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.'' And she constrained us.” 

God criticizes this church in the city for allowing a woman, who is given the symbolic name Jezebel, to teach false doctrine to believers (Revelation 2:20 - 23).  Thyatira was famous for its textiles, especially the production of purple dye and its trade guilds. Every worker in the textile industry was supposed to join a trade guild.  Each trade guild was dedicated to a pagan god. Joining meant participation in the guild feasts that included eating food dedicated to the various gods, immoral acts and the worship of idols. 

 The real life Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab, considered the most evil king of ancient Israel. Jezebel herself is considered one of the most evil people in all of Scripture. Her sins ultimately caught up with her when, years after her husband's death, King Jehu of Israel commanded that she be killed by being tossed out of a window (2Kings 9:30 -33)! Her notorious life earned her the spot as the fifth most mentioned woman in the entirety of the Bible and symbolic of the sins committed in Thyatira! 

Sometimes the pressure of “fitting in” with the world is overwhelming, but we are to stand firm in our faith, trusting God to provide and to take care of us. We are also to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and not tolerate those who disregard and distort it. The weapon the distorters most often use is fear. 

We see the mercy of God in this passage.  God gives the one who is teaching false doctrine time to repent.  If the false teacher does not repent, he or she and all those who are following the false doctrine will suffer the consequences of the false teaching. 

 

The spirit of Jezebel is not confined to women. Among the idols of today are: money, popularity, possessions, the universe, nature, Buddhism, Hinduism, self. 

 

Revelation 22: 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.'' 

When we hold fast to truth, all the promises of God are ours through the covenant we have with the Father through the sacrifice of His Son. 

 7 Churches of Revelation:  Pergamum

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 2: 12-17:  "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, `These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:  "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.   `Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.''  

Pergamum was an important city in the ancient world.  Parchment was first developed in Pergamum.  Two of the most prominent pagan temples were built for Zeus, the king of the gods and Athena, the goddess of wisdom.  Satan’s throne refers to the people's practice of ungodly activities.  The Christians in Pergamum had, for the most part resisted those practices even in the face of the martyrdom of the faithful Antipas.   

However, the Pergamum Christians had, like the Nicolaitans, accepted some worldly practices under the assumption that since we are under grace rather than the law, we can do whatever we want.  Sex outside of marriage, divorce and alternate life styles are three that are widely accepted in Christian circles today.  While we are aware of these things, some have come into our lives more subtlety. 

Idolatry is always selfworship. Idolatry is the practice of trying to get God, the gods, nature, and/or the universe to arrange things in our favor.  It is the practice of trying to place ourselves in control. Consider good luck charms, horoscopes, looking for signs, reading of cards, rituals, etc.  

 

We must repent (change our way of thinking) about these things.  God comes against these things with the sword of His mouth, with His word.  The word of God is our most powerful weapon against the things of Satan. We must know the Word, both to know what God wants for us because what He wants will prosper us and to know what God wants us to avoid because those things will cause us misery, pain and defeat. 

John 10:10-11:  "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” 

 

 

 

 7 Churches of Revelation:  Smyrna 

Revelation 2: 8-11:  "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, `These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.''  

Smyrna was an important trading center in the ancient world. Today it is called Izmir. Modern Izmir is a large and prosperous city. The name means myrrh which is a bitter oil and suggests hardship and death. In biblical times, myrrh was use in the burial preparations. The gift of myrrh at Christ’s death prophesied His death. 

Smyrna was a place of hardship and death for the Christians who lived there. Christians were persecuted, tortured and executed. The Lord recognized their struggles which were made worse when they suffered under the hands of those who should have protected them. Even though believers were suffering and more suffering was to come, the Lord cautions them about a poverty spirit and reminds them that they are indeed rich. In spite of what was happening to them, they were sill rich in the promises of God. The greatest promise is victory for eternity. Revelation 21:7-8: 7.  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'' 

A poverty spirit is not limited to those who are living under persecution. It exists in and flows out of an ungrateful heart. Most Christians can recite many of the promises of God, but do we live by them? 

Isaiah 41:10-11: “ Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. “ 

Isaiah 26:3:  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You”. 

John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'' 

Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.''  

Philippians 4:6-8: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.” 

Standing on the Promises 

1 Standing on the promises of Christ, my King, 

Through eternal ages let his praises ring; 
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, 
Standing on the promises of God. 
 
Standing, standing, 
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior; 
Standing, standing, 
I'm standing on the promises of God. 
 
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, 
By the living Word of God I shall prevail, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 
 
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord, 
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 
 
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call, 
Resting in my Savior as my all in all, 
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain] 

Refrain: 

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail. 

3 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, 

4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall, 

---Russell Kelso Carter