The Church in Thyatira
Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Thyatira was a small city, where many trade guilds were, each having their own pagan patron deity. Meat was sacrificed to idols with feasts, with much immorality to these various patron deities. There was cotton and wool and Lydia sold her purple dye from here. She became Paul's first Asian convert.
Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
The dye came from a sea slug. I have seen sea slugs from our west coast ocean that would emit a cloud of purple to protect itself when bothered. There is a color, Lydian purple, from this Biblical name.
Jesus describes himself as the one speaking, showing different views of His glory, as he chooses to be seen by the church. To Thyatira he speaks as the Son of God, with eyes that see with fiery judgment, and feet like fine brass, strong and beautiful.
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Jesus commended them for their works of charity and service, and patience. Some describe this church as being during the time of the dark ages, from 500-1500. Their works towards the last, were greater than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Jesus introduced himself as God the Son, there were to be no others worshipped. Mary is not to be worshipped, she is to be honored but not above Jesus. we are not to pray to patron saints, we are to pray to God the Father through his son. The Jezebel spirit brought harassment and false teachings into the church. Our God is a jealous God and we are to worship him in truth. Those of every church who love Jesus want to please him. Jezebel also claimed to be a prophetess, the spirit of Jezebel brought false words and not truth to the church. There was also sexual fornication.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
The Jezebel spirit, took on the ways of the pagans. No repentance and Jesus was not pleased.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Cast into a bed, perhaps meaning an illness because she did not repent. Paul spoke of those who partook of the Lord's supper unworthily.
1 Cor 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1 Cor 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Do not follow pagan idolatry and fornication and you will not be cursed.
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Jesus is the bright and morning star. He will give them himself. Why would we want a stupid idol, when Jesus wishes to give himself to us? We, as the church are the bride of Christ.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Are we listening?
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