OPENING  THE  BOOK  OF  REVELATION – PART 11 Listen to Audio

                                        July 19, 2009

 

2:18- the Lord turns His attention to the church of Thyatira.  The description of the Lord involves- “eyes like a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass”-

both of these terms indicate aspects of judgment—particularly, a penetrating

look or examination of the church at Thyatira.  This discernment by the Lord is

referred to in John 2:24-25.  Further, Christ is here called “the Son of God” indicating His possession of powers of divine knowledge- Psa.14:2, 139:1-4.

 

2:19- the Lord then gives commendation based on His discernment—“works, love, service [diakonion], faith and your patience”- all these qualities

evidence what is right and good about this church.  Such virtues show the ongoing work of the H.Spirit in developing these believers.

  

2:20-21-now Christ exposes their sin and once again it is framed in terms of

adultery.  A question may be asked as to whether this is physical immorality or

the use of adultery to indicate spiritual unfaithfulness (see Hosea 1:2,2:17, 4:10-13).  In Lev.20:5, “harlotry” appears to be spiritual, rather than physical, see-

II Chron.21:1; Ezk.16:20-26.

   The pagan worship of the OT had both elements—physical immorality and

spiritual immorality (unfaithfulness to God’s covenant by Israel).  Thus, here

in vs.20,”Jezebel” is used to express (not the actual name of the woman)

the nature of the wrong caused by this female in the church.  Her sin is same

as in 2:14 with Pergamos.

   In the OT, Jezebel was a co-supporter of pagan idolatry with Ahad, her

husband- I Kings 16:31 and she sought to kill Elijah- I Kg.19:1—she was

central in instigating the murder of Naboth by Ahab for his vineyard- I Kg.21:1-16.  Her name is the embodiment of that which is evil and an abomination to the

Lord.   Effort by the Lord to have this woman at Thyratira repent failed.

 

2:22-23- in mercy, God sought illness as a means to provoke repentance (I Cor. 11:29-30); and if necessary to destroy her “children”= those who act as she

had with unfaithfulness or compromise with wrong.

* It should be noted with NT Christianity, the place of women was changing.

Many of these changes were positive—elevated value as persons, with dignity and just treatment based on equality before God- Gal.3:27-28.

   However, there were difficulties as well:   (1) As women had been objects of demonism – Acts 16:16- in clairvoyance—some women now became involved with ecstatic utterances- I Cor.14:34-35, which required necessary cultural and scriptural restraints.  (2) Usurping the role of male-leadership was another problem- I Cor.11:3-16 – I Tim.2:9-15 and 3:1-4.

  

 

 

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“I am He who searches the minds and hearts” = inward evaluation-

“I will give to each…according to your works” = outward evaluation.  Generally speaking, the order is  - “Evil in the heart = Evil in works.

                                                 Good in the heart = Good in works.”  

 The evident sinful behavior (immorality and idols) prove the wickedness of the heart!

 

2:24- exceptions to this sin in the church at Thyatira could be found and would be noted by the Lord.   “depths of Satan” may be viewed as in part 9 (2:9, 13)—The resistance to divine rebuke (see 2:21- “and I gave her time…”) shows a virulent and evil resistance by this woman and her followers in  ignoring  God’s correction and to rebel even as Satan did and does.

 

2:25- “hold fast… till I come”- steadfastness is necessary in the face of

sin and rebellion by others.

 

2:26-28- promises related to those who “overcome” are once again issued.

“keeps my works” is in contrast with the sin of vs.20-21.  “until the end” reveals this need for steadfastness and faithfulness, although others have compromised.   “give power over the nations”- is the delegation of authority to believers during Christ’s reign on earth- see Rev.20:4,6 as well as Lk.19:12-19.  An OT quote from Psa.2:9 is then given to support the investment of

authority with Christ, “which I received from my Father”-Matt.28:19.

  “morning star”-see 22:16- where Christ is the Morning Star.  As was seen under “hidden manna” in 2:17, once again, intimacy and identity with the Victorious Savior and Son is promised.  Others suggest “morning star” is

indicative of the appearance of Christ (rapture) in the darkest time of the

church age when decay is high.