VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Tolerating the Unrepentant”

Revelation 2:18-29

Introduction

The city of Thyatira was established by one of Alexander the Great’s successors after the destruction of the Persian empire. It was located in a rich agricultural area, and was famous for the manufacture of purple dye (see Acts 16:14-15, Lydia). But it is a relatively small church in a fairly obscure city – yet they receive one of the seven letters, and it is the longest of all the letters. The city did not have much religious pressure toward the church; they were not encouraged to worship emperors. Nor was there a sizable Jewish population.

The city was known for its manufacturing, “Thyatira’s main industry was the production of wool and dyed good (especially purple goods), but inscriptions also mention guilds for linen workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave dealers, and bronze smiths.”[1]

The pressure faced by the Christians in Thyatira came from the trade guilds (collegia). To hold a job or run a business you had to be a member of the guild. Each guild had a patron deity, in whose honor they would hold feasts that included meat sacrificed to those idol and there was sexual immorality that was part of the event. If a Christian chose not to attend the event they may potentially lose their livelihood.

Prayer

Jesus Is Described (v. 18)

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Jesus’ description helps us understand his message to the church, “Here Jesus is represented as calling himself by the title “Son of God” 26:63 The religious leaders have arrested Jesus and are making claims against him, “But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” And then they accused Jesus of blasphemy – claiming to be God.

Jesus is called the Son of God and the Son of Man – both of these are titles the Bible uses to describe Jesus. When you see Jesus as the Son of Man it is a reference to His humanity and how God took on human flesh to suffer. Hebrews 2:18 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

And when you see the title Son of God it is a reference to His deity. He is not coming as a sympathetic high priest who comes to take away their sin, as the Son of God He is coming in divine judgement.[2]

Earlier in Rev. 1:15 Jesus is described as having “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.” Jesus’ eyes see things as they truly are – fire burns away (dross, impurities, that which corrupts the metal) that which is not true.

Jesus’ feet are described as “whose feet are like burnished bronze,”[3] – as the Son of God who is coming to judge and as he sees sin, he will stomp it out, but the sin will not affect His holiness and purity. He will remain bright and clean, while He judges and encounters sin. This will not be true for the church at Thyatira – when it encounters sin, it is persuaded and will join in on its’ rebellion against God.[4]

Jesus Commends the Church In Thyatira (v. 19)

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Their good deeds that Jesus “knows” about are divided into four categories: They are showing love for God and for others, and they are strong in this area (where Ephesus is weak). They are commended for their faith. From that love and faith grows service and patient endurance. They are meeting the needs of others. And they are growing in all these areas. They were maturing in their Christian lives and advancing the gospel.[5] They are making progress.

In Ephesus they were faithfully serving, but because of a church conflict and split, their love for God and each other had grown cold. Here in Thyatira, they are commended for their love for one another, but that love has taken a turn toward tolerating sin within the church. Jesus has “eyes of fire,” – he burns the sin out, and with burnish bronze feet, he stomps sin out – yet He is love. True love is when we encourage others to be like Christ, and hold each other accountable when we sin.

Love for others does not include tolerating their sin.

Jesus’ Warning Against the Church In Thyatira (vv. 20-23)

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

In each of the churches we have looked at so far there have been imposters. “In Ephesus they are dealing with “those who call themselves apostles but are not,” (2:2). In Smyrna they are dealing with “those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (2:9). And in Thyatira they have this woman “who calls herself a prophetess” (2:20)”[6] but she is not.

There is one thing the church was doing that brought the “eyes like flames of fire” of Jesus upon them. Within the church was a woman John calls Jezebel who was teaching the people “to participate in the idolatrous feasts by eating food sacrificed to idols and they were instructed to take part in the immorality which characterized the worship of idols.”[7] The culture around them was evil and the church leadership was encouraging them to patriciate and embrace that culture. And instead of pushing her out, they tolerated her presence.

This word, prophetess is used only here (Revelation 2:20) and in Luke 2:36.[8] This was when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant. Simeon was an old righteous man who, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit came and blessed Jesus. Then we are introduced to an old righteous woman, “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” A genuine prophetess devotes herself to the Lord, fasting and prayer, gives thanks to God – and is waiting for the redemption of a lost city.

This false self-proclaimed prophetess was “teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” Both women Anna and Jezebel are referred to with the description of prophetess, but one was genuine and one was false. The church in Thyatira seems to either not know the difference – or, knowing she is a false self-proclaimed prophetess, tolerates her because they enjoy sexual immorality and the things that go along with idol worship. They enjoy the feelings that go along with accepting and participating in the culture that surrounds them – even though it clearly goes against God’s Word (just because the majority supports it, does not mean it’s right).

1 Kings 16 tells of how the Israelite king Ahab came to be power, and one of the worst things he did as king that angered the Lord was to make Jezebel his wife,1 Kings 16:30-31 “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.”

Her influence over king Ahab made Baal worship sweep through God’s people, leading to the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 21:25 “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.” The king connects himself with an evil woman, and allows himself to be influenced by her evil – this ripples out to God’s people. She did not belong to the people of God, she infiltrated His people, and then led them into idolatry.

 Be very careful who you bring close.[9]

(v. 21) “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” Speaking of the city of Jerusalem, God speaks to their rebellion, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Jesus has given this woman called Jezebel time to repent, but she was not willing, she refuses. The answer to all the church’s problems so far (and the answer is the same today) is for them to repent of their sin.

An unrepentant person in a church is a very dangerous thing.

The church must not tolerate unrepentant persons

because their rebellious spirit spreads.

(v. 22) There is a group within the church at Thyatira that are described as, “those who commit adultery with her,” – These are her spiritual children, those who follow her false teachings. If they don’t repent they will be struck down in judgement. “She loved the bed of idolatry and sexual immorality, and so will be confined to bed – most likely stricken with sickness (1. Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20).”[10]

“History records that the church in Thyatira fell prey to the Montanist heresy (a movement led by a false prophet who claimed continuing revelation from god apart from Scripture) and went out of existence by the end of the second century.”[11] Churches that don’t push out sin, and guard its’ doctrine, will follow one false trend after another until they crumble apart.

Jesus’ Promise to the Faithful Church In Thyatira (vv. 24-28)

24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.

 In the church there were some who did not hold to the false teaching of this self-proclaimed prophetess, and have not learned “the deep things of Satan” – they are not given something else to do, only hold fast – wait for Jesus’ arrival. This group was able to discern that she was false and that her teaching was false. So, keep discerning the truth. “This is the theme of Revelation so far: to receive the final reward, believers must continue to be faithful until Jesus returns.”[12]

 The idea of “the deep things of Satan” could mean several things, but what we know is that Jezebel’s teaching led to idolatry and immorality. So, the teaching could go something like this, “the only way to confront Satan was to enter into his strongholds; the real nature of sin could only be learned by experience, and therefore only those who had really experienced sin could truly appreciate grace (Rom. 6).

So, by experiencing the depths of paganism, one could better be equipped to serve Christ, or be an example of freedom to his brothers.”[13] Or, another “deep thing of Satan,” The only way to reach lost people, is be enough like them so that we can relate. Or once you are member of this elite part of Christianity, there is hidden information that will be revealed (a secret handshake to get you into heaven, special words you can say to make others do your will, etc.)

“It reminds us of Jesus’ statement that “he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24;13), and of Paul’s words to the Colossians about continuing in the faith “established and firm” (Col. 1:23). The proof of authentic trust in Jesus is steadfastness of belief and continuance in the will of God till Christ returns or death comes.”[14]

 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces,[15] even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The epistle of James is clear that salvation is not earned, we cannot work our way into heaven by being good, or doing good deeds. But our deeds and actions do reveal our spiritual condition.

A saved person will express their faith by doing good works. So, to the Christian who faithfully does the work of the Lord until the end, they are promised: 1) “Authority over the nations,” and ) the “Morning Star”

God gave Adam and Eve the command to rule the world, but because of the fall they did not do this as God designed and intended. This original command will be realized by believers at the end of time.

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Jesus is the bright and morning star. So to the one who conquers, they are promised Jesus. But, the morning star only appears when the night is over and a new day has appeared.

Jesus never changes the definition or lowers his tolerance toward sin, and those who have sin or tolerate sin the end is always judgement. Yet there is also grace and mercy – Jesus gives Jezebel time and opportunities to repent. It is not loving to allow someone to think that sin of ok, and not define it as the Bible defines it. Because if you do that you are guilty of Jezebel’s sin. To not repent and to tolerate sin we are promised judgment – to repent of your sin and to place your faith in Jesus you are promised forgiveness and grace.

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[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 98.

[2] MacArthur, 96.

[3] See Rev. 19:13.

[4] 1 Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; . . .”

[5] Two motives and two actions, “Love for others had produced service, faith in Christ had assured perseverance in their commitment to him.” Kendell H. Easley, Holman New Testament Commentary, Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman Reference, 1998) 40.

[6] James M. Hamilton, Preaching the Word, Revelation (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2012) 97.

[7] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moddy Press, 1966) 74.

[8] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume VI, The General Epistles and The Revelation of John (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 309.

[9] Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

[10] Thomas R. Schreiner, Expository Commentary, Volume XII (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2018) 582.

[11] MacArthur, 103.

[12] Schreiner, 583.

[13] Alan F. Johnson, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1981) 445.

[14] Johnson, 446.

[15] Quoted from Psalm 2:8-9