Messages to the churches
Background
7 Churches in 7 cities were sent letters. These churches had a concrete belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and they had a faith that was real.
The Churches were all located in Asia minor and the order in which the letters were written was as if the messenger travelled from church to church in a geographical manner.
The 7 stars referred to signify the Angels of the7 churches
The 7 lampstands referred to churches themselves
It is amazing that as I began to refresh my memory by re reading these messages I realized how relevant it was for me personally and for us today and the churches we belong to. Jesus obviously walked amongst the churches and knew them inside out. However the churches themselves had no idea that He was doing this. He studied them closely and decided to send out a commendation and with it a warning as well. Jesus message is still applicable for today.
Let me use the words of Jesus and say”… He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches Revelation 2:7
Each of the letters has a similar outline and starts and ends almost the same.
This letter starts with the following:
Thyatira – Rev 2:18-29
Christ’s Identification – “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Thyatira write:
“These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes [that flash] like a flame of fire [in righteous judgment], and whose feet are like burnished [white-hot] bronze:
Christ’s Commendation – ‘I know your deeds, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your last deeds are more numerous and greater than the first.
Christ’s Rebuke – But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent [to change her inner self and her sinful way of thinking], but she has no desire to repent of her immorality and refuses to do so. Listen carefully, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her [I will bring] into great anguish, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children (followers) with pestilence [thoroughly annihilating them], and all the churches will know [without any doubt] that I am He who searches the minds and hearts [the innermost thoughts, purposes]; and I will give to each one of you [a reward or punishment] according to your deeds.
Christ’s Exhortation – But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you, 25 except to hold tightly to what you have until I come.
Christ’s encouragement – and he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, to him I will give authority and power over the nations; 27 and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; 28 and I will give him the [t]Morning Star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’
If you follow the map from Pergamum about 45 miles east you will come across the city of Thyatira. This city is buried under the modern city of Akhisar in Turkey. The History of this city was not that great for its rich or opulent society but was known for the commercial influence it had and also for its military headquarters. This city was famous for its linen and dye workers, potters, tanners and bakers, slave dealers and bronze smiths. It is no doubt that Jesus refers to Himself as having feet like bronze because Thyatira took such pride in their metal works.
Thyatira was identified in a single coin that was produced by the Romans in its honour. This coin had a metal worker seated at anvil hammering a helmet with Athena looking on. The metal worker representing Thyatira’s commerce, the helmet representing military government and the Athena representing feminine influence.
We see how the Lord refers to Jezebel the evil queen that came against Elijah in 1 Kings 16-21. Why would He do this? It’s seemed that this same spirit rose up very powerfully infiltrating the society and framework of Thyatira abusing authority insidiously. I have seen over the years Jezebel’s rise up in churches and ministries dominating and abusing their positions. As women in this era we need to learn how to use our positions in a way of active submission. Remember the woman Lydia in the book of Acts what a contrast to this woman Jezebel. Lydia was from the city of Thyatira and is a woman we should emulate rather than Jezebel. If God has given you many gifts and has raised you up in leadership it is important that you follow the example of Lydia.
Jezebel took on a role of being a prophetess even though she was not called by God to do so. How often do we come across people taking self imposed roles in the church when really God never called them to do so. There are so many people who like Jezebel grab positions that were never meant to be theirs and in direct violation of God’s order of things. James 3:1 tell us clearly that “ Not many of you should presume to teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
Jezebel was asking for trouble and she got it. She was not only grabbing positions but was refusing to repent thereby opening herself to be judged by the Lord.
I recall once asking the Lord why man was the head of the home when you really see women doing everything. I went around asking children who was the boss at home and every child I spoke to said my mum. If this was the case what was going on? The Lord said to me I gave man power but I gave women influence and how true this is. Jezebel was using her influence to turn people into sexual sins and immorality instead of worshipping the Lord in truth. In contrast the woman of Thyatira Lydia influenced her household to follow Christ in silent subimission.
How are you responding to the Lord’s rebuke here in this letter. Pray, pray, pray, my friend if you are prone to having even as much as dot of Jezebel’s character in you. Repent and turn away.
