PASSIONATE PURSUIT...

​CHURCH OF THYATIRA  REVELATION STUDY GUIDE CHPT 2:18-29


UNTO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF 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;
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.

Thyatira is located in a western province of Asia Minor which is also know as modern day Turkey. Here the Spirit of God is mentioning the Son of God speaking directly which represents purified love (charity) intercession, and righteous judgment. The messenger then mentions the eyes of the Lord Jesus as a flame of fire which focuses on his ability to see all things beholding the good as well as the evil. The fire is the all consuming refining fire that purifies and allows to see through eyes of holiness and are able to discern. His feet are brass meaning they have been through the fire and have overcome every form of tribulation that there is. They symbolize where he has been and the preparation of the Gospel. He is the one who overcame this world and is our Savior our fortress on whom we can depend. He sees past the flesh and sees the reigns of the heart. Works are mentioned twice to mean the spiritual works as well as the natural works. And the last to be more than the first meaning that he has seen the works of zeal while learning and growing in the faith and also the latter works of faithfulness and patience. 

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 EAT THINGS SACRIFICED UNTO IDOLS.

The Spirit of God which sees all and knows all and is a refining fire addresses the sin of the church. This church is passive. They are the priesthood, but refuse to address the sin within. Similar to the reign of King Asa, whose heart was right before the Lord, but didn’t remove the “high places”.  

Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab who was considered by God to be one of the most wicked to ever have reigned over his people. When Moses had given the law the children were commanded not to take unto them foreign wives. The Lord said that their God’s would be a snare unto them. Ahab took to himself Jezebel, a foreign princess. She was not called by God or ordained to his throne. In the context the Apostle John mentioned the church allowed Jezebel who called herself a prophetess to teach and seduce the servants of God. This revelation of John is that the spirit of Jezebel is one that self promotes. She called herself. She began to teach by the spirit of seduction. The Word of God warns that in the last days the end will not come until there first be a falling away.

I Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The operations of the spirit of seduction works to get the saints of the Most High to depart from the faith and lose their inheritance. The adversary doesn’t go through the front or back door, but is subtle so that many depart without intending, but by the way of deception do they give heed to other doctrines. Though Ahab was the king, Jezebel was the one behind the scenes working iniquity. During her reign she had all of the false prophets eating from her table. She is the one who ordered the true prophets to be killed. She seduced servants to commit fornication and to sacrifice unto idols. These things weren’t just natural but spiritual fornication by having the servants build altars to other gods and to eat those foods sacrificed to other gods. This spirit is willing to kill to get its way. Therefore, the Lord is holding this church accountable. They have this spirit that desires to eliminate the head.  They have authority to handle the situation, but didn’t just as Samson had the authority over his foreign wives with numerous warnings by the Lord to repent, the kingdom was torn. 

AND I GAVE HER SPACE TO REPENT OF HER FORNICATION, AND SHE REPENTED NOT. BEHOLD, I WILL CAST HER INTO A BED, AND THEM THAT COMMIT ADULTERY WITH HER INTO GREAT TRIBULATION, EXCEPT THEY REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS.

Again, the Lord warns the children of God in this church to repent and return to righteousness. The Lord operates in the spirit of judgment to say he will cast her into a bed and those who commit adultery with her. There will be turmoil, chaos, and great trouble if they do not repent.

AND I WILL KILL HER CHILDREN WITH DEATH; AND ALL SHALL KNOW THAT I AM HE WHICH SEARCHETH THE REIGNS OF THE HEART: AND I WILL GIVE UNTO EVERY ONE OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS. BUT UNTO YOU I SAY, AND UNTO THE REST OF 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. BUT THAT WHICH YET HAVE ALREADY HOLD FAST TILL I COME. AND HE THAT OVERCOMETH, AND KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END, TO HIM WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS: AND HE SHAL RULES 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. AND I WILL GIVE HIM THE MORNING STAR. HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES. 

To whom much  is given much is required. Those who are faithful over a few things He will make ruler over many things. He will give the overcomer the desires of his heart. The Lord makes it clear that there are many kingdoms but His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. Those who endure and overcome will receive power meaning more than what they have. He already gave the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome. However, this power is with a governing position to rule over nations. These nations that are ruled with an iron rod are non believing nations, nations of other kingdoms and kindred. Therein is the victory over the enemy and victory over sin. Therein is the patience of the saints.