Despite its faithful love and service to the Lord, the church in Thyatira was compromising, and this compromise threatened to lead to their demise. Jesus firmly rebuked them and called them to repent.
Thyatira was a military town, its location lent itself to being a key trading city, a commercial center for different guilds or trade unions. Sadly, the guilds were a source of immorality.
As with all the letters, Jesus introduced himself with a reference to his attributes, his eyes of blazing fire and his feet like burnished bronze (Revelation 2:18). His eyes see into the hearts and intentions of any man. Jesus is looking at the church and giving a prescription of their health. His feet of burnished bronze represent judgment.
A Commendation
Jesus begins by complimenting the church (see Revelation 2:19). The Thyatiran church was hard-working, loving, and faithful in their service to God. They weren’t just busy; they had genuine love and faith. Jesus affirmed these two important attributes. Love and faith are essential elements in a healthy church. We care for one another, serve one another, and sacrifice for one another because our love for one another is grounded in our love for Christ. This kind of faith-driven love was on display in the Thyratiran church.
Unlike the church at Ephesus, this church’s action was motivated by love for the Lord and for each other. The church was vibrant and alive.
A Condemnation
But the Lord saw something he didn’t like (see Revelation 2:20). Jezebel is a reference to the wife of King Ahab from 1 Kings. The name is synonymous with evil; for 30 years she infused the worship of Baal and immorality into the Israelite nation. She taught that because of the grace of God; they were free from the constraints of the law of God. This is called antinomianism, and means, “free from the law”.
These false teachings are very present in our world today. Many churches follow the false teaching of Jezebel. It sounds something like this: “God loves you; he wants what is best for you and would never withhold pleasure from you – just do what makes you happy”.
In Thyatira, like other Asian cities, Christians were not permitted to participate in business which caused extreme poverty. Many Christians joined the guilds to make a living; however, one of the requirements of being a part of a guild was that you had to participate in festivals that included all kinds of sexual immorality. Their participation in these guilds compromised their witness.
We, too, face the daily temptation to compromise…in our speech, in our conduct, in our money-making, in our relationships. But compromise always reflects a lack of faith; we compromise because we are looking for someone or something else to bring us what only God can. For instance, if we seek to earn a little extra profit by cheating a customer or being dishonest on our tax return, we are taking our eyes off the Lord who alone is our provider. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life”; we must have faith in this(John 6:35).
Not only is Jesus the bread of life, but by his death and resurrection, he paid for the salvation of all who would repent of their sins and turn in faith to Jesus. Jesus invited the false teacher of Thyatira to repent, but she refused, rejecting the Gospel. Today there are people who reject the invitation of Jesus; some feel that their sins are too many for his forgiveness. But we know from the Scriptures that no one who truly believes and repents will be turned away (see 1 John 1:9).
From time to time, I come across people who say, “Jesus would never forgive me for the bad things I have done. There is no hope for me; I have sinned too much.” You might be that person today, but let me assure you, there is no person too far gone for the saving power of the blood of Jesus. But you must come to him in faith and repent of your sins.
A Punishment
The punishment that Jesus was about to inflict on Jezebel and her followers would serve as a warning to the surrounding churches (see Revelation 2:23). Jesus is patient, loving and gracious, but there comes a time when, after all the offers to repent are refused, he lifts his hand of grace, and we feel the pain of God’s correction (see Galatians 6:7-8).
If you are harboring sin in your life, repent and do not delay. If you do not repent, you will reap the consequences of your sins. The warning to Thyatira is a warning to us.
A Promise
Jesus wraps up the letter by turning his attention to the faithful ones, the hard-working ones who haven’t been deceived by Jezebel. Jesus encourages the faithful ones to hold on and to remain steadfast. We as a culture want quick results, a quick remedy, instant sanctification, but the Holy Spirit invites us into discipleship, a steady progress towards sanctification. Daily spiritual disciplines led by the Holy Spirit have the power to transform your walk as a Christian. Keep moving toward Jesus; you will see fruit in your life.
Jesus gives a wonderful promise to the one who is victorious (see Revelation 2:26). The promise for the one who daily walks with the Lord without compromise is that they will rule with Christ (see Revelation 20). Jesus sees your faithful service and spiritual discipline, and he promises to reward you.
Is there an area of compromise in your life? An area of your life where you have compromised your faith, whether it be in business, finance, career, relationships or any area of your life? It is time to repent today and trust the Lord for the outcome.
In the world today, there is more and more temptation to compromise and stray from the steadfast way that the Lord has called us to.
Re-commit yourself to the Lord today.