The Church of Thyatira
Rev 2:18-29
* Longest letter written of the seven church letters in Revelation. * City was designed as military shield to Pergamum
THE AUTHOR * Jesus as Judge over sin * Jesus as Son of God (stressing deity) whereas others he stresses humaness (Son of Man) * Christ upset with Church being married to world rather than himself
THE CHURCH * Possibly started by Lydia * Compromised with immorality and idolatry * Total worldliness * True believers couldn't find another church * Compromise common due to large number of guilds (~ labor unions)
PRAISE FOR CHURCH * In midst of mess, true believers were loving, faithful, serving, persevering * Only church praised for their love * Huge for us - what should church be doing to be commended by God. * Ephesus had doctrine, no love; Thyatira had love, no doctrine
BALANCING LOVE AND DOCTRINE * Doctrine - truth, papers, conferences. Danger - arrogant, loveless, offensive. * Love - Danger - minimize sin, sentimentalism. * "Without sound doctrine, love is a joke"
COMPLAINT AGAINST CHURCH * Tolerated sin * Don't joke about sin, give it a foothold, create gray areas: - "A little leaven, leavens the whole lump"
JEZEBEL * Parallels OT Jezebel * Symbol of worldliness and line between worshipping God or world * Christ doesn't tolerate worldliness
PROMISE * Those who are faithful and endure will overcome the world * They will receive reward and authority over the world. |