Prophecy
Earlene Davis
Christ’s message to Thyatira
Revelation 2:18, “And unto the angel of the church in 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;” Thyatira means ‘sacrifice of labor’ or ‘odor of affliction’ which is very significant of that church, because it was full of works (V. 19). But we will see their works were more self-effort than of faith.
Notice how the Lord appears unto them, “His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.” He scrutinizes, seeing thoroughly. Heb. 4:13, “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” His feet of fine brass (brass speaks of judgment and it is intricate (fine). He sees, He knows and He judges accordingly. In V. 23 Jesus says, “I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”
V. 19, “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.” He commend them for their charity and service, but adds that their works were more than their love. Thus making their ministry one of legality and not out of true love.
V. 20, “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 to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” She is a false prophetess. V. 21, “And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.”
Remember the Jezebel of the Old Testament, She was very wicked and had 500 prophets of her own. She cause her husband, king Ahab to worship idols and she slew the Lord’s prophets and caused Israel to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. Thyatira was guilty of both, teaching error and it led to sin being practiced.
Vs. 22-23, “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” I Cor. 5:6, & Gal:5:9, “A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump.” Those who committed spiritual adultery with her were warned they would be punished with her except they repent of their deeds.
Vs. 24-25, “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in 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 ye have already hold fast till I come.” There were some overcomers there and the Lord admonishes them to “Hold fast” to that which you have already, till I come. They will be rewarded for their steadfastness. V. 26, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Notice the Lord contrasts “my works” which are works of faith with their works of the flesh (V. 19).
V. 27-29, “And he shall rule 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.” I will comment on the rewards later when we look at the dispensational and personal aspect of these churches.
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