TEACHING NOTES Part 6: The Church in Thyatira Introduction In this session we continue our study of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. So far, we have learned that many of these churches have positive and negative situations going on. And in each church Jesus encourages His faithful followers to conquer and overcome. The letter to the church in Thyatira is the longest letter and deserves our close attention. The Church in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) Location: (see map) Historical Context: Thyatira was a wealthy city known for two major trades: textiles and bronze armor. These were major exports for the city and made Thyatira so wealthy that it even had its own coins for currency. The coins of Thyatira depict a bronze smith hammering a helmet on an anvil. The most popular textile made in Thyatira was purple fabrics. It was a popular alternative to Phoenician purple because it was cheaper. Thyatira purple was made from the madder root. Thyatira is mentioned in Acts 16:14-15 when Lydia, who made and sold purple fabrics, was baptized by Paul, along with her household. Lydia was likely the first convert to Christianity in Thyatira. As with the other wealthy churches in Revelation, Thyatira was struggling to be faithful to Jesus. Introduction of the Son of Man ​ Revelation 2:18 ESV 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. The words of the Son of God = This is the only time Jesus is called the Son of God in Revelation. Why? Eyes like fire, feet like bronze = From the vision of the Son of Man in Rev. 1:14-15. These are symbols of judgment that communicate the omniscience and power of Jesus to see and judge His churches. Why does Jesus introduce Himself this way? When Jesus wants to encourage and comfort a church, He uses images like “the one who died and came to life” (Rev. 2:8). When He wants to remind a sinful church that they are in danger of judgment, He uses the warrior images from Rev. 1:14-16. Thyatira is a church that is in danger of self-destruction. Jesus reminds this city known for making bronze armor that He has feet like fortified bronze, which is a symbol of crushing the enemy under His feet. The Positive ​ Revelation 2:19 ESV 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. I know your works = Jesus is paying close attention to the good works of the church in Thyatira. They practiced love, faith/faithfulness, service, and patient endurance. Your latter works exceed the first = This may be partially negative. Their service and patience endurance exceed their love and faith. This sounds similar to the church in Ephesus, who were known for good works but had lost their love. The Negative ​ Revelation 2:20–21 ESV 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. You tolerate that woman Jezebel = In the letter to Pergamum, Jesus mentions the Old Testament character of Balaam. In Thyatira, another Old Testament character, Jezebel, is mentioned as a symbol of immorality and idolatry. 1 Kings 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kings 9:7 tells us that Jezebel lead people worship other gods (Baal). In Thyatira, a woman claiming to be a prophetess is doing the same as Jezebel. Sexual immorality, idolatry = This Jezebel-like woman is seducing people in the church who Jesus calls “my servants” into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to other gods. Many places in the New Testament tell us that the early churches struggled with these issues. I gave her time to repent = Jesus has been patient to give this prophetess time to repent, but she has refused. This is a testimony to the mercy and patience of Jesus toward even the worst of sinners. Revelation 2:22–23 ESV 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. Sickbed = Jesus promises to judge this prophetess by making her sick. Those with her I will throw into great tribulation = Those who follow this prophetess will also suffer great distress. A large portion of Revelation describes a 3 1/2 year tribulation that involved the land of Israel and the entire Roman empire. Everyone in the known world would be affected by these events. I will strike her children dead = It is not clear whether Jesus is talking about her actual children or if this is a metaphor for her followers. All the churches will know = Jesus’ judgment on these people would teach the churches that He “searches the mind and heart” meaning He knows what they’re doing and will stop it soon. This is also seen in Acts 5:1-11 where the death of Ananias and Sapphira teaches the whole church that Jesus will not tolerate sin in His church. Instructions ​ Revelation 2:24–25 ESV 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. The deep things of Satan = This is likely a reference to the teaching of this Jezebel-like prophetess. In the early church, Gnosticism was a popular heresy. Gnostics taught that they had “secret knowledge” and often blended Christianity with pagan practices. Jesus’ point here is that these teachings come from Satan. Gnosticism: This group considered themselves Christians but had many heretical beliefs. The early church declared them heretics and taught against them harshly. Gnostics believed that everything physical was evil and only what is spiritual is good. Therefore, they taught that the Creator God of the Old Testament was evil and the God Jesus called His Father was good. Gnosticism taught that the God of Old Testament was a different God than in the New Testament. Hold fast what you have = This communicates that this church didn’t have much left to hang on to. Jesus commands them to keep being faithful with what they have left. Promises ​ Revelation 2:26–29 ESV 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ The one who conquers = Mentioned at the end of all seven letters. To conquer or overcome is the main theme of God’s will for His church in Revelation. Authority over the nations = The theme/pattern of ruling the nations begins in Gen. 1:26 “26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” He will rule them with a rod of iron = The Greek word for “rule” here is poimaino, which is the word for shepherd, care for, or guide. Jesus rules like a shepherd cares for the sheep. While these phrases usually refer to Jesus as the ruling/shepherding King, here it refers to the faithful followers of Jesus. The “he” in this passage refers to “the one who conquers.” Therefore, the faithful followers of Jesus will rule/shepherd with Him in His kingdom. In the new creation, we will “rule” by caring for the new world, just like we were intended to do in Gen. 1:26. The morning star = The morning star is a reference to Jesus (see Rev. 22:16) as the king of God’s kingdom. The Old Testament background is from Num. 24:17 “17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” Therefore, those who overcome are promised to inherit the kingdom of God. Application for Today Good works are necessary but can often replace our love for God and others. Moral and religious compromise invites harsh judgment and devastating consequences. Jesus rewards faithfulness by sharing His throne, power, and authority.