7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION - "Thyatira" - [Rev. 2:18-29] - Pastor Nathan Deisem - Fathom Church (4/7)

7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION – Thyatira
Pastor Nathan Deisem - “Hold Fast...”
Revelation 2:18-29; 1Kings chs.16, 21 & 2Kings 9,

o Thyatira – “The Jezebel Church”
 Thyatira is another city on this large and lucrative trade route. It was situated on the Lycus River! They did not have nearly the same political or cultural footprint that the previous three cities have had. They were certainly the smallest of the seven cities addressed in these first several chapters of Revelation, (Which makes it so interesting that they have the clear winner for largest letter of the 7 churches). Clear evidence of Apollos worship (Son of Zeus), (the cult of Caesar also popular here - like all Asia Minor). Thyatira would be almost nothing but for the trade guilds: Metalworkers, wool textiles, dyes (esp. purple root and shellfish)… Lydia - Acts 16:14-15

Revelation 2:18-29
Description of CHRIST:
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: THE SON OF GOD, who has EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE, and His FEET ARE LIKE BURNISHED BRONZE, says this:

• THE SON OF GOD
o Not Apollo Son of Zeus – Jesus true son of God!
• EYES LIKE A FLAME OF FIRE
o It means that nothing is hidden from his sight, and scrutiny
• FEET LIKE BURNISHED BRONZE
o Ready to trample out some judgment!
• --- This piscture shows us that Jesus…
1) Has the authority
2) Has the sight/knowledge
3) Has the ability to both pass and execute judgment!

COMENDATION:
19 I know YOUR DEEDS, and your 1) love and 2) faith and 3) service and 4) perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

• This is an inversion of the commendation/correction sent to Ephesus!
o Ephesus had lost their first love and mist return to the works they did at first!
- Thyatira is rich in works of love/service and it is even growing!

CORRECTION:
20 BUT I have this against you, that you tolerate THE WOMAN JEZEBEL, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
23 And I will kill HER CHILDREN with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts ; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

• THE WOMAN JEZEBEL
o Likely a real woman – (unlikely that she is actually named Jezebel)
• 1 Kings 16:31 “It came about, … that he (Ahab) married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians (Tyre), and went to serve Baal and worshiped him.”

• WOMEN AND MEN ARE EQUAL IN VALUE BUT DIFFER IN ROLE (3 ways)
1) Physically
a. Women Bear Children – Men Sire Children
b. Men (on average are large and stronger than women)
i. 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
2) Marriage (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22–33; Col. 3:18–19)
a. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
3) Church leadership (Pastor/Elders)
a. Church (God’s Family) is modeled after the biological Family
b. Its leadership of final spiritual authority is limited to men (Not for merit)
i. 1 Timothy 2:11-13 “11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. 12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.”

COUNCIL:
24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, HOLD FAST until I come

• There were some in that church who knew the truth and felt hostage to this leadership
o Jesus says, don’t worry, keep on trucking!

COMMISSION:
26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; 27 and he shall RULE THEM with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also 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.’

• AUTHORITY
o This is derived authority granted by Jesus to rule (under Jesus) in the Millennium!

#NathanDeisem #FathomChurch #SevenChurchesOfRevelation

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