Letters to the Church: Rev. 2:18-29

The Church at Thyatira

Jesus is described as the one whose eyes are like fiery flames, and His feet
like Lebanese brass. The fiery eyes would describe His omniscience. The
Lord sees and knows all things, and He knows all that occurs in His
creation. His feet symbolize His power to enforce His will, and His power
to overcome and crush His enemies.

Jesus had brief words of commendation for this congregation. He praised them
for their hard work, faith, and service. This indeed, was a hard working
congregation. They had quite a reputation for being active in works of
service. There was no doubt that they were well known for all that they
had accomplished. Even though they were active and busy, Jesus had some
words of correction for them.

Jesus was not at all pleased that this congregation had tolerated a false
teacher in it's midst. There was a woman in the congregation that the Lord
referred to as "Jezebel." This may not have been her real name. In the
Old Testament,(See 1&2 Kings) Jezebel was the evil wife of King Ahab.
She had introduced the worship of the god baal to the people of Israel.
Through her influence, the people turned away from the worship of God.
When a woman is called a "Jezebel", it means that she is a shameless
impudent scheming woman.

This congregation had such a woman. This woman was actively promoting
false teachings within the congregation, and nothing had been done
to stop her. This was a concern for Jesus. He had stern words of warning
for her, and had given her time to repent. Since she had refused to repent,
the Lord threatened to inflict her with great suffering. This woman had
great influence within the congregation, but she had used it to gain power
and followers within the congregation. She wanted to be apart of the
congregation, but she did not want to turn away from false teachings.
There some within the Church today who have the same attitude. They
want to be apart of the Church, but still cling to false teachings that
come from the world. Jesus makes it clear to His people that they cannot
have divided loyalties. Jesus said; "No man can serve two masters; for
either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold
to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
(Matt. 6:24) Jesus made it clear that it is either Him, or the world.
His Word is truth, and His Church should speak His Word in truth, and not
tolerate those who stand in it's presence and teach falsehood.

Jesus warned those who tolerate false teachings are putting themselves at
risk. The risk is that false teaching spreads, and corrupts the Gospel
message and harms the faith of believers. Such teachings can and do
ruin the health of a church. The Lord expects the Church to keep it's
doctrines pure and to teach according to His commands.

In these times, people are no longer content with sound doctrines, but are
turning to fables and to teachers who will appeal to their egos. This is
the devil's attempt to lead people astray, and the flesh's desire to rebel
against God. The Church must through all of this, remain faithful, and not
depart from the truth. The Lord expects and demands that His Church remain
faithful.

Jesus has words of encouragement for those who remain faithful. He
encourages the faithful to hold on to Him. He shall give to His
faithful the strength to endure, and not be overcome. The ones who
hold on and remain faithful, are those ones who overcome. In this
journey, believers will not be free of the struggles with sin, but
in Christ, there is both strength and victory. In Christ, believers
triumph. Jesus comforts His people and encourages them in the journey.
He gives of Himself, so that believers will have the strength to press
on in the journey, and look with faith, to the life to come.