To the Church in Thyatira

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.