Revelation Exegesis: Thyatira

The Church at Thyatira

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. 19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 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. 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. 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. 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.’

Thyatira, unlike many of the other Asian churches, was not important politically or religiously. She owed her notoriety to trade (Ladd). The necessity of trade and commerce in the lifestyles of Christians in Thyatira led, in very similar fashion, to the problem of compromise and accommodation in Pergamum. The "tolerating of Jezebel" is another metaphor for condoning of false teaching. The Thyatiran Christians were "in bed" with heresy. They were "sleeping around" with poor doctrine. Because of this, they faced the discipline of Jesus.

v. 18 ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

The title "Son of God" is only used here in Revelation. Unlike Son of Man, which is a more human and humble title, this designation enforces the diety and authority of Christ (MacArthur, Ladd). His appearance, particularly his eyes and feet, reinforces his wrath and impending "trampling of His enemies." This is not someone to be taken lightly. It reminds me of One whom we should not take "in vain."

19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

There was much to commend about Thyatira. The virtues of love, faith, service, and patience are no small things. But, again, they are not the ONLY things. Truth matters. The beauty of the true gospel of grace by faith to the needy sinner is paramount! Doctrines of righteousness by faith alone are essential! Whoever this Jezebel teacher was, her teachings of gaining righteousness by "shacking up" with the world was an abomination to Jesus!

God's call is for repentance. But the false teacher "refuses to repent" (v. 21). Because of this, she will be struck with sickness. George Ladd notices that the punishment is more severe on her followers than on the false teacher herself. She is thrown on a sickbed, but her children are struck with death. Ladd writes, "Apparently John intends us to distinguish between those who are still struggling... and those who have unreservedly committed themselves to the teaching of the false prophetess."

The application for us is clear. Believer, resist any form of righteousness that is not gained by the life, death, resurrection and victorious return of Christ. One certainly cannot accommodate the world, blend it's philosophies and practices, and claim to have attained the measure of the stature of Christ! Let's take the advice of God, repent and receive the "morning star." MacArthur believes this is Christ Himself. Beale sees this as a reference to the messianic reign. Either way sounds good to me. Endure, resisting a non-gospel form of "righteousness," and gain Christ and his rule.