Revelation - Lesson 7

Give your Daughter an Inch & She'll take a Mile

Prayer: God as we study today about Thyatira help us to learn about the danger of allowing false doctrines to be adopted by the church, to be watchful as compromise tries to work its way in, to remember to keep our worship pure & based on the truth in Your Word alone.  Help us to do this as individuals, as a church body, and in the true Church - the body of believers in the world.  Amen!

Today we will be studying the 4rd church of the 7 who were specific recipients of letters in the book of Revelation, the church at Thyatira.

Prior to the 3rd century BC the city had been named Semiramis (after the consort of Nimrod - think Tower of Babel).  Semiramis, along with Nimrod & their son Tammuz, are the 3 people on which the Babylonian legends are based - paganism finds its roots in these legends.  It is not surprising that the city had been named after a woman, since Thyatira had been part of a Lydian society which was known to have a matriarchal nature.

An inland city, in the 1st century it stood at the juncture of 3 roads leading to Pergamus, Sardis, and Smyrna - it was considered a frontier fortress (or garrison town) to guard those 3 critical roads which were main lines of communication and trade.  Of the seven cities of Revelation it's the least important politically; however, it was a thriving and prosperous manufacturing and marketing center, home to numerous trade guilds including coppersmiths, tanners, dyers, leatherworkers, woolworkers, linenworkers, etc.  

Thyatira was famous for its high quality dyes & dyed goods, and was the center of the dyeing industry: Lydia, a believer and "seller of purple" was from Thyatira - reference Acts 16:14; she later moved to Philippi and her home was the meeting place of the church there.  A "seller of purple" would have been wealthy & powerful, so from this we again see Thyatira's acceptance of women in powerful positions.

More guilds were found in Thyatira than any other city at its time in the province of Asia.  These guilds were problematic for Christians as many were tied into the worship of pagan deities.  Each guild owned property, made contracts, and wielded wide influence in political, economic, social, and religious life.  Each provided benefits and took action to protect its interests - kinda sounds like some of the Unions we have today, and is believed by some to be where our modern-day unions got their start.  Each guild had a patron deity, they held festivities at which wild orgies ensued and banquets featuring food sacrificed to idols took place.  Guild membership was compulsory for anyone who wanted to pursue a trade - needless to say this caused problems for Christian craftsmen.

One source mentioned that church at Thyatira ceased to exist when the city itself was defeated, I believe the reference is to a battle that occurred in 366 AD but I'm not certain.

Today the city in the location of ancient Thyatira is named Akhisar (or Ashisar) and is home to about 80,000 people; the city and its region produce olives, cotton, tobacco, graphite, wool, raisins, and dyes. 

Architecture:

• Temples to pagan deities
• No major fortifications & not much else known about its architecture.

Religion:

• Worship of Apollo (sun god) which was mixed together with Emperor worship.
• Worship of Sambeth (goddess).  This particular form of paganism had Sibyls (oracles / prophetesses) who claimed to speak for Apollo.  At the time of the 1st century there was a powerful Sibyl presiding over this temple.  It is believed that at times the presiding Sibyl was a proclaimed Jewess or Christian, and was attempting to influence her culture by imitating pagan oracles in order to attempt to win converts.

Before reading I want to point out that this letter has a tone of impressive might and irresistible will, and in places it expresses the fury of a holy God who has been offended.  The Letter to Thyatira: read Revelation 2:18-29 (18-19, 20-21, 22-23, 24-25, 26-29)

Name of the city: Thyatira - Daughter, named around 301 BC by Nicator (nick-A-tor) after he'd defeated the city, because he had just been informed that a daughter had been born to him.

Title of Christ: "the Son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze"

Son of God: this title may have been chosen in order to be in stark contrast to the "Jezebel" mentioned in later verses.  Jezebel was a powerful queen in the history of Israel, if you don't know who Jezebel is from the Old Testament scriptures just hold on, you will before we're done.

Eyes like blazing fire - these are eyes of inspection, eyes of judgement - nothing is hidden from Jesus vision.  Blazing fire would have been a powerful & easily understood symbol due to the foundries of the city.

Feet like burnished bronze - Feet speak of the walk, brass (burnished bronze) being able to withstand fire (judgement).  The word translated brass or burnished bronze is "chalkolibanos" and isn't used in any other book of the Bible.  It is believed that this may have been a specialized product of one of Thyatira's trade guilds - perhaps a particularly bright or golden-hued bronze.

I get an overall sense from the title chosen that we are seeing Jesus here as furious, outraged by the hideous practices occurring within this body of believers.

Commendation:  "I know your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first."

Their walk is not only good, its improving!  They are even more active in their faith than they were initially.  Wow, if this is as far as we went they sound like they're in great shape... but this isn't all that is needed, sound doctrine & godly living are also needed.

Concerns: "You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.  By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. " with verse 24 indicating that some had been involved with Satanic practices.

Who is Jezebel in the Old Testament?

Jezebel is the daughter of Eth-Baal, King of Sidon & Preist of Astarte (a.k.a. Asherah) - he murdered his predecessor in order to seize the throne.  She was married to King Ahab, one of the kings of the Northern kingdom of Israel (during the time of the divided kingdom) - their marriage was arranged for political & financial reasons.  Jezebel was a worshipper of Baal & Astarte, pagan deities with roots in the Babylonian legend, she also actively sought to exterminate the prophets of God.  Jezebel & Ahab ushered in the worst period of Old Testament History.

A short historical excursion - you really should know who Jezebel is as a reference:

Our first passage is when Elijah confronts King Ahab - this is after Jezebel has been trying to kill off all of the prophets of God.  1 Kings 18:16-40 (16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-35, 36-40).  Our second passage is when Jezebel hears about what Elijah has done to the prophets of Baal.  1 Kings 19:1-2.  Our third passage is what happens when Ahab doesn't get what he wants so Jezebel takes it for him. 1 Kings 21:1-16 (1-4, 5-10, 11-14, 15-16) - the study notes on verse 13 indicate that not only was Naboth killed, his sons were also killed, resulting in him having no heirs.  Finally we get to Jezebel's death.  2 Kings 9:22, 30-37 - her death was as prophesied in 1 Kings 21.

Who is "Jezebel" in Thyatira?

Jezebel calls herself a prophetess, the wording here indicates that she's a false teacher or a teacher bringing in idolatry.  I believe this was a specific person, a woman, leading a movement within the church that was causing issues; however, it is also possible that "Jezebel" is used to indicate those acting in the manner and/or spirit of the Old Testament Jezebel.

Jezebel is misleading Jesus servants into adultery.  The NIV translates the Greek word for adultery into "sexual immorality", but as a literary term adultery could imply either sexual immorality or paganism or both.  It's likely that it's both, since most pagan practices included sexual immorality, and since it specifically mentions leading people to "eat food sacrificed to idols".  It is possible that Jezebel was one who advocated tolerance for the guild festivities & practices, arguing that these guild deities need not be taken seriously - a tempting compromise for believers struggling to earn a living.  Keep in mind, however, that guild festivities would have included orgies & feasts in honor of their deities.

It's also implied that Jezebel is bringing Satanic mysteries into the church.   Consider this, it's possible that a Sybil has entered into the fellowship of this body of believers and is trying to exercise influence within the church.  If this is the case then the tone of fury & might of this letter is easier to understand.

We're told in the passage that Jezebel is given the opportunity to repent, but does not; however, the problem isn't just Jezebel, the problem is that the church is tolerating & condoning Jezebel!!  They were allowing Jezebel's teachings, even giving her a leadership roll, some were embracing her heretical teachings & those who didn't embrace her teachings weren't doing anything to stop her.

Those who are "in bed" with Jezebel will, like her, be forced to suffer - to suffer intensely unless they repent of her ways.  Those who continue to follow her (called her children) will be stricken dead so that all the churches will know that Jesus is the one who searches hearts and minds, and He will repay us according to what we have done.

Thyatira has been titled by some "the adulterous church", indicating problems worse than those in Pergamum where the world's influences had been felt, and going so far as having pagan influences accepted within the church.

Exhortation: Generally to all: to get away from / keep away from Jezebel and her ways.  Specifically, to those who have not followed Jezebel or learned Satan's so-called deep secrets: "hold on to what you have until I come."

Despite this church being troubled there is a faithful remnant within the church, there are those who haven't gone along with Jezebel's teachings or practices.  Here we also get an explicit reference to the 2nd coming of Christ.

Satan's so-called deep secrets - esoteric mysteries of the Babylonian cults.  It's interesting that in 378 A.D. the Bishop of Rome took on the title & office of Pontifex Maximus - the title belonging to the high priest of the Babylonian religion - thus combining the Christian church in Rome with paganism.  The fallout from this in the history of the Roman Catholic church is incredible, as it went through centuries of evil & corruption, but that's way too big a topic to cover here.

Promise to the Overcomer: "authority over the nations.  He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery... I will give him the morning star"

The ambition of Jezebel in the Old Testament was to have power, there may have been a false promise being given by this "Jezebel" regarding power that would come from following in her ways.

Iron scepter (rod of iron) - expressive of might arising from innate strength rather than coming from formal authority.

Dash to pieces like pottery - a greater, more irresistible strength than even that of the mighty Roman empire with all its legions.

The morning star being given - implies that Jesus presence will be given as a gift to the overcomer.

Who has the authority & does the ruling & dashing to pieces? Jesus, yet He shares this authority with His true church, His people.  Keep in mind that we belong to another, we belong to the King of Kings, we are not of this world, our authority is other-worldly & above any human government or authority.  The more defeated Christians may appear in this world the stronger we become, where Christians are persecuted faith is purified and strengthened, where killed for our faith we gain eternal life - we are powerful & cannot be defeated because we have the living God living in us!

This promise to the overcomer has a millennial aspect to it as well, as believers will rule and reign with Christ in the millennium.

Closing Statement: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches"

Thyatira in church history represents the Medieval Church or the church of the Dark Ages, approximately A.D. 590-1350.  During this time idolatry was mixed with Christian works, the papacy gained secular power, worship of the Virgin became part of the church service, Mass was said for the dead, and the Inquisition took place.  Many of the popes during this period bought their office, abused their power, many had residences that were nothing more than brothels, appointed friends/family to church offices or sold the offices to those with money.  Some declared war against & killed off any Christian groups that held to the pure teachings of the scriptures rather than the rule of the Roman church.

How is your life like the life of the church of Thyatira?  Where have you let idolatry or compromise sneak in?  What practices are you involved in or approving of that are offensive to Christ?  Where have you strayed from the pure truths of God's Word?

How is our church like the church of Thyatira?  Where has our church allowed compromise in?  What practices are in our church that are offensive to Christ?

Prayer:  God, show us our errant ways, help us to humble ourselves to your holy will as individual believers and as a local body of believers.  Help us Lord to be a people and a church that seeks to be doctrinally pure.  Help us Lord to resist outside pressures that might tempt us to compromise.