Jesus says...
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: “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. Revelation 2:18-19
What did those in the church in Thyatira do that pleased Jesus? They actively served Him, they loved Him and other believers, they were faithful and true to His Word, they served Him by serving one another, and they persevered in the face of tribulation and persecution. And… in spite of the trials they were enduring, their deeds were actually greater than when they were first saved.
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. Revelation 2:20
What were they doing wrong? Well, in the church in Pergamum they were tolerating people among them who had false beliefs. Here, in Thyatira, they are tolerating someone among them who is a false teacher, someone in a position of authority who is teaching. This teacher called herself a prophetess, but she was teaching things that lead God’s bond-servants astray from His Word. She was leading them to commit acts of immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 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. 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. Revelation 2:21-23
What had Jesus done? He had given this Jezebel time to repent of her immorality, but she wouldn’t. So what was Jesus going to do? He was going to make her ill—very, very ill. Those who were committing adultery with her were going to be thrown into great tribulation. Could they prevent their destiny? Yes. All they had to do was to repent. Jesus was even going to kill her children with pestilence. Why? Because it was, and is, important that God’s Glory be seen. Jesus is God and He knew what they were doing. If He let this sin go on, all the churches would think it was tolerable. But it wasn’t—Jesus was not going to tolerate it! He is the One Who searches the minds and hearts of His people and He is the One Who will give to each believer—exactly according to his deeds.
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. Revelation 2:24
A false teacher is teaching the deep things of Satan in the church! That should make you cringe. But… the good news is that there were a few, such a precious few, who did not hold to this false teaching. They had not dabbled in the Satanic abominations. On these few faithful believers, Jesus would place no other burden. He is so kind, so good, so perfect. He is our God.
Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. Revelation 2:25
Even though Jesus was not going to place any new burdens on the faithful few in Thyatira, He expected them to not lose ground. He expected them to hold fast, to stand firm, until He came.
He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, To Him I will give authority over the nations; 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… Revelation 2:24-27
Who is the one who overcomes in Thyatira? The one who keeps the deeds of Jesus until the end. What will be given to the one who overcomes? Wow! Authority over the nations! This will take place after Jesus returns to end the Great Tribulation and the time of the Millennial Reign has begun.
What kind of authority will be given to the overcomers to rule the nations? Well, the overcomer will rule the nations with a rod of iron. The rod is referring to a shepherd’s rod but it will be made out of iron. In other words, the nations will be made to submit or they will be broken to pieces as the vessels of a potter are broken. And notice this… the authority of the overcomer will be one and the same with the authority of Jesus Christ as He rules and reigns over the world!
...and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:28-29
The overcomer will be given the morning star. Many people consider this to be Jesus, Himself, which, of course, will be true. Does it mean more than that? Sorry, but the answer to that needs to be left to a deeper study than our Read-Thru.
What is our response to sin? Is it swift? Is it appropriate? God is not indifferent to sin; God judges sin and He wants us to judge sin. The problem today is there is a lack of balance regarding who God is and how the church is to respond to sin. Love is essential. Love does not tolerate sin. God is a God of judgment. What price are you willing to pay to take a stand for righteousness? Are you willing to lose your job and your source of income? Are you willing to lose your position and popularity in the community? Are you willing to lose your prominence among your peers? Are you willing to take a stand for righteousness sake? If you don't take a stand now, what will it cost you later?
God will not tolerate sin. God's children desire to repent. God's children abhor sin—hate sin; God’s children hate what they've done when they sin. The devil's children don't want to repent. The devil’s children are complacent and tolerant and unrepentant. Are you tolerating anything that shouldn't be tolerated? Are you tolerating wrong teaching? Have you faced sin that you know exists? Have you repented?
Repent… and hold fast until He comes...
