The Seven Churches- Thyatira

Rev.2:18-29

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;



 The Lord reminds the church of his person as the full embodiment of the Godhead (Col.1:19,2:9). God is speaking to them, the Son, he to whom they have to answer, before whose seat of judgment they will appear (2 Cor.5:10, Rom.14:10). He uses terms of judgment here regarding his eyes and his feet. The eyes of the LORD are referring to judgment that God sees men’s motives and intentions and works (Heb. 4:12-13, Prv.15:3, 5:21, 2 Chr.16:9, Job 34:20-1). The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam.16:7, Rev.2:23, Jer.17:10, 2 Chr.6:30) Note well our destination in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” And again, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor.5:10)

 Here we see the works which come forth from the heart (Jer.17:9-10, Mt.12:34-5) are examined by the eyes of the Lord. God knows the motives and the intentions of each work. Consider this sobering reminder “for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.” (Ezk.11:5) Sobering for the seat of judgment but comforting for now. For as the Lord knows our thoughts he can correct them and help us overcome them. The psalmist taught us to pray “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psa.139:23-4) Let us lay hold on this truth now so that our works will not be dissolved in that day. Another pertinent verse states “but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” and again he “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.4:12-13). It is easy in the present to know the motives of some. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. (Prv.20:11) Paul knew the certain brethren had motives related to envy and strife with pretense when preaching the gospel (Phil.1:14-8). Those who labor and build great works in this manner will find their efforts were all for naught in that day as his eyes of fire try their works and motives. They will be embarrassed as their works are dissolved at the Lords examination and they have nothing but nakedness and shame awaiting for they labored for vainglory. Thus Paul admonished us "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind". This "will worship" involved being "subject to ordinances" as "Touch not; taste not; handle not"; and have "indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body". (Col.2:18-23) But that's all; and those exercising themselves in these things "have their reward" in the praise of men. (Matt.6:1-8)


 No work shall escape this treading out, as his feet are like fine brass (1 Cor.15:25, 27, Mal.4:3). Brass was used as mirrors when it was perfectly polished (Ex.38:2-8) and was used in the altar of sacrifice because of its hardness for a finer metal. (Lev.26:19, Dt.28:23, Job 40:18) As he treads out our life works relentlessly with his feet as burnished brass we will see ourselves mirrored in the light of his word. (Psa.36:9, Jam.1:23-5) When men make their neck as iron sinew, and their brow brass (Isa.48:4) the Lord will meet their hardness with harness as he treads them down under his feet relentlessly and mercilessly, “and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.” (Psa.18:26, Ezk.3:8-9) The Lord makes known to the churches of his terror on that day when he eradicates all sin from his presence. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab.1:13), therefore all works not wrought in Christ by his grace working in us by our faith will be burned up in that day and men will suffer loss. (Rom.6:14, 1 Cor.3:10, 15:10, 2 Cor.9:8, Eph.2:8-10). We are exhorted by the apostle “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” (2 Jn.1:8) How can we look to ourselves? By faith in the perfecting work of Christ, that it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phil.2:13, Heb.13:21) Not by leaning unto our own understanding, for I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord (1 Cor 4:4, Prv.3:5) The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me. (Psa.138:8)



19-20 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.



 It is a good thing that the Lord knows our works and our hearts and minds so he can correct us and perfect us. We should embrace this truth and trust his word to work effectually in us dividing the soul and spirit and discerning the thoughts and intents of our hearts. (1 Thes.2:13, Heb.4:12) It is a good thing to have his Spirit searching the hearts and the inward parts washing us with the water of the word (Rom.8:27, Eph.5:26, Lv.1:9, 13). Many times, because of our pride and obstinance it is hard to hear the Lord’s rebuke in such a blunt and clear manner, but the Lord even instructs us “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” (Lev.19:17) This church although they had many good things working in their lives had this blight and this bane corroding the assemblies and the holiness of the Son of God (Rom.1:4) would not tolerate this sin upon them.

 One of the devil’s greatest weapons is the powerfully disarming physical and emotional beauty of the female; and indeed the woman was designed by God with powerful attractiveness as she embodies his grace. The woman wields enormous power in this respect and must use her graces with extensive and meticulous responsibility (1 Tim.2:9, 1 Pt.2:3-4, 1 Cor.11:10), for unto whomsoever much is given, shall be much required (Lk.12:48). This power is what the devil used to lure Adam to his death. It is what he is destroying this nation with in our day, exploiting the beauty of women to enslave men to their pride and lusts while objectivizing the woman and destroying marriage and children. Once the man is rendered pusillanimous and emasculated, he has not the courage or strength of spirit to stand in his divine role as the head of his house and leadership in the churches. (1 Cor.11:1-15, Eph.5:22-28, 1 Pt.3:1-6, 1 Tim.2:11, 2:1-5, Tit.1:5-9) He has not respected nor followed the word of God, he has not committed his heart to seek and search out of the book of the LORD and read, and is not in a position to minister to his family and church and his nation. When the mighty men are taken away the Lord says- “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” (Isa.3:12, 1-5) His negligence, his cowardice in not searching for truth has created an imbalance and has left a vacuum for the devil to fill with the whore. Once the coward genuflects away his authority to the loud and stubborn woman (Prv.7:11) the depths of Satan can be explored (Rv.2:24).

  While women are enabled and instructed by God to evangelize and teach and prophesy (Mk.16:15, Ac.1:8, 2:4,17-18, 21:9, Tit.2:1-5), in the church, that is when the whole church be come together into one place (1 Cor.11:18, 14:12,19,23,26) the women are to keep silence (v34-8, 1 Tim. 2:11-14) and allow the ministry of the word to be executed with all authority (Tit.2:15, 2 Tim.2:2, Tit.1:9-13). Those understanding the working of grace and righteousness and soul and spirit will likewise delight in this. However, in that day as in ours sound doctrine is not endured (2 Tim.4:3-4 with Tit.2:1-5) …enter Jezebel.

 This woman Jezebel in John’s day had the same name and spirit as her Old Testament counterpart the wife of Ahab king of Israel whom Elijah withstood and Jehu destroyed. The first mention of aggression exhibited by Jezebel was cutting off the prophets of the LORD (1 Ki.18:4,13), which is to say, ‘not enduring sound doctrine’. She did not accept the exclusive doctrine of the one God of Israel, herself coming from Zidonian Baal worship (1 Ki.16:31). Ahab for his part, before he married that wicked woman had forsaken God and did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him (v30). Jezebel used her authority as Ahab’s wife to cut off and stamp upon the LORD’s servants the prophets and to exalt the prophets of Baal stirring Ahab up against the prophets of Jehovah (1 Ki.21:25, 16:32-3, 18:19, 19:1-2). She then proceeded to multiply witchcrafts in the land (2 Ki.9:22) while feeding these Baalite prophets from her table. So, she shut up the prophets of God and brought in witchcrafts and idolatry to fill the land. Christ said of the woman in John’s day that she taught and seduced his servants into fornication and idolatry.

 It seems strange to imagine how the damnable works of fornication and idolatry could be introduced to the servants of Christ by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Tim.4:1). What form of doctrine could be introduced to these believers (my servants) to induce this level of sin? They had not been simply drawn into such wickedness by their own lusts, but some form of doctrine (v24) was introduced by her to justify such. Perhaps she was forbidding them to marry and having them divorce their spouses. (Mt.5:32,19:9, 1 Tim.4:1-3) It would appear from the text that she ‘pouredst out’ her fornications upon these servants herself and “thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied” (Ezk.16:28, 15). The Lord would say “I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these” as the church suffered or tolerated this to continue. The occult teachings and mystery religions all interpret sex according to their polytheistic and pantheistic backdrops and mingle the sexual desire (the inflamed will as creative force) into forms of worship. This Jezebel had postured herself as the center and source of revelation as the seer (1 Sam.9:9) and somehow connected fornication with her doctrine. Of course, idolatry would be considered spiritual adultery and thus connected with whoredom (Jer.3:9, Ezk.16:17,23:14, Hos.4:11-12). Idolatry was the method whereby Israel went a whoring after devils (Lv.17:7, 20:5-6, Ex.34:16, Dt.31:16, Psa.106:37). Paul warned us that although meat offered to an idol could be eaten, caution should be earnestly taken in these situations. (1 Cor.8:4-7, Rom.14:14) “What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor.10:19-22) Paul was concerned with the Corinthians receiving another spirit (2 Cor.11:4) and warned them against falling into this error. The depths of Satan are associated with this abomination, for the purpose of idolatry ultimately is to set up idols or images in the heart (chambers of their imagery- Ezek.8:12 through covetousness Eph.5:5, Col.3:5) which will allow devils to fill the hearts of the wicked (Mt.12:43-5, Ezek.14:3-7, Eph.2:2). “My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.” (Ezek.7:22) “Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.” (Dt.27:15) When the secret place where the idol dwells becomes the heart as the holy place then this is a sin unto death (1 Jn.5:12, 16, 21, 2:19). The idol will take many forms as the glory of the true and uncorruptible God is changed into the image of what the sinner loves (Rom.1:23). In his heart he makes God into something like himself visualizing what he imagines God to look like and prays thus with himself and worships his own imagination and mind.

 The fact that they suffered this woman could be an indication that they were secretly enticed by this sin; they needed to remember Lot’s wife (Lk.17:32). The fact that this prophetess was permitted to rise up in this church was a test of the hearts of this church to prove who would love the Lord and who would pursue their own evil hearts. Would there be a Phineas to rise up with the sword of the Lord in this day? (Psa.106:30-31) As with Israel when they set up their idols in their hearts and inquired of the LORD, he sent them strong delusion. “Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols… And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him”. (Ezek.14:4, 9-10) And again, “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Dt.13:1-4)



21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.



 Even though this wicked woman was defiling his church the Lord gave her space to repent. And indeed, he is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pt.3:9) Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (Mic.7:18) God will have mercy upon whom he will have mercy and will give repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, that people they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. (2 Tim.2:25-6, Rom.9:15) However men must “seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa.55:6) for the space to repent is not unlimited. “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me”. (Prv.1:24, 28) This space to repent would have included being rebuked by the Lord through those faithful to his word. “And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion… But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” (2 Chr.36:15-6) “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Prv.29:1) She repented not.



22-3 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.



 Jesus reveals himself as Jehovah here by declaring himself as the searcher of the hearts and reins and the executor of wrath. (Jer.17:10, 2 Chr.6:30, Heb.4:12-13) In his scale’s, judgment will be meted out with precision, down to the motive and intention. The Lord would cast her into a bed of affliction from which she would not recover for her hardness and impenitent heart. “Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die”; and she will make her bed in hell. (2 Ki.1:4,6, Psa.139:8) We know these are referring to her spiritual children and not children after the flesh for he mentions searching the hearts and reins. Likewise, we expect this to be physical death because all the churches shall know. Just as Ananias and Sapphira after Satan filled their hearts the Lord killed them immediately after their lie and “great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Ac.5:1-11) She is the mother of their abominations, and as they are partakers of her sins, they shall receive of her plagues.

 His servants are called to repent as well, and the space given them is not yet taken away. However, they may be cut off and cast into great tribulation if they repent not. As we have discussed under verse 5 and 16 since his coming is quickly or imminent, they may well be cast in the great tribulation (Rev.7:14, Mt.24:21, Dt.4:30). However, should he tarry (Heb.10:37) they will surely fall subject to this judgment. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil (Rom.2:9)



24-5 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.



There were still those in Thyatira who were not defiled by this doctrine which led to Satanic depths of apostasy (Mt.12:43-5). They remained faithful and stedfast despite the travail and vexation they were subjected to and the Lord required no greater burden from them. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor.10:13) What remained for them was to finish their course and not lose those things which they had wrought. They were to be looking for him to appear for his reward is with him to give to every man according as his works shall be (Rev.22:12) The Lord shall judge at his appearing and the resurrection of the saints (Lk.14:14, 2 Tim.4:1,8, 1 Pt.5:4, 1 Thess.2:19).



26-7 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.



 As we discussed under verse 7 the promise is to those who overcome and endure, not just for a time (Mk.4:17) but to the end of their faith keeping the Lord’s works. (1 Pt.1:9) He would grant them power as kings over the nations. This is a significant promise. We initiated the topic of the millennial reign of Christ under verse 7 with reference to these passages of scripture -Rev.20:1-6, Zech.14:16-19, Isa.2:1-4, 11:4-10, Isa.60. The second psalm shows us how that God will set up his Son (“as I received of my Father”) upon the throne of his father David reigning over the whole earth possessing the heathen (Lk.1:31-3) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isa.9:6-7) When the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (Rev.11:15) it is said to the Son of the nations “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psa.2:9-12) This passage reveals that during the millennial kingdom when Christ is reigning there will be nations of men who have the potential to sin and so Christ will be ready with swift judgment breaking them quickly (Psa.2:9, Rev.19:15). Their potential to sin will be fully exposed at the end of the thousand years when Satan is loosed one last time as the tares in the harvest. (Rev.20:7-9, Mt.13:30) These nations will be the remnants of those surviving the tribulation period and those born during the reign of Christ on earth. This will not be those who have partaken in the first resurrection who are raised incorruptible and like the angels and cannot die anymore and neither marry nor are given in marriage (1 Cor.15:42-54, Lk.20:35-6). The promise here is to reign with Christ over these nations of the earth that remain. They will not be resurrected in incorruptible bodies as they can sin and die (Isa.65:20, Zech.14:16-19, Isa.26:10-11, Rev.20:7-9, Mt.25:31-40), and they and the surviving Israelites will be marrying and bearing children for the thousand years. (Zech.8:3-6, Isa.11:6-8, Isa.59:21, 60:22, Jer.23:2-8) We are promised rule over the Gentiles with Christ (perhaps as here- Lk.19:15-19) as he will reign from Jerusalem from his temple seated in the holy place (Isa.2:2-3, Jer.3:17, Zech. 6:12-13,15, 8:3, Ezk.43:5,7). We are promised the chance to reign with our Lord in his glory, what an exceeding great and precious promise that should inspire us to overcome and be faithful unto the end.



28-9 And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.



 The promises of the Lord are exceeding abundant above all that we could ask or think, indeed eye hath not seen nor ear heard these things being revealed to us by his Spirit. (1 Cor.2:9-10) This promise of the morning star would be a promise of the Lord himself for he declares “I am… the morning star” (Rev.22:16). The reference to the star would be of celestial glory (1 Cor.15:41-2). We will be glorified with Christ himself, “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Col.1:27). The Lord promises us to partake of his eternal glory (1 Pt.5:1,10, 2 Tim.2:10, 2 Thes.2:14, 1 Thes.2:12, 2 Cor.4:17, Rom.8:17-8, Jn.17:22). This will occur in the resurrection when this mortal body which “is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:” (1 Cor.15:43). The light of life (Jn.8:12, 1:4) which is in our hearts will swallow up our mortal bodies if we are alive and remain unto the coming of Christ (2 Cor.5:4, 1 Cor.15:51-4) and he shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (Phil.3:21) and we awake with his likeness (Ps.17:15, 1 Jn.3:2). When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Col.3:4)

 The reference to the ‘morning’ in morning star is interesting. We see waking from sleep, mostly done in the morning, as analogous with rising from the dead (Isa.26:19, Dan.12:2, Eph.5:14, Jn.11:11-14, Job 14:12). The morning star is generally a reference to Venus the brightest ‘star’ seen before sunrise. Sunrise is analogous to Christ ruling in justice (2 Sam.23:3-4, Psa.89:36) who comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and a strong man from whom nothing is hid (Psa.19:4-6). And we know Christ is the Sun of righteousness who will arise with healing in his wings (Mal.4:2) and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (Rev.1:16). For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa.84:11) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee… the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isa.60:1-2)

 In this combining of the two concepts we would have the promise to be glorified with the glory of Christ before the sunrise or his return and millennial reign in righteousness (Isa.9:7). In other words, the pre-millenial pre-tribulation resurrection into a glorified body. The Spirit of the Lord who will himself quicken these mortal bodies would have us give ear unto these words for they are unto the churches.