Thyatira
is an interesting church. It is one
place where their works of service are a wonderful thing but they also seem to
suffer a non confrontational approach to sin.
One of the interesting things we’ve seen is that Jesus wants to get the
church cleaned up. In order to clean up
the church someone has to confront the sin.
Today there are many times that sin is in the church and when someone in
the church points it out to the leaders the person pointing it out gets
reprimanded or scorned. How is it that
when someone speaks the truth they become the enemy? (see Galatians 4:16). It
is an odd twist in today’s churches, but as we will see, Jesus gives people
time to repent and then they are to be dealt with. If we did this in our churches today we’d
have less destructive sin and the sheep wouldn’t be bitten and devoured by the
wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is amazing when the sheep are crying that they
are being bitten by other sheep and no one bothers to point out that sheep
don’t bite. They are wolves. Let’s try to make a distinction between
them. If your church allows the wolves
into the sheepfold and doesn’t confront the sins they bring in, then your church
is not in the will of the Lord Jesus. Let’s
read about Thyatira.
Rev
2:18 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;
Eyes NT:3788 ophthalmos
(of-thal-mos'); from NT:3700; the eye (literally or figuratively); by
implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance):KJV -
eye, sight.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Flame NT:5395 phlox
(flox); from a primary phlego (to "flash" or "flame"); a
blaze: KJV - flame (-ing).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Fire NT:4442 pur (poor);
a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specifically,
lightning):KJV - fiery, fire.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Feet NT:4228 pous
(pooce); a primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally):KJV -
foot (-stool).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Fine brass NT:5474
chalkolibanon (khal-kol-ib'-an-on); neuter of a compound of NT:5475 and NT:3030
(in the implied mean of whiteness or brilliancy); burnished copper, an alloy of
copper (or gold) and silver having a brilliant lustre: KJV - fine
brass.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Jesus
announces that he is the Son of God, which is because there was someone
claiming to have an “in” in spiritual insight. This time Jesus describes
himself with eyes that are blazing fire and feet that are polished brass. Jesus is ready for war. That seems like a
clue as to how we might one day see Him as John described in Revelation 1:14
& 15
Rev
2:19 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.
Works NT:2041 ergon
(er'-gon); from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or
occupation); by implication, an act:KJV - deed, doing, labour,
work.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Charity NT:26 agape
(ag-ah'-pay); from NT:25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially
(plural) a love-feast:KJV - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear,
love.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Faith NT:4102 pistis (pis'-tis);
from NT:3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth,
or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon
Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension,
the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: KJV - assurance, belief,
believe, faith, fidelity.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Service NT:1248 diakonia
(dee-ak-on-ee'-ah); from NT:1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively
(eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or
techn. of the diaconate):KJV - (ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office,
relief, service (-ing).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1249
diakonos (dee-ak'-on-os); probably from an obsolete diako (to run on errands;
compare NT:1377); an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in
other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a
deacon or deaconess):(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Patience NT:5281 hupomone
(hoop-om-on-ay'); from NT:5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: KJV
- enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators,
Inc.)
More NT:4119 pleion
(pli-own); neuter pleion (pli'-on); or pleon (pleh'-on); comparative of
NT:4183; more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major
portion:KJV - above, exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great
(-er), long (-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, yet but.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
To
Thyatira and Ephesus, Jesus is concerned with their works, and uses the figure
of speech polysyndeton which means
many “ands”. For each clause take
special note of the word connected with each “and”. This draws our attention to the fact that
this church is doing something Jesus sees. Jesus says I know the things you are
doing, your benevolence, your moral conviction, your serving, your cheerful
endurance; and your last works exceed your first. Jesus likes these things and
later encourages them in these works.
Rev
2:20 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.
Thou sufferest NT:863 aphiemi
(af-ee'-ay-mee); from NT:575 and hiemi (to send; an intens. form of eimi, to
go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow): KJV - cry, forgive,
forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away,
remit, suffer, yield up.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:575
apo (apo'); a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something
near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or
figurative):KJV - (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space
of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In
composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation,
completion, reversal, etc.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Jezebel NT:2403 Iezabel
(ee-ed-zab-ale'); of Hebrew origin [OT:348]; Jezabel (i.e. Jezebel), a Tyrian
woman (used as a synonym of a termagant or false teacher): KJV -
Jezabel.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Calleth NT:3004 lego
(leg'-o); a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e.
(figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse;
whereas NT:2036 and NT:5346 generally refer to an individual expression or
speech respectively; while NT:4483 is properly, to break silence merely, and
NT:2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication, to mean: KJV -
ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on),
shew, speak, tell, utter. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Prophetess NT:4398 prophetis (prof-ay'-tis); feminine of
NT:4396; a female foreteller or an inspired woman:(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)KJV - ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put
forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
NT:4396
prophetes (prof-ay'-tace); from a compound of NT:4253 and NT:5346; a foreteller
("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:
KJV - prophet.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Teach NT:1321 didasko
(did-as'-ko); a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn); to
teach (in the same broad application): KJV - teach.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Seduce NT:4105 planao
(plan-ah'-o); from NT:4106; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth,
or virtue): KJV - go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
NT:4106 (plan'-ay); feminine of NT:4108 (as
abstractly); objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy
or piety: KJV - deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
To commit fornication NT:4203 porneuo
(porn-yoo'-o); from NT:4204; to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge
unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry: KJV -
commit (fornication).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:4204
porne (por'-nay); feminine of NT:4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:
KJV - harlot, whore.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Things sacrificed to
idols
NT:1494 eidolothuton (i-do-loth'-oo-ton); neuter of a compound of NT:1497 and a
presumed derivative of NT:2380; an image-sacrifice, i.e. part of an idolatrous
offering: KJV - (meat, thing that is) offered (in sacrifice, sacrificed) to
(unto) idols.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The
phrase a few things, does not appear
in the Greek text. There is an “and” missing between prophetess and teach. Again this is a figure of speech; so take
note of each word joined with the “and”. It seems there was a woman who was a
wolf in sheep’s clothing in Thyatira leading people astray. She may have been a
Jewish woman married to a leader in the church.
She told people she was a
prophet, taught inappropriate sexual behavior, and to eat meats sacrificed to
idols. She was teaching this as if doing
these things gave her a special connection with God and then she was telling
people she had spiritual or intellectual insight. If we remember, the original Jezebel who came
from the land of the Nephilim and was the daughter of the king, brought her
idolatrous practices to Israel. (See my
previous blog on King and Queen Manipulators
Ahab and Jezebel) Likewise there was someone in the church of Thyatira who
was doing the same things. Wolves can be
men or women. But once again we are to
protect the sheepfold as we saw in Pergamos. Instead of opening the doors wide
for everyone to come in we need to pay attention to who is leading. I once attended a church that would let
anyone become a leader, what a mess that was. Without proper structure and
guidance things can get messy very fast. This is the job of the shepherd. Don’t
let in the wolves.
Rev
2:21 And [I] gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Space NT:5550 chronos
(khron'-os); of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in general, and thus
properly distinguished from NT:2540, which designates a fixed or special
occasion; and from NT:165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by
extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay: KJV - years old, season, space, (X often-) time
(-s), (a) while.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Fornication NT:4202 porneia
(por-ni'-ah); from NT:4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest);
figuratively, idolatry:KJV - fornication.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
The
word I is not in the text but may be
properly combined with gave as Jesus
is speaking. However, if we take out the
I we might see that the church gave
her time to repent. Whether it was the
church or Jesus that gave her time to repent, she was confronted so that she
had time to change. The word of means “out”,ek, in the Greek. She
was to repent out of her
fornication. How did they do that? Jezebel,
the Jewess wife of a church leader was probably confronted and shown the
correct way to live but refused to and she probably continued to lead people
astray. Yet they left it at that, they
did not remove her. It could be that she drew one person into fornication at a
time, adding up to many people. That is
more likely the case rather than this woman holding a big meeting in the church
leading everyone in the church astray. Through sexual lusts she seduced one at
a time until it became a big problem in Thyatira. Also she may have brought in
many pagan traditions as well, calling them things we have to do to serve
God. Think of some of the pagan
traditions we see in church today. Was
that Jezebel’s doing?
Rev
2:22 Behold, [I] will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with
her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Will cast NT:906 ballo
(bal'-lo); a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less
violent or intense): KJV - arise, cast (out),
dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust.
Compare NT:4496.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
A bed NT:2825 kline
(klee'-nay); from NT:2827; a couch (for sleep, sickness, sitting or eating):
KJV - bed, table.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance
with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft,
Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Commit adultery NT:3431 moicheuo
(moy-khyoo'-o); from NT:3432; to commit adultery: KJV - commit
adultery.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Tribulation NT:2347 thlipsis
(thlip'-sis); from NT:2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): KJV -
afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation,
trouble.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Great NT:3173 megas
(meg'-as); [including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi,
etc.; compare also NT:3176, NT:3187]; big (literally or figuratively, in a very
wide application): KJV - (+fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud,
mighty, (be) sore (afraid), strong, to years.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Deeds NT:2041 see works
above
The
word I does not appear in the text
here either, it could be properly supplied or it could be omitted. It may be
that Jesus wants the church to throw this woman onto a couch with the ones who
committed adultery with her to single them out since they did not repent out of their behavior. But nonetheless, if Jesus is doing the
singling out, the punishment is great.
For these people’s evil deeds to be exposed to the whole church would cause
them to be shunned and their families to be humiliated. It seems that this should be a public
revealing by the church leaders. We
might have a whole lot less trouble in the church if people actually confronted
sin. I’m not talking about picking on
one person for not living up to someone else’s standards, but when a church has
several people in sin together, and people know about it, it should be
confronted. There are times however when several in leadership know about a bad
situation and their decision to not do anything about it is truly a problem.
On
a personal note I once went to a church with home groups and a man molested a
young girl after Bible study. No one
would talk about it or support the family or the young girl. They went to court
and the man went to jail for a couple of years.
The family was not helped or supported and they left the church. Instead
of exposing what happened the church leaders covered it up. Years later this man moved across country and
used some of the people in the church for references. Those people didn’t know anything about what
happened and gave good recommendations for this man. I’m not saying that people can’t change and
repent, but this church enabled this person to possibly be a child molester
again.
Another
incident in the same church was a man who was abusive to his wife and son. Instead of helping the woman they covered it
up. One day the man killed his wife and
son and then committed suicide. Couldn’t
someone have helped in this situation?
No one wanted to take a stand against sin; instead they covered up the
sin. Maybe if someone could have
separated the woman and child from the abuser they would still be alive. But no
one wants to say anything bad. The
Pastor even taught everyone that love covers in silence. Not according to Jesus. Love is to protect
the sheep.
Rev
2:23 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.
Children NT:5043 teknon
(tek'-non); from the base of NT:5088; a child (as produced):KJV - child,
daughter, son.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
I will kill NT:615 apokteino
(ap-ok-ti'-no); from NT:575 and kteino (to slay); to kill outright;
figuratively, to destroy: KJV - put to death, kill, slay.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Death NT:2288 thanatos
(than'-at-os); from NT:2348; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death
(literally or figuratively): KJV -
deadly, (be ... death.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
I NT:1473 ego (eg-o'); a primary pronoun of the
first person I (only expressed when emphatic):KJV - I, me. For the other cases
and the plural see NT:1691, NT:1698, NT:1700, NT:2248, NT:2249, NT:2254,
NT:2257, etc.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Searcheth
NT:2045ereunao (er-yoo-nah'-o) or eraunao (er-ouw-nah'-o); apparently from
NT:2046 (through the idea of inquiry); to seek, i.e. (figuratively) to
investigate:KJV - search.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Reins NT:3510 nephros
(nef-ros'); of uncertain affinity; a kidney (plural), i.e. (figuratively) the
inmost mind: KJV - reins.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Hearts NT:2588 kardia
(kar-dee'-ah); prolonged from a primary kar (Latin, cor, "heart");
the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by
analogy) the middle: KJV - (+broken-) heart (-ed).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Works NT:2041 see Works above.
Again
the word I in the beginning of the
verse does not appear in the Greek but is properly combined with will as Jesus is speaking while the
second I does appear in the text. For those committing fornication with her
there was either physical children or spiritual children that were or are going
to be destroyed with death. When we look
at our next church we will see a clearer picture of this death. Jesus says then
the assemblies will know that he is the one who searches the innermost thoughts
and feelings, and he will give according to deeds. If we take the mile high view we see
something similar that happened to David and Bathsheba. The first child from that affair was born sickly
and died. If it is Jesus who is doing
the killing we can derive that people will not live long and prosper unless
they repent out of their sin. This is not something most Christians like to
talk about, but this is what the Bible says. Remember Jesus has the keys to
hell and death. We might also derive
some clues from Paul speaking to the Corinthians and the Ephesians regarding
delivering one to satan, 1 Corinthians 5:5 or in 1 Timothy 1:20. Also in Sardis
we will see death come up again. We have to remember that this was written 30
or so years after Paul wrote to the churches, so Jesus is giving us guidance
for church function. In any event if the shepherd is to protect the sheepfold,
the sinners must be exposed and removed.
In this case this woman was seducing others into sexual perversions and pagan
rituals Jesus was against the inaction from the church leaders.
There
are a couple of connections to be made here.
Some people think that talking about sin is “old fashion” and if you are
not hurting anyone else it’s alright.
But in the church it is hurting others; living a bad example in the
church makes the younger ones think that it is acceptable, and in turn they
shorten their own lives, and end up living in turmoil. The whole church bears that burden. Have you ever seen churches that are always
in turmoil? The first connection to make
is that one bad apple does indeed spoil the whole bunch. The second is that what you do, does in fact
affect your health and well being. Jesus’ words are very strong. You may think
that having fun is more important than living well, but we are eternal beings,
this life is only a short time compared to eternity.
Rev
2:24-25 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold
fast till I come.
Depths NT:901 bathus
(bath-oos'); from the base of NT:939; profound (as going down), literally or
figuratively:KJV - deep, very early.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Burden NT:922 baros
(bar'-os); probably from the same as NT:939 (through the notion of going down;
compare NT:899); weight; in the N. T. only figuratively, a load, abundance,
authority:KJV - burden (-some), weight.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
I come NT:2240 heko
(hay'-ko); a primary verb; to arrive, i.e. be present (literally or
figuratively):KJV - come.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
To
everyone in the church who doesn’t know the profoundness of satan, Jesus wasn’t
going to put any other burdens on them.
This problem was enough. They
were to keep doing the good deeds they were doing until Jesus arrives. Something to keep in mind is that in every
church there are some who are misbehaving and some that live well. Jesus does not condemn the entire church, nor
does he punish the entire church, just the ones misbehaving.
Rev
2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I
give power over the nations:
End NT:5056 telos
(tel'-os); from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal);
properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion
of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely],
result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically, an impost or
levy (as paid):KJV - continual, custom,
end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare NT:5411.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Nations NT:1484 ethnos
(eth'-nos); probably from NT:1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe;
specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication, pagan): KJV -
Gentile, heathen, nation, people.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
It
is not enough to overcome but to continue in Jesus’ deeds up to the finish line
as well. Then Jesus will give exercised authority over the heathens. When? In the future world, not this one. One has to overcome and do good works to the
end, now. Then later, the overcomer will
have leadership over a tribe.
Rev
2:27 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.
Rod NT:4464 rhabdos
(hrab'-dos); from the base of NT:4474; a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or
a baton of royalty):KJV - rod, sceptre, staff.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright
© 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Vessels NT:4632 skeuos
(skyoo'-os); of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus
(literally or figuratively [specifically, a wife as contributing to the
usefulness of the husband]):KJV - goods, sail, stuff, vessel.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Of a potter NT:2764 keramikos
(ker-am-ik-os'); from NT:2766; made of clay, i.e. earthen:KJV - of a
potter.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Shall they be broken
into shivers
NT:4937 suntribo (soon-tree'-bo); from NT:4862 and the base of NT:5147; to
crush completely, i.e. to shatter (literally or figuratively): KJV - break (in
pieces), broken to shivers (+-hearted), bruise.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
The
overcomer will rule with a staff of iron over the earthen goods and will bruise
just as Jesus has the ability from the Father. This is why Jesus expects us to
judge sin and remove it in the church.
If we don’t have the guts to do it now, on earth, we will not be
overcomers and judges later. Obviously there has to be a balance when speaking
of sin, but sexual immorality among those in the church, that leads others
astray, is to be eradicated. People have
time to repent and if they do not come out of what they are in, Jesus holds the
leaders responsible.
Rev
2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Star NT:792 aster
(as-tare'); probably from the base of NT:4766; a star (as strown over the sky),
literally or figuratively: KJV - star.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Morning NT:4407 proinos
(pro-ee-nos'); from NT:4404; pertaining to the dawn, i.e. matutinal: KJV -
morning.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
LUCIFER [LOU see fur] (morning star) - the Latin name for the planet Venus. The
word Lucifer appears only once in the Bible (Isa 14:12). Literally, the passage
describes the overthrow of a tyrant, the king of Babylon. But many Bible
scholars see in this passage a description of SATAN, who rebelled against the
throne of God and was "brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the
Pit" (Isa 14:15). The same kind of interpretation is often given to Ezek
28:11-19. The description of the king of Tyre thus is believed to reach beyond
that of an earthly ruler to the archangel who was cast out of heaven for
leading a revolt against God. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Is
it possible that Jesus will give these overcomers the same position Lucifer
had? Could it be in fact the actual planet
Venus? Or is this figurative as Jesus is the one who holds the seven stars,
therefore these overcomers will be similar to the angels of the churches? We do know that they will have an authority
over a group of beings made of clay and can use that authority to break them in
pieces. I like the way the Message
reads.
Rev
2:24-28 "The rest of you Thyatirans, who have nothing to do with this
outrage, who scorn this playing around with the Devil that gets paraded as
profundity, be assured I'll not make life any harder for you than it already
is. 25 Hold on to the truth you have until I get there. 26 "Here's the
reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give
up: You'll rule the nations, 27 your Shepherd-King rule as firm as an iron
staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave
me; I pass it along to you — 28 and
with it, the Morning Star! (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Rev
2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
What
is the Spirit saying to the churches? There are those inside the fold who may be
married to people in high up positions and are claiming they have special
insights to God and leading people into perversions. The people being led astray are servants of
Jesus, not newly born again Christians. This implies there is a level of
maturity among those being deceived. The
depth of satan’s deceptions are at work and the ones who are perverse should be
confronted with repentance. After a time
if they don’t repent they should be publicly displayed before the church and
removed. That is the shepherd’s
job. While dealing with this type of sin
the rest of the people should continue in their good works.
End Notes
THYATIRA a city on the Lycus,
founded by Seleucus Nicator, lay to the left of the road from Pergamos to
Sardis, 27 miles from the latter city, and on the very confines of Mysia and
Ionia, so as to be sometimes reckoned within the one and sometimes within the
other. Dyeing apparently formed an important part of the industrial activity of
Thyatira, as it did of that of Colossae and Laodicea. It is first mentioned in
connection with Lydia, "a seller of purple." Acts 16:14. One of the
Seven Churches of Asia was established here. Rev 2:18-29. The principal deity
of the city was Apollo; but there was another superstition, of an extremely
curious nature which seems to have been brought thither by some of the
corrupted Jews of the dispersed tribes. A fane stood outside the walls,
dedicated to Sambatha — the name of the sibyl who is sometimes called Chaldean,
sometimes Jewish, sometimes Persian — in the midst of an enclosure designated
"the Chaldaeans' court." This seems to lend an illustration to the
obscure passage in Rev 2:20,21, which some interpret of the wife of the bishop.
Now there is evidence to show that in Thyatira there was a great amalgamation
of races. If the sibyl Sambatha was in reality a Jewess, lending her aid to the
amalgamation of different religions, and not discountenanced by the authorities
of the Judeo-Christian Church at Thyatira, both the censure and its
qualification become easy of explanation. (The present name of the city is
ak-Hissar ("white castle"). It has a reputation for the manufacture
of scarlet cloth. Its present population is 15,000 to 20,000. There are nine
mosques. — ED.)
(from
Smith's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database
Copyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
THYATIRA [thigh uh TIE ruh] —
a city of the province of LYDIA in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey) situated
on the road from Pergamos to Sardis. The city was on the southem bank of the
Lycus River, a branch of the Hermus River.
Although
never a large city, Thyatira was a thriving manufacturing and commercial center
during New Testament times. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of many
trade guilds and unions here. Membership in these trade guilds, necessary for
financial and social success, often involved pagan customs and practices such
as superstitious worship, union feasts using food sacrificed to pagan gods, and
loose sexual morality.
The
Book of Revelation refers to a certain woman known as "Jezebel" who
taught and beguiled the Christians at Thyatira to conform to the paganism and
sexual immorality of their surroundings (Rev 1:11; 2:18-29). In the church in
Thyatira, one of the "seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev 1:4),
Jezebel's followers seem to have been a minority because the majority of
Christians in this church are commended.
The
apostle Paul's first convert in Europe was "a certain woman named
LYDIA...a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira" (Acts 16:14). The
modern name of Thyatira is Akhisar, which means "white castle."
(from
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson
Publishers)
