Thyatira: The Church Of Corruption Series

Thyatira: The Church of Corruption

18"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are bright like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze: 19"I know all the things you do--your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. 20But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman--that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet--to lead my servants astray. She is encouraging them to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin. 21I gave her time to repent, but she would not turn away from her immorality. 22Therefore, I will throw her upon a sickbed, and she will suffer greatly with all who commit adultery with her, unless they turn away from all their evil deeds. 23I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. 24But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (`deeper truths,’ as they call them-- depths of Satan, really). I will ask nothing more of you 25except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26"To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations. 27They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 28They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! 29Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

Thyatira was located between Pergamos and Sardis, this city being under Roman rule for nearly three centuries. The city was situated in a long valley that swept forty miles to Pergamos, and had no natural defenses, but had a long history of being destroyed and rebuilt. Thyatira was basically no more than a military town that defended Pergamos from being attacked. They were more of a deterrent so that Pergamos as we learned last week would have time to prepare itself to fight against whatever foe would assail it.

18"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are bright like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:" As always the angel is a reference to the bishop of the church in this case at Thyatira. Not much is known about this particular town so I was not able to find out who the bishop was that is in question here. This is the only reference in the book of Revelation to Jesus as the Son of God. There are many references to Him as the Son of Man, but not the Son of God. The Lord here is making a stand in preparation for His coming rebuke against the bishop of this church. The Lord is reaffirming His deity by using the title the Son of God. It is significant as well to note that the author John uses this in the Book of John seven times in the I Am statements that Jesus used during His earthly ministry. The reason that is significant is because Jesus here is asserting who He is to His Church. Christ is the One who is the head of the Church; not a false teacher, cult or anything else. He runs the Church, and no man may have the authority that He has or the glory that He deserves. Any man that may try is but a false teacher full of himself and full of the lies of the Devil. Christ has the keys; He holds all the cards as the Son of God.

"Eyes are bright like flames of fire"

This is a specific reference to His Omniscience. He knows all that goes on in our lives. He searches our hearts looking at every intention. In a very real sense God knows every thought before we say it and even after we do it; he knows its end result.

"Whose feet are like polished bronze"

The altar of burnt offering was covered with brass and its utensils were made of the same material. (Exodus 38:1-7) Glowing hot brass feet are a reference to the divine judgement of Jesus Christ with feet of judgement moving thoughout His Church looking at each person’s heart. He looks throughout all His Church; searching each person’s heart. As we come into the experience of His presence the more we realize He is there every more beside us reaching out to us. What motivates us is not His divine judgement though it is sure, but His Divine mercy in spite of the fact that He could judge us even more showing His mercy to us being shown by His Judgement. It is in His Judgement on us that His mercy is in full display. God the Father has gone out of His way to get His people’s attention down through the ages. Beware lest He comes before you have Him in your life. The reward of the saint’s draws nearer and nearer each day; calling aloud to all people to come to Jesus into the courts of our God and experience the depths of His mercy.