No Compromise!
lanny smith
Seven / Thyatira / Revelation 2:18–29
• Compromise meme. So we compromised and got a cat.
• [Quote on screen] We don’t compromise because it’s right; we compromise because it is easy and because it saves face. We compromise in order to say that at least we got half the pie. Distilled to its essence, we compromise to be safe.
• Christopher Voss, professional negotiator
• Always a temptation to accommodate, compromise, “let it slide.”
• Often happens when we feel insecure, lack agency, think we don’t have power over a situation.
• Compromise was the problem for the church at Thyatira and new.
• It’s tempting to “give in” and go with the culture.
• Jesus’ words to the church are “stop that.” Why? Because we don’t need to.
Revelation 2:18 (NLT)
18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:
• Thyatira - industrial center, Roman garrison.
• Again, intersection of culture, religion, commerce are putting pressure on Christians to remain faithful to their true King.
• Jesus refers to Himself as “Son of God.” Here, likely to contrast Himself to the practice of the Roman emperors who styled themselves sons of god.
• Particularly, sons of Apollo who was the son of Zeus.
• Jesus is more than an emissary of the gods. He is the Son of God and therefore divine.
• Eyes/Feet
• Imagery designed to communicate that nothing falls outside Jesus’ notice (eyes of fire). He can act with power (bronze feet).
Revelation 2:19 (NLT)
19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
• Jesus commends the church for its faithfulness to Him.
• This is a vibrant, loving, serving congregation regardless of their circumstances.
• Consistently maturing in their faith.
Revelation 2:20–21 (NLT)
20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
• Jezebel - Name given By Jesus to communicate her true nature and actions.
• Designed to remind of OT queen of King Ahab.
1 Kings 16:31–33 (NLT)
31 And as though it were not enough to follow the sinful example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. 32 First Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria. 33 Then he set up an Asherah pole. He did more to provoke the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him.
• She killed the Lord’s prophets, encourages Baal worship, has Naboth murdered.
• “Jezebel” in Thyatira - doing the same thing. Encouraging idol worship and sexual immorality.
• Telling people what they want to hear. That it’s ok to compromise, to accommodate the surrounding culture.
• “seduced” them by appealing to temptation and fear.
• Urging them to take the expedient path to reach their goals.
• Giving them “cover” to integrate into the social, political and economic life of their world.
Revelation 2:22–23 (NLT)
22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then 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.
• But Jesus isn’t accepting this. She has had time and opportunity to repent (reconsider, change her heart).
• Strike - children = her followers. Spiritual death, separation from Christ. This is provocative imagery designed to grab our attention.
• There are consequences for sin.
• Jesus is unwavering in his call for holiness in doctrine and practice.
Revelation 2:24–25 (NLT)
24 “But 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, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.
• Deeper truths - we cannot incorporate accommodate unbiblical concepts into our faith.
1 John 5:21 (NLT)
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
Revelation 2:26–28 (NLT)
26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. 27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
• the counterbalance to evil influence is to practice the authority that Christ has given us through the Spirit.
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT)
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
• very end - the end is as important as the beginning.
• Stay in continual readiness for the Lord’s return. This gives us hope so we don’t give in and compromise.
Revelation 2:29 (NLT)
29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
• Listen to what Jesus tells his disciples:
Matthew 6:31–33 (NLT)
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
• Compromising our faith to gain safety, security, reputation, etc. is a bad idea.
