If there’s one thing we’ve learned as we’ve studied the first three churches of Revelation, it’s that there’s nothing new under the sun. As we’ve taken the time to look so far at these churches, we can see that no matter what we as a church are going through at this point in history – whatever it is that we may be facing – it is only a repeat of what the church of God has already gone through at one point in time or another. So technically, I don’t even need to preach this message this morning, because we already know it – in some ways we’re already experiencing it. I can imagine that for some of you, these messages may be getting a little repetitive. I know that as I sat down to write this sermon this week, it took me forever to figure out how to start it because every introduction I came up with sounded like the first three I’d given. But as I thought about it, and as I asked God for the wisdom to know how to deliver this message to the congregation this morning, I realised that the whole Bible is about repetition.
You see, as I looked at it, I realised that from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible always comes back to the same point. And as I looked at the messages to the churches which we’re studying, I realised that, on both the prophetic and devotional levels, the letters to these 7 churches were all saying essentially the same thing. And as I spent some more time thinking about it, I realised why. Why would every story, every chronicle, every prophecy of the Bible be about the same thing in the end – come back to the same point? It’s because, from God’s perspective, there’s just one thing that we need to know. And so what He does in Scripture, with every page, with every chapter, with every verse, is drive that point home.
You know, I sometimes say that it would be great if you could just hit people over the head with the Bible enough times and they’d believe. Do you know what I mean? Maybe I’m the only one here who thinks that way, but wouldn’t it be just great if we could take this Book, and go up to our neighbour, and thump the Word of God over their head twenty or thirty times, and they’d get it? Friends, I know I’m not the only one who thinks that way – God Himself thinks that way, because for centuries, He’s been telling people the same message over and over again, in the hope that if they’re exposed to the same message enough, it’ll finally get through. I can tell you that in my life, it sometimes takes reading a lot of Scripture before I get it – and even then it takes more reading before it really sinks in. But I thank God that He’s not willing to give up on me; and I thank God that He’s not willing to give up on you. And even though every message comes back to the same point, God knows it’s a point we can’t hear enough.
So while this message is going to be a bit repetitive, I’m going to preach it anyway. And as we study the church of Thyatira this morning, we’re going to re-emphasise the main point God is trying to get across to us, with the hope that someone else will get it. So turn with me, please, as we read the letter to Thyatira, found in the last part of Revelation chapter 2, starting at verse 18 (read vv. 18-29)….
This is a long letter. In fact, it’s the longest of any of the letters written to the churches. But like all the other letters, it has one main point. We’re going to come to the main point shortly, but first, we’re going to take some time to learn a few other things along the way.
One of the first things we learn about the church of Thyatira is that it was an active church – a church, we read, that is recognised for its works, its charity, its service, its faithfulness and its patience. This was a church that was getting the work done. And, we are told, instead of slowing down as time passed, this church actually had a greater reputation for its labours in its later years than it did at the beginning. Instead of losing its youthful zeal, it increased in its passion for service.
Now, a word should be said here about the kind of works and service the letter is talking about. It should be mentioned that the letter is not talking about the programs the church is running. You know what I mean by programs. The church that has programs has a full calendar: Curling for Christ on Sunday afternoon; Bowl for Blessings on Monday night; Jog for Jesus on Tuesday; Chit Chat and Bible Trivia on Wednesday; Homeruns for Heaven on Thursday; and Golf for Glory on Friday. But God isn’t looking for a church with programs. He’s looking for something else. You see, the Greek word used here for “works” is ergon which means “labours”. And the Greek word used for “service” is diakonia, which means “ministry”. So what God is commending in this church is not just hard work and some good programs; what He’s commending are labours of ministry.
Jesus is not impressed with programs; He is not impressed with activity. Friends, Jesus is impressed with ministry. And because that’s what God is looking for, it is the duty of the church to ensure that every program, every gathering, every activity that the church provides, has as its primary goal the edification of the saints, the salvation of the sinner, and the glorification of the Saviour.
By the same token, friends, God wants each of us more than just involved in the church; He wants us serving in the church. You know there are many in this congregation who are active. They attend church every Sabbath; they’ll come to midweek meeting and vespers; they never miss a social activity – but to what end? They’re active, yes; but they’re not serving. On this point the Scriptures are clear: Jesus does not bless and reward activity; He only blesses and rewards ministry. It would be well for each of us to stop and ask of ourselves: "I am doing this and doing that, but is what I’m doing a ministry? Is what I’m doing encouraging the saints, evangelising the sinners, and exalting the Saviour?” And if it isn’t, maybe it’s time to rethink your activities.
God loves ministry, and those devoted to it. But that doesn’t always mean things run smoothly. Remember from our last study what happened when the church of Pergamos was doing a good work? The devil raised up a scandal to try and stop the work from carrying forward! And we see that in Thyatira, his plan is no different: when the church of God is doing something good, the enemy’s plan is to do whatever it takes to gum up the works.
With the church at Thyatira, however, we are introduced to another tactic the enemy uses to upset the effectiveness of God’s church. Notice what God says here in verse 20: “You are doing a good work, but…” (read v. 20). There’s someone in the picture that shouldn’t be there; someone whom God calls “that woman Jezebel”, who is leading the people of God astray. And friends, Jezebel is just as active in God’s church today as she was then.
Now, before you go scanning the church directory to see if there’s anybody named Jezebel in the congregation, I can assure you there isn’t. And for that matter, the person being spoken of here probably wasn’t named Jezebel, either. In fact, there’s a chance it wasn’t even a woman. In identifying the person as Jezebel, Jesus was giving us a description of the character of this person, rather than his or her name.
Jezebel was a character from the Old Testament, and so to properly understand what God is talking about in this letter, we need to go back to the Old Testament and read about the original Jezebel. We are introduced to her in the book of 1st Kings chapter 16, so I’d invite you to turn with me there please. In verse 29 of 1st Kings 16, we are told about Ahab, who became king of Israel after his father Omri. In verse 30, we are told that Ahab “did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.” And one of the evil things he did, we are told in verse 31, was to marry Jezebel, the daughter of an idolatrous pagan king.
It is after this, we are told, that the whole nation plunged into idolatry and immorality. Prophets of Baal are brought into Jerusalem – 450 in all; most of God’s prophets are put to death; shrines and groves are built for the worship of the false gods. By allowing all of this, we are told in verse 33 that “Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”
Little more is said of Ahab’s activities after this. More is said, however, about what his wife was up to. Turn with me, please, over to chapter 21 of 1st Kings. Here we read of an encounter between King Ahab and a man named Naboth. Naboth owned a vineyard near the palace, which Ahab wanted to buy from him. When Naboth refused, Ahab got angry – so angry that he refused to eat anything. Now let’s pick up at verse 5 of 1st Kings chapter 21 (read vv. 5-8)…. Once the letters were sent, Naboth was accused of cursing God. Because of the accusations, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death.
Now, there’s a detail that we need to notice here. Didn’t Ahab have the power to take what he wanted from Naboth? Sure he did; he was the king. But it wasn’t Ahab who took action. It was Jezebel, acting under false pretences, who assumed his authority and carried out the deceptive plan.
It is here that we have hit upon the main character trait of Jezebel that God wants to warn us against. The main character trait of a Jezebel is that they assume authority that is not rightfully theirs. Yes, Ahab is said to be the one did evil in the sight of God. But as you read the account given in 1st Kings, it becomes clear that Ahab himself did very little. Instead, he let Jezebel have all the power and authority. It was Jezebel who brought in the false prophets; it was Jezebel who had the prophets of God killed; it was Jezebel who assumed the authority of the king of Israel so that she could do her evil work. When Jezebel came onto the scene, there was a transfer of authority to one who had no right to have it; and it was under these circumstances that the nation of Israel was led astray.
Friends, let there be no question about it: there are Jezebels in the church of God today. In the church of God today, there are men and women who are trying to set themselves up as authorities, who have no right to be authorities. They are challenging the leadership of the church, they are challenging authority on every level; and it’s tearing the people of God apart.
In the Bible, there are five orders of earthly authority established by God. One is the civil government. Then there is the authority of an employer over their employees. There is the authority of the husband over his wife (we don’t like to talk about that one too much, do we; but it’s there nonetheless). There is the authority of the parents over their children. And finally, there is the authority of the leadership in the church. Now, we don’t have the time to get into how each level of authority works; but at each level you will find four things to be true and inarguable about the authority structure.
First, you will notice that in each case, the authority is established by God Himself. Notice with me please, what the Word of God says about this in Romans 13, verse 1: “Let every person be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but God, and the earthly authorities are established by Him.” You know, I hear a lot of talk from Christians who say, “I don’t have to listen to anyone but God”; and they love to quote that passage from Acts where it says “we ought to obey God rather than man”. And it’s true. It’s true that where any man-made law or command goes in direct contradiction to the command of God, we’ve got to go with God’s command. But that does not give us license to disregard any earthly authority altogether, just because we think we don’t have to listen to anyone but God.
That brings us to the second point: if you resist the earthly authority, it’s the same as resisting God Himself. Notice what it says picking up in verse 2 (read vv. 2-5)…. God established all earthly authorities for the order of society – both within and without the church. And to resist those authorities is to bring condemnation upon yourself. For example, did you know that in the Old Testament, when a child was stubborn and rebellious toward his parents, they could have him taken to the town gate and stoned to death for his refusal to submit to his parents’ authority? Yes, God takes authority very seriously; and to refuse to submit to those whom He has established here on earth is to put yourself on dangerous ground.
Now, point three, and a word to those in authority. God makes very clear that just as those subject to authority must not rebel, so we who are in positions of authority must not exercise our power unjustly. Look, for example at Ephesians chapter 6, verses 5-9…. The warning given is that the masters must be careful in the treatment of their servants – again with the realisation that we are all under the authority of Christ. In Hebrews 13:17, we are told that the leaders of the church are held accountable before God for how they care for those under their authority. Parents will be accountable for the treatment of their children, and husbands for the care of their wives. Never let it be said that those of us in authority are free from any accountability. A day of reckoning is coming, when all will face the highest Authority and give account, both for our submission to authority, and for our exercise of authority toward those under our care.
This brings us to the last point we learn about earthly authority structures, and in particular those in the church. Turn with me please, to Matthew 23, and read starting at verse 1 (read vv. 1-3)…. What Jesus is telling His followers here, is that even corrupt authority must be obeyed. What does that mean? It means that we submit to that person because of their position of authority, and not because of their character. Again, I hear people say, “My boss is such a jerk, I don’t have to listen to him”. Oh yes you do! It was God who put him there, and to rebel against his authority is still to rebel against God Himself. David recognised that Saul was still king of Israel long after Saul fell into corruption. And David never once rebelled against Saul’s authority, nor would he allow any of his followers to. We may feel the leadership is corrupt, or that their characters are less than spotless, but it is still our obligation under God to respect their position, and to submit ourselves to their leadership, following the laws and commands given so long as they do not conflict with the dictates of Scripture.
Turning back to the letter to Thyatira, we see that there was rebellion in the camp; there was a faction in the body of Christ that was trying to overthrow the established leadership of the church; they were making it their chief aim to take matters into their own hands, and in so doing, they were bringing condemnation to the work of God. To this church was given a stern warning. We read about it as we turn back to Revelation chapter 2, verse 20 (read vv. 20-25). The warning is given that there is a need for repentance on the part of the rebellious ones – there is a need for those who have resisted the authorities set over them, to recognise their rebellion, and to turn away from their defiance of those whom God has ordained as leaders, and in humility before God, submit once again to those whom He has called for His purposes.
To continue acting in defiance of the authorities God has established, whether in the home, the workplace, the government or the church, is to make alliance with the arch rebel, even Lucifer himself. For it was he who first tried to overthrow God’s authority in heaven; it was he who tempted Adam and Eve to rebel against God’s rulership and make gods of themselves; and it is he today who is at work in the world, doing all that he can to bring rebellion against authority into the hearts of men and women, and in particular men and women of God. And the call from the Word of God is that if they do not turn back, they will be partakers of the same fate which he is doomed to suffer.
Oh, but thank God there is a better way. Thank God for His mercy. He has not left us in despair, but has offered us the solution. It’s found in verse 25, would you read it with me one more time….
Hold fast what you have. What does that mean? Turn with me to one last passage of Scripture, please. Colossians chapter 2, verses 18 and 19…. Friends, if we don’t want to lose what we have, we need to hold to the Head. If this church is to be victorious over the Jezebels that rise up, we must hold fast to what we have – we must hold fast to the true Head of the church, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And the Scripture tells us that this can’t be a half-hearted holding on; no, we are told to hold on to it with all our might.
Remember I told you at the beginning that there was one thing all of Scripture comes back to – one point that God keeps driving home, over and over again. This is it – hold on to Jesus. Hold on to Jesus. The reason we fall, the reason we rebel, is because we forget to hold on to Jesus will every ounce of strength we have. We loosen our hold, and we’re carried away. Leaders loosen their hold on Jesus, and they become corrupt. Those under authority loosen their hold on Jesus, and they begin to take matters into their own hands. Oh, friends, if there was ever an answer to the condition we’re in, it’s this – hold on to Jesus. It’s finally starting to stick with me. You know, I wonder why every sermon I preach seems to end on this note. It’s because it’s what the Bible is all about. It’s what God has been trying to pound into our minds and hearts for years and years and years, and one more time as we have studied this morning, He’s driving it home. Hold on to Jesus – it’s the only thing God wants us to do, but it will make all the difference in the world.
To those in the congregation this morning who have been in rebellion against those whom God has given leadership over you, the call is made to go back to Jesus, and take a good look at what it really means to be under His authority. Repent of your stubborn resistance against His earthly authorities, submit to Him first as your Lord, and submit to those He has set over you.
To those in authority, the call of God is for us to go back to Jesus; learn what it means to be in authority under Him. Let us repent of any corruption, repent for not properly exercising the authority entrusted to us, submit ourselves once again to Jesus as our Lord, and commit to leading others as we are ruled by Him, in justice and mercy.
And today, to the one who has never surrendered to Jesus Christ – the one who has been trying to be his own master – you know just how miserably it’s failed. Today you may have realised what you’re missing – you’ve realised that if you want to make it in this world, it means having Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. Today, you may feel the sense of helplessness that comes from trying to do things your own way. You need to know that Jesus is right there beside you, and He wants to be your God. He wants to lead you and guide you, not as a harsh dictator with long lists of dos and don’ts, but as One who has a plan of success for your life. The Bible tells us that He was so determined to see us follow that plan, that He himself, though He was God, came down to this sinful, corrupt world, and surrendered to the authority of corrupt men – men who put him to death – so that you and I through His perfect submission could have the power to be freed from the control of our own rebellious hearts, and be made servants - ministers – of the living God.
Whatever condition you find yourself in this morning, the cure to your condition is offered just now – the only cure that will work. God has been trying to make us realise this for a very long time now. Isn’t it time, today, to give in to Jesus – to take Him as our highest Authority, and live that life that He died for us to have? If you’re there today – even if it’s only starting to sink in – and you want to surrender to Jesus, then today, even this moment – is your opportunity. Won’t you come to Jesus? Won’t you come to Him and say, “Yes, Jesus, I surrender; be my Lord; live out Your life within me.” If that’s your desire, then come join me at the front as we dedicate ourselves to Him afresh.
(Appeal)
