Pursue Purity Series

Pursue Purity

Revelation 2:18-29

Rev. Brian Bill

February 21-22, 2026

I’m grateful to Pastor Daniel for jumping in at the last-minute last weekend. We finally had some good preaching around here! Two weeks ago, I lost my voice while preaching on Saturday night and barely made it through the 9:00 service on Sunday. I’m glad to be back in the saddle. In an effort to be compassionate, Kim Hawkins told me to keep it short today, so I don’t strain my voice. That’s not going to happen.

As we continue in our “Revelation Unveiled” series, please turn to Revelation 2:18-29. Here’s a helpful summary of our passage: Because it’s inexcusable to tolerate the intolerable, commit today to hold fast to the truth so you won’t compromise tomorrow.

1. The character of Christ. Revelation 2:18 begins: “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…” Compared to the other six churches located in Asia Minor, Thyatira was the smallest and least important city. Interestingly, this church received the longest letter. Thyatira was home to more trade guilds than any other city. A guild was like a trade union of today, but each guild had a god, and each member was required to participate in idolatry and to take part in immorality.

This proved to be a big challenge for Christians. Some compromised and joined these guilds, which led to idolatry and immorality, while others held fast to their commitment to Christ and suffered socially and economically.

Notice how Jesus reveals His character in the second part of verse 18: “…The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” The title “Son of God” was likely chosen to emphasize the majesty of His person and His position because Thyatira was also home to a massive temple to Apollo, the son of Zeus, who was known as the “Sun God.” This reference to Jesus as the Son of God has its roots in Psalm 2:7: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’” To say Jesus is the “Son of God” means that when we worship Him, we are truly worshiping God Himself.

The description of King Jesus in 2:18 comes from Revelation 1:14-15: “…His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze…” This phrase is a fulfillment of Daniel 10:6: “…his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze…” The city was known for its purple dye and for high-quality bronze weapons that when polished gleamed like gold. His eyes blazing like fire refers to His penetrating gaze that sees all things and overlooks nothing. His feet like burnished bronze represent strength and splendor and how He will pursue all that is evil and stamp it out. Jesus is the saving one, the searching one, and the Sovereign one.

Much of the false teaching in the early church had to do with the minimizing of Jesus. Many people thought Jesus was important, but not essential. They had given Him a place in their lives without recognizing He demands first place. Jesus may have been prominent to them, but He certainly was not preeminent.

Sadly, today many teachers and churches offer a version of Jesus which emphasizes friendliness, tolerance, and acceptance.

In essence, some have made Jesus into a bobblehead who simply nods at everything we do. According to a quick online search, you can get a Jesus bobblehead which portrays Him with a huge smile as He winks and gives a perpetual thumbs-up to you. It’s called the “Buddy Jesus Christ Bobblehead” for only $39.95. Customers are urged to order soon because there are only nine of them left. Interestingly, when I clicked on the item, I saw something I’ve never seen before, a warning that said, “Frequently returned item.” I’m not surprised because this fake Jesus is ultimately disappointing.

We must move away from “What can Jesus do for me?” to “Am I living in light of His Lordship?” We don’t simply add Jesus to our lives like He’s some sort of app on our phones; we must adore Him with our lives through our allegiance, adoration, and obedience.

If you don’t get your idea of who Jesus is from the Bible, you may end up believing in a false Jesus. Ray Ortlund explains how many people today follow a fabricated Jesus commonly depicted in one of two ways.

• The “feel-good Jesus.” This false Jesus is always smiling, always agrees with you, never disapproves, and is grateful when you come to church every now and then. This Jesus tells you that everyone is going to Heaven because everyone is basically good at heart.

• The “feel-bad Jesus.” This Jesus is always serious and stern, pointing out your failures at every turn. He’s harsh and tells you to keep working harder to get to Heaven.