In 1789, the HMS Bounty became famous not for its intended mission but for the dramatic mutiny led by Fletcher Christian against Captain William Bligh. The mutineers wanted the idyllic life they had experienced in Tahiti and chose to rebel against their leader who had high expectations for his crew. This story of mutiny displays a stark betrayal of loyalty and duty and echoes the challenges faced by the church in Thyatira. They were seduced by the teachings and rituals of "Jezebel," a figure leading them into a type of mutiny against their Lord. In today's lesson we'll, take a look at what Jesus has to say about this type of rebellion.
We're looking at a message to a church that was doing a lot of things right but had a big problem with allowing bad influences, like "Jezebel," to lead them astray. Jesus praises their good works but warns them about the bad, and talks about the need for change. He talks about staying true to what's right and promises a special closeness with Him for those who do.
2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
2:19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
2:20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
2:21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
2:22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
2:23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
2:24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
2:25 But hold fast what you have till I come.
2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
2:27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;
2:28 and I will give him the morning star.
2:29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
2:18 He calls Himself the "Son of God," showing He's powerful and divine. This is different from earlier names like "He who holds the seven stars" or "He who was dead and has come to life." His eyes are like flames, and His feet like brass, just like John saw in Revelation 1:14-15. This shows He sees everything clearly and judges fairly. This start prepares us for both praise and criticism.
2:19 Jesus sees the good in the Thyatira church, just like He did with Ephesus in Revelation 2:2. But instead of critiquing them like He did Ephesus for losing their first love, He's happy with Thyatira. Their zeal is even stronger than before. Their faith is getting deeper, shown by more love, service, faith, and patience.
2:20 Jesus calls out "that woman Jezebel," reminding us of the Old Testament Jezebel who led Israel astray with idol worship and pagan sex rituals (1 Kings 16:31, 21:25). Jezebel is probably a nickname Jesus gave to a woman in the church who was leading a pagan sex cult among the believers. She also claimed to be a prophetess. It’s hard to believe that the church didn’t have the ability to shut her down.
This lesson from Thyatira is a heads-up for all Christians. It shows how temptation can sneak into the church. We have to be on our guard.
2:21 Jesus extends grace before judgment. He gave "her time to repent.” Repentance, in this context, is about her behavior. It isn’t a reference to whether she is saved or not. She may or may not be. Salvation is a gift received through faith, while repentance, in this context, is a change in behavior.
If Jezebel was an unbeliever, her repentance and her saving faith are both needed, but they are two separate things. If she was a believer, she must repent to get back on track with Christ. Either way, Jesus insists on change.
2:22 He will cast Jezebel "into a sickbed.” Jesus uses real-world circumstances to bring about the change He requires. This judgment is for her and any who participated in her sins. Sin is contagious in a local church. Not all is lost, though, since He says He would discipline them, “Unless they repent of their deeds.” Repentance is the key to averting God’s discipline in this life. While Jesus is patient, His call to repentance is urgent. He’s serious. He aims to restore believers and the entire church to purity. Obviously, not all of life’s troubles are God’s judgment, but when facing trouble, we should remember that sometimes God uses what seems like natural circumstances to get us to turn from our sins.
2:23 The phrase "I will kill her children with death" shows Jesus' severe judgment. It targets those who keep sinning. This shows how God seriously views unrepentant behavior. Sometimes, God might end believers' lives. He does this for discipline or to stop more sin (1 Corinthians 11:30; Acts 5:1-11). But, this doesn't mean they lose their salvation. Scripture says salvation is forever once you believe in Jesus (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:38-39).
The next part says, "all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts." This shows God knows everything. He can see our true motives (Jeremiah 17:10; 1 Chronicles 28:9). It also shows God wants to reveal His character. Throughout the Old Testament, God did things so that people would know He is the Lord (Exodus 7:5; 1 Kings 8:60; Ezekiel 36:23).
Jesus says, "I will give to each one of you according to your works." This means He will repay us based on what we do. This repayment is not about salvation. Salvation comes from faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). But, we will face judgment for how we lived. This is at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). This shows the balance of grace and responsibility. Salvation is a gift. Yet, we will be rewarded based on how we use this gift.
2:24-25 It looks like “Jezebel” had started a pagan sex cult in the church. Jesus says her followers knew “the depths of Satan.” What a terrible thing to have said about your small group! However, not everyone was involved. Some in the church resisted "Jezebel's" evil leadership.
For those who resisted, Jesus' exhortation to "hold fast what you have till I come" encourages the faithful to persevere in their commitment. They were to hold fast to good doctrine and Godly behavior. In so doing they were metaphorically holding fast to the reward he would give them in exchange. He talks of that reward in the next verses.
2:26 The concept of being an overcomer goes beyond the mere act of being saved. The saved are NOT expected to be passive while waiting for life to pass. We are called to a life of victory, spiritual warfare, and striving for triumph in our walk with Christ. He tells them (and us) to "overcome and keep My works until the end.” Those who do will be granted the authority to rule with Christ in His future kingdom (Romans 8:37; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6).
2:27 Jesus quotes Psalm 2:9. It shows the authority that will be granted to the overcomers. This imagery of ruling "with a rod of iron" and dashing nations "to pieces like the potter’s vessels" tells of the absolute authority Christ and His faithful followers will exercise in the millennial kingdom. This will be an amazing reward for those who are faithful to Christ's call to overcome.
2:28 He promises the "morning star" to those who overcome. This sounds like a mystery at first, but it’s cleared up when we get to a later chapter in the book. Jesus will later explain that He is the “Bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). This amazing reward is Jesus Himself!
This eternal reward is given not to all believers, but to those who finish well, overcoming the temptations they face. It represents a privileged closeness to Jesus in the coming Kingdom. It’s similar to the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15. God said He Himself is Abraham's "exceedingly great reward.”
The promise of the Morning Star to overcomers proves the greatest treasure believers can attain is an intimate relationship with Christ, reserved for those who pursue victory during their lives.
2:29 If you can hear what’s being said to Thyatira, as anyone can, then you can learn something from it. It reminds us to fight to overcome the temptations we face, because the reward in Jesus’ kingdom will be amazing!
