Scripture: “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
“‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Revelation 2:18-29 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, referring to Satan’s foothold among the pagans, Jesus charges his faithful to hold fast to his name while commending them for refusing to denounce their faith to avoid suffering that leads to death—even after seeing their fellow believer Antipas martyred. Still, Jesus confronts the church about some who act like Balaam (encouraging others to violate their sacred bodies) and others who hold to the libertine teachings of the Nicolaitans. Thus, he calls the church to repentance and declares he will soon wage war against those who refuse to repent with the two-edged sword of his mouth. Jesus concludes with a call to hear and understand what the Spirit says to the churches, followed by a word of encouragement: He will give to those who conquer “hidden manna” and a white stone inscribed with a personalized new name that only each individual and Jesus will know.
Today’s reading covers the fourth of Christ’s exhortations to the seven churches: Thyatira. Using his formulaic salutation, Jesus addresses the “angel of the church” with his unique title: “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (v.12), which introduces his critical appeal to Thyatira. Acknowledging the church’s maturing works based on faith, love, and perseverance, Jesus then confronts the church for tolerating a Jezebel-like prophetess who seduces members to idolatry akin to that of the Smyrna and Pergamum churches. Noting he gave this unrepentant prophetess time to repent, Jesus declares he will throw her onto a sickbed along with those who refuse to repent of her works (i.e., all will suffer great tribulation and death).
Resultantly, churches will realize that their Lord discerns and judges one’s heart and will merit accordingly to one’s works. For those who stay clear of Jezebel and her evil works (the deep things of Satan), Jesus will no further burden them. But they must hold fast to Christ and his good works until his return. When they do, they will conquer (i.e., over the power of sin) and receive authority over the nations like a rod of iron that shatters earthen pots. And Jesus will give these godly souls the morning star. So listen with understanding to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Historical Note: Located on the inland trade route about 45 miles east of Pergamum, Thyatira was known for its textiles, leather, and bronze works. Thus, its extensive trade guild played a prominent role in the city’s social, political, economic, and religious life. Indeed, Lydia, whom Paul led to faith in Christ, hailed from Thyatira, where she likely founded her enterprise of selling purple fabrics (see Acts 16:14).
Takeaway: As mentioned above, certain church members sought the favor of the culture by engaging in illicit sex (likely the temple prostitutes) and pagan feasts (where they gorged on food sacrificed to idols). They followed the lead of a false prophetess named after Jezebel (King Ahab’s seductive pagan wife). Still, others were resisting her heretical teachings and rejecting worldly approval. In contrast, they maintained the purity of heart and propagated Christ’s good works. To them, Jesus promises to provide relief and empowerment, following the prophetic language of Psalm 2:8-9. The gift of the “morning star,” which symbolizes royalty, is found only here and in two other places in Scripture: Numbers 24:17 (Balaam’s prophecy of a star rising out of Jacob) and Revelation 22:16 (Jesus’ self-identification as the morning star). The implication is that we will become Jesus’ light-bearers to the world who have conquered the power of sin.
Our takeaway? First, we cannot compromise the purity of our hearts if we desire to do good works for the kingdom of God. Otherwise, we will merely engage in social justice. Secondly, when we stay on course and follow the way of Christ as his “royal” ambassadors, we will possess all that we need (power and light) to navigate around the Jazabels of this world and expand his good works (Ephesians 2:10) to grow his kingdom. Lastly, Jesus’ prophecy reminds us that we must keep repenting to stay on track, exhibiting his power and light. When we do, Christ’s grace abounds, strengthening our steps to trample over our enemies (sin and temptation) with his burnished bronze feet and lighting our way forward with his eyes of flaming fire.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, our Morning Star, who crushed the head of the serpent with his burnished bronze foot and shone his truth and grace into the darkened corners of our world with his fiery eyes. Still, we sometimes prefer the darkness to hide our selfish ways. So please help us walk in the way of the “Light of the World,” repenting and appropriating the power of the “Resurrection and the Life” so that we might conquer the power of sin as your Son’s light-bearers. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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