Written by Roger D. Campbell
The city of Thyatira was well-known for its trade guilds, as well as its purple (we recall that Lydia, who sold purple, was from Thyatira, Acts 16:14). Of greater significance to Christians, though, is the letter that the Lord sent to the Thyatira church. We read that letter in Revelation 2:18-29. Let us consider some lessons from our Lord’s message to the brethren there.
Jesus identified some positives in the Thyatira Christians. He told them, “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first” (Revelation 2:19). When God’s children are known for their love, service, faith, and patience, that is a good thing, right?
Love does not harm a neighbor (Romans 13:10), but love also does not sit idly and do nothing. Love takes action for the good of others (1 John 3:17,18).
When our Lord spoke of their service, He used a Greek word (“διακονία/diakonia”) which often is translated in the English New Testament as “ministry.” In Acts 6:1, we read that some widows were being neglected in the daily distribution/ ministration. Christians are all about serving with love (Galatians 5:13). Are you and I known for doing that?
In a world of unbelief and widespread false teaching, it was no small task for the saints in Thyatira to choose to live by faith. Paul observed that the faith of the Christians in Rome was spoken of throughout the whole world (Romans 1:8). Faith catches people’s attention. It opens doors. It motivates us to persevere.
The patience which members in Thyatira showed was more than controlling their anger. In the Bible, “patience” is from a word (“ὑπομονή/ hupomone”) which refers to steadfastness, perseverance, or endurance. It is sticking with the Lord even as we face trials, disappointments, and troubles in life.
Jesus also spoke of their works. In fact, He said their last works were more than the first. In that sense, they were making progress. When it comes to our righteous deeds, are you and I growing, stagnant, or regressing?
The church in Thyatira had a Jezebel problem. The Master told them, “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” (2:20). The Jezebel of Old Testament fame was the ruthless, godless wife of Ahab. She hated Elijah, murdered the innocent, and influenced Israel to worship idols.
The Jezebel in Thyatira was big trouble, too. She taught and seduced the servants of the Lord to
commit fornication and engage in idolatry, both of which were common practices in the Gentile world, but should never be practiced even once among God’s children (Ephesians 5:3-5)! Some are glad to hear someone tell them that it is okay to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, but such teaching is an abomination before God.
The Lord gave Jezebel time to repent. She refused to do so (2:21). Because she continued to rebel against His will, Jesus said He would punish her and her children/adherents (2:22,23). The Lord “searches the minds and hearts” of people and deals with them according to His justice (2:23).
A second aspect of the Jezebel problem was this: the Thyatira church was putting up with her awful leaven. Not all the members supported Jezebel, as Jesus acknowledged that some of them did “not have this doctrine” (2:24). But, some did. Some were guilty of allowing Jezebel “to teach and seduce” God’s servants (2:20). They gave her an open pulpit/ classroom in which to spout out her heresy. By doing so, they were allowing her to corrupt people’s minds. By taking that approach, they shared in her evil deeds (2 John 10,11). Inviting wolves to prey on the flock is not the way to maintain doctrinal and moral purity in a congregation! Yes, the brethren needed to love Jezebel, but the Bible says that some mouths must be stopped (Titus 1:9-11). Jezebel’s mouth needed to be stopped! Love for the souls of the saints and the future of the church demanded that the church stand up to Jezebel, rebuke her for her misdeeds and false messages, and not grant her a teaching opportunity.
Moving forward, what could the Thyatira disciples do? First, stop putting up with Jezebel’s junk (2:20). Second, hold fast to the good which they already had (2:25). In addition, they needed to overcome and keep Jesus’ works to the end (2:26).
Facing the challenges of immorality, false religions, and a general lack of interest in God’s truth can weigh on our minds and even overwhelm us if we are not careful. Jesus appealed to His disciples in the city of Thyatira to keep on overcoming. He promised to bless them if they did (2:26-28). He will bless you and me, too, if we hold fast to the end (Hebrews 3:6,14). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (2:29).