Who Jesus Is

“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” (v. 18 ESV).

As with the previous letters to the churches, this letter to Thyatira begins with a description of Jesus. Thyatira was characterized by the worship of false gods, including Apollo, the son of Zeus. So this statement that Jesus is the Son of God was in direct opposition to the local culture.

The symbolism of eyes of flame is less clear, but could point to the fact that Jesus sees reality with penetrating, all-knowing insight. He knows every motivation, regret, thought, and the sins of our past, present, and future. “No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).

The feet of bronze symbolize strength and stability. Jesus walked with purpose while He was on the earth, and He rules with purpose from heaven.

As we learned last week and continue this week, we will thrive as a church and as individuals when we listen to and follow Jesus as Lord. This letter to Thyatira goes on to point out what Jesus wants to see in our lives and in every church.

Jesus Wants Good Deeds

“I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first” (v. 19).

This church was commended for their good works. We need to be clear that good works do not save us. We know from Ephesians 2:8-10 that we are not saved by works, but for works.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

We are to love God and love our neighbors through active service. Even patient endurance pleases God as we live in a broken and often painful world. The church of Thyatira was growing in good works, not just maintaining. We need to be invested for the long haul and prepared to finish well. Church growth is not all about launching new programs, but planting seeds that will continue to grow over a long period of time.

Jesus Wants Good Doctrine

“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” (v. 20).

Even churches that exhibit good deeds are not perfect. In fact, no church (and no Christian) is perfect. We all have places where we need correction. In this case, the church was tolerating a woman who was leading people into sexual immorality and idolatry. Jezebel was likely a nickname given because her works resembled those of Jezebel in the Old Testament in 1 & 2 Kings.

The church is to be different from the surrounding culture. Christianity should be known for monotheism and lifelong monogamy. Any church or group that teaches otherwise is leading people astray and in danger of God’s judgment.

It’s possible for a church and for individuals to do really well in one category and poorly in another, like those who work out one set of muscles and ignore others. We need a proper balance of deeds and doctrine, and we must be constantly seeking God’s guidance and correction.

Jesus Wants Repentance

“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality” (v. 21).

As God reveals areas of sin and failure, we need to be quick to repent. We are all sinners, and repentance should be a regular part of our Christian walk. Ongoing, unrepentant sin is always a problem. God extends mercy by giving time for repentance, but one day that time will run out, either because of our own death or the return of Christ. Refusal to repent will lead to consequences.

Consequences

“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” (vv. 22-23).

Not all sickness and suffering are the result of specific sins—much is simply due to life in a sinful and fallen world. But all unrepentant sin has consequences. There may be natural consequences such as illness or broken relationships. There is also divine judgment. According to Romans 2:4-5:

“Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”

Christians are meant to have soft, penitent hearts. Our works reveal whether we are hard-hearted or soft-hearted toward God. Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8).

Rewards

“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” (vv. 24-28).

Those who live in regular repentance, who hold to right doctrine and exercise good deeds, will be rewarded in the final day. They will experience and participate in the consummated kingdom of God in the new heavens and new earth.

Listen and Respond

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (v. 29).

What steps do we need to take as individuals and as a church this week? We need to be people who respond, not just hear the word and forget as soon as we walk out the door.

1) Are we doing the good works God has set before us? Would our community say we are known for our good works?

2) Is our doctrine in line with Scripture? Are there scriptural commands and instructions we are choosing to ignore?

3) What sins are we holding onto that we need to repent? Are there church members who need correction to bring them to repentance?