Summary
This is a letter written to the Angel of the church of Thyatira by revelation from the Son of God. He commended their good works of love, faithfulness, service and endurance. But in spite of this, He addressed an issue with the way some of them have put up alliance with a character called Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She taught the church misleading doctrines and influenced some people in committing sexual immorality plus eating foods offered to idols. A warning was given by God’s Son of a pending punishment if she and her followers refuse to repent. However, to the remaining people of the church in Thyatira, who refused to follow Jezebel and her teachings, they were encouraged to remain steadfast and will be rewarded with goodness and authority.
Another letter was written to the Angel of the church of Sardis. It was noted that the church was actually unreal. They thrive on a false reputation of being alive, when in fact they are dead. Their works didn’t commensurate with their perceived public status of perfection. They were warned sternly to repent. But a few of the church in Sardis were commended for their pure status and a promise was made to ensure their names were written in the book of life.
Life Application
God has no intention of ensuring anyone’s destruction. Though you missed the way or have sinned, He desires that you repent so that the results of a sinful life would be averted. God expects people to align with Him for their benefit. He knows the end from the beginning and only desires that we all end in a good place. Take heed to His warnings. It’s in our best interest.
Personal Declaration
I live in perfect agreement with Jesus. I align my heart with His.
Reading – Revelation 2:18-3:6
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’[a]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the Church in Sardis
3 “To the angel[b] of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[c] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds;you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Fatherand his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Footnotes:
- Revelation 2:27 Psalm 2:9
- Revelation 3:1 Or messenger; also in verses 7 and 14
- Revelation 3:1 That is, the sevenfold Spirit
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