Revelation 2:18-29 is the scriptural text for this study.
"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; " Rev 2:18 (KJV)
A few notes about Thyatira:
This is an inland city in what is now Turkey. The Bible Almanac notes: " There were no great statues of Gods in the city, but trade guilds promoted idolatry and excess drinking."
J.Vernon McGee makes the following observation in his "Thru the Bible" Commentary :"Thyatira was built by Lusimachais and again by Selecus I the founder of the Seleucid dynasty.."
Acts 16:14 tells us, "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. " (KJV)
This Lydia was the first convert of Paul. It is likely that when she returned to Thyatira, she was instrumental in starting the church there.
Thyatira was headquarters for many ancient guilds including:
- Potters
- Tanners
- Weavers
- Robe Makers
- Dyers
In fact, J.Vernon McGee states that it was the "center of the dyeing industry".
About the beautiful location of Thyatira, Sir William Ramsay has written :
" Thyatira was situated in the mouth of a long vale which extends north and south connecting Hermus and Caicos Valleys. Down the vale a stream flows south to join the Lycus (near whose left bank Thyatria was situated), one of the chief tributaries of the Hermus, while its northern end is divided by only a ridge of small elevation from the Caicos Valley. The valleys of the two rivers, Hermus and Caicos, stretch east and west, opening down from the edge of the great central plateau of Anatolia towards the Aegean Sea. Nature has marked out this road, a very easy path, for the tide of communication which in all civilized times must have been large between the one valley and the other. The railway traverses its whole length now: in ancient times one of the chief routes of Asia Minor traversed it."
"......the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; " Rev 2:18 (KJV)
J. Vernon McGee makes the following observation: " This pictures the Son of God in judgement. His eyes are like a flame of fire searching them out, and His feet are like burnished brass, which represents judgement. Christ is judging this church."
"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. " Rev. 2:19 (KJV)
Here the good works of the church in Thyatira are listed.
In his commentary, Matthew Henry notes: " The honourable character and commendation Christ gives of this church, ministry, and people; and this given by one who was no stranger to them, but well acquainted with them and with the principles from which they acted. Now in this church Christ makes honourable mention, (1.) Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no religion where there is no charity. (2.) Their service, their ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had laboured in the word and doctrine. (3.) Their faith, which was the grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service. (4.) Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet with that which will exercise their patience. (5.) Their growing fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and best at last."
The true believer's personal love for Christ should be manifested in his works.
On the subject of works in this context J.Vernon McGee observes: "Works are actually credentials of true believers." He goes on to quote from the Book of James: "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" "
Just to clarify my on position on works, which I believe to be the correct interpretation of works: Works do not save. Our salvation, as Christians, does not come from our works. We did nothing to obtain salvation,Christ did the work of redemption. However, our love for Christ should produce these works in us (so to speak).
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. " Rev 2:20 (KJV)
Okay... now the hammer comes down so to speak. This is the condemnation of the Church.
What is this reference to "Jezebel" ?:
"And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. " 1 Kings 16:31 (KJV)
"And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. " 1 Kings 21:25 (KJV)
"And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. "2 Kings 9:7(KJV)
"And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? " 2 Kings 9:22 (KJV)
"And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. " 2 Kings 9:30-37 (KJV)
Okay... that is some of the scripture in the Old Testament that tells some of the story of Jezebel.
Jezebel was responsible for bringing paganism to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jezebel was the consort to King Ahab.
To make the contextual connection here, I again refer to the writings of our old pal J.Vernon McGee.
McGee writes: "And evidently there was in the local church at Thyatira a woman who had a reputation as a teacher and prophetess who was the counterpart of Jezebel, the consort of Ahab"
McGee goes on to point out : "And concerning the historical period of the Dark Ages which the church at Thyatria represents, pagan practices and idolatry were mingled with Christian works ad worship. The papacy was elevated to a place of secular power under Gregory I (A.D. 590), and later by Gregory VII, better known as Hildebrand, (A.D. 1073-1085). The introduction of rituals and church doctrine supplanted personal faith in Jesus Christ. Worship of the Virgin and Child and the Mass were made a definite part of the church service. Purgatory became a positive doctrine, and Mass was said for the dead. The spurious documents labeled Donation of Costantine and Decretals of Isidore were circulated to give power and rulership to the pope. As Jezebel killed Naboth and persecuted God's prophets, so the Roman church instituted the Inquisition during this period."
"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. " Rev 2:21 (KJV)
The Greek word which is translated space in the King James and time in some other translations is the word "chronos" (Strong G5550). Strong's gives this definition:
"chronos
khron'-os
Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay: - + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while."
This is pretty clear. God will not put up with this sin forever. My reading of the Strong's definition of this Greek word indicates that this is a "fixed" period of time. It may be a realitvely long fixed period. However, according to the definition it will end!
J. Vernon McGee writes: " The Lord Jesus has patiently dealt with this false system for over a thousand years, and there has been no real change down through the centuries in this system. In fact, Rome boasts that she never changes - semper idem, always the same.
And consistent with the interpretation here, the scripture goes on to make the point:
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. "Rev 2:22, 23 (KJV)
Here the consequences for this sin are laid out.
*** Will add more later****
"......the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; " Rev 2:18 (KJV)
J. Vernon McGee makes the following observation: " This pictures the Son of God in judgement. His eyes are like a flame of fire searching them out, and His feet are like burnished brass, which represents judgement. Christ is judging this church."
"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. " Rev. 2:19 (KJV)
Here the good works of the church in Thyatira are listed.
In his commentary, Matthew Henry notes: " The honourable character and commendation Christ gives of this church, ministry, and people; and this given by one who was no stranger to them, but well acquainted with them and with the principles from which they acted. Now in this church Christ makes honourable mention, (1.) Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no religion where there is no charity. (2.) Their service, their ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had laboured in the word and doctrine. (3.) Their faith, which was the grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service. (4.) Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet with that which will exercise their patience. (5.) Their growing fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and best at last."
The true believer's personal love for Christ should be manifested in his works.
On the subject of works in this context J.Vernon McGee observes: "Works are actually credentials of true believers." He goes on to quote from the Book of James: "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" "
Just to clarify my on position on works, which I believe to be the correct interpretation of works: Works do not save. Our salvation, as Christians, does not come from our works. We did nothing to obtain salvation,Christ did the work of redemption. However, our love for Christ should produce these works in us (so to speak).
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. " Rev 2:20 (KJV)
Okay... now the hammer comes down so to speak. This is the condemnation of the Church.
What is this reference to "Jezebel" ?:
"And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. " 1 Kings 16:31 (KJV)
"And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. " 1 Kings 21:25 (KJV)
"And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. "2 Kings 9:7(KJV)
"And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? " 2 Kings 9:22 (KJV)
"And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, Had Zimri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king's daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel. " 2 Kings 9:30-37 (KJV)
Okay... that is some of the scripture in the Old Testament that tells some of the story of Jezebel.
Jezebel was responsible for bringing paganism to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jezebel was the consort to King Ahab.
To make the contextual connection here, I again refer to the writings of our old pal J.Vernon McGee.
McGee writes: "And evidently there was in the local church at Thyatira a woman who had a reputation as a teacher and prophetess who was the counterpart of Jezebel, the consort of Ahab"
McGee goes on to point out : "And concerning the historical period of the Dark Ages which the church at Thyatria represents, pagan practices and idolatry were mingled with Christian works ad worship. The papacy was elevated to a place of secular power under Gregory I (A.D. 590), and later by Gregory VII, better known as Hildebrand, (A.D. 1073-1085). The introduction of rituals and church doctrine supplanted personal faith in Jesus Christ. Worship of the Virgin and Child and the Mass were made a definite part of the church service. Purgatory became a positive doctrine, and Mass was said for the dead. The spurious documents labeled Donation of Costantine and Decretals of Isidore were circulated to give power and rulership to the pope. As Jezebel killed Naboth and persecuted God's prophets, so the Roman church instituted the Inquisition during this period."
"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. " Rev 2:21 (KJV)
The Greek word which is translated space in the King James and time in some other translations is the word "chronos" (Strong G5550). Strong's gives this definition:
"chronos
khron'-os
Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay: - + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while."
This is pretty clear. God will not put up with this sin forever. My reading of the Strong's definition of this Greek word indicates that this is a "fixed" period of time. It may be a realitvely long fixed period. However, according to the definition it will end!
J. Vernon McGee writes: " The Lord Jesus has patiently dealt with this false system for over a thousand years, and there has been no real change down through the centuries in this system. In fact, Rome boasts that she never changes - semper idem, always the same.
And consistent with the interpretation here, the scripture goes on to make the point:
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. "Rev 2:22, 23 (KJV)
Here the consequences for this sin are laid out.
*** Will add more later****
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