The Corrupt
Church
Revelation 2:18-29
The Corrupt Church
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira
write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of
fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your
patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 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.
21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality,
and she did not repent.
22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of
their deeds.
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches
shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I
will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not
have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they
say, I will put on you no other burden.
25 But hold fast what you have till I come.
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end,
to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father;
28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.” ’
The church in Thyatira was a Christian community in the Roman
province of Asia.
Thyatira was an ancient city in Asia Minor. It is now called Akhisar
in Turkey. Located in the region of Lydia, Thyatira was known for
its guilds, particularly those of dyers, tanners, and bronze
workers, and was famous for its purple dye.
Thyatira was a wealthy city with a diverse population and a strong
commercial culture, making it very vulnerable to external influences
and changes.
The message to the church in Thyatira had both commendations and
criticisms.
They were commended for their strong love and good works, and their
service to the saints, especially to those in needs. They were also
commended for their faithfulness in Christ, enduring even against
those who were not for the gospel.
But their shortcomings were allowing Jezebel and her teachings to be
taught in the church! They allowed that woman Jezebel to do what she
wanted. She said that she was a prophetess of God. But she was
leading the Christians away from the Lord with her false teachings.
Jezebel led them to take part in sexual sins and to eat food that
were offered to idols. The Lord had given her enough time to change
her heart, and to turn away from her sins. But she did not want to
change.
Therefore the Lord would throw her on a bed of sufferings. And all
those who took part in spiritual adultery with her would suffer
greatly.
The Lord would do these things if they did not turn away from the
wrongs and sins she did. The Lord would kill her followers. Then all
the churches would know that He searched and knew the minds and
hearts of all the believers! He would repay each of them for what
they had done.
Jesus warned the church to hold fast to what they had and to repent,
lest they be punished with sufferings and death.
The Thyatiran church serves as a great reminder for us to be
watchful and discerning in the face of false teachings and immoral
influences while remaining steadfast in our Christian faith.
While love and good works are highly recommended, they should not be
done at the expense of not upholding biblical truths and rebuking
false teachings.
This is a wake-up call to repentance, returning the ways of the
Lord, and not falling away from our high calling in Christ.
When we do so, we will win the victory in Christ. As we continue to
do what the Lord desires to the very end, He will also give us the
power over the nations.
May we learn the lessons of the church in Thyatira, and not commit
the same errors they had committed!
Written on 28 April 2025