Renewing the Church (11)

The fourth letter
The fourth is the longest of the seven letters in Revelation 2-3 that were circulated as a single entity. In these letters, Jesus examines His church. Thyatira’s problems are very similar to those of Pergamum, the subject of the third letter. The churches of Pergamum and Thyatira tolerated certain practices that were anathema to the faith. Thyatira, like Pergamum, was a compromised church. Since both Pergamum and Thyatira were linked historically (Thyatira once came under Pergamum’s rule before both came under Rome’s), the similarity of debilitating sins is understandable; proximity, geographically and politically, enabled cross-contamination.

Jesus’ letter to the angel of the church of Thyatira teaches us that Christ insists on a church maintaining its purity from sexual sins and its integrity in separating itself from pagan practices. Both of these strains are infecting many contemporary churches with spiritual viruses which sicken and, if left unchecked, eventually eat away the hearts of those churches.

The city of Thyatira
Thyatira was not a beautiful city like Pergamum; it was instead a manufacturing center. Thyatira might be likened to a factory town, whereas Pergamum was more of a cultural center. Craft guilds dominated the religious and political fabric of the city. At one point in its history, Thyatira could issue its own coins, several of which survive to this day. One coin pictures a smith hammering a helmet. Since Thyatira was known for its bronze works and its open kilns, the opening words of Jesus to the “angel of the church of Thyatira” take on local significance: “The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (Rev. 2:18; a reference which also harkens back to 1:14-15).

Many guilds dominated the manufacturing, political and religious spheres of Thyatira: wool, linen, leather, bronze, just to name a few. One notable guild produced purple dye from the madder root which proved much less expensive than the purple dye produced from shellfish and sea snails. One of Paul’s earliest converts at Philippi, Lydia, was from Thyatira and worked in purple dye (Acts 16:14). These guilds worshipped their own deities and sacrificed foods to idols during festivals that were in essence times of drinking and sexual excess.

Jesus commends the church
Jesus states, “I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first” (2:19). The four constituents of Thyatira’s “works” constitute the totality of Christian life and service; they did this in a pervasively pagan society. They did this in such a manner that their works were waxing, nor waning. But their “works” were placed in context and jeopardy by their tolerance of behavior by certain members that was contrary to the Gospel.

Jesus criticizes the Church
Jesus states, “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” (Rev. 2:20). What exactly and to whom Jesus was referring in this statement is not clear, but the gist of what He said is quite clear. In the Old Testament, Jezebel (869-850 B.B.), daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre and Sidon, enticed her husband, Ahab, king of northern Israel, to worship Canaanite gods; she also actively sought to kill the prophets of God (see 1 Ki. 18-21; 2 Ki. 9). The Jezebel of Thyatira, a “prophetess,” seemed to hold a prominent position in the church of Thyatira, possibly hosting a house church. As mentioned earlier, the guilds were religious as well as vocational federations noted for orgiastic festivals; this woman might either tacitly or openly have encouraged participation in the pagan festivals sponsored by the guilds.

Jesus gives a warning
Since all seven churches received these seven letters as a unit, Thyatira would be placed alongside Ephesus and would have an implicit criticism that, unlike Ephesus, they tolerated false teaching. The Jezebel of the northern kingdom died violently. Jesus states that He had given this woman ample time to repent, but that she had not, therefore He “will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation” (2:22). Jesus also chillingly adds, “I will strike her children dead” (2:23). This could be a reference to this woman’s literal children, but it more than likely is a reference to her disciples whereas “those who commit adultery with her” might refer simply to her followers. Her teaching is described as “the deep things of Satan” which seems to indicate the rituals of paganism in which initiates are given over time more and more esoteric “knowledge.”

Even though Jesus’ warning is harsh, it nonetheless if filled with grace in that He is extending His hand in a gesture that seeks repentance and reconciliation to those who have drifted away, despite the fact it appears that they will remain adamant in their sin.

Jesus encourages the faithful
In the only instance in Revelation 2-3 where Jesus no longer addresses the angel of a church, He informs the faithful (“you”) that He will “not lay” on them “any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come” (2:24). A similar statement was made at the Jerusalem conference concerning requirements of the Gentiles (Acts 15:28-29). It appears that the compromising that was taking place was not coming from this faithful remnant, but from the church leadership.

Jesus’ promises to the faithful
“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” (2:26-28). The phrase “keeps my works” is unusual but seems to mean, in light of all seven letters and the context of this letter, keeps the works of faithful, loving, but enduring witness which can result in ostracism and even death. The promise to those who conquer is the promise that alludes to Ps.2:8-9, a psalm foretelling the coming Messiah. The promise is that those who conquer and keep Jesus’ works will rule with Him.

The application of Jesus’ criticism to today’s Church
As was the case with Pergamum, Christ cannot tolerate immorality or syncretism in His church. We are all subject to falling into sin, but what separates us from the pagan is that we no longer practice sin. Those who teach that there is grace without commitment and condone those who continue to practice an impure life stand under Christ’s judgment. Unlike Pergamum, some Christians employed by many of the craft guilds in Thyatira compromised their faith by acquiescing in their pagan and orgiastic practices. A similar although not exact application to today’s church involves Christians whose employers expect them to practice unethical and illegal practices or who have affairs on the job or are unfaithful to their spouses when they are traveling or attending conventions. Teachers, pastors or denominational leaders who openly advocate the ordination of unchaste individuals are, in light of this letter, modern day Jezebels.

Here is a list to evaluate your church in light of this letter:

• Does your church leadership monitor the teaching sponsored by your church?
• Does your church tolerate people openly involved in non-Biblical sexual relationships?
• Does your church strongly adhere to the classical doctrines of the faith?
• Does your church actively support its members who must make stands against ethical and anti-Christian practices that might be taking place in their workplaces?

Pray that your church – and you, too – will grow in your commitment to the Lord and would be willing to root out immorality in its midst and to combat syncretism through the teaching of solid doctrine.

Next steps

Use David’s questions to evaluate the state of your own church. Share your conclusions with some fellow church members. Do they agree with your assessment? Find at least one area where you can agree to work together to begin helping your church move on toward greater health and maturity.

For more insight to the Church and its ministry, order a copy of Chuck Colson’s book, Being the Body, from our online store. Or download the free PDF ViewPoint series, “The Vision of the Church,” by T. M. Moore.

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