The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Revelation 2:18-24 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:
19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.
20 ‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 ‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.
22 ‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
23 ‘And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
29 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

To date, we have surveyed the churches at Ephesus, the Cooling Church, 2:1-7; Smyrna, the Crushed Church, 2:8-11; and Pergamum, the Compromising Church, 2:12-17. Now, we come to Thyatira, the Corrupt Church, 2:18-29. Thyatira means “unweary, continual sacrifice.” Thyatira is also the home of Lydia, the first western convert to the Christian faith (cf. Acts 16).

There are some serious commendations to this church. First, the church is commended for its deeds (works). It is also commended for its love. Agape is the love that seeks the best for others and expects nothing in return. The church is commended for its faith and service and perseverance. Are these aspects for which we could be commended? How many of these positive aspects do you and I bring to our local church?

There is also a serious condemnation: the Thyatiran Church tolerated sin (v. 20). The Jezebel who is mentioned,
may in reality refer to the local pastor’s wife. In any event, this Jezebel is dominantly forcing her ways upon the church. She claims the right to the office of priestess, and urges the church to continue its pagan worship. Still further, Jezebel tutors the people saying, “…you shall be as gods…,” contrary to the true teaching of the Scriptures (Gen. 3:5). Some of the finest Christians I have ever known were women. Yet, when doctrine erodes, the erosion of morals is not far behind.

Jezebel was encouraged to repent of her sin (v. 2:21); but she steadfastly refused! Repentance (metanoia) means “to change one’s mind”; and true, genuine repentance is a repentance that confesses and forsakes sin! (Compare Mary Magdalene!)

There is a final notification regarding the saints in the Thyatiran Church “But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them– I place no other burden on you. ‘Nevertheless. what you have, hold fast until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father” (2:24-26).

We need to take an honest look at the church we attend. Is it what the LORD requires, or are there those who
advocate and teach contrary to the Word of God? We also need to ask: “Am I what the LORD wants of me? Are my beliefs and is my involvement what He requires? Am I truly repentant of my sin? How would the LORD use
me if I were all that He desires?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. For excellent 26-minute videos on the Seven Churches of the Revelation go to:

Dr. Stowell’s videos are excellent! He covers all seven Churches of the Revelation in free videos.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom