The fourth letter to the church of Thyatira has both words, with some additional stipulations. We look at this letter today.

Thyatira: The Church of Romanism

About 35 miles SE of Pergamum was the city of Thyatira. It was a city known for its numerous trade guilds and its wool and dyeing industry. In fact, Thyatira was the center of the dyeing industry at that time.

In the Greek, the name of the city is “Θυάτειρα,” transliterated it is “Thyateira.” The name means “odour of affliction.” Another picturesque name given what Jesus has to say to this church.

Thyatira is representative of church history between the Dark Ages of A.D. 590 to approximately A.D. 1000.

Jesus’ Letter to the Church at Thyatira

“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.” –Revelation 2:18.

We now see a fourth description of Jesus, in His role as the Son of God in judgment. Jesus says His eyes are like “a flame of fire.” These are eyes that see everything; nothing is hidden from Him.

He also says His feet are like “burnished bronze.” Whenever you see the element of bronze in the Bible, it’s figurative of judgment.

The word used in the Greek is “χαλκολίβανον.” Transliterated it is “chalkolibanon.” The King James version translated the word as “brass.” The New American Standard is “bronze.” Either way, the word is indicative of a highly precious metal. And that’s God’s judgment: it’s pure, undefiled, precious, and highly valuable. Moreover, it isn’t malleable. It’s unchangeable.

The Good News

“‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.’” –Revelation 2:19.

Jesus has six specific commendations for Thyatira:

1. Deeds or Works
2. Love
3. Faith
4. Service or Ministry
5. Perseverance or Patience
6. “Deeds of late are greater than at first.”

These are similar to the “fruits of the Spirit” found in Galatians 5:22: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The key to the commendation is the last one. Jesus’ praises the Thyatiran church for the increase in good works! Would Jesus say the same to your church? Would He write this letter to you personally?

The Bad News

“‘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.’” –Revelation 2:20.

The character of “Jezebel” here hearkens back to the Jezebel of old, found in 1 Kings 16-21 and 2 Kings 9:30-37. Here in Revelation, the usage of the word “Jezebel” may not no much refer to it being a woman’s name, rather a title. In other words, it could be more like calling someone a “Judas” who is a traitor or “Hitler” of someone who is evil. Even today, calling a woman a “Jezebel” isn’t a term of endearment.

Either way, this woman is a prophetess in her own estimation. Jesus warned us of such a one as this:

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” –Matthew 24:11.

“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” –John 5:43.

J. Vernon McGee has this to say about the historical implications of this “Jezebel” as it relates to church history:

Concerning the historical period of the Dark Ages which the church at Thyatira represents, pagan practices and idolatry were mingled with Christian works and worship. The papacy was elevated to a place of secular power under 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 Constantine 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.

More Bad News

“‘I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.’” –Revelation 2:21.

It’s interesting that Jesus specifically calls out the Roman church and still to this day, that church refuses to repent, even to the point of supplanting the Bible with “tradition” as being the authority.

“‘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. 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.’” –Revelation 2:22-23.

The imagery here reminds me of what God said in Hosea:

Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone. Their liquor gone, they play the harlot continually; their rulers dearly love shame. The wind wraps them in its wings, and they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. –Hosea 4:17-19.

Jesus says in Revelation that he will throw the Thyatiran church on a “bed of sickness.” In other words, He will let them live out the consequences of their choices unless they repent.

“The minds and hearts” means that Jesus can see the thoughts, the feelings, and the purposes of the people.

A Little More Good News

“‘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.’” –Revelation 2:23.

Another way of saying this is: “To those who have not been seduced by these false doctrines, these deep things of Satan, I will place no other burden upon you.”

“‘Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.’” –Revelation 2:25.

A short verse, but oh how we can see the fulfillment of this drawing nigh.

The Promise to the Overcomer

“‘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 into pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” –Revelation 2:26-29.

Verses 26 and 27 are taken from Psalm 2:

“‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” –Psalm 2:8-9.

Here Jesus says that the overcomer will rule the nations with Him! We will share the millennial rule with Christ! But beware: this is during the Millennium: not now!

Jesus Himself is the “bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16). It is in this appearance that the believer’s hope rests:

Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. –Titus 2:13.

This is Roman church: the church at Thyatira.

Next time we will look at the Protestant church, the church at Sardis.

May He Increase!

Paul preached to the people the gospel of justification by faith plus … nothing! The Bible is abundantly clear on this point. Let’s take a look at the beginning of Galatians where Paul introduces this.

Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead). –Galatians 1:1.

He begins his letter explaining that his authority has come directly from God. You may remember the story of the Damascus Road where Paul had an encounter with the risen Jesus (Acts 9:3-8). Paul begins his letter by  referring to that encounter where he received his mission from Jesus Himself.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. –Galatians 1:3.

You’ll find that all of Paul’s letters begin with the familiar phrase “grace to you.”

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. –Galatians 1:4.

There is the gospel, quickly summed up. Christ gave Himself for our sins. He paid the price for our sinfulness, a debt we couldn’t never pay.

Then we read “according to the will of our God and Father.” Jesus died in our place–suffered the most agonizing death imaginable–so we could live, by the will of God. God loves you and I so much that He willed Himself to suffer and die and take upon Himself the sin of the world.

to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. –Galatians 1:5.

Amen, indeed.

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. –Galatians 1:6-7.

Paul was amazed that people were abandoning God (“Him”) for a “different gospel.” This different gospel was one that said that yes, Jesus died, but we also need to keep the Mosaic law to gain salvation. Wrong! Again, I say, wrong!

If the church you are attending teaches anything else by salvation in Christ’s death alone, find another church!

If you have friends that are insisting that you need to keep a set of laws, rules, sacraments to gain eternal life, read what it says in the Bible!

Friend, the Bible is the infallible word of God. Everything you need to know about salvation lies within. The Bible does not contradict itself. The Bible is a single, unified message transmitted from God to us to show us the way to Him.

Jesus died to pay the price for the sins of the world. He died and rose once and for all. His death satisfied everything that was required of the Father for the penalties of sin.

You, nor anyone else, can earn your way into heaven.

You cannot be “good” enough.

You cannot be a good enough husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, or child.

You cannot be a good enough businessman.

You cannot be ethical enough.

You cannot be honest enough.

You cannot be harmless enough.

You cannot be “nice” enough.

None of these things work!

The only thing that works is Christ’s shed blood. That is the only thing that will wash away your sins.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! –Galatians 1:8-9.

Paul himself felt so strongly about this he literally repeated himself in verses 8 and 9 to make sure the people got the point. Even now, the message is still the same.

There are Christian churches and faiths that do not adhere to this doctrine and that is a huge problem. This is basic, Christian doctrine. This is essential doctrine. This is the heart of the gospel and of salvation. If you get this wrong, its implications are eternal!

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. –Galatians 1:10.

What a verse! As Christians we are to win souls to Christ, but not at the expense of a watered-down, “seeker-sensitive” gospel! The gospel is not a “popular” message. This is why the world is increasingly become hostile to Christianity and I dare say, God Himself.

If you have not made Jesus Lord of your life voluntarily, do it now! You are either for Christ or against Him (Matthew 12:30). Don’t wait. Don’t delay. Tomorrow is promised to no one!

May He Increase!

For my brothers and sisters in Christ: do you believe deep down that by going to church every Sunday you are earning your way into heaven? Do you think that by giving that homeless person change every time you are asked that you’re “scoring points?” Are you doing anything thinking that it will please God enough that He will allow you into heaven?

I’ve got a question for both of you … do you realize that all that is necessary is that you believe in Jesus?

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” –Galatians 2:20-21. (Emphasis mine.)

When you believe in Jesus as your Savior, you effectively crucify your old, sinful nature that was enslaved to sin; you separate yourself from sin reigning in your life. This does not mean that you will not sin again ever. We all mess up time-to-time. But sin need not rule your life any longer! Nor should it!

Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. –Romans 6:6-7.

Going back to the last part of the passage from Galatians, it is vital to realize that Jesus’ death on the cross was enough and fulfilled all of God’s requirements to pay for the sins of men.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” –Galatians 3:13.

Jesus paid the price for our sins. Why on earth would you want to keep it? Why and how would you think you could pay it yourself? Jesus took the curse on your behalf and paid a debt He didn’t owe and one you and I could never pay!

If you are not yet a Christian, and you are reading this, you are doing so because God has wooed you here. God Himself has drawn you here. He stands at the door of your heart and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Let Him in! Don’t leave Him outside. Let Him in and let Him change your life!

Christian: if you’ve gotten off-track and have been trying to add works as a means of your salvation, repent and believe that Jesus paid the price once and for all. Let your works flow from a grateful heart, thankful for all He’s done for you.

May He Increase!

This post came within a week of my wife and I making the commitment that we will start tithing. Since we just got through filing our taxes, we had received the financial statement from our church on our offerings for 2008: they were abysmal. It was probably the least amount we’ve given, ever.

We are a single-income family. My wife got laid off in 2005 and I never really wanted her to go back to work anyway. Then, when she got pregnant with our son, I definitely did not want her to go back to work. By then, we got used to living off a single income, even it meant that since 2006, I have not been able to contribute to any of my employers’ 401ks. Yes, God has provided for us: the bills get paid, the mortgage is current, and there is food on the table. As far as I’m concerned, God has blessed us. No, we’re not blessed by the standards of some popular TV preachers–I can just hear the portion of that sermon that is floating around on YouTube: “…not just a getting-by life…but a life in total victory!”–but like the birds of the air and the flowers in the field, my family is being fed and clothed. Still, we are just one paycheck away from financial disaster, which is only exacerbated by our current economy. And, as I mentioned, we’ve stopped saving for our retirement.

And so, with a portion of a recent sermon being on the tithe, we have committed to it. I would be encouraged if there are any out there who have committed to tithing and the results they experienced. Anyone care to share?

For a little background:

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we r0bbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. –Malachi 3:8-11.

At first, very black and white and damning: I’ve been robbing God! No, God doesn’t need my money (it’s all His whether I admit that or not), but by withholding the tithe, I’m robbing Him! Also important to note, it’s the only time God actually says “test Me now in this.” That’s huge.

I used to come up with various objections, and I post them here in case you may come up with them yourself:

1. We’re not under the Old Testament Law. The problem with that is on two occasions, there was a tithe given to God even before the Law. Both Abraham and Jacob/Israel gave a tithe to God. See Genesis 14:18-20 and Genesis 28:22.
2. Pastors should not be paid. The extravagance of some on TV notwithstanding, there are two verses that fully state that they should: 1 Corinthians 9:14 and Galatians 6:6.
3. I can’t afford to give. Certainly this is what we’re experiencing right now, or so we think. Reference Luke 6:38 and 1 Corinthians 16:2.
4. I give what’s leftover. This has been us for a long time and I think, this is the worst of all of them. I think Proverbs 3:9 explains this best.

So, of my readership or visitors, what have you experienced with tithing?

May He Increase!