Letters to the Seven Churches

1. Letters to the Seven Churches Thyatira & Laodecia Thursday 5th February

3. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 The Corrupt Church • v18 Eyes like flames of fire, and feet like fine brass • piercing, searching, all knowing • permanence and stability • v19 Teen agapeen – love for God and each other • Teen pistin – fidelity to the grace of God • Teen diakonian – benevolent service to widows etc • Teen hupomoneen sou – perseverance under persecution

4. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 • love for God and each other • Duet 6:3-5, Matt 22:37-38, Rom 13:8-10, • 1 John 4:7-13 • Fidelity/faithfulness to the grace of God – moral conviction, total reliance upon the work of Christ • 1 Tim 1:12, Matt 25:20-23 • benevolent service to widows etc • Eph 6:6-8 • perseverance under persecution • 2 Pet 1:5-6

5. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 The Corrupt Church • v19 as for thy works – thorough obedience • Last greater than the first – they had grown in grace, they had not lost the power of their faith, they had grown in revelation of Christ – they were not in need of a powerful revival to stir them past receipt of teaching and worship. • v20 A few things I have against thee - encouragement first before correction • v20 that woman (thy wife – possibly the wife of the Bishop of the church)

6. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 The Corrupt Church • v20 Jezebel – who was she? – character traits of Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:1-3, 2 Kings 9-10. – woman of power and influence – corrupted true religion – harrassed God’s servants – false prophetess – teacher that immorality was of no matter • The Bishop and the church failed to restrain her – failed to excommunicate her – allowing her to seduce the members • The message is probably direct to the angelos the messenger appointed to the church

7. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 • v21 I have given her time to repent – God always gives opportunity to repent – 1 Kings 21:17-19, 23 – Ahab repents 1 Kings 19:27, but Jezebel does not 2 Kings 10:34-36 • God is always merciful, and desires none should perish, but in the church age there is still judgement for those who do not respond to the offer of time to repent. • v22 I will cast her into a bed – parallel to Ahaziah being bedridden by injury 1 Kings 22:51- 2Kings 1:4 – a time to repent but instead consulted BaalZebub – the bed is often a symbol of tribulation Is 28:20

8. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 • v23 Gods hand was recognised as being in the destruction of Ahaziah, and Ahabs 70 sons – God provides opportunity for repentance but will protect His people from heresy. • The church will know Jesus’ mercy, correction, protection and judgement – 1 Peter 4:17 is exemplified in Revelation 2&3 • Searcheth the reins and hearts – the motives, the mind, the emotions, the affections, the driving forces are searched by the divine power of Christ • v24 – the burden of judgement will not fall upon those who do not yield to the heretical teaching

9. Church of Thyatira Rev 2:18-29 • v24 depths of Satan – to practice sin to understand it • v25 – hold fast to the pure doctrine until Jesus comes to bring judgement on those who teach heresy • v26 – every witness of Christ has the power to confute and confound all the doctrines and ideas of all nations – and to rule with Christ now, and to bring into submission all nations under the millenial reign of Christ • Keepeth the works – overcomes – brings the privilege and power to rule

10. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 The Lukewarm Church • Laos – people, dicea – voice of the people – i.e. the church tolerated people demanding their rights to do their own thing • Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God • He is, was and always will be Faithful to the Word of God and expects the same of His saints • He will Faithfully witness to His Father about our commitment to Him

11. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 • v15 – neither good nor bad, not addicted to the truth, didn’t matter whether Christianity or paganism prevailed , listless, indifferent, double minded • Hosea 6:4-6, Eph 4:14, James 1:8, Zeph 1:5-6, 2 Kings 23:3 • Claims discipleship but no fruit of the Spirit • Professess Christ but does not possess Christ • Majors in ceremony but no conversions, much ritual but no call to righteousness • Covers the stench of sin with the theological perfume of tolerance

12. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 • Why be politically correct when you can be Biblically right. The wages of sin is death – is that tolerant. • v16 vomit you out of my mouth – the Faithful witness – tepid water – close to the heart but unpalatable – indecisive • v17 – you say you are rich – literal/spiritual, you have enough religion, teaching, finances – you have increased – in size of congregation, in depth of love, in worldly goods

13. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 • v17 – and have need of nothing – relaxing, complacent, indifferent – Luke 12:19 • Knowest not – not even aware of your state – materially rich people can still be miserable but not know what is missing – can you think you are spiritually rich and not know what is missing? • Wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked – not even aware of it, you need help, no evidence of the garments of salvation, no clothing in holiness and purity, no evidence of clarity of vision

14. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 • v18 – the case is not hopeless – I counsel thee, buy of me – trade your self sufficiency for dependance on Me • Gold – faith that will stand every trial, • White raiment – holiness of heart and life • Anoint your eyes – eye salve – a medication for sore or weak eyes – spiritual vision - pray for enlightment of Holy Spirit on your true state – Eph 1:18

15. Church of Laodicea Rev 3:14-22 • v19-20 He rebukes those He loves, He provides opportunity to zeallously repent • You have shut me out and I am knocking to come in and share My bountiful provision with you. • Do you hear Him knocking on an area of complaceny, double mindedness • v21 to him who overcomes they will sit with Me on My throne