Chapter # 2 Paragraph # 4 Study # 1
September 3, 2023
Broadlands, Louisiana
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Thesis: The letter to Thyatira was designed to stimulate the elimination of the "prophetess" Jezebel.
Introduction: As we have looked into the letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos, we have seen that there are recurring problems in the churches of a primarily "teaching" nature. The presence of Nicolaitans and Baalamites shows up in two of the letters, and there is some overlap in the letter before us this evening. At issue in this letter is the destructive nature of a "prophetess" called Jezebel and her "libertine" (Baalamite) teaching.
- I. The Letter To Thyatira.
- II. Jesus' Self-Description.
- A. The Son of The God.
- B. Who has eyes like a flame of fire (interpreted by 2:23).
- 1. The large category of this characterization is "visual discernment" that is uninhibited by any kind of "blinder" that could, conceivably, hide certain realities from being considered.
- 2. The "eyes" are a metaphor that builds off of the human organs of "light" where everything is "seen" and interpreted according to shades of light and color.
- 3. The "fire" is a consuming purifier (as in 3:18) that removes "light blockers" and permits a legitimate perception of reality as it is.
- C. Whose feet are like fine brass (indicating judgment off of the Old Testament focus upon the brass altar upon which all of the sacrifices were offered).
- III. What Jesus Knows By What He Sees.
- A. Your works; productions of energy expended.
- B. Your 'agape'; the values which lie behind all of the works.
- C. Your service (diakonia); the ministrations of "deacons" who serve the Church in whatever form the need calls for.
- D. Your faith; the convictions of the truthfulness of God's truths.
- E. Your patience; the willingness to remain under pressures because the need requires it.
- F. That your current works are greater than your former ones; this should be the case in every case, but is often not because people give up the battle.
- IV. Jesus' Dissatisfaction: You Suffer Jezebel To Teach My Servants To Commit Fornication And To Eat Things Sacrificed To Idols.
- A. This is the same problem that existed in Pergamos with the Baalamites.
- B. She claims (lego) to be a "prophetess"; this is her "authority base".
- 1. She teaches "My bondservants".
- 2. She leads them astray.
- a. To commit sexual sins.
- b. To eat at the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:20).
- C. Jesus' initial response: I gave her "time" to repent.
- D. She is adamantly opposed to that, especially in respect to sexual sins.
- E. What He intends to do.
- 1. He plans to cast her and her paramours into a bed of great tribulation unless they repent.
- 2. He plans to kill her children with death.
- 3. He plans to let her be an example to all of the churches.
- a. They will learn that He is the One Who searches the reins (kidneys, as a metaphor for discernment as the kidneys' primary function is to filter out toxins) and hearts.
- b. They will learn that He gives to everyone according to their works.
- V. He Addresses This Man And His Congregation And Says He Will Place No Other Burden Upon Them.
- VI. He Exhorts Them To Hold Fast Until He Comes.
- VII. He Promises The Overcomers.
- A. That they will have power -- to rule -- over the nations.
- B. That He will give them the Morning Star; a descriptive title of Jesus Himself (22:16).
- 1. As "The Morning Star", He is the initial declaration of the coming day.
- 2. As such, we are to keep His promise of another coming clearly in view.
