Thyatira’s Challenge: Stand Firm, No Compromises!
This is the fourth installment of the letters to the seven churches in Revelations 2 and 3.
Exiled on the island of Patmos, Jesus instructed John to write letters to the seven early Christian churches. Jesus evaluated the congregation’s spiritual health and provided promises, corrections, and encouragement, according to their specific situations.
These lessons are still relevant and beneficial for present-day church. This also applies to individuals who belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; Romans 12:1; Romans 8:9; Romans 14:8).
This article analyzes the letter to the Church of Thyatira. In the same manner as the previous articles on the letters to other the churches, I’ll provide an overview of the city. I’ll also look into the church’s spiritual condition and a deep dive into the letter written for Thyatira. Next, I discuss the letter’s relevance to today’s church. Finally, I encourage us to examine ourselves and make the necessary changes for our salvation and witness.
The Seven Churches
John addressed letters to seven prominent early churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey): Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These churches experienced many challenges common to the larger Christian community of the time.
This article focuses on the Church in Thyatira. But first, let’s take a look at the group of letters.
The Letters
Dictated by Jesus, the church’s head (Col. 1:8), John addressed the letters to the angels of each church. Both Greek and Hebrew translate “angel” as “messenger”. This reference could refer to the pastors of those churches, spiritual angels, or messengers charged with communicating on their behalf (Got Questions Ministries).
Please note that each of these letters follow a specific format. In each, the Lord describes himself in a way that sheds light on the church’s current situation. Then Jesus provides unique information concerning the church. He then challenges and/or corrects the congregation before concluding with a promise. It is considered that John used this method to confirm that he was writing under Jesus’ dictation.
After providing a brief backgound on the Church of Thyatira, I will follow the same format as the letters in the scripture. I’ll then explain how the letter applies to today’s church.
Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18–29)
Background of the City
Thyatira was a modest city in the Lydian region, near the Mysian border.
Strategically located on a key road between Pergamon and Sardis, Thyatira was a primary economic hub for trade and commerce. Thyatira began as a military outpost and eventually grew into a bustling metropolis.
The city has abundant natural resources, including fertile agricultural soil and copper. But what stood out was its textile industry. The city was well known for its purple dye, which was made from a species of shellfish in the local water. It was less expensive than dye made from a specific snail.
Thyatira was instrumental in the spread of Christianity in a city that worshipped Apollo and other gods. Like the other prominent cities of that day, Thyatira experienced periods of prosperity and decline. Changes in trade routes, politics, and invasions produced financial changes. Thyatira would eventually slip into obscurity. Today, its remnants can be located near the Turkish town of Akhisar.
The Letter to the Church of Thyatira
In this letter, Jesus describes himself as “the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze” (v. 2:18), declaring that he outshines the sun, and the church at Thyatira could view Him as far more glorious than Tyrimnas. (Rev. 2:18)
Tyrimnas is the surname for Apollo, the sun god. Tyrimnas is the son of Zeus, the chief Greek God. In other words, there is no contest. Jesus’ divinity vastly outshines the sun (god), so the church of Thyatira sees Jesus as infinitely more majestic than Tyrimnas (Blue Letter Bible, Got Questions?)
As previously stated in Revelation 1:14–15, Jesus describes his eyes as like a “flame of fire” and feet like “burnished bronze” further cements his deity. He sees all and misses nothing.
He stands ready to righteously judge Thyatira’s sin (Got Questions).
Praise
Jesus said that he knew their works. He praised the church of Thyatira for their love, faith, service, and perseverance, and that they were doing more than they did at first (v. 2:19). Jesus commended them in five areas: Love, Faith, Service, perserverance, and good works. They persevered through many challenges while maintaining their love for God and one another.
Rebuke
Jesus criticized the church for tolerating the false prophetess, Jezebel, who teaches and deceives them to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols (v. 2:20). Instead of admonishing or rebuking her, the church compromised and allowed Jezebel to continue to lead people astray.
Correction
Jesus said that he had given Jezebel time to repent, but she refused. So Jesus pronounced judgment on her: Illness and those who sleep with her will also suffer greatly, if they fail to repent. He goes on to say that he will strike her children dead with disease. Continuing on, he states that “And all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and he will give to each one of you according to your works” (v. 2:23).
Promise
Jesus tells them to only hold firmly their love, faith, service and perseverance. He promises that he will place no other burden on those who reject the false teaching and behavior of Jezebel, who have not known the deep things of satan, as they call them (v. 2:24). “The one who overcomes and the one who keeps my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations” (v. 2:26). He shepherds them, and will give the morning star (the glorious rays of Jesus — Got Questions)
He concludes with “The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the church” v. 2:29).
Today’s Significance
The letter to the Church of Thyatira has several important lessons for today’s church:
One key takeaway is that the letter highlighted the importance of remaining morally pure and avoid compromising with sin. The modern church must challenge believers to keep the command of Christ: To love the Lord with your whole heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37–39).
The letter warns against false teachings and idolatry. Today, the church must be diligent in identifying all wrong ideas and teachings that direct people away from the truth of God’s Word.
Jesus praised the church in Thyatira for their faithfulness and perseverance in the face of adversity. This is motivation for today’s church to remain firm in its faith in Christ. To stand strong in the face of adversity, persecution, and rejection from the world.
The letter emphasized the duty of church leaders to lead with honesty and accountability. Modern church leaders are called to shepherd God’s people with wisdom, humility, and godliness, the epitome of Christ-like conduct.
Even with rebukes, Jesus offers the church an opportunity for repentance and restoration to those who strayed. Today’s church is also called to embrace repentance and restoration. This includes extending forgiveness and encouraging repentance to those who have sinned.
The letter ends with promises to those who triumph, including authority over nations. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate victory for today’s believers and the eternal rewards that await those who remain faithful to the end.
We all play on the same team. We have to encourage and support each other. By embracing these timeless principles in the letter to the Church in Thyatira, we can keep our faith strong and our community united. In obedience to the Word of God we can persevere in whatever challenges that come our way.
Reflection
The church in Thyatira loved Jesus. This was evident in their faith, service and perseverance despite the challenges they faced. In fact, the church grew due to their service to the Lord.
However, even with their good works, they compromised their witness by tolerating and allowing a false prophetess to deceive and lead people astray.
In our zeal to serve the Lord, we can overlook things that can wreak havoc in our Christian journey and obstruct us from leading others to salvation.
But know this: Satan is on the warpath with an intent to direct people to a path of eternal destruction. And he is cunning in how he attempts to infiltrate the church and destroy the body of Christ and everything else in its path.
So we must be wise of his devices and schemes. And not allow the devil to gain even an inch into our lives.
Because if you allow an inch, he will take 10 miles.
The Word of God tells us that we must continually examine ourselves to protect ourselves from the tricks of the enemy:
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5 ESV).
The bible also tells us to test the spirits to see whether it is from God. Anything that does not confess Jesus is of the antichrist (1 John 4:3). These include any false teachings, doctrine, prophets, apostles, preachers — anything that opposes Christ:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. [4] Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. [5] They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:1–6 ESV)
We have the Holy Spirit to gives us discernment and guide us in all truth:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14;26 ESV).
The bible is clear that we are not to tolerate or compromise with false teachings, we are to expose it. Ephesians 5:6–11 states:
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (ESV)
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10 ESV)
Below are reflection questions to help us discover areas where we need to repent and pray for help to overcome:
Is this You?
- Have you overlooked certain teachings that go against Christ? (2 Tim 4:3–4)
- Have you hesitated to confront/challenge false teachings for fear of causing conflict? (Ephesians 5:11)
- Do you prioritize the church over the pursuit of biblical truth? (Luke 12:34; Exod. 20:3)
- Are you swayed by charismatic leaders who contradict the Word of God? (Matt 7:15; Acts 17:11; 2 Pet. 2:3; Acts 20:28–30)
- Do you tend to trust the leadership at your church without confirming whether their teachings/behavior align with the Word of God? (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:3)
- Have you felt conflicted between your loyalty to your church and loyalty to Jesus Christ? (Gal. 1:10; Matt. 6:33; Exod. 20:3)
- Is your life a reflection of the teachings of Christ? Are there areas in your life that does not reflect the love of Christ? (Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Cor 3:18; 5:20)
- Are you open to being corrected if another believer came to you about behavior that is contrary to Christ? (Prov 15:31–32; Psalm 141:5; Prov 19:20; Gal. 6:1; Jas 5:19; Tit 3:10; 1 Tim 5:1–2; Matt 18:15–17)
- Is there anything in the bible that you refuse to believe or disagree with? (2 Tim 3:16–17; Prov 3:5–6; Psalm 19:7; Rom. 10:17)
- Are there things you used to believe that you no longer believe? Does it align with God’s word? (2 Tim 3:16–17; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:3)
These reflection questions are not designed to shame you, but to allow for teaching, repentance and correction.
There is nothing that can separate you from God’s love:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39 ESV)
And there is no condemnation to those who believe in Christ Jesus:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 ESV)
Please take time to meditate on the scriptures noted in this article for your edification and understanding.
The devil is like a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour (1 Pet. 5:8). But Jesus tells us not to be afraid, because he has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Matt. 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
As followers of Christ, we must continually guard our hearts and minds, for our lives flow from it (Proverbs 4:23).
We can guard ourselves through nurturing our relationship to Christ. We can achieve this through prayer and arming ourselves with the Word of God:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6–7 ESV).
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).
I pray that this article helps you in your Christian Walk. Please examine your walk, and if necessary, repent and allow God to use you for his glory.
But please do not procrastinate on this. The next moment is not promised to any of us.
Please note: This article addresses the church (followers of Christ).
If you would like to know more about Jesus and how you can have a relationship with him, I would be honored to introduce you.
Reflection Scriptures:
1 John 4:3
2 John 1:10
1 Timothy 6:3–5
Romans 16:17
Colossians 2:8
Galatians 1:8
1 Corinthians 11:31
2 Corinthians 13:5–7
Psalm 139;23
References:
Brown, J. (2003, July 15). Revelation 2:18–29. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/brown_john/Rev/Chap_02d.cfm
Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers (n.d.). Revelations Chapter 2. ESV.org. Retrieved April 22, 2024, from https://www.esv.org/Revelation+2/
Free Text Bible Commentaries — Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/
GotQuestions.org. (2022, January 4). GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/church-in-Thyatira.html
Got Questions Ministries. (n.d.). Revelations Chapter 2. BibleRef. Retrieved March 23, 2024, from https://www.bibleref.com/Revelation/2/Revelation-chapter-2.html
Revelation 2:18 Commentaries: “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: (n.d.). https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/2-18.htm
Richison, G. (1998, October 24). Revelation 2:18 | Bible Exposition Commentary. https://versebyversecommentary.com/1998/10/24/revelation-218/
Ryan, J. (2023, February 22). What Does Revelation Teach Us about the Church at Thyatira? Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/end-times/what-revelation-teach-about-church-at-thyatira.html
Thyatira history. (n.d.). Ephesus Travel Guide. https://www.ephesustravelguide.com/blog/thyatira-history
