DAY 11

Thyatira – The Church That Tolerated Jezebel

‘To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learnt Satan’s so-called deep secrets, “I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.” To the one who is victorious [overcomes], and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – that one “will rule them with an iron sceptre and will dash them to pieces like pottery” – just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:18-29 (NIVUK)

Reflection

The church at Thyatira was growing in love and service but was struggling with similar temptations to the church in Pergamum, namely idolatry and sexual immorality. Some were also tolerating a dangerous influence, a self-proclaimed prophetess, symbolically called Jezebel, who was leading people into deception and sin.

Holiness matters to Jesus. Not just in theory, but in practice. Love without truth leads to permissiveness. Truth without love leads to harshness. Jesus calls His people to both. He sees through the surface, ‘Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.’ (v.23)

As we look at this passage, it’s obvious that the Lord hates sin because it dehumanises the person sinning and the person being sinned against. Sin brings relational separation from God and from others around us. Sin pulls us away from our Kingdom purpose and destiny and is the root of all pain and injustice in the world.

Nothing is hidden from Jesus. He wants purity, not for control of us but for communion with us. He doesn’t ask for perfection, but He does call for repentance. The Bible tells us that, ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 1 John 1:9 (ESV). What a beautiful promise! 

To the faithful, Jesus will also give authority over the nations. In other words, partnership with His sovereign rule and reign on the earth, after His second coming.

Devotional

by Charles Karanja

 

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