Revelation 2:18; Thyatira
Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
We continue this scenic drive through the 7 churches in Turkey. They are located within driving distances. Beginning at Ephesus, the church in Smyrna is like the distance to Kulai in Johor and by Pergamos, we would be reaching Muar and as for Thyatira, we would have arrived in Malacca.
Thyatira is the name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar (“white castle”), a small city still existing today.[1]It was a military outpost in the olden days where conquering armies must pass through to reach the more strategic and bigger cities like Pergamos. It is located on a flat plain in a valley. This is the smallest of the 7 cities mentioned with a population today of about 25,000. There were wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths. Many guilds or workers unions are established in this city that facilitates trade and business.
Lydia, Paul’s first convert in the gospel effort to Europe, was a seller of purple. It is a purple dye that is extracted from a shellfish. An intricate process but very profitable. It was used to make expensive clothing.
The church at Ephesus was diagnosed by our Lord as lacking in love but was steadfast in faith condemning sin, the church at Thyatira is the opposite, full of love and service in ministry but allows sin to fester and take root in the church – immorality and idolatry were prevalent. Sin was eating up the church like spreading cancer about to take her very life. It was a precarious situation because judgment was nigh. Both extremes are to be avoided.
A healthy church is one that is doing good works and at the same time dealing with sin and the perpetrators of sin. This church is in a precarious state because it had allowed sin to fester and take root. Although it seemed outwardly prosperous, many activities are taking place, works of charity and benevolence, good deeds abounding. Our Lord Jesus is speaking with her leadership and her members to take action against sin. As you study the characteristic of the members in these churches, may you take time in application to reflect upon your own lives!
Three thoughts for this church in Thyatira:
(1) Doing good works (v18-19)
(2) Deal with sin (v20-23)
(3) Determine to remain faithful (v24-27)
As we study the words of our Lord Jesus, realize the penetrating power of God’s Word to expose the depravity of the human heart and at the same time to praise the purity of the sanctified heart that is actively saying “no to sin”. How is your life? Would you say “I am living a holy life or would you be ashamed when our Lord would confront you because you are deep in some sin that you are cherishing and enjoying but now God says to you, I am exposing you, you will suffer shame and chastisement?”
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God has such power to prepare God’s people for heaven, a place not polluted with the filth of sin, a place where God would reward His faithful servants.
This is a church that is commended by our Lord for her good works. Our Lord is described as the Son of God emphasizing His deity, He is God, holy in His exalted majesty and glory, with eyes like a flame of fire emphasizing His power to search deep into the recesses of your heart to expose hidden sins and the flame of fire signifying His anger and wrath against the unconfessed sins of His people and His feet of fine brass, speaking of the severe threat of judgment that is coming – here immorality and idolatry was singled out as we shall see in verse 20.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be anywicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.