Revelation 2:18-29
The Letter to the Church at Thyatira
7 ELEMENTS OF THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA
1. Name of the Church: Thyatira
- Formerly named “Semiramis” (Consort of Nimrod, Mother of Tammuz)
- Nicator named it “Thyatira” (Greek, “thygater, meaning “daughter”) when he was informed that a daughter had been born to him.
- Originally, it was a Lydian town bearing the name of Pelopia, then Semiramis, and then Euhippia. Note that Semiramis was the name of the wife of Nimrod, a family of idol worship.
- Tammuz was born to Nimrod and Semiramis. Tammuz was associated with the sun god and many paganistic rituals. Nimrod founded the original Babylonian religion.
2. Title of Christ Chosen
"These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his fee are like fine brass" (Revelation 2:18).
Eyes: judgment
Feet: walk
Brass: judgment
“Son of God” is used here, the ONLY time it is used throughout the Book of Revelation.
3. Commendation
Their walk is good and improving.
4. Concern
But. There is a problem: The Church is condoning Jezebel (That is, the problem is NOT Jezebel but the fact that the Church condones her!)
Fornication: sexual immorality, idol worship
“… the great tribulation…”: The first time it is used in the Book of Revelation
This passage implies that a portion of Thyatira’s people would survive the Tribulation.
Jezebel
- Daughter of Eth-Baal, King of Sidon, Priest of Astarte, the murderer of his predecessor, Pheles, whom he killed to seize the throne
- Married King Ahab to seal a profitable trade alliance between Israel and Phoenicia
- Sought to exterminate prophets of YHWH, including Elijah (1 Kings 18:13)
- Promoted pagan worship (Baal and Astarte, which originated in Babylon): She and King Ahab ushered in the worst period in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16:30-33)
Known as Queen of Heaven (a Babylonian concept)
1 Kings 18:16-39
Elijah on Mount Carmel
Elijah showing the Israelites the meaningless and the powerlessness of the Baals and PROVING God is God, the Creator of Everything.
1 Kings 21
Naboth’s Vineyard
King Aha desires Naboth’s vineyard. Queen Jezebel arranges an inquisition, putting into place false witnesses, condemnation, and execution. Naboth’s vineyard was seized for Ahab after Naboth was wrongly accused and essentially murdered. Naboth’s heirs were also slain to ensure no one could inherit his land.
So, Jezebel planned the murder of Naboth and his family to get King Ahab the vineyard he wanted. And for what?
"I have found you," [Elijah] answered [Ahab], "because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD. 'I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin.' "And also concerning Jezebel the LORD says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall ofaJezreel.' "Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country" (1 Kings 21:20-24).
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: "Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son" (1 Kings 21:27-29).
5. Exhortation
“Only hold on to what you have until I come” (Revelation 2:25)
This is the first time in Revelation where Jesus directly refers to His second coming.
6. Close
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:29)
7. Promise to the Overcomer
"To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'— just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star" (Revelation 2:26-28)
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Depths of Satan (Revelation 2:24)
- Esoteric mysteries of the Babylonian cults
- In 378 AD, Damasus, the Bishop of Rome, took on the office of Pontifex Maximus (high priest) of the Babylonian religion, which had previously been the prerogative of the Roman emperor, thus combining the “Christian” church with pagan religion
The Pope
- Pope means “Papa,” or “Father.”
- Initially, the title of Pope was applied to all Western bishops
- About 500 AD, this title began to be restricted to the Bishop of Rome
- For 500 years, the Bishops of Rome were NOT popes
Peter
- The Roman Catholic tradition held that Peter was the 1st pope. This is fiction, one without any historical (or Biblical) basis whatsoever
- There is no evidence that Peter was ever a Bishop of Rome
- Peter had a sense of foreboding over his successors: “Neither as being lords over [God’s] hentage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). This shows Peter would shun such a pompous title if the were bestowed upon him.
4th Century Patriarchs and the Struggle for Supremacy
- 5 Popes from 5 primary centers were considered equal:
Rome
Constantinople
Antioch
Jerusalem
Alexandria
- 395 AD: After the division of the Empire, Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria acknowledged the leadership of Constantinople (not Rome). This started the power struggle between Constantinople and Rome.
- Siricius (395-398 AD), the Bishop of Rome, in his lust for worldly power, claimed universal jurisdiction over the church. Unfortunately for him, the Empire divided into two (395 AD), the East and West empires. The barbarians were at the gates, ready to take them down.
- In 445 AD, Leo 1 (440-461 AD) obtained from Emperor Valentinian III imperial recognition for his claim as Primate of All Bishops. In 452 AD, Leo I persuaded Attila the Hun (leader of the barbarians) to spare the city of Rome. In 455 AD, Leo I induced Genseric the Vandal to have mercy on the city. Because of these two feats, his reputation was made as the savior of the city. He thus declared himself Lord of the Whole Church, advocated exclusive universal papacy, and proclaimed that resistance to his authority was a sure path to Hell. He further advocated the death penalty for heresy.
Fall of Rome
- Simplicius (468-483) was the Roman “Pope” when the Western Empire came to an end in 476 AD.
- Free of civil authority, the fragmented kingodms of the barbarians left ample opportunity for individual advantageous alliances, and the Pope became the most commanding figure in the West.
- Gregory I (590-604 AD) is regarded as the first Pope. He labored unceasingly over the purification of the church, deposed neglectful or unworthy bishops, and opposed the sale of offices (simony), etc.
Charlemagne
- One of the greatest kings of all time
- He reigned for 46 years, staring the “Holy Roman Empire” that lasted 1000 years until Napoleon brought it to an end in 1806.
- His realm included what is now Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, and parts of Spain and Italy.
- He helped the Pope and the Pope helped him. He was one of the greatest influences in bringing the papacy to a position of world power.
- After his death, the Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) divided his empire into what became the foundations of Germany, France and Italy. This started a ceaseless struggle between the Popes and the German and French kings.
The Isidorian Decretals
- Nicholes I (858-867) was the first Pope to wear a crown
- In 857 AD, a book appeared, “The Isidorian Decretals,” which purported to be letters and decrees of Bishops and Councils of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. They were designed to exalt the power of the Pope, stamping the Papacy with the authority of antiquity, ante-dating the Pope’s temporal power by five centuries. A couple of centuries later, these letters were found to be deliberate forgeries.
The Great Cleavage
- Until 869, all Ecumenical Councils had been held in or near Constantinople, and in the Greek language
- Nicholas undertook to interfere in the affiars of the Eastern Church.
- The claims of the Roman Church became so unbearable, that the East finally separated itself: This is the point where the Eastern Orthodox officially split from the Roman Catholic Church.
- The breach became wider through the centuries. The brutal treatment of Constantinople by the armies of Pope Innocent II during the Crusades and the creation of the dogma of Papal Infallibility in 1870 deepened the chasm even more.
The Rule of the Harlots (904-963)
[The women of Sergius III filled the papal with bastard sons and turned the papacy den into a den of robbers]
- Sergius III (904-911)
- John X (914-928)
- Leo VI (928-929)
- Stephen VII (929-931)
- John XI (931-936)
- Leo VII (936-939)
- Stephen VIII (939-942)
- Martin III (942-946)
- Agapetus II (946-955)
- John XII (955-963)
1012-1047, the descent of the papacy continues
Golden Age of Papal Power (1049-1294)
- Leo IX (1049-1054)
- Victor II (1055-1057)
- Stephen IX (1057-1058)
- Nicolas II (1059-1061)
- Alexander II (1061-1073)
- Gregory VII (1073-1085)
Innocent III (1198-1216)
- The worst Pope of all the bunch
- The most powerful of all the Popes
- He claimed to be “Vicar of Christ,” “Vicar of God,” and “supreme sovereign over the church and the world.
- All the monarchs in Europe obeyed his will, including the Byzantine Empire.
- He ordered two crusades.
- He decreed transubstantiation.
- He confirmed auricular confession.
- He declared papal infallibility.
- He condemned the Magna Carta.
- He forbade the reading of the Bible in the vernacular.
- He institute the Inquisition.
The Inquisition
- It was also called, “The Holy Office.”
- It was instituted by Pope Innocent II and was perfected by Pope Gregory IX.
- The Inquisition demanded that everyone was required to inform against heretics; anyone suspect was liable to torture, without knowing the name of his accuser; the proceedings were secret; the Inquisitor pronounced sentence and victim was turned over to civil authorities to be imprisoned for life or to be burned; the victim’s property was confiscated and divided etween the church and the state (incentive for a guilty verdict!)
- For 500 years, the Inquisition was the most diabolical thing in human history.
- The Inquisition claimed vast multitudes of victims in Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, and did the most damage to the Albigenses.
The Albigenses
- Preached against the immoralities of the priesthood
- Worshipped saits and images
- Completely rejected the clergy and their claims
- Opposed the claims of the Church of Rome
- Lived self-denying lives with a great zeal for moral purity
- By 1167, a majority of the population of southern France were Albigenses, including a good number of them in northern Italy as well.
- In 1208, Pope Innocent III ordered a bloody war of extermination which utterly wiped out town after town, the inhabitants were murdered without discrimination, until all of the Albigenses were wiped out.
The Waldenses
- This was a similar but not identical group of people as the Albigenses in the same geographical region. They emphasized Bible reading and rejected clerical usurpation and profligacy.
- Between 1540 and 1570, no fewer than 900,000 Protestants were put to death by the Pope’s war for the extermination of the Waldenses.
Boniface VIII (1294-1303)
- He said, “We declare, affirm, define, and pronounce that it is altogether necessary for salvation that every creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”
- He was so corrupt that Dante called the Vatican a “Sewer of Corruption”
French Control of the Papacy
- After the death of Pope Benedict XI, the Papal Palace was removed from Rome to Avignon on the south border of France and for 70 years the Papcy was the mere tool of the French Court (1305-1377)
- For the next 40 years, there were two sets of Popes, one at Rome and one at Avignon, each claiming to be “Vicar of Christ,” hurling anathemas and curses at each other
Renaissance Popes
[None were good…]
- John XXIII (1410-1415): extremely corrupt; openly denies the afterlife
- Pius II (1458-1464): father of many illegitimate children; womanizer
- Paul II (1464-1471): used the Papacy to enrich his family
- Sixtus IV (1471-1484)
- Innocent VIII (1484-1492)
- Alexander VI (1492-1503): the most corrupt of the Renaissance Popes
- Pius III (1503)
Martin Luther
- In 1483, Martin Luther was born to a coal miner.
- He was determined to become a lawyer until a violent storm changed his course to purse a doctorate in theology in 1504.
- He visited Rome and became very disillusioned but found that Habbakuk 2-4 was the key: The just shall live by Faith. (Romans: focus on who are the just; Galatians: focus on faith; Hebrews: focus on how the just live by faith)
- On Oct. 31, 1517, Luther nailed 95 theses to the door at Wittenburg College – His point was to get these churches to reform, to shed all the pagan practices.
- However, on Dec. 10, 1520, Luther was excommunicated, given the warning of “retract within 60 days or death.” Luther burned that notice publicly. This sparked the fuse, and the Reformation was born.
The Centuries of Wars
- The point was to stamp out the Reformation
- The war on the German Protestants (1455-1609)
- The War on Protestans of Netherlands (1566-1609)
- Huguenot Wars in France (1572-1598)
- Philip’s attempt against England (1588)
- Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
Reformation Popes
- Julius II
- Leo X
- Adrian IV
- Paul III
Evangelicals & Catholics Together (ECT)
- On March 29, 1994, a joint declaration was signed, called “Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium”
- The compromise of the Gospel lies at the heart of the agreement. But, the Gospel hasn’t changed! And that’s the problem with this joining. A very big problem.
On May 21, 1995, the Pope asked forgiveness for all wrongs and crimes committed and permitted by the Roman Catholic Church throughout their history.
Further Reading
- Halley’s Bible Handbook (Zondervan Publishing House, 24th Edition, 1965)
- A Woman Rides the Beast by Dave Hung (Harvest House, 1994)
- The Kingdom of Blood by Dave Hunt & Chuck Missler (Koinonia House, 1996)
LEVELS OF APPLICATION
1. Local
The background of Thyatira and Pergamos are similar. Thyatira was an important center for powerful trade guilds. Thyatira was known for its dyes, particularly its purple/scarlet.
2. Admonitory (To All Churches)
Avoid pagan practices.
3. Personal (Homiletics)
Avoid pagan practices.
4. Prophetic
Missler defined it as the Medieval Church (for the lack of a better term). I personally think the Pagan Church would be quite fitting.
Henry’s Commentary
Revelation 2:18-29
The form of each epistle is very much the same; and in this, as the rest, we have to consider the inscription, contents, and conclusion.
I. The inscription, telling us,
1. To whom it is directed: To the angel of the church of Thyatira, a city of the proconsular Asia, bordering upon Mysia on the north and Lydia on the south, a town of trade, whence came the woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, who, being at Philippi in Macedonia, probably about the business of her calling, heard Paul preach there, and God opened her heart, that she attended to the things that were spoken, and believed, and was baptized, and entertained Paul and Silas there. Whether it was by her means that the gospel was brought into her own city, Thyatira, is not certain; but that it was there, and successful to the forming of a gospel church, this epistle assures us.
2. By whom it was sent: by the Son of God, who is here described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like as fine brass. His general title is here, the Son of God, that is, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God, which denotes that he has the same nature with the Father, but with a distinct and subordinate manner of subsistence. The description we have here of him is in two characters: - (1.) That his eyes are like a flame of fire, signifying his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men (Rev 2:23), and will make all the churches to know he does so. (2.) That his feet are like fine brass, that the outgoings of his providence are steady, awful, and all pure and holy. As he judges with perfect wisdom, so he acts with perfect strength and steadiness.
II. The contents or subject-matter of this epistle, which, as the rest, includes,
1. The honourable character and commendation Christ gives of this church, ministry, and people; and this given by one who was no stranger to them, but well acquainted with them and with the principles from which they acted. Now in this church Christ makes honourable mention, (1.) Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no religion where there is no charity. (2.) Their service, their ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had laboured in the word and doctrine. (3.) Their faith, which was the grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service. (4.) Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet with that which will exercise their patience. (5.) Their growing fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and best at last.
2. A faithful reproof for what was amiss. This is not so directly charged upon the church itself as upon some wicked seducers who were among them; the church's fault was that she connived too much at them. (1.) These wicked seducers were compared to Jezebel, and called by her name. Jezebel was a persecutor of the prophets of the Lord, and a great patroness of idolaters and false prophets. The sin of these seducers was that they attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication, and to offer sacrifices to idols; they called themselves prophets, and so would claim a superior authority and regard to the ministers of the church. Two things aggravated the sin of these seducers, who, being one in their spirit and design, are spoken of as one person: - [1.] They made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of his doctrine and worship; this very much aggravated their sin. [2.] They abused the patience of God to harden themselves in their wickedness. God gave them space for repentance, but they repented not. Observe, (a.) repentance is necessary to prevent a sinner's ruin. (b.) Repentance requires time, a course
of time, and time convenient; it is a great work, and a work of time. (c.) Where God gives space for repentance, he expects fruits meet for repentance. (d.) Where the space for repentance is lost, the sinner perishes with a double destruction. (2.) Now why should the wickedness of this Jezebel be charged upon the church of Thyatira? Because that church suffered her to seduce the people of that city. But how could the church help it? They had not, as a church, civil power to banish or imprison her; but they had ministerial power to censure and to excommunicate her: and it is probable that neglecting to use the power they had made them sharers in her sin.
3. The punishment of this seducer, this Jezebel, Rev 2:22, Rev 2:23, in which is couched a prediction of the fall of Babylon. (1.) I will cast her into a bed, into a bed of pain, not of pleasure, into a bed of flames; and those who have sinned with her shall suffer with her; but this may yet be prevented by their repentance. (2.) I will kill her children with death; that is, the second death, which does the work effectually, and leaves no hope of future life, no resurrection for those that are killed by the second death, but only to shame and everlasting contempt.
4. The design of Christ in the destruction of these wicked seducers, and this was the instruction of others, especially of his churches: All the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and the hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works. God is known by the judgments that he executes; and, by this revenge taken upon seducers, he would make known, (1.) His infallible knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper, their formality, their indifference, their secret inclinations to symbolize with idolaters. (2.) His impartial justice, in giving every one according to his work, that the name of Christians should be no protection, their churches should be no sanctuaries for sin and sinners.
5. The encouragement given to those who keep themselves pure and undefiled: But to you I say, and unto the rest, etc., Rev 2:24. Observe, (1.) What these seducers called their doctrines - depths, profound mysteries, amusing the people, and endeavouring to persuade them that they had a deeper insight into religion than their own ministers had attained to. (2.) What Christ called them - depths of Satan, Satanical delusions and devices, diabolical mysteries; for there is a mystery of iniquity, as well and the great mystery of godliness. It is a dangerous thing to despise the mystery of God, and it is as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. (3.) How tender Christ is of his faithful servants: “I will lay upon you no other burden; but that which you have already hold fast till I come, Rev 2:24, Rev 2:25. I will not overburden your faith with any new mysteries, nor your consciences with any new laws. I only require your attention to what you have received. Hold that fast till I come, and I desire no more.” Christ is coming to put an end to all the temptations of his people; and, if they hold fast faith and a good conscience till he come, all the difficulty and danger will be over.
III. We now come to the conclusion of this message, Rev 2:26-29. Here we have, 1. The promise of an ample reward to the persevering victorious believer, in two parts: - (1.) Very great power and dominion over the rest of the world: Power over the nations, which may refer either to the time when the empire should turn Christian, and the world be under the government of the Christian emperor, as in Constantine's time; or to the other world, when believers shall sit down with Christ on his throne of judgment, and join with him in trying, and condemning, and consigning over to punishment the enemies of Christ and the church. The upright shall have dominion in the morning. (2.) Knowledge and wisdom, suitable to such power and dominion: I will give him the morning-star. Christ is the morning-star. He brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory; and he will give his people that perfection of light and wisdom which is requisite to the state of dignity and dominion that they shall have in the morning of the resurrection. 2. This epistle ends with the usual demand of attention: He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. In the foregoing epistles, this demand of attention comes before the concluding promise; but in this, and all that follow, it comes after, and tells us that we should all attend to the promises as well as to the precepts that Christ delivers to the churches.
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