Revelation 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass

The Thyatira Chuch

The church of Thyatira is located in Modern day Turkey. It is about 150 miles south-southwest of Istanbul. It was known for its commerce and business community. One of the main exports was purple dye. This city also had strong trade guilds and was part of the Roman Empire. This church was crucial in the spread of Christianity in the early stages, but as we will soon learn was corrupted.

Was there praise for this church?

Revelation 2:19“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. This was at one time a thriving church that was praised by Jesus. This church and the works that Jesus gives praise for reminds me of the modern church in America. We have works, love and service, faith and patience. Jesus is taught about, and I see the hands and feet of Christ at work.

What was the problem with this church?

Revelation 2:20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Jezebel was a wicked woman who tried to influence King Ahab as his wife to kill the prophet, Elijah. She was a Baal worshipper and tried to inter-mingle the Jewish worship of God with the worship of Baal. Sexual immorality was the tool she used and the tool that was being used by some in the church in Thyatira.

With the trade guilds being so powerful, every tradesman had to be a member in order to make a living. Members of the church were part of the guild and brought practices from the guilds inside the church. Sexual immorality became prevalent in the church along with pagan rituals. This is why this church is known as the corrupt church.

What would be the cost of this sin?

Revelation 2:23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. God hated Balaam for bringing this corrupt way to the Israelites. Now, He promises death to the ones who practice this corruption with a sick bed and death. There is no tolerance for sin with Jesus. But He is fair and lets the people know, “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.”

He goes on to tell the people that their reward would be the Morning Star. This is the greatest reward we can get because the Morning Star is Jesus Himself. There can be nothing greater. To know Jesus in this way, we must first acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. Is He your inheritance? Will you receive the Morning Star?