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: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
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. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 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."
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Thyatira was an ancient Greek city first called, "Pelopia," during the Hellenistic era. It was renamed, "Thyateira," by King Seliucus when he leaned tha his wife had givenh firth ta a daughter. It comes from the Greek word, "Thugatera, " which means, "Daughter."
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During the Roman era of the 1st century A.D., it was famous for its dying facilities and was the center of the purple cloth trade. The first mention of the city of Thyatira in scripture is in Acts 16:14 when Paul and Silas met a woman of that city, "Lydia," who was a seller of purple.
"14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us."
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Lydia was Paul's first convert. How far the Church had slipped from its founding. Jesus, of course, commends them by saying, “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first." But the teachings of the woman, "Jezebel," were not to be tolerated.
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Eyes Like A Flame Of Fire.
Why did Jesus say to this Church that He has “Eyes like a flame of fire?” Because the people in this Church had begun to act like the pagan community around them. Eyes speak of “Discernment.” That is what they lacked. Jesus spoke to them like this as a way to give them what they needed.
God’s people are to holy, which means, “Set apart.” If everyone around you swears, you don’t swear. If everyone drinks alcohol to excess, you do not. If they dress provocatively, you do not. You are set apart.
This Church had begun to adopt the lifestyle and manners of the pagan culture around them. Jesus was calling them back to holiness: Separateness.
(For more on this topic, you may follow the link below:
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Jezebel Of Thyatira.
"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."
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What had begun to happen in Pergamos, was in full bloom in Thyatira. That's why Jesus warned them that it could happen to them.
Remember Jezebel, the wife of the evil king, Ahab? She was a high priestess of Baal and actively sought not only to promote pagan worship of this idol, but to forbid worship of the Most High and kill all His priests. She was stopped in her tracks, ultimately, through God's prophet, Elijah.
-Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, this 1st century Jezebel, in the same spirit as her namesake, was promoting much the same idolatry in Thyatira. Jesus was not pleased, warning them, "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 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."
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Notice the menorah in the picture above. Thyatira is right in the center. That means that the message to that Church is of CENTRAL IMPORTANCE. Jesus goes on to say.....
"24 “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. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end,to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
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The morning star comes first before the sun rises. This is a reference to the Raptured Church!
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(For more on that topic, please follow the link below:
https://emmausroadministries.international/2017/08/29/let-not-your-heart-be-troubled/)
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Those who are truly born again and have been called home to the marriage supper of the Lamb will return with Jesus in His second coming and rule the world with Him during His millennial reign. This is the heritage of the sons and daughters of God.
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29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
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