Chapter 2:18–29 Session 8
description
Transcript of Chapter 2:18–29 Session 8
11111 1
LTS
Chapter 2:18–29Session 8
April 18, 2009
Book of Revelatio
n
The Letter to the Church of
Thyatira
1. Name
2. Title
3. Commendation
4. Concerns
5. Exhortation
Ephe
sus
Smyr
na
Perg
amosThe Churches’
Report Cards:
“He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”7.
6. Promise to the Overcomer
6. Promise to the Overcomer
“He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”7.
X
2
Review
Review – Prophetic Profile?
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
Apostolic Church?
Persecuted Church?
Married Church?
3
???
Review – Nicolaitans• A 1st century sect abusing the liberty in Christ?• An untranslated word?
– nika,w Nicao Conquer, overcome, rule– lao,j Laos Laity; people– Using their clergical stature or position to rule over
the laity; Cf. Washing of feet John 13
• The “deeds” that Ephesus had rejected had become the “doctrine” at Pergamos
4
Review – Application to All Churches• Ephesus• Smyrna• Pergamos• Thyatira• Sardis• Philadelphia• Laodicea
• Devotion, not just doctrine• Endure Persecution• Stand fast against world
5
Review – Personal Application• Ephesus• Smyrna• Pergamos• Thyatira• Sardis• Philadelphia• Laodicea
• Neglected Priorities• Satanic Opposition• Spiritual Compromise
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Review – Overcomer’s Promises• Ephesus• Smyrna• Pergamos• Thyatira• Sardis• Philadelphia• Laodicea
• Eat of Tree of Life• Not hurt of 2nd death• Manna, Stone, Name
7
8
Revelation 2:18-29
The Letter to the
Church at Thyatira
Levels of Application
1. Local2. Admonitory (to all churches)3. Personal (Homiletics)4. Prophetic
9
Ephesus
Pergamos
Istanbul
Athens
Smyrna
Thyatira
10Patmos
Thyatira• Today, it bears the name Akhisar (in Turkey)• Originally a town bearing the name of Pelopia,
then Semiramis, and then Euhippia • It was taken by the Persians and then Alexander,
and is ultimately passed to the possession of Lysimachus, one of Alexander’s four generals
• In 301 B.C., however, Lysimachus was defeated by his rival Seleucus I (Nicator) and it became part of Syria
• Nicator named it “Thyatira” (Greek, thygater, for daughter) on being informed that a daughter had been born to him
11
Commercial Trade• An important center for powerful trade guilds
– Membership compulsory – Each under the patronage of some pagan deity
• Thyatira was known for its dyes—particularly its purple (perhaps scarlet)– Derived from the madder-root which is prolific in the
area– Also found in the Murex shellfish– Cf. Lydia, a wealthy sales rep for Thyatira dwelling in
Philippi Acts 16:14,1512
Babylonian Legend• Tammuz born to Nimrod and Semiramis
– Associated with the sun god; he “dies” at the winter solstice (~Dec 22);is “resurrected” as the days get longer
– Thus, celebrated by burning a “yule” log (Chaldean: infant), replaced by a trimmed tree the next morning Jer 10:1-5
– Also mistletoe (fertility) and many others… Alexander Hislop, The Two
Babylons13
Babylonian Roots• Nimrod who founded the original Babylonian
religion– virtually identical to Aesculapius eventually
developing into the worship of his widow Semiramis and his posthumous son:
– Semiramis & Tammuz of Babylon– Ashtoreth & Tammus of Phoenicia– Isis & Horus of Egypt– Aphrodite & Eros of Greece– Venus & Cupid of Rome
Alexander Hislop14
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;Revelation 2:18
Title of Christ:
Letter to Thyatira
15
First time Messiah uses a title rather than a descriptive
attribute of Himself
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Revelation 2:19
Commendation:
Letter to Thyatira
16
The Ministry• The ministry of the saints in Thyatira
evidenced the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)• Their faith was real and was made evident
by their works (Titus 3:8, 14; James 2:22)• The grammar used here implies that their
love, service, faith and patience may be an elaboration of the works– love & faith evidenced by service & patience
17
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
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The works done at Thyatira did not stand on their own, for good
works are necessary but not sufficient…
Because Messiah says “Nevertheless”, this is proof that works are neither a measure nor
a guarantee of salvation!
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
Sufferest = = Tolerate!Unlike the people at Ephesus, who
could not bear false apostles and who hated the Nicolaitains, this church
tolerated a false prophetess, Jezebel. We don’t have to actively teach false
doctrine to come under Messiah’s scrutiny – all we have to do is fail to
correct those who do
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The Scriptures record many women who played a role as prophetess:
- Miriam, sister of Moses and Aaron (ex.15:20)- Deborah (Judges 4:4)- Huldah (2nd Kings 22:14)- Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14)- Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3)- Anna (Luke 2:36)- The daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9)
But nowhere do they record one as being self-proclaimed
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
She may have been a prophetess…
But not one of efei!
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
• She sought to exterminate prophets of YHWH 1st Kings 18:13
23
• Worshipper of Baal and Astarte (originated in Babylon)
• She and King Ahab ushered in the worst period in OT 1st Kings 16:30,33
– Ashtoreth Judges 2:13; 10:6 cf. 1st Sam 31:10; 1st Kings
11:5,33 – The Groves (high places, phallic symbols)
Deut 16:212nd Kings 23:3,6,7;
Ezekiel 36:15– “Queen of Heaven”: A Babylonian concept
Jeremiah 7:18; 44:15-30 24
Jezebel
1st Kings 18:17-40
25
Mount Carmel
26
Naboth’s
Vineyard
1st Kings 21
27
1st Kings 21:17-29
Prophecied
Consumption
Naboth’s Vineyard1st Kings 21
• King Ahab desires Naboth’s vineyard• Queen Jezebel arranges an Inquisition
– False witnesses–Condemnation– Execution
• Naboth’s vineyard seized for the king• Naboth’s heirs also slain
28
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The Scriptures indicate that women can:- Have great wisdom (Proverbs 31:26)- Work with men instructing believers
(Acts 18:26)But they are not to occupy teaching roles over men (1st Corinthians 14:34, 1st Timothy 2:12)This is not cultural, but
- Reflective of God’s created order (1st Timothy 2:13)- Recognizes differences between men and women
(1st Timothy 2:14)The primary teaching role of women is to:
- Other women (Titus 2:3-4)- Children (2nd Timothy 1:5, 3:15)
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The Greek word for seduce is plana, meaning
“…to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way.”
Our ability to be lead correlates with the strength we give to our desires
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
This one goes far deeper than you can imagine by a mere reading of the
words
This one addresses membership in the trade guilds for maintaining a lifestyle and supporting your family, except the
guilds were all ruled by different guardian gods
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:This is evidence of God’s grace!
“The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come
to repentance.”2nd Peter 3:9
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:This introduces the pattern so
clearly seen throughout the Book of Revelation:
Even in the face of clear evidence of God’s disapproval, those who have set their hearts against Him
refuse to repent
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The tense of the verb used here suggests a future tense of a
judgment which has already been made!
The bed is thought to be a sickbed:
Her bed of whoredom will be changed into a bed of anguish
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The adultery spoken of here is most likely the spiritual adultery of which Messiah has just been speaking – idolatry and eating
things sacrificed unto other gods
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:More importantly, we now see
that Jezebel is a type of the harlot we’ll see in Revelation 17:“With whom the kings
of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
wine of her fornication.”Revelation 17:2
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:
The reference to great tribulation here is probably not a reference
to the time called “The Great Tribulation” in both Matthew and
Revelation, but rather a time of personal tribulation for those
involved
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:20-22
Concern:One last time, God is giving a
chance for man to repent“The very time during which ungodly men are heaping up for themselves greater wrath against the day of wrath, was a time lent them for repentance (Romans 2:4; 2nd Peter 3:9), if only they would have understood the object and the meaning of it.”
39
2nd Kings 9:30-37
Jezebel’s
Demise
Jehu2nd Kings 9:30-37
• Jehu was a servant of King Ahab• He had witnessed the sin of King Ahab and
Jezebel• He was now witnessing the judgment of
Jezebel
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And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:23
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And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:23
42
- To kill with death is a Hebrew idiom meaning to slay with the most sure and awful death
- A literal translation of Genesis 2:17 would read “…dying thou shalt die…”
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:23
43
The threat of being judged according to your own works
should send a shiver up the spine of all who are acquainted with
their own depravity as a member’s of Adam’s race
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities,
like the wind, have taken us away.
Isaiah 64:6
The actual translation is “used menstrual cloths”
According to Leviticus 15:19-33, women are
unclean during menstruation plus 7
days
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:23
44
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand
before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their
works.”Revelation 20:12
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Revelation 2:24-25
Exhortation:
45
Scripture makes it clear that we are not called to focus on darkness, but to focus on light (Philippians 4:8)
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Revelation 2:24-25
Exhortation:
46
“I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before
me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Teach
me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto
the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me
to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I
delight”Psalm 119:30-35
But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Revelation 2:24-25
Exhortation:
47
Explicit mention of the second coming
of Messiah
This only occurs in the last four letters
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
Promise to the Overcomer:
48
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
Promise to the Overcomer:
49
Keeping His works requires abiding in
His Word(John 8:31-32)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
Promise to the Overcomer:
50
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
Psalm 2
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
Promise to the Overcomer:
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Name
Title
Commendation
Concerns
Exhortation
Promise to the Overcomer
Ephe
sus
Smyr
na
Perg
amos
Thya
tira
Sard
is
Phila
delph
iaLa
odice
a
“He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”
Promise to the Overcomer
Design Tally:
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X
Levels of Application
1. Local2. Admonitory (to all churches)3. Personal (Homiletics)4. Prophetic
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Next Session• We will look at the Admonitory, Personal,
and Prophetic applications of the letter to Thyatira
• You may want to go ahead and prep for the letter to Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
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55
?
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…but to fulfil…• Matthew 5:17 gives us an often
misunderstood quote from Messiah:
• So, what does this really mean?
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
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…but to fulfil…• Many of our religious friends interpret this
passage to say– "Look! He did not come to destroy the Torah
but to end it." • In other words,
–He did not come to destroy the law but to
destroy
the law!what?
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…but to fulfil…• The Greek word for fulfill is pleroo
– To fill up– To make full
• That should settle it…• This Greek word does not mean to end or
cease anything• In fact, it is first seen in Genesis 1:22
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…but to fulfil…
• The Hebrew word used here is mala’–Means to fill something up,– To make full, or– To make complete
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill [pleroo] the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
Genesis 1:22
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…but to fulfil…• Mala’ is comprised of these Hebrew letters:
–Mem (waters)– Lamed (to lead to)–Aleph (power)
“The power to lead to the waters”
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…but to fulfil…• The first occurrence references life in the
seas• The seas were just water
until efei put life in them• Life was added on the
5th day, and God said thatit was good (Genesis 1:21)
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…but to fulfil…• The religious system of Messiah’s day had
turned the Torah into a rote system of rules and regulations
• These were added to efei’s commandments by men
• They had moved the life out of the Torah
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…but to fulfil…• Messiah…
– The Way,– The Truth,–And the LIFE,
• Had come to restore into the Word of God
• Had come to and make it whole once again
LIFEfill it up