Revelation 2:18-29
¹⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
¹⁹ I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.
²⁰ But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
²¹ I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
²² Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,
²³ and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
²⁴ But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
²⁵ Only hold fast what you have until I come.
²⁶ The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
²⁷ and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority 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.”

Archaeological evidence indicates that Thyatira was settled as early as the 3000 BC. The city was in the northern part of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. The city was in the center of a large level plain which made it an agricultural center. The Persians gained control of the city and the area around 500 BC. During the Hellenistic period, Thyatira and all of Asia Minor came under the control of Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander in 323 B.C.E., Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander’s generals involved in the struggle for Alexander’s kingdom, eventually gained control of the city.¹

Thyatira became a major center of commerce in the Roman world. Bakers, potters, tanners, weavers, robe makers, and cloth dyers are specially mentioned. Of these last there is a notice in no less than three inscriptions, so that dyeing (especially the color purple) apparently formed an important part of the industrial activity of Thyatira, as it did of that of Colossse and Laodicea²

Gods such as Zeus, Artemis, Apollo, Demeter, and Athena were worshiped at the city, and a coin of Vespasian suggests that a temple to the Emperor may have existed there by at least 79 AD.³ Coins with pictures of Apollo astride a horse ready for battle or with a battle-axe over his shoulder suggest that the people of Thyatira recognized the son of Zeus as chief deity. Though inconclusive, remains of a temple dedicated to Apollo also provide some evidence of this. Under the influence of Rome, beginning in the second century A.D., emperor worship replaced the worship of Apollo, but many Thyatirans simply identified the emperor as Apollo incarnate.⁴ Apollo was also a god of crops and herds, primarily as a divine bulwark against wild animals and disease, as his Greek epithet Alexikakos (Averter of Evil) indicates. His forename Phoebus means “bright” or “pure,” and the view became current that he was connected with the Sun.⁵

Reverlation 2:18
^18a To the angel of the church in Thyatira. The Greek word “aggelos” (Strong's G32, G/K# 34), can be translated as angel or messenger. We know from various accounts in the Bible that angels were used in numerous occasions as messengers from God. However, in the book of Revelation, "aggelos" almost always refers to angelic beings rather than human messengers. Are these messengers angelic or human? They could easily be either one and I’m not sure it matters. The message (in this case) is more important than the messenger.

The wording of this phrase gives the false impression that the letter is written to the angel. The lack of commas (no punctuation) in ancient Greek makes it easy to come to this conclusion. (Ancient Greek required the reader to use context and grammatical knowledge to determine phrasing.) This opening phrase is actually a command to the angel to dictate what he is about to hear. Look what happens when I add a comma to the phrase: To the angel of the church in Sardis, write. The command is to the angel of the church in Sardis. What is the command? Write. What is he going to write? He will write down the words that are contained in verses two through six. The angel appears to have acted as a stenographer, writing down the words Christ dictated. The angel was receiving instructions to accurately transcribe (write down) what Jesus told him and then deliver that letter to the church. The letter was not written to the angel, it was transcribed (written) by the angel.

^18b The words of the Son of God. The ESV translates the Greek phrase "tade legei" ("these say" as "the words." A more modern phrase might be "This is what the Son of God says." However it gets translated, this portion of the verse sets up where this letter is coming from. John may be the author, but the words are coming straight from Jesus. This phrase gives the letter divine authority.

^18c Who has eyes like a flame of fire. Fire has several uses in the Bible. One use is cleansing, or refining. In this sense, fire is used to remove impurity. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 3:19) 1 Peter 1:7 states “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” These are two Bible passages that discuss using fire to refine a person's character and faith.

Fire also is used to visually represent God (theophany).⁶ For example, God appeared to Moses as fire in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). During the forty years in the wilderness, “went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.” (Exodus 12:21). Exodus 24:17 describes the glory of God on Mount Sinai as a consuming fire. Moses also described God as a consuming fire in Deuteronomy 4:24. These are only a few instances of fire in the Bible.

The other thing that Jesus having eyes like a flame of fire does is to drastically reduce the importance of Apollo, the god of Thyatira. Apollo was described as being “the luminous Logos itself—the reason that pervades the cosmos.”⁷ Jesus was placing himself above that of the local deity.

^18d…and whose feet are like burnished bronze. Burnished bronze is what the ancient cultures used to make mirrors.⁸ If they could not get burnished (highly polished) bronze, they would settle for polished copper. The purpose of a mirror is to show a person what they look like. Ancient cultures made bronze by smelting copper (heating it to remove impurities) and smelting tin. Metal smiths would then combine the two molten metals to make the bronze alloy.⁹ Having eyes like fire and feet like bronze demonstrates a “double” refining process. As a mirror, the polished bronze shows us our impurities. The purpose of refining is to remove those impurities. Jesus was describing himself as a God who both reveals and removes our impurities.

Revelation 2:19
I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

^19aI know works. What are works? The word translated as works is the word ergon (Strong’s G2041, G/K #2240). The word means “anything done, or to be done; a deed, works, actions.”¹⁰ Jesus Christ is the foundation of our salvation, faith is the instrument of our salvation, and works are the fruit (evidence) of our salvation.¹¹ The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 16, (used by numerous Protestant denominations) lists nine benefits of good works; here are six:¹²
 1) They manifest our gratitude to God for the gift of his son (Col 2:6).
 2) Bolster our assurance of faith (1 John 2:1-6).
 3) Are a means of encouraging other Christians toward greater acts of love (Hebrews 10:24).
 4) Cause us to adorn the doctrine of God in our lives.
 5) Silence the enemies of Biblical Christianity. (1 Peter 2:15).
 6) Glorifies God by displaying His work of love in our lives (John 15:8-11).
In telling the church at Thyatira that he is aware of their works, Jesus is demonstrating his intimate knowledge of both the lives and their actions. It can be either reassuring or disturbing that God watches everything we do.

^19b your love and faith and service and patient endurance. This portion of the verse describes the works that the church is doing. Love is the foundational to the Christian life as it reflects the love that Jesus showed to us. Faith is the trust and belief in God and his promises to us. Hebrews 11:6 states that without faith it is impossible to please God. Service (also translated as ministry) is how we express our faith through our works, service, and ministry to others. Patient endurance is how well we endure under the challenges of life.

^19c and that your latter works exceed the first. In this portion of the verse suggests that the church’s zeal increased over time. They are now doing more for God than they did when they first got saved. It is as if as their relationship with God grew, so did the amount of works. Not only did they have the works listed in 19c, but they had them in increasing measure – they were growing in love, faith, service, and patience.¹³ It had become a very active church, busy doing God’s work.¹⁴

Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Anytime Jesus says that he has something against you, that should command your immediate attention. Understanding this verse requires an understanding of who Jezebel was in the Old Testament. Her story begins in 1 Kings 16:29, when Ahab became king in Israel. The first action that Bible records of Ahab is his marriage to Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, a Phoenician King. Jezebel quickly converted Ahab over to worshiping the gods Baal and Ashtaroth. Jezebel was a manipulator and convinced Ahab to murder the prophets of God. Her leadership promoted Baal worship and quickly led Israel into idol worship (1 Kings 16:31–33). Jezebel led the charge against God’s believers with little restraint or regard for consequences. Her devotion to idolatry was unyielding as she went to great lengths to ensure it endured throughout her reign.¹⁵ Jezebel had 450 prophet/priests of Baal and 400 prophet/priests of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19).

Ahab is listed as being a “bad” king, 1 Kings 21:25 states, There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited (italics mine). Jezebel was not just a bad influence, due to her spreading the worship of Baal and Asterah, she was downright evil. Baal as a Canaanite storm god who was also called “rider of the clouds.” Among other attributes, Baal was also believed to be the god who sent rain necessary for growing crops.¹⁶ Because Baal was associated with fertility, part of Baal worship included sexual activity, and cultic prostitution was a common feature. Baal worship included sacrifices of animals, usually bulls and lambs, grain offerings, and libations (a drink poured out as an offering) of wine and other liquids. It included feasts with eating, drinking, and fornication.¹⁷ The worship of Asherah was noted for its sensuality and involved ritual prostitution (both male and female).¹⁸

In the biblical text, Jezebel was contrasted with and juxtaposed to the prophet Elijah, forming two complete opposites. She worshipped Baal; he worshipped YHWH. She is a woman, he is a man; she is a foreigner, he is a native. She had monarchic power; he had prophetic power. She threatened, he fled; finally, he won when she was ultimately killed. The real conflict was not between Ahab (the king) and Elijah but between Jezebel (the queen in actuality, if not in title) and Elijah.¹⁹ Jezebel is only portrayed negatively in the Bible. She worked tirelessly to turn people away from YHWH into serving false gods.

The church at Thyatira had a prophetess (we don’t know her actual name) that Jesus named Jezebel. Also notice the wording “who calls herself a prophetess.” This was a title she gave herself (possibly to make herself seem important). Jesus did not consider her to be a (true) prophetess, even though she did. This tells me that her “gift” of prophecy did not come from God. She was, therefore, a false prophet. Not only is she a false prophet, but verse 20 points out that she is also a false teacher. Her prophecies and teachings were convincing people to fall away from God and follow the false gods that were worshipped in the city. Whoever this woman was, she had started leading some of the congregation into idolatry and immorality. It was enough of a problem that Jesus called attention to it.

There seem to be three stages that sin affects people:
 1) accept
 2) tolerate
 3) embrace
I doubt that "Jezebel" came in and immediately taught that the church needed to embrace sexual immorality and eating the food sacrificed to idols. It probably started with acceptance and the idea that the church needed to build meaningful relationships with idolaters. From there, it may have moved on to the level of tolerance, after all, the idol worshipers everywhere practiced sexual immorality, and they could not be stopped. Then the message would have transformed into one of embracing sexual immorality and making it part of church worship. It would have happened slowly, so as not to alarm the Christian community outright. The false teaching probably slowly infected the church.

So what is sexual immorality? The word used in verse 20 is porneúō (Strong’s #4203, G/K #4519). The word means, “various extra-marital sexual modes of behavior insofar as they deviate from accepted social and religious norms (e.g. homosexuality, promiscuity, pedophilia, and especially prostitution).”²⁰ The word also means “to act as a prostitute (male or female) and indulge in unlawful lust of either sex, or to practice idolatry.”²¹ The Bible considers sexual immorality to be idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:7-8; Colossians 3:5). As you can see, the church at Thyatira was in big trouble.

Revelation 2:21
I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.
This woman God called “Jezebel” had been given time to repent, and perhaps undo the damage, but she refused. The door for repentance was swinging shut. God gave her time to repent, but that time was up. This is actually a stunning display of kindness and mercy, that this woman who so horribly perverted the grace of God and used it as an excuse for idolatry and licentiousness should receive the extended opportunity to turn from her ways and receive forgiveness from God!²² As Christians we need to take a warning from this example. We should never presume that God’s grace and longsuffering towards us is approval or endorsement of our sinful ways. We need to seek forgiveness as soon as possible and repent.

Revelation 2:22
Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works.
Jesus offered this woman and her disciples time to repent, but they did not. In response, Jesus is closing the door to repentance and opening the door to judgment. However, the door is not completely shut, and there is still a limited time for these people to repent. But once the door to repentance is closed, God will throw her onto a sickbed and her followers into great tribulation.

The word sickbed is the Greek word “klínē” (Strong’s G2825, G/K #3108) and, more than likely, symbolizes both literal and figurative consequences. The word means bed or couch. In Greek classical literature, this word was mostly used to describe the furniture on which people reclined to dine, but by the time of the New Testament it had specialized to predominantly describe the furniture upon which infirm and disabled people rested: any kind of supporting device or support frame from crutches to braces and from chairs with straps to stretchers and mats.²³

Minor illnesses, such as a cold or upset stomach, do not require a sickbed. Major illnesses, or sicknesses, such as cancer, kidney disease, and severe infections, do require a sickbed. God was willing to inflict a major disease on this "Jezebel" unless she repented. If using a major illness was what it took to get her attention, then that was what God was willing to do. In addition, God was willing to send great tribulation on her disciples to get them to repent.

The word tribulation is the Greek word “thlípsis” (Strong’s G2347, GK# 2568), which means “persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation.”²⁴ The word tribulation is a broad word that encompasses many different types of hard times, trouble, suffering, persecution, judgment, and wrath. But it is promising not just tribulation, but great tribulation. The word great (Strong’s G3173) means exceedingly, great, large.²⁵ This is not just “normal” tribulation (as if there was such a thing) but rather an exceedingly large amount of tribulation. Great tribulation would entail a tremendous amount of suffering. God wanted these people to people to repent, and if great suffering was what it took to get them there, then God was ready to enact it.

The call to repentance was centered around the false teaching of moral compromise. The phrase "I will" indicates the imminent nature of Christ's intervention if the compromised failed to repent. The verse conveys a sense of imminence, suggesting they do not have much time to repent. The call for repentance for those who have fallen astray should have gotten their immediate attention.

Revelation 2:23
and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
Verse 23 is a continuation of verse 22. This verse starts with an ominous warning “I will strike her children dead.” There are two thoughts as to who these "children" are:
 1) the female prophet's actual children, or
 2) her disciples.
Option 1 follows the Old Testament practice of killing the children along with the wicked parent. For example, after the battle at Jericho (Joshua chapter 7), Achan disobeyed God's command and stole a beautiful robe, some gold, and silver, and hid these things in his tent. God commanded that Achan and his entire family and all his possessions be destroyed. God will not only kill this "Jezebel," but her family along with her. I do not believe that option is viable. Verse 22 does not refer to her followers as children and has already set up a different punishment for them. If verse 23 is referring to "Jezebel's" followers as her children (option 2), it would negate much of verse 22.

^23b And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart. The early Christian communities were interconnected and communicated with each other. News of God judging the church at Thyatira would spread quickly among the other churches. Jesus’ statement serves as a reminder that God searches the mind and the heart. The Greek word for mind being used here is “nephros” (Strong’s G3510, G/K# 3751) which means “kidneys,” but we should not take this literally. The figurative definition of the word means “the innermost mind, the seat of desires and passions.”²⁶ The Greek word for heart, being used here, is “kardias” (Strong’s G2588, G/K# 2840), which means “heart,” but we should not take this literally. The figurative definition of the word means “the seat of emotions, feelings, thinking, and the will (willpower).”²⁷ In the Bible, the mind and heart are closely related. In the Old Testament, there was almost no difference between the mind and the heart.²⁸ They are overlapping concepts that are not clearly separated. Jesus points out in this verse that He searches out our thoughts and intentions. Why is Jesus interested in our thoughts and intentions? It is because our thoughts and intentions govern our works or actions.

^23c and I will give to each of you according to your works. What are works? Works are our deeds, actions, behavior, and what we put our energy into doing.²⁹ If our minds and hearts are serving God, then our works will reflect that service. The false prophetess “Jezebel” and her followers had stopped serving God in their minds and hearts and were serving themselves. Their works reflected their lack of service to God. That was why they had become sexually immoral and were openly partaking in food sacrificed to idols. God’s comment is both a promise and a warning. We reap what we sow. God will either reward or punish us for our actions. It is a call to holiness and a reminder that we are ultimately accountable to God.

Revelation 2:24
But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.

^24a But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching. In verse 24, God shifted his focus from the unfaithful Christians to those who remained faithful. These are the Christians who refused to follow the false prophetess. They recognized her false teachings and refused to follow her; instead, they stuck with scripture. They remained faithful to the gospel and to Jesus.

^24b who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan. It is interesting that the false teachings, doctrines, and prophecies (that contradicted the gospel message), were referred to as the deep things of Satan. The phrase what some call can also be translated as “as they call it.”³⁰ The emphasis is on the word "they." "Jezebel's" followers were enamored with the deep things of Satan. The verse gives us the impression that there is no such thing. So what are the so-called deep things of Satan? They are outlined for us in the preceding verses. They are sexual immorality and idolatry. It is somewhat depressing to realize that many in the church have succumbed to the temptation to compromise their morals and ethics. Their understanding of the gospel must not have been very strong if they quickly accepted the false teachings and prophecies of "Jezebel." My guess is that their knowledge of scripture was also weak.

^24c I do not lay on you any other burden.. The phrase I do not lay on you any other burden recognizes that standing against the false teachings and prophecies was actually a burden. Jesus is congratulating them for standing fast in the faith. He is encouraging the faithful Christians to continue to stand strong.

Revelation 2:25
Only hold fast what you have until I come.

The ESV translates the Greek word “plen” (Strong’s G4133, G/K #4440) as “only.” It would be better to translate it as “however” or “nevertheless.”³¹ The phrase “hold fast” (Strong’s G2902, G/K #3195) means “to strengthen, to not discard or let go, to keep carefully and faithfully.³² So what is it that Jesus wants the faithful to hold fast, or hold on to? They have the true gospel message, teachings, faith, and spiritual gifts. They still have what “Jezebels” followers let go of. Jesus then gave them the timeframe for how long they were to hold fast: until I come. The implication is that it won’t be long until Jesus returns. Keep in mind that the early church lived with the expectation of Jesus' imminent return. This expectation motivated the early church to engage in holy living and perseverance. Unfortunately, this expectation has been lost, for the most part, by the modern church.

Revelation 2:26
The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.

^26a The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end. The town of Thyatira had been conquered by the Lydians, Persians, Greeks, and then by the Romans. They had been overcome by invaders many times. In this verse, Christ begins to lay out the rewards for those who hold fast. What does it mean to conquer? The word for conquer (Strong’s G3528, G/K 3771) is also translated as “overcomer” in many versions of the Bible. The word means which means “to conquer, overcome, or be more than victorious.”³³ Conquering, or overcoming, is not a certainty but rather an aspiration each individual should pursue. However, it is a victory gained by an active faith fed through fellowship with the Lord.³⁴ The Savior’s words are never to them (a collective group) who overcome but to him (the individual) who overcomes. Victory is not a collective right but an individual attainment. Clearly, the promises to the overcomers are rewards for obedience to the commands of the Lord to the Church.³⁵

What does the phrase who keeps my works mean? In the New Testament, the work of a believer is always ultimately an expression of the activity (works) of God.³⁶ Our faith in God should produce good works. Works also includes what a person is and how they behave.³⁷ We should be living Godly lives and encouraging people to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. In doing this, we keep the works (of Jesus) going.

How long are overcomers supposed to do the works of Christ? Until the end. The word end (Strong’s 5056, G/K 5465) means culmination, completion, finish, or fulfillment.³⁸ End of what? Culmination of what? Completion of what? How did the faithful Christians at Thyatira understand this phrase? Once again, keep in mind that the early church lived with the expectation of Jesus' imminent return. They were going to continue to do the works of God until Jesus returned.

^26b to him I will give authority over the nations. The word authority (Strong’s G1849 G/K 2026) appears in the Book of Revelation twenty times; it may mean “power,” “authority, right, power to do something,”³⁹ depending on the context. The promise of “authority over the nations” echoes the Messianic prophecy in Daniel 7:27, signifying that God will indeed establish Christ’s kingdom and His saints will rule with Him. Jesus was promising his faithful that when he returned and set up his kingdom, they would rule alongside him.

Revelation 2:27
and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

This verse is a quote of Psalm 2:9 which states, “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” The word rule (in Rev 2:27) is the Greek word “poimaino” (Strong's G4165, G/K G4477) which means to be a shepherd.⁴⁰ What does it mean to shepherd with a rod of iron? A shepherd watches over, leads, feeds, guides, cares for and defends the sheep. The word rod can be translated as rod, scepter, or staff. So how do we interpret what the rod of iron is? The rod was an offensive weapon used to protect the flock from wild animals. The rod could be used as a club or thrown in close quarters. The rod of iron will be used to break the nations. Being broken to come to God is the spiritual process of surrendering pride, self-sufficiency, and personal will, acknowledging one's need for divine grace. It is not deemed a failure, but a necessary state of humility that allows God to heal, rebuild, and work through a person’s weaknesses.⁴¹

We should interpret the phrase rod of iron in context with Psalm 2, which is a prophecy about the Messianic Kingdom. As Psalm Two unfold, it shifts from the rebellion of the nations to the promise of God’s Messiah ruling over those nations. The closing verses invite all people to submit and find refuge in the sovereign reign of God’s Messiah. The imagery of breaking with a rod of iron and dashing to pieces like pottery signifies the Messiah’s power to overcome and subdue all opposition. Verse 27 signifies that Jesus will utilize his disciples in not only subduing nations that oppose him, but shepherding them after they have submitted to God’s authority. A nation is like a clay pot. Once it has been broken into pieces, it is no longer a nation. The church must then shepherd the “shards” and lead them to Christ. Verse 27 presents this idea in a positive light, as both a privilege and an opportunity.

Jesus then made the claim of; “I myself have received authority from my Father.” Jesus can share this authority with his church because the authority came from God. Believers will therefore, assist Jesus in breaking apart nations and then shepherding them. Most commentators think this will happen during (what we call) the Millennial Kingdom. The church at Thyatira, had never heard of the Millennial Kingdom. That was an unknown concept to them. They had a “Jesus could come back today” mentality. As far as they were concerned, Jesus’ promise of ruling and reigning with him, was going to happen in their lifetime.

Revelation 2:28
And I will give him the morning star.

This is a difficult verse to understand and many commentators wrestle with its meaning. What is the morning star? In the secular world, the morning star is the planet Venus, which is visible as the darkness transitions to daylight. It shines brightly until the darkness is gone. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus referred to himself as the morning star. 2 Peter 1:19, also refers to Jesus as the morning star. Is Jesus saying that he will give himself to those who overcome? That is a possibility, but it begs the question: Why would Christ give himself to a believer that already has him living in his heart?

My hunch is that Jesus will give the overcomer something that would resemble that morning planet in beauty and splendor as if it were a medal that is presented to a member of the military. Just as the Medel of Honor is the highest award that can be given to a member of the military, the “morning star” may be highest “medal” that is awarded to overcomers. I’m not stating this as doctrine, but I am saying that it is a possibility worth considering.

Revelation 2:29
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

It is possible to hear the words of Jesus and not hear what he is saying. The phrase he who has an ear qualifies everyone who will listen and obey. It is a phrase Jesus often used when speaking in parables. Whenever Christ says, "He who has an ear, let him hear," He calls for people to pay careful heed. It's another way of saying, “Listen up! Pay close attention! What I said was important!” Those who have “ears to hear” allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and try to understand and obey it. The church is called to pay close attention and seek God’s wisdom regarding the written Word. Only a few are willing; the rest have ears but do not have “ears to hear” (Matthew 7:13–14, 24–27).

Application

Jesus's letter to Thyatira challenges us to remain faithful to the Lord despite peer pressure, to avoid compromise, and maintain sexual purity. The letter to Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) is Jesus's longest message to the seven churches, praising their growth in love, faith, and service. However, he severely rebukes them for tolerating "Jezebel," a false prophetess leading members into sexual immorality and idolatry. Jesus threatens judgment on her and her followers but encourages faithful members to "hold fast" until his return, promising them authority over nations. Too many Christians are sexually active when God calls them to be sexually pure. The warning to the church at Thytira should also be a warning to the church today. God does not tolerate compromise or sexual impurity. The call to repent is still open to us, for now.

© 03 March 2026 by Steven P. Wickstrom, all rights reserved. Click the button below for more copyright information.

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