Tolerating the Opposite

Transcription

1 Revelation Chapter 2 Study Thyatira ["odor of affliction"] Tolerating the Opposite Revelation 2:18-29 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; 19 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. 20 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 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. 24 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches Thyatira = "Odor of affliction" This church was located in a small outpost town of little importance compared to the other six cities

2 2. Paul s first convert in Europe was a woman from Asia Minor, who was from Thyatira [Acts 16:14-15] Thyatira was famous for the manufacture of purple cloth * A woman named Lydia, lived in Philippi she was a seller of this fine cloth * The testimony of Lydia probably played a huge role in the founding of the church at Thyatira Revelation 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not * Once again we see that the Lord brings to surface how false Doctrine devastates the church * We also see that the Lord brings out false doctrine causes people to be consumed by the depths of Satan * False Doctrine always births in its midst the spirit of compromise and worldliness The Lord had some good things to say about this church, but the Lord also had a bad thing to say to about this church. * But they had allowed that woman Jezebel, who claimed to be a prophetess, to seduce the servants of God to commit fornication * The Lord makes a very horrifying statement to this church, I will kill her children with death [v:23]

3 3. The matter of major concern was the allowing of this woman Jezebel to influence the church * The Spirit of Jezebel was operating in this church * False doctrine was being preached by a certain woman in this church * She declared herself to be a prophetess, she was telling the people it was all right for them to commit fornication and to eat things offered to idols [simply idol worship and the things of idols are acceptable] In this message to the church in Thyatira the Lord tells them he was going to judge them That woman Jezebel A woman of great influence * A woman with a most persuasive tongue, with forceful ideas, and with great leadership qualities * She was, it would seem, a woman who put most men in the shade, in fact many where influenced by her The spirit of Jezebel is very powerful demonic influence Revelation 2:18-19 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; 19 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

4 4. The Lord was making a pointed reference to himself His eyes like a flame of fire * Even in this age we make many references to eyes I can see clearly now - For your eyes only I can see it in your eyes If looks could kill Did you see how he or she looked me? He s got Fire in His eyes The spirit of Jezebel was more than enough to make the Lord s eyes blaze with indignation [The Lord hates sexual sins when we commit these sins we are sinning not only against others but we are sinning against our spirit, mind, soul, and bodies by the way our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost] Revelation 2:18 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 The Lords feet were like burnished bronze [brass] Bronze, in the Scripture, is always a symbol of judgment * As the Lord looks a Thyatira and sees what a harvest of wickedness that will grow form this false doctine satanic seed that was being sown by the woman Jezebel, His feet were like brass His judgment was set in place Simply, Judgment always beings in the House of the Lord and my friends Repentance too

5 5. Revelation 2:19 19 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 The emphasis was first on I KNOW! * Here we see once again the Lords message that He knows * Again here we see the all- knowing Jesus as he looks upon His Church! Then we see how Jesus makes emphasis on the works * Works are all well and good in their proper place * But Works can become a death trap when they come between serving the Lord * Works without solid Biblical Doctrine is dead a false faith is released when Godly or seemingly Godly works are being done by the hands of those who are walking in false doctrine Thyatira was a very active church, involved in all kinds of works for the Lord And note: Christ says that He knows all about their works for Him: "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" (Rev. 2:19)

6 6. Revelation 2:19 (Message) "I see everything you're doing for me. Impressive! The love and the faith, the service and persistence Yes, very impressive! You get better at it every day There were works of love and service * They would include ministries that especially showed love Ministries that concentrated upon charity [love] and service, showing care and interest, concern and provision Such ministries would include... Evangelism: reaching out to the lost The youth, the adults, the senior adults and the college students - growing and developing them The poor, needy, orphans, the hungry, homeless, the shut- ins The foreigners, the prisoners, the poor, the single parent and child The Lord was telling them: Revelation 2:19 "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"

7 7. There were works of faith and patient endurance These would include ministries that demanded strong faith and endurance in order to carry them out It would include... Lacking the money or personnel or space or some other resource, but believing God and sticking to it until the ministry was operating Facing opposition, but believing God and going ahead and persevering in the ministry Facing a difficult ministry such as visiting unbelievers or prisoners or derelicts or whatever, but trusting God and going ahead anyway Being required to sacrifice time or money or possessions, but doing it because one believes God Being tired and weary and not wanting to participate in a particular ministry, but trusting God and going ahead and persevering in it Feeling inadequate and incapable, but accepting the challenge, believing God, and enduring in the ministry There was even a significant growth in the ministries of the church The church grew and expanded - It reached out more and more - It was apparently as active as it could be, ministering to the community in every way that a church should, and it continued to grow

8 8. Think of the kind of church being described: dynamic, vibrant, alive meeting all the social needs of the community having all the ministries that ranged all the way from a clothes and food closet over to reaching out to the lost in a regular visitation program * The church was full of activity and energy and crowded with people * Yet, the church was a far cry from what it should have been It was a compromising and corrupted church * Because - It was allowing a teacher to teach who compromised with the world, and it was allowing the worldly to be baptized and accepted into the church without repenting and separating from the pleasures, possessions, and immoralities of the world * The church appeared to be the most alive and dynamic church in the area, but it was not not to the Lord To the Lord the church was corrupt because of its compromise with the world Perspective * This church had a false prophet who was preaching false doctrine in their midst * This church had a spirit of works but the Lord opens His letter to them with the emphasis of who He is

9 9. They had lost the Eternal Perspective [Their eyes were taken from looking upon Jesus] Revelation 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not Revelation 2:20 (Message) "But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross- denying, self- indulging religion? * This church had become a hotbed of Heresy false doctrine The Source of the Heresy Revelation 2:20a Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach Take a note here: The Lord identifies the source * The Lord tell s the church that they are allowing teaching and leadership in that He does not like * He tells them she calls herself a prophetess [God anoints and appoints under his hand you will never have to convince no man you calling] * This type of spirit always makes a push to teach

10 10. Revelation 2: [Message] 20-23"But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross- denying, self- indulging religion? I gave her a chance to change her ways, but she has no intention of giving up a career in the god- business. I'm about to lay her low, along with her partners, as they play their sex- and- religion games. The bastard offspring of their idol- whoring I'll kill. Then every church will know that appearances don't impress me. I x- ray every motive and make sure you get what's coming to you * In the midst of the church was a cancerous, malignant heresy, and the church was allowing this spirit to teach, to lead, to influence the church There was in this church Thyatira an influential personality Jezebel - Her teaching was a hyper grace teaching: Antinomianism [an ti no mi an - ism] Relating to the view that Christians are released by grace from the obligation of observing the moral law * Old Testament Jezebel was a very colorful character in more that one way - would spend the first part of the day putting on her war paint and the rest of the day of the warpath [Jezebel always the center of controversy, allways the deputy dog of the church, always talking about a better way to do something, especially if someone else is doing it always the center of super spiritual meetings a master manipulator a small group guru a behind the curtain operative high profile influence in leadership]

11 11. We find in the Old Testament that: Jezebel controlled her husband Ahab and woe to anyone who stood in her way ask Elijah * She was the daughter of a pagan king * She imparted into Israel the very worst type of heathenism * The Worship of God was swept aside and idolatry was put in Gods place she surrounded herself with false prophets anti- God profits Jezebel stole Worship of the Lord and set in place Idolarty Idolatry: * Extreme admiration love or reverence of something or someone: Based on the Greek Word meaning Worship. * She had stolen their Worship of God Purity became a thing of the past! * Jezebel put the saints of God to the sword [She loved to kill Gods Children] In Thyatira this woman called Jezebel * This Old Testament spirit of an evil woman this old testament teaching/ Doctrine was from Hell itself * Note to remember that Satan was the Worship leader in heaven for a time

12 12. Revelation 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. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not There is the complaint The complaint immediately arouses our interest, for the name Jezebel is used The church is charged with allowing a Jezebel to teach in the church The church was tolerating a false prophetess to teach within the church Note that she called herself a prophetess * She claimed that God had called and gifted her to teach and proclaim the truth * Therefore, the church appointed her as a teacher and gave her the right to teach within the church The church was tolerating false teaching, seduction, fornication, and idolatry * Jezebel, the false teacher, was actually teaching in the church - Contrary to Christ and the Word of God, the church was allowing her to spread her false teaching

13 13. Jezebel, the false teacher, was being allowed to seduce the Lord's servants * She was arguing, presenting reasonable arguments, deceiving, misleading, and beguiling the servants and followers of the Lord with her false teaching a perverting of the Gospel and false doctrine one of hyper- grace leading to no morality- and the church was allowing it Jezebel, the false teacher, was seducing the believers to commit fornication, that is, all manner of immoral acts * How could such teaching be allowed within the church? By a very insidious [subtle, cunning, gradual, harmful] teaching, * Note: the teaching has continued on down through the centuries, so much so that it now infiltrates many churches She was teaching... * That believers could not separate themselves from the world, not entirely, not without becoming exclusive and snobbish she taught no separation but participation * That believers needed to be tolerant and sensible in dealing with the world and its functions: they needed to be participating in some of the world's functions in order to be friendly, keep their jobs, secure promotions, help their businesses, keep from being considered fanatical, and win the lost with tolerance and compromise * That believers could reach the world more easily by associating and fellowshipping with the world at their level

14 14. * That if a person really worshipped God, he would be acceptable to God even if he did not know about Jesus Christ; that Jesus Christ is not the only way to God; that He is not the only Savior that there are many ways to God that many paths lead to the same God your name for God does not matter because God has many paths to Him Jesus is not the only way but one way she taught * That believers should attend the social functions of neighbors and fellow workers and not be exclusive and separatists in actions or vises Tolerance at a level that you are not different at all Remember: Thyatira was renown for its trade guilds or unions * They were the center of much of the city's social and business life Therefore, if believers did not attend these functions, there was a possibility that it might affect their employment and relationships with their neighbors * The argument of the false teacher, Jezebel, had a strong appeal then and now it would take a strong minded minister and teacher to proclaim a life of separation in such a situation What happened, of course, was that many of the socials became drunken and immoral - believers who attended these events were attracted and caught up in the immoral affairs just like everyone else. Believers were having immoral affairs, simply committing fornication

15 15. Jezebel, the false teacher, was seducing believers to commit idolatry * Some of the functions of the trade guilds and unions were usually held in the temple precincts of false gods * Sometimes the events involved a simple thank- offering to the god, much like our offering of thanks at meals you know a prayer without the mention of Jesus a mention of a God or just a moment of silence as not to upset the apple cart if you will or tolerance to the point of excluding Jesus * Some of the believers were participating in these functions, actually were participating in the functions that gave thanks to false gods Remember what idolatry is: An idol is anything that a person puts first in his life, anything that consumes a person's mind, heart, soul, and body An idol is that to which a person gives himself. Therefore, an idol can be... a job, money, position, possessions, pleasure, sports, business, family, self, sex, knowledge, power, religion Some church members were apparently putting their jobs and social acceptance before God * They were attending the social functions to be socially acceptable and to secure their jobs and to prosper in the world

16 16. But the inevitable happened: they were influenced by the world and caught up in the compromise of the world and became easy prey for false doctrine, false teaching * All because of some Jezebel, some false teacher was allowed in the church * Listen folks if you play to close to the fire you will get burnt Revelation 2:21-22 (Amplified) I gave her time to repent, but she has no desire to repent of her immorality [symbolic of idolatry] and refuses to do so. 22 Take note: I will throw her on a bed [of anguish], and those who commit adultery with her [her paramours] I will bring down to pressing distress and severe affliction, unless they turn away their minds from conduct [such as] hers and repent of their doings * Jesus Christ had given this false teacher, this Jezebel, a period to repent * This means that she knew down deep within her heart that she was teaching contrary to God's Word - But she refused to change; she refused to repent Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them"

17 17. 2 Corinthians 6:14 "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 1 John 2:15-16 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" * We must understand how easily we can be corrupted by this world * We must understand the importance of Bible Doctrine Bible Teaching - Bible Morality Revelation 2:21-22 (Amplified) I gave her time to repent, but she has no desire to repent of her immorality [symbolic of idolatry] and refuses to do so. 22 Take note: I will throw her on a bed [of anguish], and those who commit adultery with her [her paramours] I will bring down to pressing distress and severe affliction, unless they turn away their minds from conduct [such as] hers and repent of their doings * There is a warning to Jezebel * Because she did not repent She is to be cast upon a bed of sickness simply She was to reap what she sowed.

18 18. Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" * There is the warning to those who gave in to her seduction and lifestyle, to those who refused to turn to Christ and to separate themselves from the world Revelation 2:21-22 (Amplified) I gave her time to repent, but she has no desire to repent of her immorality [symbolic of idolatry] and refuses to do so. 22 Take note: I will throw her on a bed [of anguish], and those who commit adultery with her [her paramours] I will bring down to pressing distress and severe affliction, unless they turn away their minds from conduct [such as] hers and repent of their doings * Those around her would suffer great tribulation. The idea is some severe affliction, deep suffering, pressing distress. * There is the warning to the children of Jezebel * Who are they? * Real children simply people who swallowed her false teaching and worldly life- style? In either case, they were to be killed * What does this mean? * It could mean the chastising hand of God such as fell upon some of the Corinthian believers

19 19. 1 Corinthians 11:30 "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [have died]" * It could mean the second death, the judgment of eternal death when we stand face to face with Christ in the final judgment day Simply God was telling them Revelation 2:22 (KJV) 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds There was still time for all of these to repent * Imagine! * Jesus Christ still loved and reached out to Jezebel, this false teacher, and her followers, despite all the corruption they had caused in this great church * Jesus Christ still gave them a chance to repent * Jesus Christ said that the judgment would only happen if they failed to repent of their deeds Now I want you to understand the importance and the emphasis upon Repentance Repentance is the key to God Restoration!

20 20. This means a most wonderful thing: we can still repent so long as we are living on earth * No matter what we have done nor how terrible it is, Christ calls us to repentance * And if we repent, He saves us and delivers us from the judgment to come. Acts 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee" Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon"

21 21. Revelation 2:23-26 (KJV) 23 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. 24 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations Faithfulness Stedfastness: there is the counsel to hold fast Note the reference to the "depths of Satan" * Compromise with the world refusing to separate from the world and to live a pure and holy life is living in the depths of sin * It is being planted and imbedded, immersed and enmeshed in the depths of Satan, in the very depth of Satan's life- style Note the glorious promise to the faithful believer who has separated himself from the world and its pleasures and possessions: Christ will put no other burden upon him What does this mean? * No other burden can mean that Christ does not expect the believer to completely separate himself from the world, not in the sense that he has to live as a hermit

22 22. * We are to live in the world but not of it * There are obvious pleasures and sins of the world and of the flesh that we must not touch - But there is much upon earth that we are to use and enjoy as we walk from day to day * Jesus Christ does not put the burden of extreme restrictions upon us; He only demands that we separate and have nothing to do with things that harm and destroy our bodies, minds, and souls Now, note the counsel: We are to hold fast until Christ comes We are to hold fast... * To the commitment that we have already made to Christ * To the spiritual growth that we have already achieved * To the ministries that we have already launched We are not to give in to the seductions of the world no matter how appealing and attractive Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" Ephesians 4:1 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called"

23 23. Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) * Holy to Gods Un- changing Hand! Revelation 2: [Message] 24-25"The rest of you Thyatirans, who have nothing to do with this outrage, who scorn this playing around with the Devil that gets paraded as profundity, be assured I'll not make life any harder for you than it already is. Hold on to the truth you have until I get there "Here's the reward I have for every conqueror, everyone who keeps at it, refusing to give up: You'll rule the nations, your Shepherd- King rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This was the gift my Father gave me; I pass it along to you and with it, the Morning Star! 29"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches." Conclusion * The faithful in the church at Thyatira received a promise from the Lord * They will be given authority and power over the nations! * They will be given the Morning Star Jesus Himself! * Eternal Salvation!

24 25. More Facts: * Worship must be active in our lives, Jesus must be first always * The Doctrine of Jezebel must not be allowed to settle into our church, our personal lives, because it destroys the family, churches, and communities * Sexual Sins are to be stopped and repentance must come forth * No repentance then the judgment of the Lord will come forth. * For the faithful God has protection and blessings even in the midst of the sinful, the children of the Lord must be faithful! * To the faithful is eternal life! Worship is everything Gods timing must be trusted! John 11: Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby

25 25. * Lazarus dead and buried in the tomb for four days * Make note that Mary was the one who anointed the feet of Jesus. [Worship] * During a time of great need they called upon Jesus * This sickness was going to be used to bring Glory to the Son of God * NO matter how bad the situation in our lives or around Worship must be a first priority in our lives. In Luke chapter 10: we see these two sisters Mary and Martha in the presence of the Lord. * Jesus had entered into a certain village * A certain woman named Martha received Jesus into her home Martha had a sister her name was Mary and the Word of God tells us that Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and heard his word. Two very strong characters: Martha s character is seen as she received Jesus into her home: * Giving * Courage * Caring and Loving

26 26. Mary s character: * Loving and Humble * Gripped with a spiritual hunger Martha s problem: * She was distracted * She was distracted by serving The Bible tells us in Luke 10: 40 Martha was cumbered about much SERVING, and came to Jesus, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me * Little did Martha know that her sister was truly indeed helping her * True Worship will always bring forth problem children * Sitting at the feet of Jesus will always bring help into the House! Luke 10: And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: BUT one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her * Martha was expressively upset because her sister left her with all the work to sit at the feet of Jesus

27 27. * The best help Mary gave to her sister was to go sit at the feet of Jesus * There must be a very careful delicate balance in our lives between Worship and Works * You hear me this day, this is very critical problem in the modern day church The Lord is looking for TRUE WORSHIP from his children steadfast children who know Jesus and live Jesus * Jesus made one of the most amazing statements about this to a Samaritan Woman John 4: 24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth * Spirit first * Truth second * Fact is both but in Gods order * Oh Church, we must always Worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth * In the Holy Ghost and in His Word The Lord revealing this to the Church in Thyatira

28 28. Revelation 2: 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. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 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. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches * To the angel [messenger / pastor] of the church in Thyatira * The Son of God has something to say * The one who has eyes like a flame of fire [all knowing, all powerful, ever- present] * The one who has feet fine brass. [the one of true judgment] * I KNOW YOUR WORKS! Correct Teaching Correct Doctrine Repentance is always at the forefront Focus on Jesus Christ