Church of Thyatira, Age of Adversity

Continuing through the circle of seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, Christ gives a message to the fourth church named Thyatira. This church moved beyond compromise and into apostasy. Strong language describes events in Thyatira: Jezebel, sexual immorality, and tribulation. Thyatira fits a period of medieval church history just before the time of the reformation. It was the "Age of Adversity" when salvation by works was promoted. The church at this time began to move in the right direction when the doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ was presented by the reformers.

A Corrupt Church Thyatira was located about 30 miles southeast of Pergamos. It was city known for a flourishing number of crafts and trades. It was prominent for dyeing cloth. The name of this city may mean "sweet savor of labor" and would describe how this church was known for its "works, love, service, and faith" (v. 19). Thyatira had corruption in its midst, but not all had apostatized.

Christ is presented to this church as "the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass" (Revelation 2:18). The church sees Jesus from head to foot. His eyes see their works. His feet are strong and firm. Christ is not easily moved as He condemns "that woman Jezebel" who seduces "My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols" (v. 20). A pure woman, in Scripture, represents God's true church. Jezebel, an immoral woman, depicts a church in apostasy. She has been unfaithful to doctrine. This describes the power of the corrupt church of the Dark Ages. During this time medieval Christianity absorbed pagan forms and practices.

God called the church to repent but "she did not", so she and her spiritual "children" will suffer great tribulation. The mother harlot and her offspring present a church with its adherents facing serious consequences for allowing a mixture of truth and error into the teachings of the Bible. It might be difficult to read, "I will kill her children" (v. 23), but it reminds us of what will ultimately happen when turning away from God, the source of life. The Old Testament story of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel helps us understand how much the Lord hates apostasy. The Israelites mixed paganism into their religious ceremonies. It was detestable to God. Remember what happened to Ahab's "children" (see 2 Kings 10:7)? They were put to death.

Yet, not all have gone astray in Thyatira. "To the rest," Jesus says, "Hold fast what you have till I come" (v. 25). Not all have followed the false church or have "known the depths of Satan" (v. 24) or his ways. God has a remnant in every age that remains faithful to their vows of Christianity. During the Dark Ages religious and political powers joined hands to persecute God's people. But Revelation promises those who overcome, "I will give power over the nations" (v. 26). The coming of the Protestant Reformation helped move the church back in the right direction. Great men like Martin Luther stood up against the church and the state to hold up truth. Even the language of v. 28 about the "morning star" has been used to describe the bright works of John Wycliffe, one of the earlier Protestant reformers.

Churches in Apostasy There are churches today that have followed compromise into apostasy. Bible truth has been replaced by the traditions of mankind. Many have never stopped to consider that long cherished beliefs have no foundation in Scripture but come from a mixture of pagan ideas and some Bible truths. Like the church in Thyatira we must not commit "sexual immorality" by spiritually becoming adulterated with false teachings. Search the Scriptures. Hold fast to truth.

In the same vein there are churches who seek acceptance in the community but compromise Bible standards. The desire to receive the praise from secular leaders and politicians lead some faith communities to become like Jezebel and mix truth with error. The message of Christ to Thyatira is relevant to churches in our day which have "eaten food sacrificed to idols", churches that will compromise Bible teachings in order to gain acceptance in the world. Someday false churches and false religions will be "dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'" (v. 27).