revelation 2(18-29) 1-19-2015-2

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SWORD MINISTRIES

REVELATION 2:18-29

(Ephesians 6:17)

REVELATION 1:19 is the Divine outline of this Book; the seven letters to the seven churches are now before us. See the chart of church ages and structure of each letter on the notes from REVELATION 2:1-7. REVELATION 2:18-29 Letter #4) Thyatira (v19) “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.” This is the only mention of the Son of God in this Book; Jesus is asserting His power and judgment to come. Thyatira means ‘perpetual sacrifice’ or ‘continual offering;’ famous for its manufacture of purple dye and located about forty miles from Pergamos; the danger to this church wasn’t from Rome or the Jewish leadership, but rather from within. Since this church was departing from the true worship of Jesus, He responds with burning indignation against them, telling of His sure judgment to come. In the church age that Thyatira represents, from 590 to 1600 AD the medieval papacy’s agenda to enforce the laws of the Roman church constitute a major part of the history of the middle ages. (v19) Jesus praises this church for six things: 1. works [deeds] 2.charity [love] 3. service 4. faith 5. patience [perseverance] 6. works are increasing. Some teachers see at least a hint that in this time of the church age there arose the false doctrine of salvation by works, not grace, and thus works is mentioned twice. (vv20-23) “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.” Jesus indicts the church for spiritual wickedness; Jezebel may not have been this woman’s real name but by her sinful practices she was fulfilling the role of the Old Testament Jezebel. 1 KINGS 16:29-33 King Ahab was an evil king, and one of his sins was taking a pagan woman named Jezebel to be his wife; together they lead Israel into the worship of Baal, the false god of Babylonian origin. 1 KINGS 18:14 Jezebel killed the true prophets of the Lord to pave the way for false worship. 1 KINGS 21:1-26 this idolatrous woman obtained land by ‘inquisition,’ killing and stealing for the land she wanted; and she did these things in the name of the king (see v8). The medieval Catholic Church did the same thing! Jezebel also introduced into Israel Babylonian worship, and another concept from Babylon was the so-called ‘queen of heaven.’ JEREMIAH 7:16-20 God’s fierce anger was kindled against Israel for their worship of the ‘queen of heaven.’ JEREMIAH 44:15-27 Israel refused to listen to the words of God’s Prophet and continued to offer burnt incense to the ‘queen of heaven.’ Worship of anyone or anything other than God (Jesus) is idolatry according to God’s Word. Historically speaking, in 378 AD Damasus, the

Bishop of Rome, took the office of Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of the Babylonian religion. This office was previously held by the Roman Emperor, thus combing the ‘Christian’ church with pagan religion: the vestments, celibate priests, Mariolatry, the queen of heaven, image worship, veneration of saints, etc. all had their roots in Babylon religion. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” (ECCLESIASTES 8:11) Lack of immediate judgment does not mean that God is not going to judge. (vv20-23) Impure doctrine had been permitted in Thyatira; this ‘Jezebel’ was teaching that behavior did not matter, she was given time to repent by Jesus, but would 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.” In MATTHEW 24:21 Jesus warns of the Great Tribulation to come, and here He is telling Thyatira that they will go through it if they do not repent: change their ways and behavior. Only the unrepentant will go through the Tribulation, the immorality of some in Thyatira betrayed the fact that they were not saved. Jesus continues “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.” Only God searches the hearts: 1 SAMUEL 16:7; 1 CHRONICLES 28:9; 29:17; 2 CHRONICLES 6:30; PSALMS 7:9; 44:21; JEREMIAH 11:20; 17:10 Jesus is God! He is very serious about immorality, false worship and teaching; His threat of death cannot be softened. As far as the church age is concerned, pagan practices fill the Roman Catholic Church and even some Protestant churches today; Jesus words are just as powerful and just as true today. HEBREWS 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (v24) there is a remnant within the body who were not following Jezebel and the false teaching, and Jesus lays no rebuke upon them. “The depths of Satan” or “Satan’s deep secrets” are interesting words as concerning the church age, for the Roman Church is world renowned as the ‘mystery religion’ as well as leadership through Mary, all problems hinted at through Thyatira. (vv25-29) here we see the first promise of Christ’s return! The true Christians are urged to hold fast to true teaching; and for those who were following false teaching and living sinfully, only damnation awaits. How we need to take heed to the words of Jesus today; hold fast to true doctrine, follow Jesus, and stay in His Word 1 PETER 1:16-21 the Bible is our only Authority. CHURCH AGE: Thyatira relates to the RCC; the continual sacrifice of the Mass, its system of works over faith, ritual over relationship, prayers to Mary, saints, statues, etc. Those who persist in this will not be saved!

Meeting Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 pm Gateway Building Auditorium, 3556 Lakeshore Road, Blasdell (follow Woodlawn Beach signs)

Teacher: Dave Farrell

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