The book of revelations is an end time teaching during the times of an apocalyptic moment.
& there are seven churches being examined through these scriptures.
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: (Revelation 2:18)
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: (Revelation 2:18)
The description of the Son of God. As many have interpreted the text in revelations, most have only received whatever the Holy Spirit has revealed.
19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (Revelation 2:19)
This church is excellent when it comes to works, love, service, faith, & patience. & they seem like a church that was flourishing in every area.
"the last are more than the first", this statement shows that the church is growing.
They are thriving as a church based on this scripture.
The city of Thyatira was a major trade & manufacturing center. This also shows us it may have had a thriving economy as well.
A women named Lydia who has some significance in the bible as being a business women & worshipper of God came from Thyatira.
Pauls’ first reported convert in Europe was a rich businesswoman named Lydia who sold expensive purple cloth.
Originally from Thyatira, Turkey, Lydia moved to Philippi, a Greek city near the seacoast. Paul met her on the Sabbath when he gathered with Jewish believers at their regular worship place - a riverbank.
Lydia invited paul and his associate, Silas, to use her home as a base of operation in town. Lydia's home because Europe’s first known church.
Throughout Paul’s ministry, the Philippian Christians had sent him money. Paul’s New Testament letter of Philippian's was a note of appreciation for such gifts.
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (Revelation 2:20)
Here comes the criticism from the letter... allowing someone who called themselves a prophetess to teach & seduce God's people. Now, we don't know if there actually name was Jezebel but the reference might of been from the Jezebel in the old testament during Elijah's days.
Jezebel married Ahab (1 Kings 16:31)
Jezebel & Ahab setup false idols (1 Kings 16:32)
Jezebel massacred the Lord's prophets (1 Kings 18:4)
Jezebel's false prophets faced Elijah on mount Carmel (1Kings 18:20)
Jezebel threatened prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:2)
Jezebel & Ahab setup false idols (1 Kings 16:32)
Jezebel massacred the Lord's prophets (1 Kings 18:4)
Jezebel's false prophets faced Elijah on mount Carmel (1Kings 18:20)
Jezebel threatened prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:2)
21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches[p] the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (Revelations 2:21-23)
God has so much mercy that He gave Jezebel time to repent but she did not repent.
24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received 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.” ’ (Revelation 3:24-29)
A few traits of how Jezebel can operate...
#2 high level witchcraft
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:1-4)
That word bewitched comes from the greek word Baskaino
#1 heavy demonic wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:13-16)
#2 high level witchcraft
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (Galatians 3:1-4)
That word bewitched comes from the greek word Baskaino
to speak ill of one, to slander, traduce him
to bring evil on one by feigning praise or an evil eye
to charm, to bewitch
#3 works of the flesh with the word of God
20 Idolatry, witchcraft , hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:20)
Pharmakeia
the use or the administering of drugs
1. poisoning
2. sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
3. metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) KJV
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) NKJV
#4 idolatry
Pharmakeia
1. metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
As this letter ends, it continues to remind us "those that have ears to hear".
27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received 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.” ’ (Revelation 3:24-29)
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