REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 2.18b

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 2

 

The Letter to the Church at Thyatira (continued)

 

Outline

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (2:18)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (2:18)

3.  The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (2;18)

4.   The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (2:19)

5. The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (2:20-23)

6.  The Appeal – The application to change (2:24-25)

7.  The Advice – The recommendation to change (2:26-29)

 

 

Thyatira: Continued

 

3. The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed

(Verse 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.

(Verse 23b)

And all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth (eyes) the reins (minds, thoughts, feelings) and hearts.

 

 

Characteristics of Christ

Son of God

Once again, the correspondent is Jesus Christ. Familiar with each letter, Christ identifies Himself with part of His total character from Chapter 1. Notice the nuance in this verse. Upon seeing Jesus in Chapter 1, John writes, “One like unto the Son of man.” However, Jesus instead identifies Himself as The Son Of God. There are many places, both in the Old and New Testament, Jesus is identified as the Son of God.

 

Other references noticed:

1.  Satan acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God (cf. Matthew 4:3-6)

 

2.  The demons who came out of the swine called Him the Son of God (cf. Matthew 8:29)

 

3.  The centurions at the Cross declared Him the Son of God (cf. Matthew 27:54)

 

4.  Mark opens his Gospel by calling Jesus the Son of God (cf. Mark 1:1)

 

5.  John testified Jesus was the Son of God (cf. John 1:34)

 

6.  Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God.” (cf. John 1:49)

 

7.  Martha said to Him, “Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” (cf. John 27)

 

The title Son of God is only used one time in the Book of Revelation.

 

Question

Why is Jesus designated here as the Son of God rather than the Son of man?

Answer

The Son of Man always pictures Christ in His humanness, humility, love, and tenderness as He ministers to the Church. In the letter to Thyatira, He is called the Son of God. It is the only title of His deity designated specifically for His Second Coming as He comes in judgment.

 

This judgment theme continues:

His eyes like unto a flame of fire

Eyes

His eyes are piercing and have the ability to see everything. He even knows the intents and thoughts of our hearts (cf. Hebrews 4:12).

Hebrews 4:13 - And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (ESV).

 

He searches reins and hearts

Even though this phrase is documented in verse 23, the intent is an emphatic warning to ALL churches that He is omniscient (all-seeing, all-knowing).

 

Reins and hearts

In the literal sense, reins are defined as kidneys. However, because of its internal function, it is also used in this fashion to describe one’s thoughts and feelings. In other words, He knows your psychological makeup – the innermost part of an individual – that is the mind and heart.

Hebrews 4:13 - And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account (NET).

 

Luke 8:17 - For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad (to light).

 

Fire

Fire is representative of judgment. Peter likens our faith to being tested as though it was refined by fire.

1 Peter 1:7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it is tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ(referring to His Second Coming).

 

His feet are like fine brass (or bronze)

Also taken from Chapter 1, Jesus will come judging with perfect wisdom and steadfastness to crush sin under His feet.

Observe the seriousness of this matter through Scripture:

Revelation 19:15b - …He treadeth (trample or treading down underfoot - the imagery of stomping on grapes) the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

In verse 23 of this letter, here comes the Judge:

Revelation 2:23 - And I will kill her children (those who follow Jezebel’s teachings) 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.

 

Hebrews 10:26-27- For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (enemies).

 

Hebrews 10:30 - 'Vengeance is Mine, I will recompense (repay).’ saith the Lord; and again, 'The Lord shall judge His people' (YLT).

 

Hebrews 10:31 - It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

Jesus Christ has provided a way for the remission of (escape from) sin – The Cross. For those who refuse to repent and turn from their sins, God is left with no other alternative - Judgment.

 

 

4. The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities

(Verse 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.

 

Once again, Christ knows with absolute clearness and clarity because He is omniscient (all-knowing). He knows. Jesus encourages a remnant of faithful Thyatiran believers for: 

1.  Their works [deeds, labor (first)]

2.  Their charity (love)

3.  Their service (administration, servanthood)

4.  Their faith (faithfulness)

5. Their patience (perseverance, steadfast endurance, and fortitude under trials)

6.  Their works [repeated (last)]

7.  Their last (recent) works were more (greater) than the first

 

Characteristics of Thyatira

Works

Works are in essence the credentials of a true believer. We are fashioned to walk in them. Up to this point, all four churches were commended for their deeds. Reward crowns were discussed in an earlier study (see Revelation Simplified 2.8b). The Lord will repay individuals according to their works.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

A small group of Christians in Thyatira were living godly lives and by their works, their adherence to sound doctrine was openly demonstrated.

James 2:18 - But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (NASB).

 

Understand, however, good works have nothing to do with earning one’s salvation. Salvation is solely by grace alone.

Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Love

One of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22 is love. Members of the entire body of Christ were given the mandate to love. Jesus announced:

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples (pupils, learners), if ye have love one to another.

 

God is a God of love and God is love. John reiterates this message in his epistles. There were some in the fellowship who exhibited God’s love for one another. This is the only Church praised by Christ for their love.

 

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian Church profoundly proclaims:

1 Corinthians 13:2 - And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.

Paul’s words are noteworthy: Without love, we are nothing!

 

However, there was a flaw: Although Thyatira had love, they lacked sound doctrine. Compare them to the Ephesians who had a sound doctrine but were deficient in love.

 

Service

Service in Greek is diakonia [G1248], from which we acquire the word, Deacon. It is defined as a servant (to serve, minister, or teach). According to Jesus, the ministry is the art of serving.

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom (a redemption price) for many. (NET)

 

Faith

Faith is assurance, belief, conviction, or fidelity.

Hebrews 11; 1 - Now faith is the substance (assurance, confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence (proof, certainty) of things not seen.

 

Some Church members in Thyatira believed in the correct message. They exhibited faith.

 

Patience

Patience translated from the Greek word hupomonē signifies cheerfully enduring and continually waiting. There was a consequence of serving the Lord during Thyatira’s days of darkness.

 

Some Christians were being mocked and ridiculed for holding to their Christian principles. However, in their suffering for Christ and the Gospel, they endured to the end.

2 Peter 1:4b-6 - Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence (endeavor, labor, study), add to your faith virtue (goodness, moral excellence of character); and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance (self-control) and temperance patience (cheerful endurance); and to patience godliness.

The above verses define the Thyatiran saints.

 

Good Works

There are many passages in the Bible relating to good deeds. Some examples include:

1.  Hospitality (cf. Hebrews 13:2)

2.  Lodging strangers (cf. Acts 16:14-15)

3.   Helping those in need (cf. Matthew 5:42; Acts 20:35)

4. Generosity and sharing (cf. Hebrews 13:16)

5.  Taking care of Christian widows (cf. 1 Timothy 5:9)

6.   The custom of washing feet (cf. John 13:12)

7. Providing clothing or food to the brethren (cf. James 2:14-17)

 

Parable

A parable is a true or fictional story that represents spiritual truth. On the surface, the parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Luke 10:35) is a great illustration of genuine sacrificial kindness in helping those in need. A core group of believers in Thyatira were following Christ’s example. They were walking in the Spirit, growing in faith, and exhibiting good works.

 

The last works greater than the first

The Lord recognizes their later works were greater than their former. Their first works as new believers produced love. In turn, love became an outcome. Love translated into service, service strengthened their faith, and faith into patience (steadfast endurance) thus resulting in greater works. It should be the ambitious and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works be their best works.

 

The Church at Thyatira had the potential of becoming a great congregation, however, as we shall observe in the next part of our outline, sadly to say, the evils of idolatry and the deep things of Satan had penetrated their midst sanctioning this church to become completely absorbed in the world.

 

In our succeeding study, we will meet a woman named Jezebel who was the catalyst that caused its deterioration.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  Differentiate between the Son of Man and the Son of God.

2.  What physical characteristics of Christ represent judgment?

3.  Why is love so important?

4.   Can good works get one into Heaven?

5.  Name some good works or deeds.

6. What is faith?

7.   How can one receive salvation?

 

 

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