Blazing fire

What does Revelation 19:11-21 mean to us now?

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This passage also seems to make reference to Roman oppression that it is finely over, and it sets up the world for the return of Christ! This is true for those who first read this letter, but this passage is not just about the then current situation of the seven churches or Rome’s eventual demise. Revelation and its themes and applications resound to us and beyond because it was not only written to the seven churches, but it is also for us throughout Church history.  Thus, we can take great comfort and assurance that our King will return in His timing. This is our triumph and anticipation, but as it is a climax of Christianity, effectual faith, love, and fruit are our first and foremost calls for the meantime!  

No matter what we face and what we go through, we have a reason and a purpose. Tragedies and jubilations can mold and shape us, but that shape is only good when it is in His image and plan. No matter how powerful or ominous our foes seem or are, they will be judged and they will fall!  

Questions to Ponder: 

  1. The climax of this Book and Christianity is His Return. But, is this the most important aspect of our faith? Why, or why not? How do you have confidence in God that Satan and evil are killed; game over—God wins?

 2.    How have you seen the Gospel message spread? What are the hindrances to His Word seen throughout Church history? How can knowing that now there are no real, effectual impediments raise your confidence for evangelism and missions?

 3.    How would you feel if God’s tangible presence was made known to you? How does our pretentiousness get in the way of His reality? What about how you make decisions or lead a church?

 4.    How can you be better prepared in your faith and practice for the return of the King? Jesus is depicted in this passage as the Sovereign Mighty Warrior; what does this do to your view and worship of Him?  

5.    What does it mean to your church that Christ is the Sovereign Lord? What can be done to better reverence Him in worship and your daily life? What would that mean to your maturity and relationships?  

© 2007 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org

 

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The Four Main Views of Revelation 19:11-21

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The Four Prevailing Views (This passage concludes the four prevailing views that resound from chapters four through nineteen. Chapter twenty is about the three main views of the Millennium: Post-millennium/Postmillennial, Pre-millennium/Premillennial, and Am-millennium/Amillennial (see background article) that intersect into the four views. Then, Chapters twenty-one and twenty-two deal with the literal versus non-literal interpretation of Scripture. 

The Preterist view: This camp is split as full Preterists see that Christ already returned in form and/or spirit in 70 A. D. (this view is rare); the Partial-Preterist sees that all up to this point of Revelation has been fulfilled; then, as of this writing, the future events that have not been fulfilled are seen. The Preterist sees the allusion to Christ’s second coming in this passage as the start of the Church Age and the spiritual warfare with Satan and his minions. The White horse is seen as the living and conquering Jesus setting up the Church and empowering the Believers, depicted as being clothed in linen. The fall of the beast and false prophet is seen as the destruction of Rome, as the Beast, and its states as the false prophet, thus not the physical coming of our Lord. This is mainly due to the phrase, Word of God, meaning spiritual conflict, not physical. Thus, the conquering power and spread of the Gospel and the defeat of evil and the resulting growth of faith are principal aspects of the passage in this view. The Partial-Preterist sees the conquering power of the Gospel, but also sees a literal return of the King.  

The Futurist view: This camp sees this passage as a quintessential opening describing the victorious Second Coming of Christ. This view is partially supported by the writings of the Early Church Fathers as well as Augustine and the Reformers. This is the first that this “end times” theory has had significant agreement with Scripture and backed up by nearly two thousand years of Church theological history. White horse is the return of Christ setting up His millennial Kingdom, depicted by His names Word, Faithful and True, and King of kings. The saints are seen as the Believers and/or angels in battle against evil nations either spiritually or actually. There are varying views in this camp, over spiritual warfare, the battle of Armageddon, the movement of the Gospel, or the conflicts in the Church over the years. And, the lake of fire is the endgame for Satan and his followers.  

The Idealist view: They see this passage as the Names of Christ converging, Word, Faithful and True, and King of kings as fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, and no one knows as only God can understand Himself. Armies of heaven is seen as angels while others see them as Believers, both interlocked in spiritual warfare and the angels engaging Satan in our behalf. Winepress is seen as God’s wrath and His ferocity in dealing with sin and evil. This war is seen as literal with humanity and/or angels engaging the evil worldly persecuting powers and armies in an epic holy war. The battle ends as the Church and Christ are victors and the evil and those seduced into the world’s sin being judged and then thrown into hell.  

The Historicist view: They see this passage as mostly symbolic referring to the victories of Christ accomplished through His Church to spread His Word. This is also about God’s judgment against evil and worldly ways. Others in this camp see an actual battle of Armageddon as literal or symbolic against apostasy and/or the Catholic Church versus the Protestant Church.  Others see this as symbolic for spiritual warfare and how we are victorious when we are faithful in Christ. Sharp sword and Word are seen as true doctrine winning out against false teachings. Armies of heaven and saints are seen as Believers remaining faithful by following Christ and/or witnesses of His glory. Birds gorged is seen as God’s enemies destroyed by their own ways collapsing upon themselves and/or God’s direct intervention. Reformer Luther and others see this as the destruction or downfall of the apostate Catholic Church and/or the weakening of papal power. Some have seen this already accomplished by Vatican I and II.

 

Exegetical look into Revelation 19:17-21

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  • ·         KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS means the one who rules over all the earth. It refers to the Parthian titles of their kings, an extremely pretentious and prideful statement that now is only reserved for the One True God (Deut. 10:17; Dan. 2:47; Zech. 14:9; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14).
  • ·         Great supper of God means a reversed banquet. Instead of sacrificing animals and feasting on them, the opposite comes about. It refers to a contrast to the wedding feast of the Lamb in the previous passage; now, there is another feast, a sacrificial feast where God’s enemies are sacrificed to prevent the universe from going into chaos. This would have been of great comfort to those undergoing persecutions, knowing their oppressors would get what they deserve (Isa. 34:6-7; 49:26; Jer. 46:10; Zech. 14;  Zeph. 1:7-9; Ezek. 29:5; 39:4-22; Rev. 19:7-9; 20:8).
  • ·         Eat the flesh of kings…refers to judgment and a proverbial curse as God reverses the created food chain and dietary laws (Gen. 1:30; 9:2-3; Deut. 28:26; Psalm 79:2; Jer. 7:33; 15:3; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20; Ezek. 29:5; 32:4).
  • ·         The beast. See Rev. 13:1-10 Study.
  • ·         Armies gathered. The world’s armies, who seek to mock and fight God, get their deserved judgment (Rev. 16:14).
  • ·         Lake of burning sulfur/lake of fire. Means the judgment and defeat of Satan and his entourage of followers such as evil leaders too! For the ancients, “fire” was greatly feared; it meant pain, punishment, judgment, and torment. Here, it is referred to as an all consuming eternity of judgment. This is Hell, the place of everlasting torment. It is the very worse thing that can ever happen to anyone, and our ultimate fear and dread. It is also a place the wicked send them selves because they do not want to be with God. It is a place of extreme suffering and anguish yet a place of grace, because a loving God does not force anyone to be with Him that would not want to be (2 King 16:3; 23:10; Is. 30:33; 66:15; Jer 7:31; Joel 2:3; Dan. 7:11; Matt. 5:22; Rev. 14:9-10; 20:10-15; 21:8, also1 Enoch 54:1).
  • ·         Birds gorged themselves. An image of Deut 28:26-49 and Matthew 24:28; 25:31-45, this refers to the sure judgment and defeat of the world’s wicked that awaits them. It is also an assault on the perceived dignity of evil and pride, and that if you fight against God, you will be devoured (1 Sam. 17:44-46; 1 Kings 4:11; 16:4; 21:19; 21:23-24; 2 Kings 9:10)!

 

Exegetical look into Revelation 19:11-16

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  • ·         Heaven standing open/opened…world can see means standing open; here, this vision is not limited to John, but the whole world can see it. God’s tangible presence is known (Rev. 4:1).
  • ·         White horse means “the king returns;” it refers to royalty and power. Most conservative theologians see this as the quintessential Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Roman princes rode white horses in pretentious ceremonies showing their self-perceived power and prestige as did the Parthian kings. Here, Christ is shown as the Real King—no pretentiousness. The reality is that He is The Sovereign Lord. Whether it was Jesus Himself on the horse or a representative of Him does not matter; this is about His Title that points to His Supremacy. The image is Christ’s second coming as THE KING returns. Whether it is actual or metaphorical, the real point is are we prepared in our faith and practice (Psalm 149:6-9; Zech. 9:9-10; 10:3; Col. 3:17; Rev. 6:2)?
  • ·         Rider is called Faithful and True means the ultimate and absolute Truth and/or Christ crucified as a sin offering to be our Deliverer. This is in contrast to Christ as a Lamb; he is now a Warrior.
  • ·         Makes war. Holy War! Here, Jesus is in all of His Majesty and Glory and He wages war on evil and those who oppresses His faithful. God is a God of truth and justice; His enemies will be judged fairly, sentenced to fit their crime, and destroyed too. God is our defender; He wages war on behalf of His people. He is our Warrior who defends our faithfulness and honor. This is what the first century Jews expected the Messiah to do for them in the present, not later as Christ said in Matthew 24 (Ex. 15:2-3; Deut. 20; Psalm 18:8; 46:3; Is. 13:13; 24:18-20; 59:16-18; Jer. 4:23-26; Joel 2:10, 30-31; Hag. 2:6-7, 21; 3:16; Ezek. 32:6-8; 38:18-23, 39; Hab. 3:8-15; Zech. 12:1-9; 14:3-5; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev.13:4; 20:15)!
  • ·         Eyes are like blazing fire means God’s penetrating insight and strength. This is also about Christ as the persecutor of sin, His Sovereignty as Warrior, and His role as victor in the final battle to come. It also refers to the great victories in battles in the Old Testament, and points to the Transfiguration (Ex. 15:3; Duet. 32: 41-42; Judges 5:31; Is. 59:17-18; Zech. 14:3; Dan. 10:6; Matt. 13:43; 17:2; Rev. 1:14; 4:6; 19:11-21).  
  •         Many crowns normally means a great victory and a victor’s reward; here, it is a different word from most other passages (Rev. 2:10; 3:11; 4:4; 12:3; 14:14) in that it refers to “diadems,” Christ’s royal crowns one of the victor and one of royalty. Thus, Christ is the ultimate, Royal Victor in contrast to Satan’s pretentiousness (Rev. 12:3; 13:1).  
  • ·         He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. The true name of God is veiled from us, perhaps not so much as a secret but as His name is unknowable and not understandable to humanity. No one has authority of power over Him. Knowing a name of a god refers to ownership and control that no one has over our One True God. Just as knowing a person’s name means we have knowledge of and influence on them. In ancient cultures, it also meant gaining power over a person. It also refers to His protection over us (Mark 5:9; Rev. 2:17).

 ·         Robe dipped in blood/blood-stained. This is an image of a winepress that refers to God’s judgment and revenge of His faithful. Also, Jewish tradition from the “Talmud” and “Wisdom of Solomon 18,” states a warrior messiah will be stained with blood. It is also an image of the blood of Christ that was shed to atone for our sin, and/or an enemy’s blood spilled in war. The word for dipped in is the Greek “bapto” as in “baptized” (Gen. 49:10-11; Is. 63:1-3; Rev. 14:14-20).

  • ·         His name is the Word of God refers to His power, Lordship, and as Judge,  thus spiritual warfare is in view here using Spirit, Word, Truth, and prayer instead of conventional weapons (Is. 11:4; John 1:1; 12:48; Heb. 4:12-13).
  • ·         Armies of heaven/his armies may refer to Angelic beings and/or Believers fighting on God’s behalf in contrast to the imitation locust army in Rev. 9. The imagery here is those of the Parthian raiders, the most horrific image for this time. Although not necessarily a literal war plan of God, His plan will be disastrous to the unlawful, unfaithful, and those who are evil (This is where J.R. Tolkien got his ideas for the “Lord of the Rings” books and well as C.S. Lewis’ works of fiction.) (Deut 33:2; 2 Kings 2:11; 6:17; Psalm 68:17; Is. 11:4; 66:15; Jer. 4:13; Hab. 3:8; Rev. 17:14).
  • ·         Sharp sword…iron scepter .meant the long Roman sword or spear that was used to create fear and to conquer. The scepter was also a symbol of authority with power over life and death. Here, it is in conjunction with the Word of God as sharp, powerful, and penetrating, thus is referred to figuratively as a sword. It is also a symbol of judgment (Psalm 2:9; 57:4; Is. 34:5; 49:2; 66:15-16; Jer. 12:12; 47:6; Hos. 6:5; John 1:1; 1 John 1:1; Rev 1:16; 2:27 also: 4 Ezra 13).
  • ·         On his thigh referred to the horse’s thigh where the name of the warrior and/or kingdom was written or was branded similar to modern military designations (Ex. 28:36-38; Rev. 7:3; 13:16).

 

Revelation 19:11-21: What are the Contexts?

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This passage starts the sixth cycle of Judgments that lead up to Christ’s Second Coming and the climax of this Book and Christianity. Most biblical scholars who read the Bible (many do not) see this as happening while Christ is returning or just before. This is also about the principles of real spiritual warfare, how Satan deceives and is doomed and how we are easily tricked and still will be held accountable. This is also about how the Gospel message has been spread without any real effectual hindrances throughout Church history.  

The passage is proclaiming the conquering Christ as He wages war against all those who oppose God. His arch enemy, the beast/Satan, seeks to defeat Christ and is so deluded that he thinks he can do so. God’s way defeats all those who are evil and refuse Him. As Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, now His Name and Word are on the white horse of Judgment, conquering His and our enemies! This also shows the contrast to how the beast rode in, as a choice is given: choose Christ and His liberty or choose evil and its defeat and death. The world will be filled with His (Christ) glory and not his (devil) ways! Along with the previous passage, it is another contrast between two banquets. One is for faithfulness and blessings and the other is for iniquity and its judgment. One is the wedding feast of the Lamb, and now the feast for the beast. His end game and rewards banquet consists of being devoured and thrown into Hell (Psalm 2; Matt. 21:1-11; Eph. 5:25-27; 6:10-20; Heb. 13:8; 1 John 5:4-5; Rev. 1:7; 16: 14-21; 17:14; 19:1-10; 20:7-10; 22:13).  

The climax of this Book and Christianity is His Return. But, is this the most important aspect of our faith? Why, or why not? How do you have confidence in God that Satan and evil are killed; game over—God wins?

 

Revelation 19:11-21

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Introduction  

The Return of the KING! 

How do you give Christ honor for His glory? How has Christ been your Deliverer from your salvation into your daily life?  

The King of kings is here, bringing the climax of this Book and of Christianity! John sees Heaven open up again, but this time the entire world can see it too; and now comes the Rider on the white horse! The horse has a name, “Faithful and True;” he will go to war and judge, doing so fairly. This is no regular horse as its eyes were bright like flames. Crowns were on the rider’s head, and His clothes had been dipped in blood. His title was “The Word of God!” He led the armies of the Lord, striking down all evil and the nations that followed. He stood in the sun; from his mouth came a sword and he bore the wrath of the Almighty God. He was titled the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” He shouted to the vultures, saying “come and gather for the banquet God has prepared and feast upon inequity small and great.” Then, the beast gathered his forces and sought to do battle with the Lord’s armies but it did not go so well for him. He was captured along with the false prophet and all who deceived and accepted his mark, and they were thrown into the Lake of Fire. The army of the beast is killed! Game over—God wins!  

Keeping in mind righteousness and purity, how then will you live your Christian life? What will be your response to Who He is and what He has done? How can you prevent yourself and church to do as you (your pride) see fit?

What does Revelation 2: 18-29 mean to me?

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It is amazing how patient and longsuffering our Lord is!
He accommodates us to the point of giving us time to realize our wayward ways and giving us room to make mistakes, yet, still calls us back into His arms of love and care. Even to this evil person who was manipulating His children and causing them to sin heinously, God was giving time and grace. But, she is the one who refused to heed His Lordship and precepts. Such sin will pile up and compound, leaving us disillusioned and empty; then, if we still refuse to repent, all we will have is chastisement, and then, judgment. God is not calling us to repent to smite us, but to better us; He wants the best for us just as a good parent wants the best for his or her child. He does not want us to sin, because it destroys us and causes others to do so, too. It is like watching people you love do something really stupid like use drugs; you know it will harm them, but they refuse your counsel and treatment programs, and thus, end up destroying their lives, the lives of their children and friends, and then dying as a result. We do not say, I told you so; rather, we weep for them, as God weeps for us when we mess up. Try not to be the person for whom others and God weep; rather, take responsibility and initiative and be the person who builds his or her church and life on His Word and authority.

Questions to ponder:

1. In this church, if a Christian refused to participate in a guild (that also practiced cultism, sin, and godlessness) he was cut off from any social or economic participation in the city, and not even allowed to buy and sell food or support himself and his family. What would you have done, and why?

2. What does it mean that Jesus is the One who is to be in charge of your church? How does your leadership honor this fact? How should they honor Christ as Lord over the Church?

3. How do you feel that Jesus is looking at the way you are leading and governing His church? What gets in the way of good self-examination or accountability to see if you are doing it His way, the world’s way, or your way?

4. What happens when a church decides to weaken His Word for what they believe would be tolerated and received better so as to attract more people? (There is nothing wrong with using methods and programs to attract people, this is good. The wrong comes when we compromise His Word and Truth.) How does this defy Him as LORD?

5. What does it take for a church’s leadership, perhaps your church, to realize that Jesus holds us responsible to take the faith He gives us and personally grow it, and further, to lead with faithfulness and in truth, His Truth?

6. What would your church look like if the leadership took more responsibility and initiative to build the church and their lives on His Word and authority?

© 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org

Exegetical look into Revelation 2: 24-29

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This church had the same problem as did Pergamos with compromising as well as rationalizing their actions as OK. They sought both sin and Christ, not caring or realizing that the two cannot co-exist. We are called to overcome; and when we do, because we are capable of overcoming with His empowerment, we will be blessed and powerfully used for Christ’s glory.

· Her teaching…Satan’s so-called deep secrets possibly refers to an early Gnostic teaching, that says that for us to defeat evil, we have to physically fight with Satan and steal back a secret word of knowledge that unlocks a higher level of being. And, also to defeat evil, we have to experience evil deeply. This is a very twisted mindset (Acts 15:28-29)!

· I will not impose any other burden on you. We do not need to add works to our faith for salvation; rather, we are called to be faithful in response to what He has done for us.

· Hold on…I will give authority is a quote from various Psalms that teaches the promise God gives us, the promise of a Messiah Who was fulfilled in Christ, and that He is in control. This also refers to putting on God’s armor so we can fight temptations and flee from evil; we evade the lusts of our heart and world by running from it, not toward it (Eph. 6:11-18; James. 3:15, 17; 4:4, 7-10)!

· Until I come refers to God’s impeding judgment to this church, not necessarily to His “second coming.” This is used to argue a position that Christ has already come, the “Full Preterist” view. However, it more likely means you will not bear the judgment, as “when I come” refers to the judgment of chastisement, not final judgment. This is also a commendation to those who remained faithful and were not drawn to the lure of Jezebel.

· I will give authority over the nations, a quote from Psalm 2:8-9, refers that we partake in His authority and rule as His representatives and holders of His promise. This also means that Jesus is Sovereign and greater than any nation, government, power, or authority (Matt. 25:21-23; Luke 19:17; 1 Cor. 15:41; Col. 1).

· Morning star referred to the planet Venus, and was a depiction in Judaism meaning the advent of dawn or a new day or age. This is also a name for Jesus‘ first coming, messiahship, and, in this passage, His radiance and glory. It also alludes to the kingship of Israel and refers to His Second Coming. The pagans believed that people’s lives were ruled by the stars. This testifies that Jesus is the Ruler, not the stars. Jesus is giving Himself to us (Num. 24:17; Psalm 84:11; Mal. 4:2; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Rev. 2:28; 22:16; 22:16)!

· He will rule them refers to being a caring shepherd, and at the same time, God’s strength, authority, and right to rule (Rev. 12:5; 19:15).

Exegetical look into Revelation 2: 18-23

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· Thyatira, which is now modern Akhisar, then hosted a major Apollo cult. (Apollo was a son of Zeus and eventually took Zeus’ place as the supreme Roman god.) This was a city known for its rich economy, prosperity, and its trade guilds, including a rich Bronze Guild, hence Jesus’ play on words. These guilds were similar to unions today, but with a cult-like theme. Thus, this city valued wealth above all things. The Christians were being pressured to join a guild, which was a tight-knit group, a “commune” almost, that worshiped pagan idols and participated in the pagan festivals. If a Christian refused to participate in a guild, he was cut off from any social or economic participation in the city, and not even allowed to buy and sell food or support himself and his family—a shadow of one of the roles of the anti-Christ (Rev. 13:17). Such isolation would make it a great temptation to indulge or compromise and allow false teachers to come in and mislead people, which is just what had happened. They had a small, inconsequential Jewish community. Lydia, who was a dealer in purple cloth, was from Thyatira (Acts 16:14).

· Like blazing fire refers to God’s Sovereignty, strength, and ability and right to judge, and indicated that if they did not repent, they would be judged. (See Rev. 1:14 study and Isaiah 63:1-4; Dan. 10:6 Rev. 14:19).

· Burnished bronze is a refined alloy of bronze, copper, and zinc.

· Your love and faith…service and perseverance. God honors such things, but we always have to be aware of our weaknesses and things that may cause us to compromise or slip in our faith. In contrast, the Church of Ephesus did not tolerate false teaching, but they were not loving toward God and one another, while this church tolerated false teaching, yet exercised love and faithfulness.

· You are now doing more than you did at first. For the most part, many people in this church were fearful and serving the Lord. There may have been a splinter group of people engaged in these sins, but no discipline or censor was taking place.

· I have this against you. They were tolerating paganism and even participating in it, thus compromising their faith to external social pressures and internal false teachings. This led to credibility problems with non-Christians and gave God a bad reputation (1 Cor. 2:10; 2 Cor. 5:20).

· Jezebel refers to an influential person who was teaching and causing people to sin by “seducing” them in order to cause them to compromise their faith and indulge in fornication. This person was mimicking the appalling character of Jezebel in the O.T. who was the most wicked woman depicted in the Bible. Jezebel personifies evil, greed, manipulation, and opposition to God without fear of Him or consequences. She was a harlot to God, as in betraying Him with occult practices and monstrous evil. She also led the false prophets who fought against God’s ways while saying they were God’s representatives and falsely claiming His authority, as she led the people into idolatry and sin (1 Kings 16:29; 31;19:1-2 to 21:24; 2 Kings 9:22; 30-37; Neh. 6:14; Ezek. 13:17-19).

· Prophetess. This was a female who declared or interpreted oracles from dreams or visions, either from God or from self delusions.

· Bed of suffering, as opposed to a bed of fornication. Sickness can be caused by sin as a form of punishment (1 Cor. 11:29-30).

· Commit adultery means betraying God, as to say, Jesus is my Savior, but I do not need to trust in Him, and I do not need to obey His precepts and morals. I am saved by Christ alone, by faith alone. However, I will not it allow to touch my daily life. I can do as I see fit (Judges 17:6; James 2: 14-26). This is called antinomianism in theology, meaning anti-law. It is an unbiblical belief that denies the righteousness of God and sees our grace as allowing total freedom in all that we do or can do, and using it as a license to sin. Thus, we do not need to be obedient to God, His precepts, civil law, or any moral standards, nor do we need to bear fruit. God says this is evil as it portrays evil as being good (Rom. 6:1-2; 14-15; 13:8, 10; Gal. 5:14; 6:2; Gal. 5:22-25; Jude 4).

· Suffer intensely/tribulations. Some commentators mistake this phrase’s meaning, as it says “they will suffer,” as pertaining to the great tribulation. The two are unrelated because the word meanings and context do not correspond.

· Unless they repent. God gives us ample provision and time to turn from our evil and wayward ways to His True Word, His best Way (Jer. 23:22-23).

· Strike her children. “Children” refers to her followers, not literal kin, as Jezebel was a spiritual mother to spiritual corruption (Psalm 7:9; Pr 24:12; Isa. 57:3-8; Jer. 11:20; 17:10).

· I am he who searches hearts and minds refers to God’s omnipotence and omniscience. Hearts denotes the center of our rational thoughts; minds, in the Greek, literally means “kidneys,” and denotes our will and trust in Him.

· Repay each of you refers to judgment that is based on how we lead our lives with responsibility (Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; Rev 18:6; 20:12-13; 22:12).

Busyness to God does not always denote faithfulness to God!

Revelation 2: 18-29

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Introduction

“The Church of Thyatira”

Jesus again makes His point that He is the One who is to be in charge of the church. He is looking at the way we are leading and governing our church, and if we are doing it His way, the world’s way, or our way. He sees us when we do it right, acting on faith, and in His Spirit and Truth, and He also sees us when we mess up. He doesn’t want us to stray from doing His Church right, because there is no other person, trend, or guide (other than His Word and instruction) that is to direct His Church. It is not our church; it is His Church. He does not want us to lead others astray, be apathetic and do little, chase a fad that is wrong and destructive, teach what is in error, weaken His Word by substituting what we believe would be tolerated and received better, nor does He want us to defy Him, as He is LORD.

This church at Thyatira was struggling to improve and seeking to be better in how they ran His Church. They were seeking to be faithful and diligent, yet, this church had a faction that was defying Him in a big way by allowing debauchery and heinous sin in the midst of His Bride, His Church! On one hand, they were being faithful in their faith. On the other, they were sinning by committing adultery with one another and with God.

Jesus is warning them and us to come around to Him and His ways or suffer the consequences! We have to realize that Jesus holds us responsible for taking the faith He gives us and growing it. Then, we who are in leadership roles have further responsibility to lead with faithfulness and in truth—His Truth. He wants us to hold His Truth from His Word and Spirit tightly in our minds and hearts so it flows through our bodies, and how we are in Christ becomes how we are to others. He will reward us greatly for our faithfulness in the management of His Church and He will chastise and judge us if we are not faithful. If you can’t take that responsibility, then do not be in leadership, because we will all be held to account for what we do! And, others could suffer because of our pride and wayward ways.

This church at Thyatira seems to be doing good and being healthy as Jesus praises them for their authenticity and staying close to Him as they held on through tough persecution. But, this church was being very hypocritical, saying one thing while doing another. Perhaps, it was the various factions or the hypocrisy in “saying” faith, yet at the same time participating in sin with sexual promiscuity and engaging in pagan traditions and idol worship. Perhaps, some of the people were engaged in being faithful while sleeping around and justifying it, as some Christians still do today. Others could have been pure and faithful while allowing the sin to go unnoticed, either by not caring or by being afraid to confront and do something about it. Then, there were people like this Jezebel, who personifies evil, purposely leading people into sin without care for virtue, reprisal, consequences, or God’s call.