The Seven Churches Part 5 – Thyatira

The Seven Churches

Part 5 – Thyatira

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ to John.

John is told to record what had seen, is seeing, and will see, which is the key to the Book of Revelation. John saw Jesus and his description defines and sets the foundation for the rest of the book. Jesus IS Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and the Alpha and Omega.

John then records the letters to the pastor's of each of the seven churches, or, what is taking place NOW, and then record what WILL take place in the end.

Chapters 4-22 of Revelation is for those who will be left behind after the rapture.

Last week we took a look at the first of the seven churches, Ephesus, the apostolic church, and read what was good, and bad about the church. The end of the letter states, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches.”

In other words, these things apply to US today, as The Church and Body of Christ.

Today we look at the second church, Smyrna, the martyr church.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Revelation 2:18-29

To the Church in Thyatira

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

I.       I KNOW YOUR WORKS

a.      Dispensationally speaking

i.       Thyatira represent the “papal church” age. Signifying the beginning of the Catholicism; which began approximately 500AD, and continues to this day.

b.     Jesus first establishes His authority in the beginning of the letter.

i.       “These things sayith the Son of God, who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.”

ii.    This statement presents Christ in the role of judgment

iii. As it concerns the church falling into idol worship

c.      I KNOW YOUR DEEDS

i.       Christ, whom walks among the lampstands, and holds the Pastors of each church within His hand, KNOWS what takes place within the church.

ii.    Christ, as the “head”, KNOWS what the “body”, which is US, is doing.

iii. Thyatira is commended by Christ in verse 19 for their WORKS, and CHARITY, and SERVICE, and their PATIENCE.

iv.   SOME in this church, as wrong as the church was as a whole, continued to love the Lord; and the Lord knew who they were.

d.     ...You are now doing more than you did at first.

i.       “Works” are mentioned twice, with the last being in a negative sense.

ii.     Literal reads, “I have known thy works, and love, and ministration, and faith, and thy endurance, and thy works -- and the last [are] more than the first.”

iii. The second mentioning of works is in the negative tense because the church began depending on “works” instead of Christ and the Cross.

II.    I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU

a.       The Lord now speaks about the church tolerating a Jezabel.

i.       He is speaking here of spiritual fornication

ii.    This is idol worship, and spiritual fornication and adultery is something the children of Israel had struggled with many times against God.

iii. Here, it's used in the sense that the church has forsaken Christ for other things.

b.     I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

i.       The church (Thyatira representing Catholicism), did not heed the Message, and in fact, continues in their “Salvation by works” unto this day, which is false.

c.      The Lord states,

i.       “ So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

ii.    The “bed” refers to false teachers who taught Salvation by works, which was spiritual adultery. Again, there was a warning to repent.

iii. The “striking her children dead”, speaks of spiritual death.

iv.   The Lord continuously searches the hearts and minds, giving to each of us according to our deeds.

v.      The Lord sees in our hearts and minds, the works of us individually, and knows exactly where our faith is. TRUE works PROCLAIM the fruit of our spirit.

a.      Whether that fruit be of the spirit, or of the flesh. (Galatians 5)

III.  OUR WARNING AND REWARDS

a.      In verse 24 we see that not all of those in Thyatira have succumbed to the false teaching.

i.       Yes, there are some Catholics who follow Christ, and are saved!

ii.    The Lord states, “Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.”

iii. The Lord will not punish the righteous because of the unrighteous in the church.

iv.   Although we work together to BE the Body of Christ, we are still judged as individuals.

b.     And to he who OVERCOMES, and keeps MY WORKS unto the end...

i.       His works, and not our works...

c.      To him I will give power over the nations (speaking of the Kingdom Age)

i.       And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessel of a potter shall they be broken to shivers.

a.      This refers to the Saints of God in the coming Kingdom Age under Christ, will rule the nations, not allowing evil to prevail, or even take root.

ii.    In the day of Christ's coming, we shall share in His power, Glory and Victory

d.     Listen to what the Spirit says!

i.       The Spirit is saying, to leave the teachings of Christ and His WORK at the cross as Salvation, following false teachings of Salvation through works of your own, is spiritual adultery, which will result in spiritual death.

CONCLUSION

We must ensure that we, as the church and individuals, remember the teachings of Christ, and rely on HIS WORKS done at the cross for Salvation, rejecting any teaching that speaks otherwise.

We cannot do works of any kind, worthy of Salvation, because sin against God demands blood, which the Lord alone gave at the cross as the perfect Sacrifice. Unless we accept Him as our Lord and savior, and the FREE GIFT of Salvation He offers through that payment for your sin, there is no salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!

The Seven Churches Part 4 – Pergamos

The Seven Churches

Part 4  – Pergamos

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ to John.

John is told to record what had seen, is seeing, and will see, which is the key to the Book of Revelation. John saw Jesus and his description defines and sets the foundation for the rest of the book. Jesus IS Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and the Alpha and Omega.

John then records the letters to the pastor's of each of the seven churches, or, what is taking place NOW, and then record what WILL take place in the end.

Chapters 4-22 of Revelation is for those who will be left behind after the rapture.

Last week we took a look at the first of the seven churches, Ephesus, the apostolic church, and read what was good, and bad about the church. The end of the letter states, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches.”

In other words, these things apply to US today, as The Church and Body of Christ.

Today we look at the third church, Pergamos.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Revelation 2:12-17

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

I.       I KNOW YOUR WORKS

a.      Dispensationally speaking

i.       Pergamos (or Pergamum, depending on translation), refers to the State of the Church, which laid the groundwork for the Catholic System from 300AD to 500AD.

b.      12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword."

i.       John describes the Lord's appearance in Revelation 1:16 "...and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword."

ii.    Now, we see the Lord telling John to write to the Pastor of the Church in Pergamos in Revelation 2:12 "...These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword."

iii. Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

iv.   The double-edged sword is a symbol of the Word of God.

a.      It is ALIVE and POWERFUL.

b.     It has the ability to probe.

c.      The Word of God pierces the soul and spirit, proclaiming what we ought to be and can only be in Christ.

d.     The Word of God also portrays to us the Holy Spirit and His power.

e.      He Alone can "quicken our mortal bodies" (Romans 8:11) Which means He gives power in our mortal bodies that we may be VICTORIOUS in life!

f.       To each Church, the Lord has promised spoils to those who are VICTORIOUS, or overcommers.

g.      This power the Lord promises to our mortal bodies to become victorious in life, is the power which makes our bodies yield to that which is Righteous.

h.     Romans 6:12-14 "¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. ¹³ Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. ¹⁴ For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

c.      The Lord opens with this because He is about to make a point about the Word of God

i.       I know your works and where you dwell (spiritually speaking)

ii.    Even where Satan's seat is (Satan ruled the governing operation of this church)

iii. You have held fast to My Name, and have not denied My Faith (despite the corrupt governing power of this church, some were holding fast to Christ, and remained faithful.)

iv.    You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

v.      This persecution came from WITHIN the church!

II.   HOWEVER, I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU

a.      Within this corrupt church leadership, were fellow corrupt leaders

i.       The Lord has said Satan seat was within the leadership of this Church

ii.    There were also those who hold the doctrine of Balaam

a.      because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

b.     The Moabite King Balak tried to get Balaam to curse the people of Israel, to destroy their effectiveness in warfare. However, God would not allow Balaam to do this.

c.      Balaam wanted God to be angry with the people of Israel, so he advised Balak to get some of the most beautiful women in his kingdom to draw the men of Israel into unclean and idolatrous practices.

d.     Balaam knew that if the Israelites adopted pagan ways, God would not bless them as He had done. And so, the Israelites let the pagans influence them, instead of standing firm on the sure Word of God and His Holy Law!

iii. The Doctrine of Balaam is allowing Pagan influences into the Church, specifically in the Church of Pergamos' case, the Government of the Church.

iv.   FORNICATION: the Church was committing "Spiritual Fornication", because it was following the doctrine of Balaam as opposed to the Doctrine of Christ.

b.      Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitanes. 

i.       Remember, the Lord spoke this against the Church of Ephesus as well!

ii.    The Nicolaitanes were preachers who exploited the people for money, rather than grow them spiritually, which is what all false doctrines do, prevent spiritual growth.

c.      Ephesus: The Lord spoke against the DEEDS of the Nicolaitanes

d.     Pergamos: The Lord speaks against the DOCTRINE, meaning the UNSCRIPTURAL government this Church was operating by.

III.  OUR LESSON

a.      Is Christ, and His Doctrine the seat of our Church?

i.       Our church mission statement reads, "A Christ centered, Bible founded, Community of believers."

b.     What about our Church Government, is it biblical?

i.       I worked for weeks developing the Constitution and Bylaws for this church, ensuring that it was biblical in foundation, operation and teaching, using scripture throughout the Constitution and Bylaws.

c.      Are we protected against the teachings of Balaam? (Allowing Pagan practices into the church government)

i.       Yes. A provision is written within our Constitution preventing anyone who practices, or is involved with anything that is against Christ, to be offered a chance to REPENT, or be removed from any function of the Church government.

d.     What about the teachings of the Nicolaitanes? (Preaching for exploiting the people rather than growing them spiritually.)

i.        I believe that each of us here have been duped at one time or another by a Nicolaitane, and would be aware if that were taking place here and now.

ii.    Also, I have ensured that not only will I NOT exploit the people in this Church as the Pastor, I also, like Paul, work outside the Church, so I do not become a financial burden to the Church.

e.      The Lord's command to the Church in Pergamos, REPENT!

i.       Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

ii.    The Lord is speaking of JUDGMENT

CONCLUSION

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Spirit is saying, the Church government MUST BE SCRIPTURAL...or else!

To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna.

If we (The Church) have a scriptural government, and refrain from allowing Pagan practices or exploiting the people, using the Word of God for financial gains, the Lord will give us some of the "Hidden Manna".

The manna (Exodus 16) was used to feed the children of Israel forty years in the wilderness. It was a type of Christ in that it was

(1) a free gift;

(2) it came from above;

(3) it was ground on the mill; (bread represents my body, which was broken for you.)

and, (4) it was white to express purity.

They tasted, handled and saw the manna, but knew not what it was, as with Christ (John 1:10 "¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.").

It was divine in origin, indispensable, undeserved, suitable, sufficient, and satisfying.

When the children of Israel reached the land of Canaan, the manna ceased (Josh. 5:12), typifying the eternal rest the Lord will provide for His people.

A "golden pot" of manna was placed in the ark of the covenant to be preserved throughout their wilderness journeys. This manna was "hidden".

For the believer in Christ, Jesus is the "true bread" (John 6:32) from heaven, who is now "hidden" during this present age.

Instead of eating ˜things sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:14), the believers in Pergamos needed to feast on God's holy food, the bread of life found in Jesus Christ through the Word (John 6:32; Matt. 4:4)."

This certainly speaks to modern society today as our western civilization continues to move farther away from the Word of God.

Finally, the Lord says; I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

We will receive a new name, with our new bodies, which will be sinless, and everlasting.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!

The Seven Churches Part 3 – Smyrna

The Seven Churches

Part 3  – Smyrna

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ to John.

John is told to record what he had seen, is seeing, and will see, which is the key to the Book of Revelation. John saw Jesus and his description defines and sets the foundation for the rest of the book. Jesus IS Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and the Alpha and Omega.

John then records the letters to the pastor's of each of the seven churches, or, what is taking place NOW, and then record what WILL take place in the end.

Chapters 4-22 of Revelation is for those who will be here during tribulation.

Last week we took a look at the first of the seven churches, Ephesus, the apostolic church, and read what was good, and bad about the church. The end of the letter states, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches.”

In other words, these things apply to US today, as The Church and Body of Christ.

Today we look at the second church, Smyrna, the martyr church.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Revelation 2:8-11

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

I.       THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA

a.      Jesus has first established Himself in Chapter 1, making it clear through John's description of Him, that He is the Lord.

i.       Standing in the midst of the seven lampstands, representing the seven churches

ii.    Holding the stars or pastors of the seven churches in His hand

iii. Clothed in robes to his feet wrapped in a gold sash

iv.   white hair and beard signifying His majesty and authority

v.      eyes were as a flame of fire, portraying penetrating scrutiny and fierce judgment

vi.   His feet like brass burned in a furnace

vii.   His voice the sound of many waters

viii.   from His mouth a sharp two-edged sword

ix.   His countenance was as the sun shines

b.     He is the Alpha (first letter in the Greek alphabet)

i.       The beginning of everything, the creator

ii.    John 1:1-3 "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

c.      He is the Omega (the last letter in the Greek alphabet)

i.       Being the first and last means all things that are, belong to His control.

ii.    He is also the last, for He alone has the last say as Judge

iii. He alone will decide on Judgment Day

d.     This establishes Jesus as the Lord, Judge and final authority to speak these things.

II.   THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN

a.      I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

i.       The first words Jesus says to the Smyrna church is;

ii.    I know your afflictions and your poverty

a.      Smyrna was poverty stricken outwardly

b.     However, the Lord proclaimed them SPIRITUALLY RICH!

iii. Later we will read how Laodicea claims to be rich, but the Lord proclaims them poor.

b.     I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

i.       The Jews continued to attack and slander the church

ii.    This is not the first time Jesus called the Jews the synagogue of Satan.

iii. From this verse, we learn that God does not consider Jews who reject Christ as truly Jewish.

iv.   The worship of Christ-rejecting Jews is concluded by the Lord to be Satanic.

c.      Who are truly Jews?

i.       Romans 2:29 "a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

ii.    How does one become a Jew inwardly?

a.      Circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit

b.     The work of the Holy Spirit, inwardly changing our hearts, this is done by the power of the Spirit of God, not by written rules or codes.

c.      Inwardly, only God knows our hearts, therefore praise for what takes inwardly comes from God alone.

III.            SMYRNA, FEAR NONE OF THOSE THINGS

a.      Dispensationally Speaking

i.       Remember, Ephesus was the Apostolic Church Age (first 100 years)

ii.    Smyrna is the Martyr Church Age (from 100AD - 300AD)

b.     Ephesus labored hard, had patience, did not allow evil in their church, tested apostles, they were steadfast in serving the Lord, they continued to believe regardless of what was taking place around them, and they did not give up!

i.       For the overcomers, they would eat from the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God.

c.      Smyrna has withstood tribulation, financial poverty and remained spiritually rich.

i.       For those faithful unto death, they will receive the crown of life, and the overcomers will not be hurt by the second death.

a.      We know that the second death Jesus speaks of, is Gehenna. The Lake of Fire.

b.     Revelation 21:8 "⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

c.      The scripture has warned us of this, the "Works of the Flesh";

d.     Galatians 5:19-21 " ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

d.     Jesus' word to the martyrs

i.       Revelation 2:10 "Fear none of those things which you shall suffer..."

ii.    "...be faithful to the end, and I will give you the crown of life."

CONCLUSION

Revelation 2:11

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches.

Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he who reads, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and do those things which are written therein.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!