Revelation - Week 6

Day 1

Letter to Thyatira

READ

Revelation 2:18

18 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze.”

Thyatira was about 40 miles southeast of Pergamum. Thyatira was known for its trade guilds and dyeing industry. The description of the Lord Jesus is similar to that mentioned in Revelation 1:13-15. Previously He was referred to as the Son of Man; here He is called the Son of God. His eyes like flames of fire and His feet of bronze refer to severe judgment that was about to be pronounced on the church in Thyatira.

REFLECT

Think of the Lord Jesus whom you serve. He is a God of love because He gave His life for lost humanity. He is also a God of judgment to those who refuse to accept the pardon He offers and dishonor Him with their lives.

RESPOND

With your disciple, read Acts 16:11-15 to see the comments about Lydia from Thyatira. Pray that God will open the hearts of your friends to hear the gospel as He opened Lydia’s heart to hear what Paul had to present.

Day 2

I Know All

READ

Revelation 2:19

19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”

The believers in Thyatira would be sobered to realize that Jesus knew “all things” they were doing. Jesus commended them for their love, faith, service and patient endurance. This list is impressive, but even more so is that they were constantly improving in these qualities. One could not expect any greater commendation.

REFLECT

Think of these four qualities the Lord singled out for which to commend the believers in Thyatira. How would you do in each category? Think of what you could do to improve.

RESPOND

You and your friend need to talk about how you are doing with showing love, faith, service and patient endurance. Discuss what you could do to improve in each area.

Day 3

Led Astray

READ

Revelation 2:20-21

20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.”

After giving great commendation to the church of Thyatira, Jesus now rebuked them. Apparently they had the ability not to permit Jezebel to be a false prophet in their midst. But they were permitting her to lead servants of Christ astray and even to teach them to commit sin. She had led them into immorality and idol worship. Jesus had given her time to repent, but she was unwilling to do so.

REFLECT

Think of God’s willingness to give people time to repent; that is, to change their minds, about sinful behavior and the need to turn to Him.

RESPOND

To show from the Scriptures God’s willingness to have people repent and that all immorality is contrary to His will, read 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

Day 4

A Chance to Repent

READ

Revelation 2:22-23

22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike all her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”

This is God’s punishment for Jezebel and all who practice adultery with her—unless they repent. God was still inviting them to change their minds about their evil activities and the need to turn to Him. God reminds all the churches—and those today—that He knows the thoughts and intentions of every person. And each one will receive what is deserved.

REFLECT

Does this cause you to think more seriously about the evil around you and that someday God will judge those involved?

RESPOND

With your friend, read Hebrews 4:11-13 where we are told about the power of the Word of God and how it exposes one’s thoughts and intentions.

Day 5

Hold Tightly

READ

Revelation 2:24-26

24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations.”

It seems in every age there is a remnant of people who remain faithful to God. They had not believed in the mystery religion of those who had followed Jezebel. All that is asked is that they remain faithful to the Lord Jesus. Those who are victorious are promised authority over all nations. This will be fulfilled during the 1000-year reign of Jesus on earth.

REFLECT

Think of the rewards you will have by being faithful in following the Lord Jesus and not being sidetracked into counterfeit religious groups.

RESPOND

To be reminded of an overcoming Christian, read 1 John 5:4. To see a reference to ruling over nations, read Revelation 20:6 to see the promise to believers in Jesus.