THE CHURCH in THYATIRA        	  Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U. 9-12-99 A.M.  		 Revelation 2:18-29  	
	Say.. do you ever notice how easy it is to slip into false teachings... and then do 
nothing about it?  That was the case in Thyatira.  Ephesus was the Apostolic church.. that 
"left her first love."  Smyrna was the "persecuted" church.  Pergamos was the "indulged, 
worldly" church.  
	And now, Thyatira is the compromising pagan church.  And.. the divine Judge
has a message for them... 
I.  THEIR CITY.. 
 A. A Working man's town... basically secular 
    1. Many guilds (unions) cloth making & dying; pottery; leather workers; bakers; slave dealers, etc. 
	- Each with their own god.. worshipped by meat offered to idols.. and sexual immorality 
  B. A Military outpost.. a protection for Pergamos 
    1. Founded by one of Alexander's generals; Seleucius 
II.  THEIR CHURCH.. 
  A. Probably founded as a result of the Ephesian outreach 
  B. Possibly Lydia had a part 
    1. Paul's first convert in Philippi..  Acts 16:14 
III.  THEIR COMMENDATION.. 19
 ** The One speaking.. the Son of God  (1:13) with flaming eyes and feet as burning brass... the Judge.. 
  A. I know your works.. there was action as well as talk! 
  B. I know your charity.. (love) for God and one another.. 
    1. Strong where Ephesus was weak.. 
  C. I know your service.. (diakonia).. serving others 
  D. I know your faith.. faithfulness.. dependable, consistent 
  E. I know your patience..  perseverance.. endurance 
  F. I know your works.. again.. more than the first 
    1. Growing, maturing in grace and their Christian life 
IV.  THEIR CONDEMNATION..  20
 ** "I Have A Few Things Against You.."  The One with eyes of flaming fire.. and feet of burning brass...
 	time for judgment to begin at the house of the Lord... 1 Pet.4:17 
  A. You Allow That Woman "Jezebel".. OT... 1 Kings 19:1,2; 21:1-15 
    1. She calls herself a prophetess.. 
	- To teach that immorality was not a serious matter to believers 
	- To seduce my servants.. "bond slaves" of Jesus 
	   - To commit fornication.. (umbrella word for sexual immorality)
	    ** Why is sex sin so serious ?? (our society doesn't think so..) It always hurts someone... 
		- God.. because it shows we prefer to satisfy our own desires rather than to rely upon 
       	   Him and His Word 
		- Others.. violates the necessary commitment for solid relationships. 
		- Us.. often brings diseases to our body.. & emotional problems 
		- Families, churches, communities, etc. Mt.18:6-10 
	   - To eat things sacrificed to idols..  (1Cor.8; Rom.14:2) 
	- To lead them into the "depths of Satan"..  vs.24 
    2. She Could have repented.. vs.21  The Lord is gracious, longsuffering 
    3. She Would Not repent.. 
	- it is one's stubborn will that resists to his own destruction! 
  B. BUT I Will NOT allow her... 22 
    1. I will cast her into a bed.. (of death and hell) 
	- the ultimate place of those who refuse to repent.. 
    2. I will cause the seduced ones great trouble.. except they repent 
    3. I will kill her disciples..  too late for "Jezebel".. but they are warned. 
V.  THEIR COMFORT & COUNSEL..  23 
  A. The Comfort.. to the true believers.. each according to deeds..
	 (Mt.7:16; 16:27; Rom.2:6; 14:12; Rev.22:12) 
    1. You shall Know Him.. the One who knows your "mind & Heart" 
	- both a comfort and concern.. can't hide anything from Him! 
    2. You Have no other burden.. weight here and now.. (2Cor.4:17 here it is a "weight" of glory)
	- You who have not the doctrine of "Jezebel" 
	- You who have not known the depths of Satan.. 
	   - It was "burden" enough to resist these false teachings 
    3. You Can Overcome.. 26 
	- By faithfulness to the end.. marks of genuine Christians 
    4. You Will Be Rewarded.. 
	- I will give power over the nations.. in the millennial kingdom 
	   - To rule over them with Christ.. 27 
	- I will give him (her) the "morningstar"  28 
	   - Christ Himself.. knowing Him in all His GLORY !!! 
	   - When the world is at its bleakest point.. Christ will burst on the scene... Yes!  Amen! 
  B. The Counsel..  two things... 
    1. "Hold fast till I come".. might not be easy... vs.25
	- To true beliefs.. 2Thes.2:15; 3:11 
	- To the hope of the Lord's return.. Heb.6:18.. it is an anchor! 
    2. "Hear what the Spirit says to the churches..."  vs. 29
	- Are You paying attention ??? 
YOU DO WANT A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD... 
   YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SIN (NATURE) AND SINS (DEEDS) 
      YOU CAN BECOME AN OVERCOMER !!