Thinking Thursday

[Rev 2:18-29 ESV] 18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 

19 "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 

He sees what we do and go through.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 

Who is this woman?  To know you have to look back to the time of the prophet Elijah who was at odds with King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.  She commanded the baal prophets.  In the church of Thyatira, some woman is using her influence to lead followers away from the path of the one, true Savior and Lord.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

God always provides the opportunity for repentance but some choose to continue on with their wicked ways. 

22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

God will ultimately bring her to judgment and those, lacking discernment who followed her teachings and they will face "great tribulation."  In His mercy, the followers will also have the opportunity to repent of following her false teachings. 

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 

There is no future for her followers.  He will judge because He has perfect knowledge of each person and their motives.

24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 

You can live surrounded by evil and bad influences and still not participate in such things.  Seek Him above everything including your personal situation.

25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.

Cling hard to the Rock; He is your sure foundation. 

26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 

Those who remain faithful to Him, will reap eternal rewards in serving His kingdom.

27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 

He will delegate some of His authority granted by the Father to His faithful followers.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

And we will be in Christ's presence and He fully becomes our light and we never experience darkness again. 

29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Listen up followers of Christ!  Heed His instructions!