Revelation 2:18-29 & 3:1-6
Q.1. How did the Lord describe Himself and the church in Thyatira? How will the way He deals with their sin impact others? What did He promise overcomers? – (Rev.2:18-29)
God painted a picture of His awesome power – The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze (Rev.2:18). The church in Thyatira was ostensibly successful – `I know your deeds, and your love and faith and your service and perseverance and that your deeds of late are greater than at first (Rev.2:19). Nevertheless, not all was well, because they failed to remove evil influences from their midst – 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bondservants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality (Rev.2:20-21). Since they would not expose her, God would make an example of her, so – … all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds (Rev.2:23). However, He would preserve the faithful – 24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them–I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. 26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations (Rev.2:24-26).
Q.2. How did Christ address the church in Sardis? What was His warning and advice to people there? What are the believers like and what are they promised? – (Rev.3:1-6)
God, Who knows all things, exposed the church in Sardis as – He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead (Rev.2:1). He gave a stern warning to all but a few – 2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you Rev.2:2-3). Though this is a warning, it is also an act of grace to correct the church in its downward spiral. To overcomers, the Lord promises – 4 … and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Rev.3:4-5). Would God erase someone’s name from the Book of Life (c.f. Rev.20:15)? We should remember that the church addressed, has ‘wheat and weeds’. This is a serious warning for those who profess faith, to ensure that they are possessors of real faith (Mt.13:2430, 36-43).