03 what the spirit says to the churches (part 1) slideshow

The Book of Revelation 03/18/2007

Lesson 3
What the Spirit Says to the Churches
(Part 1)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation
By Dale Wells
Text: Rev 1.9-3.22

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST
VISION
Rev 1:9-11 WEB I John,
your brother and
partner with you in
oppression, kingdom,
and perseverance in
Christ Jesus, was on
the isle that is called
Patmos because of
God's Word and the
testimony of Jesus
Christ..."
Brother in Christ.
Areas of fellowship:

The first is "oppression"

Greek thlipsei.
Pressure exerted on a
kernel of wheat to break
the hull, so the grain can
be made into flour.
Trampling grapes to
extract their juice.
It is the suffering that
brings its objects closer
to their intended use.

Lesson 3 1


Difficulties can be beneficial
Jam 1:2-4 WEB Count it all
joy, my brothers, when you
fall into various temptations,
knowing that the testing of
your faith produces patience.
Let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be
perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.
Rom 5:1-5 WEB we also
rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering works
perseverance; and
perseverance, proven
character; and proven
character, hope:

The second area of fellowship was
the “kingdom”

Greek basileia.
Spiritual realm in which God rules and Christians live.
We are the kingdom of God!
Rev 1:6 WEB... [H]e made us to be a kingdom, priests to his
God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen.

The third area of fellowship was
"perseverance"
Greek hypomone – one
word for “patience”.
The other, makrothymia
– “long-suffering”.
Makrothymia is the
patience that puts up
with difficulties when it
doesn’t have to!
Hypomone is
“perseverance”. It is
active, not passive.

Lesson 3 2


John has more in common with those
first readers than they can imagine
He is a prisoner on the
island of Patmos – and
he is there because of
his preaching.
Patmos is an island 10
miles long, 5 miles wide
& 40 miles off the coast.
He is worshipping, as
best he can, on the
Lord's Day when he
receives his first vision.

THE HIGH PRIEST AMONG THE
LAMPSTANDS (1:12-20)

Rev 1:12-20 WEB
I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw
seven golden lampstands. And among the lampstands was one like a
son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a
golden sash around his chest. His head and his hair were white as
white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were
like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice
was like the voice of many waters. He had seven stars in his right hand.
Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was
like the sun shining at its brightest. When I saw him, I fell at his feet like
a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am
the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am
alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. Write
therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are,
and the things which will happen hereafter; the mystery of the seven
stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden
lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies.
The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

Lesson 3 3


First, there is the location and attire
of the individual
John sees a man in a robe
walking among lampstands.
This is the High Priest in the
Holy Place, tending the lamps.
Exo 27:20-21 WEB "You shall
command the children of Israel,
that they bring to you pure olive
oil beaten for the light, to cause
a lamp to burn continually. In
the tent of meeting, outside the
veil which is before the
testimony, Aaron and his sons
shall keep it in order from
evening to morning before
Yahweh: it shall be a statute
forever throughout their
generations on the behalf of the
children of Israel.

Who is this priest?

He is "one like a son of man".
Dan 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with
the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the
ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. There was given
him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and
languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which
shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7 depicts God on the throne ready to judge.
Into his presence comes "one like a son of man", who is given an
everlasting dominion. The Jews saw the coming Messiah. We see Jesus.

Jesus used Daniel 7:13 as the text
for his coming in judgment
Mat 24:29-30 WEB But
immediately after the
oppression of those days,
the sun will be darkened, the
moon will not give its light,
the stars will fall from the
sky, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken; and
then the sign of the Son of
Man will appear in the sky.
Then all the tribes of the
earth will mourn, and they
will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of the
sky with power and great
glory.

Lesson 3 4


The NT picks up the theme of Jesus
coming in the clouds

Act 1:9-11 WEB as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud
received him out of their sight. While they were looking steadfastly into
the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the
sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come
back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."
Rev 1:7 WEB Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will
see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will
mourn over him. Even so, Amen.

Other parts of the description show
that John is in the presence of deity
Dan 7:9 WEB I saw
until thrones were
placed, and one who
was ancient of days sat:
his clothing was white
as snow, and the hair of
his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery
flames, and the wheels
of it burning fire.

His voice is "like the voice of many
waters" - a description from Ezekiel
Eze 43:2 WEB Behold,
the glory of the God of
Israel came from the
way of the east: and his
voice was like the
sound of many waters;
and the earth shined
with his glory.

Lesson 3 5


He has "a sharp two-edged sword"
coming out of his mouth
Isa 49:1-3 WEB Listen, isles, to
me; and listen, you peoples,
from far: Yahweh has called me
from the womb; from the bowels
of my mother has he made
mention of my name: and he
has made my mouth like a
sharp sword; in the shadow of
his hand has he hid me: and he
has made me a polished shaft;
in his quiver has he kept me
close: and he said to me, You
are my servant; Israel, in whom
I will be glorified.

Here, he is the High Priest; later he
will be the Divine Warrior
Rev 19:11-16 WEB I saw the
heaven opened, and behold, a
white horse, and he who sat on
it is called Faithful and True. In
righteousness he judges and
makes war. His eyes are a
flame of fire, and on his head
are many crowns. He has
names written and a name
written which no one knows but
he himself. He is clothed in a
garment sprinkled with blood.
His name is called "The Word of
God." Out of his mouth
proceeds a sharp, double-
edged sword, that with it he
should strike the nations. He will
rule them with a rod of iron..."

"The First and the Last" is another
clear claim to be God
Isa 44:6 WEB Thus says
Yahweh, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Yahweh
of Hosts: I am the first, and I
am the last; and besides me
there is no God.
Isa 48:12 WEB Listen to me,
O Jacob, and Israel my
called: I am he; I am the first,
I also am the last.

Lesson 3 6


WHAT CHRIST THINKS OF THE
CHURCHES
The high priest is
tending the lampstands,
which represent the
churches. He reports on
what he finds.
Each church existed in
its own community, with
its unique culture &
challenges. In that
respect, they were not
unlike churches today.

EPHESUS

Rev 2:1-7 WEB
To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds
the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among of the
seven golden lampstands says these things: "I know your
works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't
tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves
apostles, and they are not, and found them false. You have
perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have
not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you left your
first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and
repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly,
and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you
repent. But this you have, that you hate the works of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I
will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my
God.

Lesson 3 7


The City
Ephesus was capital of Asia
and a center of commerce.
It was three miles from the
sea, on the Cayster River.
There is no city on the site;
nearest is Kusadasi, Turkey.
The population of the city
was 500,000.
It was the leading seaport
and the beginning of all
major trade routes through
Asia Minor.
Christianity spread rapidly,
once the church was
planted in Ephesus.

Luke tells about Paul's work in
Ephesus & the spread of the gospel
Act 19:8-10 WEB He entered
into the synagogue, and spoke
boldly for a period of three
months, reasoning and
persuading about the things
concerning the Kingdom of God.
But when some were hardened
and disobedient, speaking evil
of the Way before the multitude,
he departed from them, and
separated the disciples,
reasoning daily in the school of
Tyrannus. This continued for
two years, so that all those who
lived in Asia heard the word of
the Lord Jesus, both Jews and
Greeks.

Ephesus had been made a free city
by the Roman government in 98 BC
Anyone born in
Ephesus was a Roman
citizen.
This was important in
the 1st Century, as seen
in the exchange
between Paul and the
Roman commander:
Act 22:28 WEB The
commanding officer
answered, "I bought my
citizenship for a great
price." Paul said, "But I
was born a Roman."

Lesson 3 8


Paul was a citizen of Rome because
he was born in another free city
That is why Luke
records:
Act 21:39 WEB But Paul
said, "I am a Jew, from
Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen
of no insignificant city. I
beg you, allow me to
speak to the people."
Like Tarsus, Ephesus
was a free city. Anyone
born there was a
Roman citizen.

Ephesus was as important to religion
as it was to commerce

It was the center of worship of Artemis (Diana).
Her temple was one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Alexander the Great wanted his name carved on one
of the 127 pillars, but the Ephesians declined, saying,
"If we put the name of another god on her temple, it
will upset her." The most powerful man in the world
couldn't buy the privilege of having his name carved
on a pillar of the idol's temple.

You may remember the riot in
Ephesus
Act 19:23-41 WEB
Demetrius, who made silver
shrines of Artemis, brought no
little business to the craftsmen,
whom he gathered together,
"Sirs, you know that by this
business we have our wealth.
This Paul has persuaded
many people, saying that they
are no gods, that are made with
hands. Not only is there danger
that this our trade come into
disrepute, but also that the
temple of the great goddess
Artemis will be counted as
nothing ..." When they heard
this they were filled with anger,
and cried out, saying, "Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians!"

Lesson 3 9


The riot involved the entire populace
and took place in the largest venue
The whole city was filled with
confusion, and they rushed with
one accord into the theater...
When Paul wanted to enter
the disciples didn't allow him ...
Some cried one thing, and
some another, for the assembly
was in confusion. Most of them
didn't know why they had come
together Alexander beckoned
with his hand, and would have
made a defense to the people.
But when they perceived that he
was a Jew, all with one voice for
a time of about two hours cried
out, "Great is Artemis of the
Ephesians!"

The riot was only quelled when the
mayor intervened
When the town clerk had
quieted the multitude, he said,
"You men of Ephesus, what
man is there who doesn't know
that the city of the Ephesians is
temple-keeper of the great
goddess Artemis, and of the
image which fell down from
Zeus? Seeing then that these
things can't be denied, you
ought to be quiet, and to do
nothing rash. If Demetrius
and the craftsmen have a
matter against anyone, the
courts are open ... Let them
press charges For we are
in danger of being accused
concerning this day's riot, there
being no cause ....

The riot turned on conflict between
monotheism and polytheism
Paul's preaching was
cutting into the sales of
Artemis paraphernalia,
and the folks who
manufactured and sold
Artemis souvenirs were
losing money.
Then, as now, many of
the conflicts that appear
to be cloaked in
"principle" are merely
matters of economics.

Lesson 3 10


The Messenger
The messenger is the one
John saw in Rev 1:9-20.
In most letters, John singles
out one or two aspects of the
description.
He “holds the seven stars
and walks among the seven
golden lampstands” – i.e. the
high priest, Jesus.
The lampstands are the
churches and the stars are
their messengers.
The one who trims the lamps
reports on their condition.

The Message
We know more about the
church in Ephesus than any
of the others
The church began with
Priscilla & Aquila in Acts 18.
They heard the preaching of
Apollos, Paul & Timothy.
It had received one letter
from Paul & two to Timothy.
Paul made a special stop en
route to Jerusalem, to pray
with the elders from
Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38).
Tradition holds that John
spent his last years in
Ephesus.

The church began with unsurpassed
zeal
The Christians burned the
relics of their former
practices.
Act 19:19 WEB Many of
those who practiced magical
arts brought their books
together and burned them in
the sight of all. They
counted the price of them,
and found it to be fifty
thousand pieces of silver.
By Revelation 2, the church
has lost its fervor.
It is working hard and
persevering. Its teaching is
healthy and it does not put
up with doctrinal error.

Lesson 3 11


The church is doctrinally correct, but
spiritually destitute
It needs to recapture
the zeal it once had
– OR ELSE!
If it doesn't repent,
Jesus threatens to
eliminate it, entirely!
Today there is no
church in Ephesus.
Even the city lies in
ruins.

The Promise

As in each of the letters,
there is a promise to the
overcomers – those
who are faithful to the
end. In this letter, the
overcomers are
promised “I will give to
eat of the tree of life,
which is in the Paradise
of my God.”

The Bible begins with man in
fellowship with God at the tree of life
Gen 2:8-9 WEB Yahweh
God planted a garden
eastward, in Eden, and there
he put the man whom he
had formed. Out of the
ground Yahweh God made
every tree to grow that is
pleasant to the sight, and
good for food; the tree of life
also in the midst of the
garden, and the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil.

Lesson 3 12


When man sinned, God banished
him from access to the tree of life
Gen 3:22-24 WEB Yahweh God
said, "Behold, the man has
become like one of us, knowing
good and evil. Now, lest he put
forth his hand, and also take of
the tree of life, and eat, and live
forever..." Therefore Yahweh
God sent him forth from the
garden of Eden, to till the
ground from whence he was
taken. So he drove out the man;
and he placed Cherubs at the
east of the garden of Eden, and
the flame of a sword which
turned every way, to guard the
way to the tree of life.

Here, Jesus promises the
overcomers a bite of the tree of life
Rev 22:1-5 WEB He showed
me a river of water of life, clear
as crystal, proceeding out of the
throne of God and of the Lamb,
in the middle of its street. On
this side of the river and on that
was the tree of life, bearing
twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its
fruit every month. The leaves of
the tree were for the healing of
the nations.There will be no
curse any more. The throne of
God and of the Lamb will be in
it, and his servants serve him.
They will see his face, and his
name will be on their foreheads.

He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the assemblies
Though directed to a
specific congregation,
this letter carries a
message to other
churches in similar
circumstances.
It also is a reminder that
the Book of Revelation
was intended to be
understood – and acted
upon – by its first
readers, just as Jesus
said in Revelation 1:3.

Lesson 3 13


SMYRNA

Rev 2:8-11 WEB

"To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: "The first and the
last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: "I
know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are
rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and
they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of
the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is
about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested;
and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death,
and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes
won't be harmed by the second death.

The City
Smyrna (Izmir), 35 mi. N, of
Ephesus, a harbor city of
200,000, with a wealthy
academic community.
Had a temple to Tiberius.
Famous for buildings.
Apollonius referred to her
“crown of porticoes” –
buildings around the summit
of Mt. Pagos – that may be
the image behind Jesus'
promise of a “crown of life.”
Had a “street of gold” with
temples at each end.
Likely the image Jesus used
describing the New
Jerusalem.

Lesson 3 14


The Messenger
The messenger is “The first
and the last, who was dead,
and has come to life.”
“The first and the last” is an
description of deity.
Isa 44:6 WEB Thus says
Yahweh, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, Yahweh
of Hosts: I am the first, and I
am the last; and besides me
there is no God.
Isa 48:12 WEB Listen to
me, O Jacob, and Israel my
called: I am he; I am the
first, I also am the last.

It is also he "who was dead, and has
come to life"
These words will be
meaningful to Smyrna.
They are about to face
persecution that may lead to
death, at the hands of the
Jewish community.
The messenger has faced
the same experience from
the Jews in Jerusalem.
They killed him, but he came
to life again.
These Christians will be
encouraged to “be faithful to
death,” because he, himself,
has gone through death, and
come out alive!

The Message

Smyrna had a large
Jewish community.
The church was about
to undergo persecution
from the Jews.
The good news was
that the persecution
would only last a short
time - ten days.
The bad news was that
the persecution would
end in death!

Lesson 3 15


"Ten days" is the promise that God
will say "Enough!" and will intervene
1Co 10:13 WEB No
temptation has taken
you but such as man
can bear. God is
faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted
above what you are
able, but will with the
temptation also make
the way of escape, that
you may be able to
endure it.

The force of the text is "Be faithful,
even if it costs you your life"
80 years after this, one of
their own would be martyred.
On February 23, 155 AD,
Polycarp, a disciple of John,
and an elder of the church,
burned in the theater for
refusing to renounce Jesus.
When the Romans decided
not to execute him, the Jews
set the fire, in violation of the
Sabbath laws.
Those who are faithful to
death will receive the crown
of life!

The Promise

Each promise is suited
to the readers.
They are facing
persecution, and death.
They are encouraged
by the one who “was
dead and is alive”
He assures them that
overcomers “will not be
hurt by the second
death.”
We’ll see that second
death later.

Lesson 3 16


PERGAMUM

Rev 2:12-17 WEB
"To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has
the sharp two-edged sword says these things: "I know your
works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold
firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of
Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you,
where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you,
because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam,
who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children
of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual
immorality. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of
the Nicolaitans likewise. Repent therefore, or else I am coming
to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword
of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will
give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and
on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he
who receives it.

The City

Pergamum was the capital of Asia Minor. It was inland, about 65
miles north of Smyrna, along the Caicus River.
It had the second largest library in the world, with 200,000
volumes, second only to Alexandria, Egypt.
The king of Pergamum once tried to hire Aristophanes,
Alexandria's librarian. Ptolemy II, Philadelphus, the ruler of
Egypt, imprisoned Aristophanes and cut off the supply of
papyrus to Pergamum.

Lesson 3 17


Until then, papyrus had been the
main writing material in the world
When Pergamum couldn't
acquire papyrus any more, they
set about developing a new
material, specially treated
animal skins, which they called
"vellum", but which the world
came to know by the Greek
word pergamene (lit. "from
Pergamum"), in honor of the
city. Pergamene, later became
our "parchment". It was a much
more durable writing material
than papyrus ever was.
This is a page from Sinaiticus, a
4th Century parchment
manuscript of the Bible.

Religion

The two main gods of
Pergamum:
Dionysus, the god of the
kings - represented by
the bull
Asclepius, the god of
healing - symolized by
the serpent spiraling
around a staff (still the
emblem of the medical
profession).

The city was the official center in
Asia for the imperial cult
It had three temples to
the emperors, including
the first in Asia Minor
dedicated to Augustus.
On a crag above
Pergamum was a
throne-like altar to
Zeus.
No wonder Jesus
describes Pergamum
as the place where
Satan has his throne.

Lesson 3 18


The Messenger

Jesus describes himself with
another part of the
description from Rev 1:16.
The “sharp, double-edged
sword” (Greek rhomphaia) is
the long, heavy broad sword
with which the barbarians
were armed.
It symbolizes the irresistible
power of divine judgment.
The description of the
messenger portends his
judgment which is coming on
that church.

The Message

The church, by and
large, is faithful.
One of their own, a
brother named Antipas,
has been martyred.
But some people in the
congregation are
practicing compromise,
and they may face the
double-edged sword of
divine judgment.

What is the teaching of Baalam and
of the Nicolaitans?
The background is Num
22-24; 25:1-4; 31:16.
Israel was en route to
the Promised Land.
Balak tried to hire
Baalam to curse Israel.
Baalam asked for
permission, but the Lord
refused.
When Balak offered
money and power,
Baalam asked again.

Lesson 3 19


God allowed Baalam to go, but he
could only say what the Lord allowed
An angel was in the
way. Three times the
donkey saved his life,
and Baalam beat the
donkey.
Three times, he tried to
curse Israel, but out
came a blessing! Balak
sent him on his way.
The next event involved
idolatry & immorality.

The incident at Baal Peor

Numbers 25:1-9 tells the story.
The Israelite men got involved in sexual immorality with the
Moabite women and started participating in idol worship. A
plague broke out - the result of the Lord's anger. Phinehas,
the grandson of Aaron, killed one of the perpetrators, along
with his Midianite mistress. By the time the plague had
ended 24,000 Israelites were dead.
Several chapters later, we learn the rest of the story.
The Israelites defeat their enemies, but they keep some of
the women and children alive.
Num 31:15-16 WEB Moses said to them, Have you saved all
the women alive? Behold, these caused the children of
Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass
against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so the plague
was among the congregation of Yahweh.

Now, it makes sense!

God turned Baalam’s curses into blessings. So
Baalam gave Balak a way to get God to curse Israel!
All it takes is to draw the people of God into the
world. Get them dabbling in sin & God will curse
them! So, Balak's people enticed the Israelites into
immorality & idolatry until the Lord turned on them!
Baalam was the mastermind behind Baal-Peor!
The connection between "Baalam" and "Nicolaitan"
"Baalam" is from two Hebrew words: Baal ("destroyer") and
ammon ("people").
"Nicolaitan" is from two Greek words: Nikon ("destroyer")
and laos ("people").
Why use two words with the same meaning? Possibly there
are Jewish and Gentile Christians encouraging compromise.

Lesson 3 20


The Promise
First, they are promised
"some of the hidden manna."
This recalls the manna in the
desert.
Deu 8:3 WEB He humbled
you, and allowed you to
hunger, and fed you with
manna, which you didn't
know, neither did your
fathers know; that he might
make you know that man
does not live by bread only,
but by everything that
proceeds out of the mouth of
Yahweh does man live.

To the Christian, it is a reminder of
Jesus, himself
Joh 6:48-51 WEB I am the
bread of life. Your fathers
ate the manna in the
wilderness, and they died.
This is the bread which
comes down out of heaven,
that anyone may eat of it and
not die. I am the living bread
which came down out of
heaven. If anyone eats of
this bread, he will live
forever. Yes, the bread
which I will give for the life of
the world is my flesh."

The second promise is "a white stone
with a new name written on it"
Two usages of white stones
with inscribed names:
Inscription listing names on
white stone pillars, such as
those found in the ruins of
Pergamum.
Invitation to a banquet. It
may be that Jesus intends
readers to think of the "white
stone" as his invitation to the
wedding supper of the Lamb.
Rev 19:9 WEB "Write,
'Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage
supper of the Lamb.'" He
said to me, "These are true
words of God."

Lesson 3 21


The "new name" is a reminder of
God's promise/threat to Israel
Isa 62:2 WEB The nations
shall see your
righteousness, and all kings
your glory, and you shall be
called by a new name, which
the mouth of Yahweh shall
name.
Isa 65:15 WEB You shall
leave your name for a curse
to my chosen; and the Lord
Yahweh will kill you; and he
will call his servants by
another name:
The new name is the name
of Christ; the promised name
is Christian.

THYATIRA

Rev 2:18-29 WEB
"To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: "The Son of God, who has
his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says
these things: I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient
endurance, and that your last works are more than the first. But I have this
against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a
prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual
immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent,
but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her
into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression,
unless they repent of her works. I will kill her children with Death, and all
the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I
will give to each one of you according to your deeds. But to you I say, to
the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don't have this teaching, who don't
know what some call 'the deep things of Satan,' to you I say, I am not
putting any other burden on you. Nevertheless, hold firmly that which you
have, until I come. He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the
end, to him I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with a
rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my
Father: and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

Lesson 3 22


Thyatira - modern Akhisar - was
about 45 miles east of Pergamum
Mercantile city that produced
and sold wool, linen, apparel,
leatherwork, and bronze-work.
More trade guilds (labor unions)
than any other city in Asia.
Each guild had its patron deity
and festivities that included
sexual revelries.
In order for Christians to work,
they had to maintain
membership in the guilds, but,
as members of the guilds, they
might be expected to
compromise their principles by
engaging in the guilds' idolatry
and sexual immorality.

Paul's first convert in Philippi was a
Thyatiran merchant named Lydia
Act 16:14 WEB A certain
woman named Lydia, a seller of
purple, of the city of Thyatira,
one who worshiped God, heard
us; whose heart the Lord
opened to listen to the things
which were spoken by Paul.
Excavations reveal that "a guild
of dyers" existed in Thyatira.
Lydia's trade may have been
associated with this guild. They
brewed a red dye, the modern
turkey red, from the madder
root, which grows abundantly in
the area. Lydia's presence in
Macedonia, 500 miles away,
suggests that the commodity
was an important export.

In spite of reason to compromise the
church is basically faithful
But Jesus says there is a
woman, whom he identifies
as Jezebel, in the
congregation. That woman is
encouraging people to get
involved in sexual immorality
and idolatry, the very two
things the trade guilds
promoted.
The problem with tolerating
sin is that it leads to more
sin.

Lesson 3 23


The Messenger
He is “the Son of God,” the
one with the “eyes like
blazing fire” and the “feet
like burnished bronze.”
The picture would remind the
readers of the furnaces of
the metalworkers, whose
guilds were a key part of the
economy.
But the descriptions, at the
same time, emphasize the
divine judgment that is
coming.

The Message
We can be sure that the
woman wasn't actually
named Jezebel.
Some names are "damaged
goods" after one use.
(Adolph Hitler, Benedict
Arnold, or Judas).
Jezebel was such a name.
Jezebel was the wife of
Ahab, a 9th Century, BC,
king of Israel. Ahab owes
his prominence in the OT to
the religious apostasy that
occurred during his reign.

But the one with piercing eyes sees
through this woman & her followers
They had better repent,
OR ELSE! They can run
from God, but they
cannot hide!
Jer 17:10 WEB I,
Yahweh, search the
mind, I try the heart,
even to give every man
according to his ways,
according to the fruit of
his doings.

Lesson 3 24


For the rest, the Lord only says "Hold
on to what you have" (i.e. be faithful)
Tertullian (2nd Cent.) was
something of a "conscience"
to the church. He wrote
essays on idolatry, including
a piece on compromise.
Premise: A Christian might
confess Caesar as Lord, or
engage in idolatry or
immorality, then justify
himself by saying, "I must
live". Tertullian insisted that
Christ does not require that
we live; he requires that we
be faithful!

The Promise

The first promise
reminds us of the first of
the royal psalms.
Psa 2:8-9 WEB Ask of
me, and I will give the
nations for your
inheritance, The
uttermost parts of the
earth for your
possession. You shall
break them with a rod of
iron. You shall dash them
in pieces like a potter's
vessel."

The second part of the promise is "I
will give him the morning star"
The “morning star” is
the planet Venus that
appears in the east as
the harbinger of the
coming day.
It appears as the
darkness passes away
and announces the
coming of the Sun.
The morning star
signified the dawning of
a new day, or era.

Lesson 3 25


The symbolism of the star was
sometimes used to signify dominion
The Babylonian
kingdom started with so
much promise but was
brought low. God made
this observation:
Isa 14:12 WEB How
you are fallen from
heaven, day-star, son of
the morning! How you
are cut down to the
ground, who laid the
nations low!

Looking to the distant future, Balaam
saw the rise of the Messiah's star
Num 24:17 WEB There
shall come forth a star out of
Jacob, A scepter shall rise
out of Israel, Shall strike
through the corners of Moab,
Break down all the sons of
tumult.
When Jesus was born, the
thing that tipped the wise
men off was the appearance
of his star.
Mat 2:2 WEB "Where is he
who is born King of the
Jews? For we saw his star
in the east, and have come
to worship him."

In simple terms, Jesus promises
himself to the overcomers
He is the morning star,
signifying a new day.
Rev 22:16 WEB I, Jesus,
have sent my angel to
testify these things to you
for the assemblies. I am the
root and the offspring of
David; the Bright and
Morning Star."
Jesus promises himself!
2Pe 1:19 WEB We have the
more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto you do
well that you take heed, as
to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns,
and the day star arises in
your hearts.

Lesson 3 26

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