The Church at Thyatira Then I perceived that

The Church at Thyatira

“Then I perceived that is is a very difficult thing to be a saint while living with your own family. I saw why Jerome went out into the desert. ” —Anatole of France

Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Hebrews 12: 14

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this. ” Revelation 2: 18

Obstacles to Holiness a) The World

“To be nothing but yourself in a world that is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ” —E. E. Cummings

“‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. ’” Revelation 1: 19

Obstacles to Holiness b) The Devil “But I have against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. “ Revelation 2: 20 -21

Fast Facts re: Jezebel

Marks of a Jezebel Spirit 1. Seductive 2. Religious 3. Rebellious 4. Intimidating

Origin of a Jezebel Spirit To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. ” Genesis 3: 16

So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you must rule over it. ” Genesis 4: 6 -7

“Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and 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. ” Revelation 2: 22 -23

Motives for Holiness 1) Fear of Christ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this…and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. ” Revelation 2: 18, 23

2) Compassion of Christ “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. Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. ” Revelation 2: 24 -25

he trick is not to get holy, but to stay holy. To simply be what God says you already are. ” —G. A. Schwarz “For the true believer, t

Praise from Christ “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father. ” Revelation 2: 26 -28

“And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ” Revelation 2: 29