The World in the Church
Revelation 2:18-29
September 17, 2006


Shortly before World War II, in a time when the European continent felt the uneasy rumblings of trouble and war, the Spanish Civil War raged with devastating consequences. Toward the end of that three year conflict of 1933-36, the fascist general Emilio Mola addressed a buttoned down Madrid, warning of the Republican government’s impending fall. He told of four army columns moving on Madrid, and then coined a term that has become synonymous with clandestine, subversive activities. He said that as the four regular columns marched on Madrid, within the capital his militant supporters whom he dubbed his “fifth column” would undermine the government from within the city. His prediction came true.

Since that time, others have used the term fifth column to refer to a group or organization within a country or political organization where their loyalty was expected, but instead, undermining and subverting from within. By the perception of loyalty, they carry out their plans of political anarchy or destruction.

Such a fifth column in the followers of the prophetess Jezebel was found in Thyatira, and exposed by the Lord of the church. This church held up well in the face of oppression by the world. But it was failing when coping with the world burrowed away within its own walls. Unless the church took action, they would collapse from within.

Fifth column militants regularly infiltrate churches with an aim to destroy. It’s not that all realize what they are doing. They may lack any external structure for what they do. There may be no conspiracies or organized threats to the church. It’s just that they find the gospel too narrow, the New Testament church too outdated, the message of holiness too unsettling, and the sufficiency of Scripture too limiting; so that they eat away at the biblical foundation of the church like a horde of termites consuming wood.

You have likely heard of many of these fifth columnists: a pastor that turns the church’s worship into entertainment; a teacher that advocates loosening up when it comes to moral restraint; a deacon chairman that leads a charge against the doctrines of grace; a gossip that starts rumors in order to undermine the church leadership. The devil does not limit his weaponry to persecution and oppression. He often seeks to plant explosive charges within the church by her members. It can happen to any church. That’s why the Bible exhorts us to vigilance. Paul told Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Tim. 4:16a). Christ says that to the church. He demands that His church pay close attention to its life and doctrine. Unless we remain vigilant we will surely lose our effectiveness and unity as a church. That’s why the letters to the Seven Churches continue to stay current. The same issues facing the early churches face us nearly 2000 years later. Do we realize how quickly the church can slide into worldliness and uselessness? That’s what our text warns of as we consider the world in the church at Thyatira.

I. Commendable Christianity
Not all was amiss at Thyatira. This least significant city among those of the seven churches received the longest letter. Located in a valley, Thyatira had no natural formations that offered protection from invading armies. As long as peace prevailed, they prospered as a financial center, since trade routes intersected through the valley. This led to the city transporting its manufactured goods across the Empire. Pottery, linen, wool, leather goods, and many other products were produced for the Roman household. Lydia, the first European convert in Philippi, hailed from Thyatira where she sold purple cloth that had been dyed in the city (Acts 16:14). Additionally, its location made Thyatira an ideal location for trafficking in slavery. Each industry had its own trade guild with a patron god and prescribed festivals. Typically, guild members met to offer meat sacrifices the patron god, and then meat was given back to the guild members by their god, whereupon they would enjoy a great feast. As their senses were dulled with feasting and drinking, they followed with revelry and immoral rituals. To be part of the guild meant participation in the sacrifices, feasting, and immorality. Otherwise, one faced ridicule, scorn, and possible loss of income. The Christians in Thyatira appeared to fare well in the midst of this kind of pressure to indulge in the world, and thus deny Christ. Or did they?

1. Attention to the basics
Jesus affirms His close scrutiny of the Thyatira church. “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance.” I think that any church would be thankful to receive divine commendations in these areas. While the church at Ephesus had left their first love, the church at Thyatira pressed on notably in love, faith, and service. The use of agape for “love” indicates that theirs was no superficial kind of love. They genuinely cared for others, showing their love by deeds of sacrificial service. They also exercised dependence upon the Lord, noted by their “faith.” This meant that they regularly applied the teaching of Scripture and the promises of God to their daily lives. The term for “service” probably indicates the way that they cared for each other, and even those in the community. They were service-minded, looking for ways to express their love for Christ within the body and outside to the world.

Life wasn’t easy for them, though, as noted by the characteristic of “perseverance.” The word implies abiding under or bearing up under trials, difficulties, temptations, and external pressure. They had not been given a free pass by the Thyatira community. Living as Christians in that city meant that one would need to rely upon the Lord for strength to endure ridicule, the malicious talk of outsiders, and the relentless taunts by an unchristian world.

2. Steady progress
Some begin the Christian life in a blaze of enthusiasm and diligence, only to screech to a halt by the demands of living out the gospel. Probably, the most common complaint that I’ve heard fellow believers make concerning their own spiritual lives is that they are not making much progress in their spiritual development. They often find themselves stuck in the proverbial rut of complacency and apathy, knowing that they need to move forward, but lacking the will to do it.

But not so with these Christians! Christ commended, “I know… that your deeds of late are greater than at first.” Wow! Here were believers making steady progress in their spiritual development and maturity. The ways that they loved, exercised faith, served one another, and endured the opposition of the world progressed along steadily. We would put it, “These believers were growing in grace, in service, and in love.” Such a testimony would be well-received in any Christian church.

II. “Flies in the perfume”
The shrewd observations of the writer of Ecclesiastes have left us with many quotable phrases. One of my favorites since encountering this passage as a teenager is found in 10:1. “Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink.” My imagination runs with this one, as I think of the perfumer going about his task of adding one ingredient to another to produce his pungent ointment, only to find it spoiled by carelessness. Derek Kidner remarks, “It takes far less to ruin something than to create it… it is easier to make a stink than to create sweetness” [BST: The Message of Ecclesiastes, 88]. The passage continues, “so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.”

With so much on the ball, so much progress being made by the Thyatiran Christians, one would think that nothing could unsettle them. Yet Jesus Christ identifies an unmistakable case of “flies in the perfume.” While busily engaging in living the Christian life, they turned a blind eye to a growing problem in their midst. They failed to pay attention to the teaching of one person of influence among them, and consequently, their doctrine and their practice stood in the balance. The Lord of the Church called them to account. He identified Himself as, “The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze.” Here is the only instance of the title, “The Son of God,” in the book of Revelation. It left no doubt concerning who addressed them. His piercing, searching, and omniscient gaze allowed no covering up or glossing over their sins. His feet of “burnished bronze,” swift and powerful, would move quickly to judgment if they failed to take action regarding their sins. What was the problem?

1. Misplaced tolerance
“But I have this 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 acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” The similarity to “the deeds [and] the teaching of the Nicolaitans” is unmistakable (2:6, 15). Each of the cities we’ve considered so far in Asia Minor valued the outward devotion to community idolatry. If one didn’t participate in the sacrifices, feasts, and even the immorality associated with devotion to local gods, then he was not considered a loyal citizen. The temptation to compromise by indulging in the occasional idolatrous feasts and the ritual immorality loomed before them all. The Nicolaitans that were removed by the Ephesians and tolerated by the church at Pergamum evidently taught that a little indulgence with the world in the feasts and immorality was okay, as long as it opened the door for the church to be accepted by the community. They were a movement that had possibly been infecting churches for many years.

The issue at Thyatira, though, fell upon one lady in the church and her followers. Rather than being a movement throughout the Asia Minor churches, she took it upon herself to propagate her doctrine and teach her corrupted ways. “The woman Jezebel” is likely not her name, but rather, as in the case of the use of “Balaam” in the previous study, an appropriate identification of this deceiver with the ancient wife of King Ahab of Israel. Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31-33). She reintroduced Baal worship among the Israelites as well as the worship of the Asherah. The first was a male fertility god and the latter a female fertility goddess. Worship of both centered on sexual indulgence. The Jezebel of Thyatira professed to be “a prophetess,” which evidently gave her privileges of exercising authority in their midst by uttering prophetic words. By claiming prophetic authority, she not only taught certain ones in the church at Thyatira, but also led the way in participating in immoral rituals in the community. She may have claimed that it was the best way to avoid persecution and poverty; that surely God would not want them to suffer loss! The order of “acts of immorality and eat[ing] things sacrificed to idols,” is reversed from the description of the Nicolaitans, demonstrating that the major emphasis with her was unrestrained sexual behavior.

The amazing thing, or so it seems, is how this kind of teaching and practice could take root in a church that seemed to have so many great things going for it! Do not forget that Christ commended them for their love, faith, service, and perseverance, as well as their steady progress in the Christian life. Yet in what may have been an aberrant understanding of love, they had tolerated Jezebel. That tells us that others knew what was taking place. The present tense verb describes the toleration as still going on at the time this letter arrived. It’s not that they commended her teaching and practice, but they allowed it to go on without intervening through admonition and discipline as Christ has instructed His church (Matt. 18:15-17). Can we imagine that some among them probably even got together and talked about how disconcerting this was? Yet they let it go, perhaps hoping that it might fizzle out so that they would not have to confront this Jezebel or her followers and face potential fall-out. That might affect their church attendance! People might not understand and think them to be judgmental. They would be showing a loss in their annual denominational statistics!

Enough of such foolishness! Dead flies were in the perfume. What they thought was wisdom and honor by turning a blind eye to Jezebel’s actions, was actually foolishness that threatened all that they were as a church. Their tolerance was misplaced. It’s certainly appropriate for Christians to display tolerance toward others with different personalities and backgrounds. But Jesus Christ is intolerant when it comes to allowing false doctrine and ungodly lifestyles in the church. Toleration of false doctrine or ungodly lifestyles undermines the nature of the church as “the pillar and the support of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:15).

The reality that the church had tolerated this false prophetess among them demonstrates the measure of carelessness and presumption among them. Because they did have so many wonderful things happening among them, they left themselves unguarded. A fifth column worked in their midst to undo the godly testimony that they had developed in the community. Not only were the leaders at fault, but also the members of the church failed to truly care for each other by guarding one another against false teaching and ungodly living.

2. Seeds of destruction
Notice what took place by this woman’s influence. She taught and led astray those that Christ called “My bond-servants.” While she obviously was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, her language, demeanor, and convincing manner duped Christians. We must never think that we are impervious to that kind of smooth influence. As Paul told the Corinthians after warning them of the devastating influence of temptation to sin, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). None are exempt. I’ve lost count of my fellow ministers that have succumbed to certain ways of thinking that led to doctrinal slipping and eventually led to moral failure. That’s what we’re warned of in this passage and countless others.

We have the reminder in this church that our church must never grow weary of spiritual diligence. We must be alert to teaching that lacks biblical authenticity or promotion of lifestyles that cross the line of propriety. It seems that if the adversary cannot crush us by external oppression, he gladly turns loose the fifth column among us to tear down the good work of Christ through the gospel.

Evidently the problem in Thyatira that Christ calls attention to had been going on for some time. Jesus explained, “I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.” Time in this case doesn’t refer to a specific event but to chronological time. Some had warned this Jezebel of her sinful ways but she had no desire (“she does not want”—Greek thelos expresses desire) to change. She loved her ways and not the way of the cross. Maybe even John had warned her during some of his pastoral work in that region. But time had run out on the patience of Christ. Her actions had multiplied in the way that she led others astray. It could go on no longer. She wouldn’t repent; the church wouldn’t act; so Christ took action.

3. Serious warning
Those who paint a picture of Jesus Christ as soft and effeminate have not read this passage! He loves His churches enough to take action among them when they fail to deal with their false teaching and sinful ways. “Behold, [here idou is an imperative, “Look!” and so a command to recognize Christ at work in judgment] 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 known that I am He who searches the minds [literally, kidneys, as the seat of affections or emotions] and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” Jesus Christ is not only Savior but also Judge. We dare not think that He indulges His people in their sins as an irresponsible parent might do. The language describes divine action to stop the spread of this malicious evil in the church.

Jezebel “is a local expression of the harlot Babylon, who is to appear in Revelation 17,” as Dennis Johnson points out. There we find the seductiveness of the world “drunk with the blood of the saints,” seeking to undermine the church. But the Lamb overcomes both the harlot and her followers (17:14) just as Christ does in this local church setting. The “children” represent “her adulterous lovers, who, when she has secured her grip on their hearts, become so enmeshed in her corruption that their identity becomes inseparable from hers” [D. Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb, 81].

Here we find the combination of both judgment and discipline. Jesus judges the situation, disciplines those who belong to Him in order to lovingly and firmly purify His church, and then judges with condemnation those who are enemies of righteousness. Dennis Johnson again strikes the chord of this passage. “Church discipline and Jesus’ demand of exclusive loyalty looked narrow to the pluralistic culture of the Hellenistic world, as it does in our tolerant and relativistic day; but church discipline, when pursued with biblical motives and methods, expresses Jesus’ love for his bride” [81].

Christ’s action in Thyatira was not just for them but for all churches. “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.” ‘Ah,’ but someone might say, ‘that makes me fearful of Christ. Surely, I’m not to fear Him.’ If He is the Judge, and I’m on the receiving end of His righteous judgment, then I’m a fool if I do not fear! Here is a warning for the churches through the ages to be fearful that Christ will have to take care of the judgment and discipline that we have the responsibility to exercise. Here is the call to pay close attention to our life and doctrine.

III. No other burden
But what about all of those that had nothing to do with this Jezebel and her teaching? I’m glad that you asked! Christ gives special instructions for the rest of the church.

1. Nothing fancy
That’s my way of verbalizing what Christ said: “I place no other burden on you.” They had steered clear of this false teaching and lifestyle, and had maintained faithfulness to Christ. They had not held to or known “the deep things of Satan” as it appeared that the Jezebel followers called it. She had duped some into thinking that if you’re going to defeat the devil then you must know his secret ways—the deep things. We must beware of any who advocate introduction to “secrets” of the Christian life. How can it be secret when God has revealed all the truth necessary for life and godliness in the Scripture? It may not be understood; or it may not yet be revealed by the Spirit but it is not a secret gospel or a secret sanctification when clearly stated in God’s Word!

The phrase, “I place no other burden on you,” appears to mirror the same thought in the letter sent to the churches in the Galatian region after the Jerusalem Council. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from these things, you will do well” (Acts 15:28-29). It was not that they were to “hang loose,” as was advocated in the 70’s. Rather, Christ did not place regulations and legalisms on them. They were to use their heads when it came to life and doctrine.

2. Hold fast
That phrase keeps showing up. “Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.” It calls for steadiness and consistency as Christians. We do not need new programs or clever methods for getting around the need for daily discipline in the Christian life. Christ promises to grant His blessing to the one “who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until I come.” Some in Thyatira had been following “her deeds,” and now must heed the call to repentance. But for the rest, Christ calls us to holding steady until He comes. I think that we can boil this down to two actions: hear the Word and heed the Word. Seek direction for your life in the Scripture properly interpreted in its context. Commune with Christ daily in His Word. Take heed to applying the Word to your daily life. Meditate not only to know Christ but to be conformed to Him through faithfulness and obedience. Those who hear the Word and heed the Word will not be entangled by modern Balaams or Jezebels. They’ve learned that Christ doesn’t call us to be fancy but to be faithful in the disciplines of the Christian life.


3. Rewarding life
As with the other churches, Christ ends His letter with promises for the future. The first, in this case (vv. 26-27) links the authority of Christ’s rule stated in the Second Psalm with those who will reign with Him. “To him I will give authority over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father.” The intention is to show the wonder of being united with Christ. Among the churches of Asia Minor, the believers knew the evidence of oppression and persecution. But to the overcomers, Christ promises that the oppressors will not get the last word. The day will come, as pictured later in chapter 19, when the triumphant Christ will come with His armies clothed in fine linen. “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty” (19:15).

As if that is not enough, He adds, “And I will give him the morning star.” Jesus identifies Himself in 22:16 as “the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The promise for overcomers is satisfaction with Jesus Christ. Yes, Christians may go through suffering, oppression, and trials in this world but all of that will pale before the glory of the bright morning star—Jesus Christ!

Conclusion
We must never take for granted being a church and what that entails. Christ calls us to pay attention to our lives and our doctrine. Carelessness leads to “dead flies in the perfume.” Through Christ who has overcome through His death and resurrection, let us be a sweet fragrance to His glory.

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