The Corrupt Church of Thyatira..



By: R.S. Helms

The church at Thyatira, the corrupt church.  Today there are a number of churches and denominations of the Christian faith that fall into this category.  This is one of the churches that some of the most corrupt Christians deny they belong.  Perhaps it is one of the reasons that some mainline denominations are losing people, and churches.  Part of the reason that so many millennials deny being Christian at all.  After all, Christianity has many houses, and not all of them are without fault.  Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor demonstrate two of seven have a problem; this could mean that two in every seven Christians have a problem.

Rev. 2:18—29 … 29). “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write.  ‘These things says the Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.  19). ‘I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.  20). ‘Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.  21). ‘And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22). ‘Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23). “I will kill her children with death, 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.  24). ‘Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25). ‘But hold fast what you have till I come. 26). ‘And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--- 27). ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’--- as I have received from My Father; 28). And I will give him the morning star.  39). ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

This is the longest letter of the seven, and gives an abundance of issues that are relevant in today’s world, funny how God seems to be able to apply his Word to any chronological period, and any condition.  Some complain that I am not with the trend, this is untrue, and it is the trends that make me speak out, generally against what is popular. 

Again, Jesus addresses the letter to the angel of the church; then identifies Himself and His authority.  Of course, comes the four things that He commends them on, the things they are doing right.  He adds an interesting thought here, “And as for your works, the last are more than the first.”  This could mean that the love, service, faith, are not of the same quantity as that of patience.  Many scholars continue to debate the meaning of the added thought.

Next is the problem, some scholars say it is a woman who has taken control of the church, and is calling herself a prophetess and is allowed to teach and seduce the servants of the church, to commit sexual immorality.  What sexual immorality?

Today, some denominations are allowing homosexuals to occupy the pulpits, and lead churches.  Nonetheless, Jesus said “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.”  He says what He will do, throw her into a sickbed, apparently the lack of temperance, (self-control), does have its consequences.  “And those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation.” “Unless they repent of their deeds.”  Jesus is the God of a second chance; he still loves them, just as he loves you and me.

“I will kill her children with death.”  It is not clear, wither this is the second death, (spiritual death), or not.  Nonetheless, either way, it is a serious condition to be tolerant of such evil.  If you are among the congregations who are tolerating this behavior in the pulpit, you need to find a strong Bible believing church, there are those still in the ones who have left the denominations, and believe as they did prior to the denomination’s decision to go along with the political correctness, and a trend of the world. 

“And all the churches will know that I am He that searches the minds and hearts.”  God truly knows your heart, and your mind.  You cannot lie to God, and if you are lying to yourself—shame on you, you will have your just reward. You may even be rewarded here in this life, with good things, the desires of your human nature, you might even acquire a lot of stuff and money; but what of your eternal life?  Where do you want to spend eternity?  Choice is yours.

Jesus goes on to say, “I will give to each one of you according to your works.  This is not to mean, under no rendering of the word of God, that works brings salvation, you are saved by grace, and not of works.  Salvation brings about good works, and that is precisely the meaning here, as Jesus speaks to the church.

Jesus speaks to the city as well, “Now to you I say, and to the rest of Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who has not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.”  There is a promise of no other burden not only to the church but also to all of Thyatira who do not have this doctrine.  The doctrine is from the depths of Satan, evil is evil, regardless of what political correctness dictates for your life; you do not have to be a Christian to know, in your heart and mind, what is right and what is wrong.

“But hold fast to what you have till I come.  Get a death grip on what you have, what you believe and do not tolerate what someone else tells you is correct, or some whacky celebrity promotes as trendy.  Peer pressure is terribly strong, especially to those of us that want to be accepted.  Nevertheless, the celebrity who tells their fans wrong is not wrong, and be a free soul, do what you want, set your own morality, and are the ones who are wrong.  Political correctness and celebrity pressure is a big part of the loss of moral values in our great nation, along with the onset of Christian persecution.

During the millennial reign of Christ, the saints will rule with Him over the whole world.  It is not the reason I want Christ in my life, I could care less if I rule a nation.  It is being with Christ, and of course all the saints, not to rule, but in love and fellowship. 

Over the past decade evil people with evil agendas moved much too fast to gain control over the people of the world; yet, they have nearly convinced people of being stupid and they know what is best.  And by doing so, tolerance is preached by intolerant people, good people have abandoned moral values and turned to evil doctrines from the depths of Satan. 

Once good Christians have surrendered to new theologies, of liberalism, humanism, and progressivism.  Once great Christian denominations have abandoned the authority of the word of God in lieu of false teachings and false teachers.  The Jezebels of Christianity are now tolerated in the pulpits of Christian churches. 

Next time I am accused of not being tolerant of what the Bible deems sexual immorality, I will hold fast to my faith and simply say you are right to a point; I am intolerant of sin, nonetheless, I love the person, Jesus loves the homosexual, but not the sin of sexual immorality.  All the names, they can invent, to call me, belittle me and they shall, will not cause me to lose my death grip on the word of God, and the faith.

However, for those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the church, not what I say, although I will continue to preach intolerance of sin. 

It is not only the sin of sexual immorality; it is the loss of moral values.  Moral values determine what is right from wrong.  I still believe that it is wrong for thugs to continue to do what they do.  I read a report of a city that told the citizens not to fight back or try to stop the thugs committing crimes, why? Because they could be arrested and prosecuted for trying to intervene. 

CAIR is now lobbing for Sharia Law in the United States.  Muslims are picketing local municipalities for Sharia Law.  If a Muslim family wishes to impose Sharia, just go back to the Middle East, where they can have all the Sharia they want.  Our justice system, has flaws, nevertheless, it is the best system in the world and need only to be policed and held accountable for injustice. 

How is it with you?  Are you tired of holding on to the faith?  Remember, stand firm, persevere and stand for what is right in the sight of God.