A LETTER FROM THE LORD

(4) REVELATION 2.18-29

TO THYATIRA: A LETTER ABOUT TOLERATION

Read Christ’s letter to Thyatira – and listen to what your leader has to tell you about the background.

This letter displays both the warm and the stern side of the Lord Jesus – both his loving approval and his uncompromising ‘intolerance’. Much food for thought!

I. 2.18: WHO CHRIST IS  – His self-portrayal

The key to this letter is found in Christ’s carefully chosen words of self-description.  There are truths here that this church needs to note!  What truths are they?

‘words of the Son of God’: Why should Jesus begin by this strong stress on his Person and authority?  (Is the clue found in ‘Jezebel’ in 2.20?)

‘eyes like blazing fire’.  What is significant about a person’s eyes?  What do the eyes tell us?

When do eyes ‘flame’ and ‘burn’?

What is Jesus conveying to the church in this piece of self-description?

‘feet like burnished bronze’.  This image seems to suggest swift strong movement and action. Do you agree?  If so, why stress this to Thyatira?

II.  2.19: WHAT CHRIST SEES AND LOVES –  His warm approval

A single, wonderful verse of warm approval.  Take time to unpack and enjoy it!

‘I know (and approve!) your deeds.’  Christ is quick to appreciate and commend.  Is this  true of us?  Or are we quick to disapprove and criticise?

Friends, family, work, church family:  Do we voice our appreciation to them – and  make a habit of it?  (Be honest!) If not, why not? If so, what effect does it have?

‘I know your love’.  What do you think he means by their love? For whom?

How high up the scale of importance is ‘love’? (Back your opinion up with Scripture’)

What do you think Christ might say about the love: in your fellowship group?  Our church? Your life?

‘I know your faith.’ What does he mean by their ‘faith’?

How important and precious is faith? Why do you say so? (see 1 Peter 1.5-9)

How is faith to be ‘measures’?

What do you think the level of faith in the Western Church is? In our Church?  Your faith?

‘I know your service...perseverance’.  How hard is it to continually persevere in service?

What tempts us to give up? (See Galatians 6.9 2 Thess 3.13)

‘You are doing more now than you did at first’.: precious growth and progress in the Christian live.

Is this true of us?  As a church?  Personally?

What might lead us to do less?

III. 2.20-25  WHAT CHRIST SEES AND LOATHES   - His strong disapproval

Six verses recounting the ‘intolerance’ of Christ.

What does Christ see in the Thyatira Church that he won’t stand? Just how intolerant is Christ?

(- try and get a clear picture of the sin of the ‘Jezebel’ in the church.)

Isn’t ‘toleration’ a Christian virtue? Wasn’t Jesus a tolerant person?  (Matthew 23.13-29)

When is tolerance a virtue/  When a sin?

In what ways must we be an ‘intolerant’ church?

What areas must the present day church be alert to oppose in modern society ?

What do we also learn about Christ’s patience? (2.21)  

 What does this teach us?

CONCLUSION:  2.26-29:  WHAT CHRIST PROMISES

To ‘the conqueror’ Christ promises:

 To share his authority 2.26-27

 To share himself  (Rev 22.16)