THE ADULTEROUS CHURCH
REVELATIONS 2: 18 - 29
PART 4 of 4
Façade of the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran
photo courtesy of Wikipedia
18) And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;
19) I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25) But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father.
28) And I will give him the Morning Star.
29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (King James Version Public Domain)
19) I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24) But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25) But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father.
28) And I will give him the Morning Star.
29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (King James Version Public Domain)
COMMENTARY
We have looked at the first three churches, which are supposed to be gone by the rapture. Beginning with the Church in Thyatira, the remaining churches will still be in operation at The Lord's return (note verse 25, which was not mentioned in the first 3 letters). I just have to say, though, that I can see some of the first three churches in my own spiritual life.
The word "thyatira" comes from two words: one word meaning "sacrifice", or "an incense-offering"; the other meaning "continually". This church sets forth the period which was the result of the union of the church and state, as set up by the Pergamos Church. It was in the 7th century when the Bishop of Rome, whom Constantine had elevated to a position equal to nobles, became the visible head of the church and was recognized as Christ's vicegerent. However, according to www.dictionary.com, a vicegerent is "an officer appointed as deputy BY AND TO a sovereign or supreme chief! There is no record of God appointing the Bishop!
Verse 18 identifies the Speaker as "The Son of God", not the son of Mary, or a saint or anyone but The Only Begotten Son Of The One True God. When you offer a sacrifice for sins, something or someone has to die. When He agreed to be our sacrificial Lamb, He pronounced, "It is finished." He does not need to be continually killed and sacrificed by the bishop or pope. His work was finished over 2000 years ago.
Understand, that Jesus gave His life for our sins. He loves us that much! Since He loves us that much, why would we need to go to His mother or one of His disciples to put in a good word on our behalf? How could He demonstrate His love for us any more than He has? We petition The Father in The Name of Jesus.
I did a double take when I read verse 19. The Apostle John was to tell the angel of the Church in Thyatira that God knows of their works, and charity, and service, and faith, and their patience, and their works; and the last to be more than the first. Why did God know their works---twice? The first "works" include the sisters and monks; the hospitals and orphanages, which were run by the Church. Their last "works" will be greater than the first.
Now, the commentaries point out that there was the first "works", which included charity, service, faith, and patience. They say that the second "works" is that the church's charity, service, faith, and patience grew as they worked for The Lord, that they grew closer to God as they ministered to others. I find this to be consistent in my own life, don't you?
But "Jezebel" tried to attract more pagans to the church, so she transformed the church to the likeness of the world. She ended up with a mixture of heathenism, Christianity, and Judaism. The two things He holds against Rome is spiritual fornication and idolatry. Spiritual fornication is the union of the church and the world; idolatry is the worship of images. Can they not just read the Ten Commandments and know they have set themselves against God?
But He gave her space to repent. The reformation period produced many Christians who clearly pronounced the error of her ways. Power is a heady thing. Once you have it, you will do anything to keep it (just look at our elected officials). The people of the church are no different. If they have a hardened heart, they are not in it to give God the glory, but to promote their own self interest.
The Catholic Church has promoted the Mother of Jesus to a position of diety, saying she was sinless. They have promoted their Popes to a position of infallibility, yet they are known to reverse themselves on issues. He who has eyes, let him see!
The time will come, after the calling away of the Church, when Rome will be recognized as Spiritual Babylon the Great! Yet, God sees those who do not prescribe to the false teachings. He recognizes those who belong to Him, may He be forever praised!
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The word "thyatira" comes from two words: one word meaning "sacrifice", or "an incense-offering"; the other meaning "continually". This church sets forth the period which was the result of the union of the church and state, as set up by the Pergamos Church. It was in the 7th century when the Bishop of Rome, whom Constantine had elevated to a position equal to nobles, became the visible head of the church and was recognized as Christ's vicegerent. However, according to www.dictionary.com, a vicegerent is "an officer appointed as deputy BY AND TO a sovereign or supreme chief! There is no record of God appointing the Bishop!
Verse 18 identifies the Speaker as "The Son of God", not the son of Mary, or a saint or anyone but The Only Begotten Son Of The One True God. When you offer a sacrifice for sins, something or someone has to die. When He agreed to be our sacrificial Lamb, He pronounced, "It is finished." He does not need to be continually killed and sacrificed by the bishop or pope. His work was finished over 2000 years ago.
Understand, that Jesus gave His life for our sins. He loves us that much! Since He loves us that much, why would we need to go to His mother or one of His disciples to put in a good word on our behalf? How could He demonstrate His love for us any more than He has? We petition The Father in The Name of Jesus.
I did a double take when I read verse 19. The Apostle John was to tell the angel of the Church in Thyatira that God knows of their works, and charity, and service, and faith, and their patience, and their works; and the last to be more than the first. Why did God know their works---twice? The first "works" include the sisters and monks; the hospitals and orphanages, which were run by the Church. Their last "works" will be greater than the first.
Now, the commentaries point out that there was the first "works", which included charity, service, faith, and patience. They say that the second "works" is that the church's charity, service, faith, and patience grew as they worked for The Lord, that they grew closer to God as they ministered to others. I find this to be consistent in my own life, don't you?
But "Jezebel" tried to attract more pagans to the church, so she transformed the church to the likeness of the world. She ended up with a mixture of heathenism, Christianity, and Judaism. The two things He holds against Rome is spiritual fornication and idolatry. Spiritual fornication is the union of the church and the world; idolatry is the worship of images. Can they not just read the Ten Commandments and know they have set themselves against God?
But He gave her space to repent. The reformation period produced many Christians who clearly pronounced the error of her ways. Power is a heady thing. Once you have it, you will do anything to keep it (just look at our elected officials). The people of the church are no different. If they have a hardened heart, they are not in it to give God the glory, but to promote their own self interest.
The Catholic Church has promoted the Mother of Jesus to a position of diety, saying she was sinless. They have promoted their Popes to a position of infallibility, yet they are known to reverse themselves on issues. He who has eyes, let him see!
The time will come, after the calling away of the Church, when Rome will be recognized as Spiritual Babylon the Great! Yet, God sees those who do not prescribe to the false teachings. He recognizes those who belong to Him, may He be forever praised!
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