There is no Bible record of “how” the Church at Thyatira was established. No indication that Paul the Apostle ever visited there.
I also forgot to mention the linkage between that city and Lydia. The lady Paul met at Philippi. Acts 16:14 … “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
Our Text is longer, but read it please …
REVELATION 2:18-29
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.
***
Jesus is here called the “Son of God.” This is the only time He is knows as Such in the whole Book of Revelation. But 47 more times He is so honored in the rest of the New Testament! (He IS the Son of God, indeed!)
***
Can a Christian lose his or her reward, or a portion thereof?
Looks like Thyatira’s ever increasing good works were about to be nullified! I do believe the Bible teaches that one’s salvation is secure, but one’s rewards for faithfulness can be lost due to careless living or unfaithfulness to the dear Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:15 … If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 John 1:8 … Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Revelation 3:11 … Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
***
No previous Church has been commended for its love! (We have studied these three so far … Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos!) But, almost surprisingly, Thyatira has love that is abounding! See verse 19 above.
***
In the case of Thyatira … doctrinal and moral purity then must be more weighty than good works? Ot at least as important as good works for the Christian!
Here … right Belief precedes right behaviour!
Then a Bible student may deduce … Orthodoxy (right belief) is certainly as important as orthopraxy! (right behaviour)!
***
The “deep things of satan” in Thyatira can be contrasted with …
1 Corinthians 2:10 … But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(I forgot to give the Bible Reference.)
***
Brother Bagwell, how do you know Jesus is the “Morning Star?”
Revelation 22:1 … “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
He says so!
***
Jezebel, some of her most wicked overt acts … …
(1) She sought to kill God’s Prophets!
1 Kings 18:4 … For it was so, when Jezebel cut off (murdered) the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.
1 Kings 18:13 … Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’S prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?
(2) She supported the Prophets of Baal!
1 Kings 18:19 … Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves (asherah = consort of Baal) four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
(3) She planned to kill Elijah!
1 Kings 19:1-2 … And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
(4) She was guilty of framing and murdering an innocent man named Naboth!
1 Kings 21, that chapter!
***
One more point …
Thyatira was THE ancient city of Trade Guilds, Labor Unions!
History has learned of these … wool workers, linen workers, tanners, leather workers, potters, bakers, shoemakers, slave traders, bronze workers!
Each was associated with some “patron” god or goddess and if you were a member of a “union,” you worshipped its god!
(What would that situation do to the job prospects of a godly Christian of that day?)
***
Well, watch the class if you can …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.