TEXT:  Rev. 2:18-28

INTRODUCTION:

A.  LETTERS TO CHURCHES OF ASIA.

          1.  Name the 7 churches.

          2.  Good information for us (1 Cor. 16:1;  4:17;  14:33).

B.  FORM OF THE LETTERS:

          1.  Salutation.                                                        5.  Warning or threat of judgment.

          2.  Jesus’ self designation.                                      6.  Exhortation.

          3.  Commendation of good.                                   7.  Promise.

          4.  Condemnation of evil.

C.  WE WILL FOLLOW THIS FORM.

I.      TO THYATIRA.

A.  LYDIA FROM HERE (Acts 16:32). Seller of purple in Philippi, product of Thyatira.

B.  WORSHIPPED GOD ON A HORSE WITH A BATTLE-AX.

C.  KNOWN FOR TRADE GUILDS, MANY OF WHICH BUILT IDOLS. 

          CHRISTIANS WOULD NOT JOIN ON GROUNDS OF CONSCIENCE.

II.     JESUS’ SELF DESCRIPTION (vs. 18).

A  EYES LIKE A FLAME, KNOWS OUR HEARTS (Mark 2:6-9)..

B.  FEET LIKE BURNISHED BRASS. UNKNOWN METAL.  GLOWING FROM FURNACE.

          1.  Reminiscent of Mal. 4:3.

          2.  Judgment (Heb. 4:12-13).

III.    COMMENDATION (vs. 19).  I KNOW YOUR WORKS.

A.  WORKS (Eph. 4:16;  1 Thess. 1:8).

B.  LOVE à FOR GOD (Matt. 22:37-38),  EACH OTHER (Eph. 4:1-3).

C.  FAITH (Heb. 11:6) à TRUST (Heb. 11:8;  Jas. 2:24).

D.  MINISTRY or SERVICE (Phil. 2:1-5).

E.  PATIENCE – ENDURANCE (Heb. 12:1-2;  1 Pet.4:19).

F.  GROWTH (Phil. 3:13-16;  Eph. 4:16).

IV.   CONDEMNATION - JEZEBEL(vs. 20). 

A.  PHOENICIAN WIFE OF WICKED AHAB – BAAL WORSHIP – CHILD SACRIFICE.

          1.  Most provocative (1 Kings 16:33).

          2.  Jezebel, enemy of Elijah and God.

          3.  Killed by eunuchs, eaten by dogs.

          4.  Personifies Idolatry and Error.  EVIL.

B.  LITERAL WOMAN? or SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL? Rebel, hostile to truth.  Seduction.

          1.  Warned, but would not repent (vs. 21).

          2.  Cast into a bed with followers for sin and judgment.

          3.  Spiritual adultery (Jer. 3:9;  Rom. 7:1-5).

C.  JESUS MEANS BUSINESS! (vs. 23;  Titus 3:9-11).

V.    COMFORT INSTEAD  OF WARNING (vs. 24).

A.  TO THE REST – THOSE WHO ARE DOCTRINALLY PURE.

B.  WHO KNOW NOT THE DEEP THINGS OF SATAN..

          1.  Error resulting from exalting of human wisdom (Eph. 4:17-19;  Rom. 1:20ff.).

          2.  Today, replace God w/Earth worship – see earth pledge.

          3.  How do they view you? (1 Cor. 1:18).

          4.  God’s answer (1 Cor. 1:18-21,  26-31).

VI.   EXHORTATION, HOLD FAST WHAT YOU HAVE (vs. 25).

VII.  PROMISE TO THEM THAT OVERCOME (vs. 26-28).

A.  AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS.

          1.  Victory, not defeat.

          2  Reign w/Jesus

                   a.  Rod of iron (Rev. 12:5;  19:15;  Psa. 2:7-9).

                    b.  Reign w/Jesus? (Rev. 5:9-10;  Eph. 2:4-7).

B.  THE MORNING STAR (Rev. 22:16).  HOPE IN THE DARK NIGHT OF DEATH.

CONCLUSION:

A.  DOES THIS DESCRIBE US AS A CONGREGATION?

          1.  Commendation?

          2.  Condemnation?

C.  WOULD YOU REIGN WITH JESUS?