Title [Rev 2:18-29] Thyatira Church 2
Last time, we introduced the advantages of Thyatira Church. The first was business, love, faith, service, and perseverance, and the second was that there were more later actions than the first. He said that he would give them authority over the nations and the morning star as a blessing. Although there were good things like this, you can see that there was a negative side to the church. I hope today will be a precious time to introduce ourselves and strengthen ourselves.
2. Disadvantages of Thyatira Church
① He said that it was wrong to tolerate Jezebel, a woman who calls herself a prophet. You are being rebuked for this. As we know, Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab. Jezebel's father was Ethbaal king of Sideon. He was originally a priest in the temple of Ashera, who ruled for 32 years after he murdered the king and usurped his place. Jezebel, who had a father who believed and served Baal and Ashrah, was not only a religiously polarizing pagan, but also very cruel. It can be seen that she married King Ahab and came to Israel to serve Baal and Asherah, and even at his table, 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah were fanatic enough to make a living (1 Kings 18:19). Ahab, who was influenced by him, betrayed God and stood on Jezebel's side, built numerous Baal temples, and was active in making the people worship Baal and Ashrah.
When the Thyatira church members tolerated Jezebel, it means that they tolerated those who worship other gods than God. The first step in changing the faith is tolerating the heathen. Tolerating heresy is not tolerance, understanding, or generosity. The truth is never negotiable. The Thyatira Church made the mistake of tolerating even heathens because it was full of love. This is never love.
The Korean church has many concerns in this regard. In some cases, they join together with heretics and engage in coalition activities. Some criticize our denomination for being narrow, but we must not show any gaps in the maintenance of the truth.
As a result of forgiving, you will fall into their lessons. “He taught my servants,” he said. The more heretics, the better at teaching. There are few who will not fall for their teaching. At the same time, they are tricked in several ways. Teaching and enticement are the means of delusion used by heretics.
The members of the Thyatira Church tolerated the heathen and disobeyed God by committing fornication and eating things sacrificed to idols by their teaching and deceit. The church in Ephesus was praised for “not tolerating the wicked” (Rev 2:2), and the church in Thyatira was rebuked because it tolerated them.
An evil deed that is worse than sin is not repenting of the sins you have committed. The Lord rebukes you in a strong tone for this. No excuses, excuses, or transfer of responsibility for sins are tolerated. The actions of the first man, Adam, were so cowardly. That is why all of us, his descendants, are born sinners. On the contrary, David immediately repented and received forgiveness without delay. He admitted that he was righteous. None of us is without sin. If you look at yourself, there are so many things to repent of. Let us examine ourselves day by day and repent so that we can all live holy lives.
③ When a person commits a sin and does not repent, God's terrible judgment will come. God examines even the will and heart of a person. And he rewards each one according to their deeds. If you sin and do not repent, great misfortune will follow. Jezebel (a pagan) will fall ill and die (throw in bed), those who compromise with him will face great tribulation, and those who are completely lost (children) will die. It's scary. To die here is not physical death, but eternal punishment in hell. Therefore, we need to be careful not to fall into heresy (heathens), and if we are ever deceived, we hope that we will become believers who will quickly repent and avoid terrible punishment.