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Thyatira (The Church
That Condoned Sin)
Introduction
Revelation 2:18–29 records the Lord’s message to Thyatira—a
hardworking congregation that tolerated corrupt teaching.
Christ, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, searches hearts
and minds and calls His people to repent and hold fast to
what is true.
The Son of God Who
Sees All
Jesus introduces Himself to Thyatira as the Son of God, “who
has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished
bronze” (Revelation 2:18). His gaze penetrates appearances
and motives. His steadfast strength does not waver. Nothing
in a church or heart is hidden from Him. This opening lifts
our eyes to the majesty of Christ and prepares us to receive
His searching words with humility.
Commended for Love,
Faith, Service, and Perseverance
The Lord knows their works. He names their love, their
faith, their ministry to others, and their patient
endurance, and He even notes their growth—that their latter
works exceeded the first (Revelation 2:19). These graces
show a living congregation. Such commendation encourages
disciples today to pursue steady increase in visible
obedience flowing from sincere faith.
The Sin of
Toleration
Christ then reveals a deadly allowance: the church “permits”
a teacher He calls “Jezebel” to mislead His servants into
sexual immorality and idolatry (Revelation 2:20). Influence
matters. Teaching shapes conduct. When destructive teaching
is given a platform, souls are harmed. The church’s failure
was not a lack of activity; it was a willingness to allow
error to dwell among them. Love for the flock requires
guarding sound doctrine and correcting what opposes the
Lord’s will (Romans 16:17–18; Ephesians 5:11).
Christ’s Patient
Warnings and Just Judgments
Jesus says He gave that teacher time to repent, yet she
refused (Revelation 2:21). His patience is real, but it is
not approval. He warns of judgment upon her and those who
share her deeds unless they repent (Revelation 2:22–23). The
Lord searches minds and hearts and repays each according to
works. These words sober every reader. The mercy of God
invites repentance; the justice of God assures
accountability.
Comfort for the
Faithful Remnant
To the many in Thyatira who did not embrace those teachings,
Jesus lays on them no other burden than this: hold fast what
you have until He comes (Revelation 2:24–25). When error
surfaces, faithful Christians need clear encouragement to
continue in the truth, keep their hearts pure, and maintain
their works with patience.
The Promise to the
Overcomer
Those who keep Christ’s works to the end will share in His
victory and receive “authority over the nations,” echoing
Psalm 2, and will be given “the morning star” (Revelation
2:26–28). The Lord grants fellowship in His reign and the
gift of Himself. The morning star signals the end of night
and the joy of a new day. Christ Himself is the believer’s
unfading treasure.
He Who Has an Ear,
Let Him Hear
Jesus’ closing charge calls every church to listen to the
Spirit’s message (Revelation 2:29). Hearing means receiving,
obeying, and persevering. Churches are measured by both love
and truth, by zeal and holiness, by service and soundness.
The Lord who walks among the lampstands still sees, warns,
comforts, and promises.
Thyatira (The
Church That Condoned Sin) Sermon Outline:
Text:
Revelation 2:18–29
Thesis:
The Lord Jesus, who sees hearts and judges justly, commends
growing works yet condemns the toleration of corrupt
teaching; He calls for repentance, commands perseverance,
and promises royal fellowship to those who overcome.
I.
Christ’s Majestic
Identity (Revelation 2:18)
– Son of God; eyes like fire; feet like burnished bronze.
– He sees motives and stands unshakable in holiness.
II.
Christ’s
Commendation of Growth (Revelation 2:19)
– Love, faith, service, perseverance.
– Latter works greater than the first; growth pleases the
Lord.
III.
The Church’s Sin:
Permitting Corruption (Revelation 2:20; Romans
16:17–18; Ephesians 5:11)
– “You tolerate” a deceiver like Jezebel.
– False teaching led to immorality and idolatry.
– Shepherding requires guarding doctrine and disciplining
error.
IV.
The Lord’s
Patience and Judgment (Revelation 2:21–23)
– Time to repent was granted; refusal brings consequences.
– Christ searches minds and hearts; He repays justly.
V.
Encouragement to
the Faithful (Revelation 2:24–25)
– To the rest: no other burden—hold fast until He comes.
– Perseverance is the pathway of the faithful.
VI.
Promises to
Overcomers (Revelation 2:26–28; Psalm 2:8–9)
– Share in Christ’s victory and authority.
– Receive the morning star—Christ Himself.
VII.
Call to Hear
(Revelation 2:29)
– Hear the Spirit; respond with repentance, purity, and
steadfastness.
Call to Action
Set your heart before the Lord whose eyes are like a flame
of fire. Ask Him to expose any allowance of sin or error in
your life. Resolve to hold fast to the word you have
received, to love and to serve without abandoning truth, and
to repent quickly where He convicts. Seek the purity that
protects, the patience that endures, and the courage that
guards the flock. Keep Christ’s works to the end and set
your hope on His promise.
Key Takeaways
– Christ searches minds and hearts and judges justly
(Revelation 2:18, 23).
– Churches must grow in love, faith, service, and
perseverance (Revelation 2:19).
– Tolerating corrupt teaching endangers souls and must be
corrected (Revelation 2:20; Ephesians 5:11).
– The Lord’s patience invites repentance before judgment
falls (Revelation 2:21–22).
– The faithful must hold fast until He comes (Revelation
2:24–25).
– Overcomers share in Christ’s rule and receive the morning
star (Revelation 2:26–28; Psalm 2:8–9).
Scripture
Reference List
Revelation 2:18—Christ, the Son of God, with eyes like fire
and feet like bronze.
Revelation 2:19—Commendation for love, faith, service, and
perseverance; growth noted.
Revelation 2:20—Rebuke for tolerating a false teacher
leading into immorality and idolatry.
Romans 16:17–18—Mark and avoid those who cause divisions
contrary to sound doctrine.
Ephesians 5:11—Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of
darkness; reprove them.
Revelation 2:21–23—Christ’s patience, call to repentance,
and warning of judgment; He searches hearts.
Revelation 2:24–25—Encouragement to the faithful: hold fast
until Christ comes.
Revelation 2:26–28—Promise of authority with Christ and the
gift of the morning star.
Psalm 2:8–9—Messianic authority over the nations, echoed in
Revelation.
Revelation 2:29—Call to hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.
Prepared by Bobby
Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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church of Christ
