THE CHURCH THAT COMPROMISED (4 OF 7)
Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29
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The Church That Compromised (4 of 7)
Series: The 7 Churches in Revelation
Richard Bradley
Revelation 2:18-29
Sometimes it's interesting to contrast one of the seven churches with another. For instance, the church at Ephesus was theologically and morally correct and yet lacking in love. They were faithfully doing the right things for the wrong reasons. However, the church at Thyatira was actually increasing in love and spiritual devotion but rapidly becoming morally bankrupt. According to the risen Christ we must have both.
The small city of Thyatira was a marvel of its day. It was a city of commerce and trade and was famous for its industry. The factories of Thyatira turned out a purple dye and purple cloth that was all the rage of the world of fashion. Remember Lydia? She was from Thyatira and a wealthy ''seller of purple.''
It's not what believers in Thyatira did to make a living - it's what they were willing to do so they could make a living. The industry of Thyatira was ruled by unions or ''trade guilds.'' To make a living working in ''purple'' one had to be a member of a guild. To be a member one had to make all sorts of moral compromises by engaging in certain shameful activities. Apparently, an influential woman in the church named ''Jezebel'' was encouraging them to do exactly that. This church had gone back on its commitment to Christ because it was the expedient thing to do - ''they were going alone to get along!''
Revelation 2:18-29
18 ''And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 ''I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I ...
Series: The 7 Churches in Revelation
Richard Bradley
Revelation 2:18-29
Sometimes it's interesting to contrast one of the seven churches with another. For instance, the church at Ephesus was theologically and morally correct and yet lacking in love. They were faithfully doing the right things for the wrong reasons. However, the church at Thyatira was actually increasing in love and spiritual devotion but rapidly becoming morally bankrupt. According to the risen Christ we must have both.
The small city of Thyatira was a marvel of its day. It was a city of commerce and trade and was famous for its industry. The factories of Thyatira turned out a purple dye and purple cloth that was all the rage of the world of fashion. Remember Lydia? She was from Thyatira and a wealthy ''seller of purple.''
It's not what believers in Thyatira did to make a living - it's what they were willing to do so they could make a living. The industry of Thyatira was ruled by unions or ''trade guilds.'' To make a living working in ''purple'' one had to be a member of a guild. To be a member one had to make all sorts of moral compromises by engaging in certain shameful activities. Apparently, an influential woman in the church named ''Jezebel'' was encouraging them to do exactly that. This church had gone back on its commitment to Christ because it was the expedient thing to do - ''they were going alone to get along!''
Revelation 2:18-29
18 ''And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
19 ''I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
21 And I ...
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