Daily Scripture Reading Revelation 2:18 - 3:6
Many people think 21st century Christianity and evangelicalism are healthy. Some of the factors causing this assumption are the popularity of Contemporary Christian Music, the prevalence of mega churches, and the frequency with which celebrities mention Jesus. We also have a huge Christian publishing and broadcasting industry.
However, the book of Revelation contains two letters written to 1st century churches in which those churches were exhorted to repent. When we look at why they were called to repent, we see that the warning to those churches is also very apropos today.
Rev. 2:18 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ¶ This is what the Son of God, the One who has eyes like a flame of fire and His feet are like burnished bronze, says:
The only reference to Thyatira in the Bible other than the book of Revelation is Acts 16:14 which tells us about a woman named Lydia who was from Thyatira.
The description of the eyes and feet of Jesus is from the first chapter of Revelation, verses 14-15.
Rev. 2:19 ¶ ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your last deeds are greater than at first.
Rev. 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and deceives My slaves so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
The primary complaint against the church in Thyatira was sexual immorality. This indicates that sexual purity is important to God.
Over the past century, the entertainment industry, and other forces, have very successfully broken down the taboos against sex outside of marriage, single parenthood, divorce, adultery, and remarriage. Today, all of those sins are common, and considered quite normal in Western culture. Those sins are even very common within the church.
The letter to the church in Thyatira reminds us that sexual immorality is very serious. This is not something Christians should treat cavalierly.
Rev. 2:21 And I gave her time to repent, and she does not wish to repent of her sexual immorality.
Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
Look at the word “repent”. Just as many in Thyatira needed to repent, so too many churches and Christians in the 21st century need to repent of sexual immorality.
Rev. 2:23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
Verses 22-23 list the consequences of sexual immorality. The severity of the consequences reinforces the severity of the offense.
Rev. 2:24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not have this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you.
Rev. 2:25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.
Rev. 2:26 And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;
Rev. 2:27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;
Rev. 2:28 and I will give him the morning star.
Rev. 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Rev. 3:1 ¶ “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ¶ This is what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
The church in Sardis is only mentioned in the book of Revelation.
Pay attention to the contrast between reputation and reality. Many people thought the church in Sardis was alive, but the reality was it was dead.
We have the same problem within 21st century evangelicalism. Many evangelical churches, particularly mega churches, have good reputations and are considered to be thriving churches. However, they have watered-down their message, many members engage in sexual immorality, and they are full of people who are not saved. Therefore, even though they have a reputation for being alive, the reality is quite different.
Rev. 3:2 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God.
Rev. 3:3 So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.
Look again at the word “repent”. Just as the church in Sardis needed to repent, so too many churches today need to repent because reality does not match their reputation.
Rev. 3:4 But you have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
This is an encouragement to every 21st century Christian who is troubled by the corruption of modern Christianity. Just as there were a few in Sardis who were deemed worthy of walking with Jesus in white, so too it is possible for Christians today to please Jesus, despite the sin and error that is so rampant in our churches.
Rev. 3:5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Rev. 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Due to the existence of mega churches, CCM, Christian publishing, mission agencies, and other Christian organizations, many people think modern Christianity is healthy. However, the letters found in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation give us an insight into how God evaluates churches. High on God’s list of priorities is sexual purity. Unfortunately, sexual immorality is prevalent in 21st century Christianity. This is one factor which should cause us to conclude that the reality of modern evangelicalism does not match its reputation.
To what extent is sexual immorality, such as sex outside marriage and adultery, prevalent within your church?
How effectively is your pastor training your congregation to have high sexual standards?
What does your church need to do differently in order to not be guilty of the accusations leveled against the churches in Thyatira and Sardis?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”