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Letters to Seven Churches (Part Five): Thyatira
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe letter to the church of Thyatira, found in Revelation 2, stands as the longest among the seven letters to the churches, central in position with three before and three after. It addresses a critical issue of worldliness, where the Thyatiran congregation struggles with a dangerous mixture of godly truth and worldly, satanic ideas. This syncretism threatens to defile their morality and separate them from God, prompting Jesus Christ to issue a stern correction to prevent further deterioration of their relationship with Him. Thyatira, a commercial hub in a broad valley, was historically a border city between Pergamum and Sardis, often caught in conflict and changing hands. Its significance stemmed from trade routes, making it a key manufacturing center for war materials like wool, leather, bronze, and brass. The city housed numerous trade guilds, more than any other in the region, dedicated to pagan gods like Apollo and Artemis. Membership in these guilds often required participation in festivals, communal meals in temples, and ritual sexual promiscuity, posing a severe challenge for Christians who risked expulsion, loss of livelihood, and social ostracism if they refused to comply. In the letter, Jesus Christ identifies Himself as the Son of God, with eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass, emphasizing His divine authority and otherworldly power to judge and purify. He commends a faithful core within the Thyatiran church for their love, service, faith, and endurance, noting their growth in these virtues over time. However, He rebukes the church for tolerating a self-proclaimed prophetess, likened to Jezebel, who deceives members into participating in sexual immorality and eating meat sacrificed to idols, practices tied to the guild rituals. This tolerance of evil and the following of her teachings split the church into three groups: the faithful, the tolerant, and the heretics who embrace her ways. The problem in Thyatira is internal, stemming from within the congregation, unlike external pressures faced by other churches. This ongoing issue, marked by an unwillingness to repent, reveals a twisted logic among some Thyatirans who believe participating in pagan practices bears no spiritual consequence. Jesus Christ pronounces judgment, promising sickness to the false prophetess, great tribulation to her followers, and death to her spiritual children, underscoring the severity of their apostasy with historical parallels to the fate of the biblical Jezebel. To the faithful, He offers reassurance, placing no additional burden beyond enduring and remaining steadfast. He warns against the depths of satan, possibly a reference to the deceptive belief among some that they could engage with evil without harm, reflecting spiritual pride. To those who overcome and keep His works until the end, He promises power over nations, to shepherd with a rod of iron, and the morning star, symbolizing intimate unity with Him. His message to Thyatira is clear: they must choose between serving God or the world, for they cannot do both.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Seven): Repentance
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs High Priest, Christ is putting His people through the paces, tailoring the trials and experiences needed for sanctification and ultimate glorification.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eight): Overcoming
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEach of the letters in Revelation 2 and 3 speak of overcoming. By examining those churches, we can understand what we are up against and what we must do.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughUps and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.
The Seven Churches (Part One): Overview
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughRevelation's seven churches have intrigued readers for centuries. Were they just seven historical churches, eras, or attitudes ever-present in the church?
The Seven Churches (Part Six): Thyatira
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThyatira receives a litany of praise and rebuke from our Savior. He particularly focuses on idolatry, which is spiritual fornication.
Christ's Vital Final Warning to His Church
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe must be careful in our approach to our spiritual riches so we do not fall into the same trap that people with abundant physical wealth fall.
Time to Repent (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeMore time to change does not always lead to more repentance. It may actually increase the danger that we will adjust to the sin and think it acceptable.
Time to Repent
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeGod usually grants abundant time for people to repent, but the recipients of this grace often interpret it as God's tolerance for their sin.
A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the Day of the Lord, Christ stands in the midst of all seven churches. We are to learn from the lessons from all seven, not get sidetracked by eras.
A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost of God's church believes that the seven letters of Revelation 2-3 reveal seven church eras. However, the Bible indicates an end-time fulfillment.
The Remnant
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe subject of a remnant occurs 540 times in the Bible! What is a remnant? How does it apply in this end time? How does it apply to the church?
Blessing Promises: Our Spiritual Inheritance
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen we ask to be blessed, it should be exclusively on God's terms. What God has done in our lives is the best preparation for our future responsibilities.
He Who Overcomes
Sermon by John O. ReidJust as fighting to escape its cocoon strengthens the butterfly, our calling requires effort above what the world has to endure to become free of Satan's cocoon.
Revelation 10 and the Laodicean Church
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRevelation 10 and 11 describe a time before the Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, a time when the last of the seven thunders rumbles to a faint whimper.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Seven)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe letters to the seven churches of Revelation warn of losing our first love, heeding false teachers, compromising God's Truth, and forgetting right doctrine.
The Times They Are a-Changin'
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaBob Dylan's lyrics in 'The Times They Are A-changin' seem prescient; within a few years of Herbert Armstrong's death, heresies were imported into the church.
But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
'Prophecy Watch' by David F. MaasIn the letters to the seven churches, Scripture foresees that a dearth of steadfastness marks the time of the end, but Christians are urged to hold fast.
Revelation 2-3 and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.
I Know Your Works
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughContrary to Protestant understanding, our works emphatically do count - showing or demonstrating (not just telling) that we will be obedient.
A Place of Safety? (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has the ability to protect and save in a variety of methods. The Scriptures reveal various purposes for intervention, protection, and prudent escape.
Who Will Be Kept from the Hour of Trial?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod promises some Christians that He will keep them from the Tribulation, the 'hour of trial.' Here are the characteristics of those whom God will protect.
Tolerance
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamTolerating perversion in our midst will attract the wrath of Almighty God. Tolerance of evil out of political correctness is not an option for us.