Revelation Study 6. Rev 2:1-17 (Letters to Thyatira and Sardis)

 For Thought and Discussion: 

a. What do Jesus' "eyes ... Iike blazing fire" (2:18) have to do with Thyatira? Consider 2:23.

We said that this means that Christ comes in cleansing, purifying judgment. He will deal with the false prophetess who seduced people to sexual immorality and idolatry (cf. 1 Kings 16:31; 2 Kings 9:22,30-37) and her followers.

b. How are His "feet ... like burnished bronze" (2:18) relevant?

We said that feet represent purity and stability.

Optional Application: The Ephesian church was strong on resisting false doctrine and immorality but weak on love (2:2-4). The Thyatiran church was strong on love but weak on resisting false doctrine and immorality (2:19-20). Which of these, if either, are you more like? What can you do about this?

Perhaps some of us are not strong in either aspect!
We cannot emphasize relational aspects of faith over doctrine, nor doctrine over relationship. The impetus to love must come from Biblical views of people and grace . People are undeserving and do not return good done. The purpose of doctrine is for richer relationships with God and more understanding, gracious relationships with others.

Why did the church tolerate this woman? Perhaps she was already in a position of authority or influenced others in authority. Perhaps she taught a 'harmless' message of 'deeper' things of God (2:24)
 

For Thought and Discussion: Why Is it significant that Revelation 2:27 ascribes to overcomers what Psalm 2:9 ascribes to Christ? (See Romans 8:17.)

We will share in His victory and ruling authority. The morning star is Christ himself (Rev 22:16, cf. Nu 24:17)

 

8. On page 45, summarize the good and bad aspects of the Thyatiran church's character.

Good: works of love faith, service and patient endurance. Increasing works

Bad: toleration of a false prophetess and her teaching.

9. What can we learn about Christ's methods of dealing with His people from 2:21-28?

He gives them time to repent

When they refuse to repent he will discipline them

Those who fully take on her teaching ("children", suggesting a deeper generational commitment to her teaching) will be destroyed.

He deals with each of us according to our works. 

He gives us the primary responsibility to be steadfast in faith (2:25, cf. Eph 6:13)

He rewards us with His own authority and His own self

For Thought and Discussion: 

a. Does Jesus have anything good to say about Sardis, other than the church's reputation? What does that tell you?

Good reputation. They 'received' and 'heard' the gospel.

A few faithful.

  

b. Jesus gives Sardis no promise of glory and authority, only the assurance that overcomers will not be blotted out from the book of life (3:5). What does this say about the way Jesus views churches like Sardis?

He exhorts them to wake up.

 Individuals in these churches who are faithful will be saved. The church as a whole may not.

When do we leave a church?

• •When we realize that we are in a church where theology has deviated from the true gospel.
• •When the sacraments are not rightly administered.
• •When the leadership of the church is morally corrupt.
• •A systemic exclusion from opportunities to serve

For Thought and Discussion: How can a church appear to be alive and thriving, but be dead?

In size, activities, Sunday services.

Yet dead in individual holiness, sincerity, at risk of denying Christ in hostile circumstances (Mt 10:32)

Asleep/comatose, not vigilant in the faith. Coasting, assuming, complacent, not striving or watchful.

 

10. How do Christ's words to the church at Sardis reflect the character of the city as a whole, as described above?

The church had been sacked twice before (546/7 and 214 BC)

11. Summarize the Sardan church's condition on page 45.

Good: none

Bad, dead and at the point of death. Incomplete works

12. The church at Sardis was untroubled by persecution from pagans. How was the lack of persecution related to Sardis' problem?

 Nothing to challenge them