REVELATION: THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES Class 5. Church of Thyatira The Corrupt Church Rev 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 gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'--as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' NKJV I. The Background Of Thyatira 18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 1 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: A. Historical Background 1. Thyatira was a morally compromising church in a commercial city with numerous trade guilds, each having its own patron deity. This city was famous for sponsoring frequent idolatrous feasts with orgies and was known for its woolen goods and its royal purple dye. (Acts 16:14) 2. The city of Thyatira may have been founded by Alexander The Great, possibly some three hundred years before Christ. It was a wealthy city and may have been evangelized by the Ephesian church or perhaps Paul s first convert in Philippi, Lydia, a seller of purple dye and woolen goods as mentioned in Acts 16:14. 3. This church s main characteristic may be in its works toward people rather than in it doctrinal belief which became compromised by false teachers. The light of truth, which Christ entrusted to the church, was flickering out and so this church represents a symbol of the dark ages where the word of God was hide from mankind and only certain selected priests were allowed to read it. Here is the continuation of the changes of doctrine from Pergamum and Thyatira to today: AD 607 AD 709 AD 786 AD 850 AD 995 AD 998 AD 1079 AD 1090 AD 1184 AD 1190 AD 1215 AD 1220 AD 1229 AD 1414 Boniface III made first pope Kissing the Pope s foot Worshiping of images and relics Use of holy water begun Canonization of dead saints Fasting on Fridays and during lent Celibacy of the priesthood Prayer beads The Inquisition Sale of indulgences Transubstantiation Adoration of the wafer (Host) Bible forbidden to laypeople Cup forbidden to people at communion 2 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
AD 1439 AD 1439 AD 1508 AD 1534 AD 1545 AD 1546 AD 1854 AD 1864 AD 1870 AD 1930 AD 1950 AD 1965 Doctrine of purgatory decreed Doctrine of seven sacraments affirmed The Ave Maria approved The Jesuit Order founded Tradition granted equal authority with bible Apocryphal books put into bible Immaculate Conception of Mary The Syllabus of Errors was proclaimed The infallibility of the Pope declared Public schools condemned Assumption of the Virgin Mary Mary proclaimed the Mother Of The Church Boettner, Lorraine - Roman Catholicism pp8-9. (Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed) 4. The name Thyatira comes from two words meaning, sacrifice and continual. Thus it s meaning is continual sacrifice. The Church of Rome denies the finished work of Christ, but believes in a continuing sacrifice that produces such things as sacraments and praying for the dead, burning candles, and so forth. All of these are borrowed from mystery Babylon, the mother of all pagan customs and idolatry, none of these things being taught in the New Testament or by Jesus Himself. The church in Rome teaches the deity of Christ however, their emphasis on the continual sacrifice and rejection of the finished work of Jesus breeds a concept that causes people to earn their salvation by works, penance, indulgences, and many other satanically conceived ideas labeled by our Lord in Rev. 2:24 as satan s so called deep secrets. One other dangerous trend in the twentieth century is the elevation of Mary to a status just short of Deity. Many in the Catholic Church have already petitioned for her to be considered a member of the Tri-unity of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. The official line from Rome is not yet. She is already referred to as the mother of God and The Queen of Heaven. In some instances she appears to be a dispenser of salvation, which is against the scriptures. From Revelation Revealed; Timothy LaHaye pp. 67-68 3 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
John 14:6 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJV Acts 4:12 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." NKJV 1 John 2:23 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. NKJV 2 John 9 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. NKJV B. The Description Of Christ To This Church 1. These things says the Son of God Before going any further, we must see that Jesus is identifying Who He is and that this is straight from the throne of God truth and not to be confused with all the heresy the people have been hearing and learning. This is Jesus qualifying Himself in unity with His Father in Heaven and not attributing anything to His human nature. This would conflict with those seeing Jesus only as the son of man or worse, just the son of Mary. What would be the danger in someone only seeing Jesus in this way? Luke 4:16-25 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me 4 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" 23 He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.' " 24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. NKJV Mark 6:1-6 1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. NKJV 5 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
John 6:41-46 41 The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven." 42 And they said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, 'I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. NKJV 2. Who has eyes like a flame of fire His fiery eyes depict a penetrating insight, His anger, and His attitude toward the adulterous nature of the church at Thyatira. His eyes are burning with strong displeasure as He looks upon their wickedness. 3. His feet like fine brass or burnished bronze This again speaks of judgment because this church has permitted false teaching to creep into her midst and mislead God s servants. II. Christ s Commendation And Condemnation For The Church 19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. A. Thyatira Had Works But Not Necessarily Faith The bible teaches that all believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is not the Great White Throne Judgment where only the lost will appear. It is the Judgment Seat Of Christ where heavenly crowns will be given. To be a Righteous Judge, Jesus must know how we lived. 2 Cor 5:9-11 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 6 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. NKJV Rom 14:10-12 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. NKJV Matt 25:31-46 31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 7 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." NKJV B. Jesus Commends The Thyatira Church For Their: 1. Deeds Christians do the works of Christians. Those who do not do those works are not Christians! 2. Love When people turn to Christ and become born again, they receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in them. On of His jobs is to transform us into Christ-likeness by bringing forth the fruit which only comes from the Holy Spirit. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is LOVE and God is love, and God s people will love with God s kind of love. A love for human kind characterized this church, for in ancient times hospitals and sanitariums were almost exclusively the work of the church through its nuns and priests. Gal 5:16-26 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 8 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV 1 John 4:7-21 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 9 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. NKJV 3. Service Service is a ministry. The purpose of church is not entertainment, enhancing our image, or doctoring our sore toes. It s not a place for building your reputation, business or ministry or for your personal profit and recognition. It s for serving and ministering to God s needs first and foremost. It s also for helping and ministering to the needs of those who need Jesus, who are trying to build their relationship with Him. 4. Faith Genuine faith is something that can be seen. It produces good deeds and fruit that remains forever. It is how an unbelieving world sees Christ in us. James 2:14-26 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 10 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. NKJV 5. Perseverance This is often called long-suffering in the bible. It is the fourth fruit of the Holy Spirit. Many in this church endured under great pressure for long periods of time. 6. Last works This church was doing more and more which should be the goal of every work if it done through the process of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Every church should grow, do more, reach more and bear more fruit unto Christ as the Spirit leads. A quantity of works doesn t equal a quality of works, only a Christ centered, Spirit led believer can do that. C. What Was Their Problem? Rev 2:20-23 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 gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 11 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. NKJV 1. Jezebel Jesus reaches back into the Old Testament to bring an example of how the church had allowed paganism and its devilish teachings to enter in and overthrow His people. Remember that when a woman is used symbolically to convey a religious teaching, she always represents a false religion in which people fall into causing them to commit adultery with God. A background on Jezebel can be found in 1 Kings 16:31; 19:1-3; 21:1-15. a. Jesus uses a parable in Matthew 13:33 concerning a woman who took leaven (a symbol of evil) and hid it in three measures of meal until it worked all through the dough, a prophetic glimpse of what took place during the false teaching of this period. b. She promoted Canaanite religion and introduced B 2. The teachings of the false prophetess Jezebel took two forms: a. By her teachings she misleads my servants into sexual immorality. Today many preach a feel good gospel trying not to offend anyone and turning a blind eye away from sin and immorality in the church. They are so interested in building a church that they forget that they are to build the Kingdom of God, which must be done in the Spirit of truth and holiness, without which no man can see God. b. The eating of food sacrificed to idols. A Letter was sent to the churches about the things that the Apostles considered valuable for walking with God. One of the things they mentioned was eating meat that was strangled and that had blood in it. This was often the practice of those who were involved in idol worship. The same way we give thanks for our food, this food was sacrificed to other gods or demon spirits usually in immoral rituals. 12 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
Thus it was dedicated to the worship and following after other gods or demons. Partaking of this food would be doing the same and tolerating that which was evil in the eyes of God. Therefore, the witness of these believers would become compromised and disregarded by those God was trying to reach out to. Acts 15:23-29 23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law'--to whom we gave no such commandment-- 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. NKJV 3. Repentance and judgment are offered. Jesus always grants the sinner a certain amount of time and grace to repent of their sin. I personally believe that when we cause others to stumble, there awaits a greater recompense for our sin. 13 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
Rev 2:21-22 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. NIV Jesus always gives us an opportunity to repent. Our pride and fear of being caught are our two most wicked enemies. If we repent and drag our sin out into the opening satan will have nothing to use to threaten us with and will lose his leverage against us and our walk with God. James 3:1-2 1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. NKJV Mark 9:42-48 42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched 44 where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 45 "And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 46 where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 14 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
47 "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire-- 48 where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' NKJV 1 Cor 8:12 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. NKJV 4. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. Here we see that God can bring suffering to those who rebel against Him, who not only violate His will but teach others to do this. The last thing anyone should want to do is fight against God and become rebellious against Him. Jezebel s children are those who follow after her and her rebellion against God, who have forsaken the Lord and His Word and have gone after false religions. Notice they didn t repent of her ways? D. The Judgment Of Christ. Rev 2:23 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. NIV Dead or Death - thanatos (than'-at-os); Strongs # 2288; from NT: 2348; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively): in the KJV-X deadly, (be... death. 1. Jesus is going to allow death to claim her children. The bible declares the wages of sin to be death. This church was allowing a harlot to operate in its presence and a harlot commits her sins in bed, thus the bed of affliction. The scriptures also state that whoever sleeps with a harlot becomes one with her. Therefore, when judgment comes against this Jezebel, it will also consume 15 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
those who are caught up in her doctrines and lies and have become one with her sin! They will both be cast into the same bed of affliction and suffering. 1 Cor 6:15-20 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. NKJV Hal Lindsey recently said; Today some leaders of churches and Christian colleges who ought to know better are doing the same sort of thing. They invite noted fortune-tellers and those involved in divinations to speak in churches and classrooms to satisfy curiosity. These occultic mediums are Trojan horses (wolves in sheep s clothing) in the midst of God s camp! Only evil can come from listening to their poisonous doctrines. 2. The other part of this judgment is the example that Jesus makes of this sin against Him and His church. He does this others will see that He sees what is in the minds and hearts of those who serve Him and that nothing is hidden from His sight. This should be an encouragement for us to come out in the open with God, confess our sins to Him and be forgiven and healed. If we continue to hide our sin it will eventually destroy us and God will reveal it as we reap its rewards. 3. Some today would argue that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. That is true in this country. But we are judged 16 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
according to God s beliefs and whether we adhere to them or not. Romans 11:22 says; Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God. Everyone needs to keep in mind these two natures of God: He is loving and good but He will also judge sin! He will be no more tolerant of spiritual adultery in our day than He was in Jezebel s day. E. Instructions For Overcoming Rev 2:24-25 24 Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. NKJV 1. In those days Gnostics called their doctrines the depths of God. Jesus called these doctrines the depths of satan! To those who rejected them or did not know of them, Jesus admonished them to stand fast and hold on to what they had and encouraged them that He would in no way put any more of a burden than they were under. Today, in the body of Christ, many have a hard time hanging on to what God has given them. They are often overthrown by the cunning craftiness of others who think they are working for God and are doing what satan has unctioned them to do. Col 2:8-10 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. NKJV Eph 5:6-7 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. NKJV 17 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5
F. The Reward Col 2:18-19 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. NKJV Rev 2:26-29 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'--as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." NKJV 1. Jesus promises to give those who overcome the same power and authority to rule over nations as His Father gave to Him. We must be faithful in the here and now to receive what He promises later. If we are faithful over what He gives us, He ll give us more. 2. The bright and Morning Star is Jesus. It refers to the planet Venus which could be seen in the early morning and was used for navigational purposes. Those at sea were able to get a bearing on their much-needed direction by looking for this star because it was the brightest in the early morning before the sun came up. In just the same manner, Jesus is the brightest star marking our way and direction out of the darkest night we could ever be found in. Even in the worst of times and the hardest of circumstances, He is there to always point us in the right direction. 18 R e v e l a t i o n C h u r c h e s L e s s o n 5