Revelation 2:18-3:6
The apostle John next writes a few words to
the church at Thyatira, "I know your works, love, service, faith, and
your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first"
(2:19). From all initial appearances, this church received positive news
about their increase of good works as their faith in Jesus Christ grew.
However, everything was not as it appeared on the surface. Sending a
message through John, God condemns the church at Thyatira for allowing a
woman to "teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and
eat things sacrificed to idols" (2:20). This church had permitted sexual
immorality as well as idol worship to take place in their church
without removing the woman who was propagating it. God promised that she
would be held accountable for her deception and any who chose to follow
her would also experience divine judgment (2:21-23). It is a serious
thing to deceive God's people and John warns those who have kept
themselves pure from these sinful practices to "hold fast" until Jesus
Christ returns (2:25). The church must be careful to guard against those
who would enter in to deceive the people and strive to be faithful to
His commands. When a church is corrupt, such as Thyatira, it loses all
effectiveness and ultimately becomes useless.
Sardis is the fifth
church to whom John writes and they are often known as the dead church.
Like the church at Thyatira, Sardis appeared healthy on the outside,
but was actually dead on the inside. Their reputation in the community
was that they were "alive" but God exposes that they were really dead
(3:1). John gives them some advice, "Be watchful, and strengthen the
things which remain, that are ready to die....Remember therefore how you
have received and heard; hold fast and repent" (3:2-3). Repentance
seems to be a consistent message to many of the churches mostly because
it indicates a change in direction. They were to abandon their sinful
works and begin doing what was right. If the church at Sardis failed to
repent, God promised to "come upon you as a thief, and you will not know
what hour I will come upon you" (3:3). Swift judgment awaited Sardis if
they would not repent; however, there were a few people whom God
commends for their faithfulness to Him (3:4-5). No matter what people
are doing around you, be faithful. If you are living in disobedience to
God, repent and do the right thing. It's that simple.
Dear God,
help me not to tolerate sin in my life or in the life of my church. May
we quickly repent of any known sin so that we can be faithful witnesses
of Your message.