In Revelation 2:18-29 (NLT), Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira with a message filled with both encouragement and warning. He commended them for getting it right when it came to demonstrating his love to others, as noted in Revelation 2:19 (NLT), “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.” This acknowledgment emphasizes that the church, as the body of Christ, is under the careful watch of our Lord and Savior, who is fully aware of all that we do.
Yet, Jesus’ message to the Thyatirans also serves as a caution to all believers. Even with a strong display of love, faith, service, and endurance, these qualities alone do not meet God’s standards if false doctrine is tolerated and embraced. Allowing erroneous teachings to persist can compromise our faithfulness, regardless of how virtuous our actions may be.
It’s all about honoring God’s Word and obeying it, and missing this means missing everything. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) states, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” This verse reveals the razor-sharp impact of God’s truth, slicing through every counterfeit and discerning the root of every motivation behind our thoughts and desires. God’s Word unveils who we are at the core, and our responsibility as believers is to continually hold ourselves accountable for living by and obeying its commandments, statutes, and laws.
John 6:63 (NLT) records Jesus Christ saying, “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” It’s not about human effort and achievements. We cannot earn eternal life or spiritual fulfillment through our actions alone. Instead, the Words Jesus speaks—the Gospel—are life to us. They are the foundation of our spiritual vitality, providing spiritual nourishment and guidance for a more than abundant life. Through God’s Word, we are transformed and can receive the gift of eternal life.
Criticism for Tolerating False Teaching
As believers, it is imperative that we recognize how critical sound doctrine is to our health and well-being in every aspect of life. The church in Thyatira illustrates this. Despite their positive qualities, they allowed themselves to be led astray by a false prophetess, who guided them into immoral practices and idolatry. Jesus referred to her as Jezebel and warns in Revelation 2:20 (NLT): “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman–that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet–to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.” Our Lord and Savior identified the demonic spirit that the body of believers had welcomed into their midst, providing a clear warning for us to avoid such deception.
The name Jezebel carries a notably dark association, closely associated with one of the most notorious figures in the Old Testament. Known for her extreme wickedness, Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab of Israel and worked tirelessly to blend the worship of the one true God with the idol worship of Baal. She promoted Baal worship and persecuted those who remained faithful to God, creating a dangerous mix of faith and falsehood that led many Israelites astray. Her actions serve as a powerful example of how corruption can spread when devotion to God and His Word is compromised.
Rejecting God’s Mercy
In Revelation 2:21 (NLT), Jesus, in his infinite mercy, said: “I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.” This statement sheds light on the depth of Jesus’ patience and grace. Even when faced with unspeakable offenses against his name, Jesus offers opportunities for repentance, showing his willingness to forgive and restore. His mercy is vast and extends to the most grievous sins, reflecting his profound desire for everyone to turn back to Him.
However, despite this offer of grace, the prophetess in Thyatira chose to persist in her immorality. Her refusal to repent reveals a troubling reality: when individuals continually reject God’s call to repentance, they demonstrate a hardness of heart that leads to severe consequences. Just as the prophetess ignored the chance to change her ways, many today also resist turning away from their wrongdoings. The stubborn refusal to heed God’s call results in a significant cost, not just in terms of divine judgment but also in the loss of the opportunity for redemption and the blessings that come from a reconciled relationship with God. Being stubborn like this can seriously affect both our spiritual life and our eternal future.
Throughout the Bible, God gives us clear warnings about the dangers of false teachings and the importance of spiritual discernment. In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah called out false prophets who were misleading people with false promises. In Jeremiah 23:17-18 (NLT), he said, “They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The LORD says you will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’ But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word?” This message from Jeremiah is just as relevant today, reminding us to test what we hear and stay true to the real truth.
From the words of our Master Jesus, we learn that there were those who did not follow the teaching of this Jezebel spirit. The morning star represents both hope and guidance. In Revelation 2:26-28 (NLT), Jesus promises to give it to those who are victorious and remain faithful to the end: “To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!” In Revelation 22:16 (NLT), Jesus refers to himself as “the bright morning star”, showing that the promise of the morning star to the victorious is a powerful reminder of the divine guidance and blessing that accompany a steadfast commitment to him.
Jesus’ call for those with “ears to hear” in Revelation 2:29 (NLT) is a reminder for us to really pay attention to and understand His message. In Matthew 7:15-16 (NLT), he warns us about false prophets: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act”. This advice is all about checking whether teachings match up with what Scripture really says and being careful not to be misled.
The message to the church in Thyatira is both a beacon of encouragement and a stern warning. Jesus praises their love, faith, and perseverance, but He also warns against letting false teachings slip through. This reminder is crucial for us today: we need to stay true to God’s Word and be on guard against anything that strays from it. The promise of the morning star gives us hope and guidance, showing what’s in store for those who remain faithful. By following Jesus’ teachings and keeping our focus on God’s Word, we not only get clear direction for our lives but also the reassurance of our Lord and Savior’s constant support and blessing. ■
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Revelation 2–Part D: A Lesson in Faithfulness and Discernment”,written for 4theChristianMan.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.