Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Pt. 2

Last week we started discussing about the church in Thyatira which was labeled the corrupted church out of the seven. The reason that it was corrupted was there was a certain “woman” in the church who was corrupting the others into believing that it was ok to serve God and participate in the worldly things that were going on at that time.

Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Pt.1

Before we get into the message and the meaning of this passage of Scripture let us first get a little background of Thyatira. Thyatira was located about 20 to 30 miles South East of the city of Pergamum. This would be the fourth stop of the postman of that time period. Now this city is really of no great significance. It wasn’t some huge city, it wasn’t the center for worship to Caesar or any other god, it wasn’t called the Crown of Asia like Smyrna, it wasn’t on a hill like Pergamum, this city laid in a valley. This meant that this city had no natural fortification to use as a barrier for protection in case of a battle. Ironic as it seems, this city was actually a barrier. If there was an attack Thyatira was to step in and hold off the enemy until Pergamum gets ready to come in. It was looked at as a dispensable city from a military point of view. If they lost it, no big deal.

Pergamum: The Compromising Church

Revelation 2:12-17
“¹² “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

   These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. ¹³ I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Smyrna: The Suffering Church

Part 3

Revelation 2:8-11
“⁸ “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. ⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

Smyrna: The Suffering Church

Part 2

Revelation 2:8-11
“⁸ “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. ⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

Smyrna: The Suffering Church

Part 1

Revelation 2:8-11
“⁸ “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

   These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. ⁹ I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

¹¹ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.” - NIV

Do You Really Love God? Pt. 2

Last Wednesday we began a study on the 7 churches in the book of Revelation. We looked at the church of Ephesus which on the outside looked like a great church to belong to, but it was the inside that God cared about. God cares about the inside…meaning our hearts.