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.