The Church at Thyatira
Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Series: Revelation Scripture: Revelation 2:18–29
Review
-
(1:9-20) Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, is the Sovereign and the Hope of His churches
-
(2:1-7) Ephesus: Loveless Orthodoxy
-
Commends faithful endurance in the true faith
-
Commands repentance for failure to love God and people
-
Repent or face the judgment of removal of the church
-
To the Overcomer: You will eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God
-
-
(2:8-11) Smyrna: Persecution
-
Remain faithful in present afflictions in view of future reward
-
To the Overcomer: You will not be hurt by the second death
-
-
(2:12-17) Pergamum: False Teaching Allowed Access to the Church
-
Commends faithful in the midst of extreme opposition
-
Commands repentance for tolerating idolatrous and syncretistic false teaching
-
Repent or face the Judge
-
To the Overcomer: You will be provided for and admitted to the great Messianic feast
-
1A. (2:18) Introduction: Son of God (King; 2 Sam 7:14; Ps 2:7), eyes like a flame of fire (penetrating vision; Dan 10:6), feet like gleaming bronze (purity for His people; Ezk 1:7)
2A. (2:19-23) Knowledge of the church’s condition
1B. (2:19) Commendation: Growth in Christian Virtue
2B. (2:20-23) Rebuke: Toleration of idolatrous teaching
1C. (2:20) His Accusation: You tolerate Jezebel (note OT Roots; cf. “Babylon the Great” Rev 14:8; 17:1-5; 18:3, 9)
2C. (2:21a) His Initial Response toward her (church discipline)
3C. (2:21b) Her Unwilling Response
4C. (2:22-23a) His Sentencing without Repentance
5C. (2:23b) Implications for the churches:
1D. Don’t tolerate false teaching because nothing is hidden from Jesus.
2D. Don’t tolerate false teaching because Jesus will recompense each one’s works.
3A. (2:24-25) Exhortation to the Rest in the Church
1B. (2:24a) Character: Faithfulness of the Recipients of this Exhortation
2B. (2:24b-25) Command: Do nothing more than hold fast until Jesus comes
4A. (2:26-28) Promises to the overcomer
1B. (2:26b-28a) Share in “Son of God” ruling authority over the nations (cf. Ps 2:7; Luke 19:16-19)
2B. (2:28b) Share in God’s complete redemption in Christ (Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Isa 60:1-3; cf. 11:9-10)
5A. (2:29) Command for the churches to listen
Implications from Pergamum and Thyatira:
-
Passages that address the theme of false teaching and its effects (2 Cor; Gal; 2 Tim 3; 2 Pet 2; Jude)
-
What produces toleration of false teaching?
-
General fear of man (Gal 2:12)
-
Neglect of contending for the faith (Jude 3)
-
Neglect of practicing church discipline (3 John 9-10; 1 Tim 5:19-20; 2 Cor 12:11b cf. 11:4, 21 [Paul should’ve been commended, but because the false teachers had made such inroads, the church kicked him out!])
-
Partiality (cf. 1 Tim 5:21)
-
Ignorance about what produces genuine unity (Eph 4:15-16; John 17:17, cf. vv. 20-21)
-
Underestimating the importance of sound doctrine (Eph 4:13-14)
-
Spiritual laziness (contrast Col 2:8; Heb 3:12ff; cf. Heb 5:11-14)
-
Underestimating Jesus’ desire for a pure church (2 Cor 11:2)
-
Being unaware of Satan’s schemes (i.e., he doesn’t often slip in false teaching via essential doctrines, but more often via secondary doctrines; 2 Cor 11:3; cf. Gal 2:12-14)
-
Desire to be liked and commended by the world (but see 2 Cor 6:14-18)
-
-
How do we protect ourselves against false teaching?
-
Faithful teaching that brings clarity (2 Cor 4:2), is grounded in conviction (2 Cor 4:13), and gives attention to detail (2 Tim 2:15)
-
Attentive listening that joins what is heard with faith (Heb 2:1) and puts self under the microscope of God’s word (cf. Heb 4:12-13)
-
Appoint Titus 1:9 elders: “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”
-
Do not neglect to receive or to give correction (2 Cor 3:12-13; Eph 4:15)
-
-
What are the benefits of sound doctrine?
-
Stability in life (2 Thess 2:1-2; Titus 2; 3:1-3)
-
Strength of faith (2 Tim 2:14b, 18)
-
Assurance of salvation (1 Tim 4:16)
-
Enjoyment of life (1 Tim 4:1-5)
-
other sermons in this series
Jan 15
2023
The Vision of the Heavenly City – Part 2 AND "I am Coming Quickly"
Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Scripture: Revelation 22:1–21 Series: Revelation
Jan 8
2023
The Vision of the Holy and Heavenly City – Part 1
Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Scripture: Revelation 21:9–27 Series: Revelation
Dec 18
2022
Judging the Old, Creating the New
Speaker: Noah Hartmetz Scripture: Revelation 20:11– 21:8 Series: Revelation