Revelation 2:18–29 (ESV) — 18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Today’s reading was directed towards the church in Thyatira. Unlike the church at Ephesus, Thyatira had lived in love for one another, which was clear by their works. However, also unlike Ephesus, Thyatira had not stood against false teaching and heresy. The had accepted it and turned away from the truth. Verse 24 tells us that there was a small number who had rejected the false teaching and were standing strong. Jesus encouraged them to continue.
Living in love for one another is a central teaching of the New Testament. However, this does not override another central teaching: holding fast to the truth of God’s word. Christians through the ages have faced false teaching. One of the great benefits of studying Church history is to see how believers handled errant teaching in different eras. We must be careful that we continue in the truth so we can hand it down to future generations after us.
Lord, help us to both love one another and abide in your truth. Amen.
**If you enjoy reading Shaped by the Word, please consider sharing this post on social media. Doing so helps us reach a larger audience. Thanks for reading!
Follow Shaped by the Word on WordPress or Facebook.
Shaped by the Word 