Song:

The Lord is present here (x3)
Come worship
Holy, holy, holy Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory

Introduction:

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:24-29).

Christ messages are timeless and timely, and this message is for all not just for a particular set of people.

Jezebel influenced the church in Thyatira and yet remain so even today; little wonder the church is not making much impact today.

Issues to discuss here are:

1. Tribulation for influential and influenced backsliders

To the Church in Thyatira

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:18-23).

Tribulation for believers – common troubles, persecution, suffering, all these are not from God but the world, though limited by God to train us.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. (Acts 14:22).

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Tribulation for backsliders but not the great tribulation from the Lord e.g. prodigal son, so that backsliders would come back home, even Jonah had to retreat.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psalm 119:67).

8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; (Romans 2:8-9).

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you” (2 Thessalonians 1:6).

39 They defiled themselves by what they did; by their deeds they prostituted themselves. 40 Therefore the LORD was angry with his people and abhorred his inheritance. (Psalm 106:39-40).

2. Test of faithfulness and loyalty

“Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you” (Revelation 2:24).

Doctrine of Jezebel – it doesn’t matter doctrine, they say they’re forever saved. Cajoling you to obey demonic traditions, reading satanic books.

“Except to hold on to what you have until I come.” (Revelation 2:25).

19 But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”

 The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left.

20 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, 21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. (Judges 3:19-21).

“In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

1. Do not be curious to know the depth of Satan, just know about God and Jesus.
   
2. Avoid fellowship with vocal influential backsliders and even timid backsliders.
   
3. Reject false doctrine in whatever form.
   
4. Bear only the burden that Jesus Christ has given you. After all you have not finished reading the bible yet; so why bother about something demonic?
   
5. Hold the truth well and hold it very fast.
   
6. Let your loyalty be steadfast and unwavering

3. Triumph of faithful over-comers

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.” (Revelation 2:26).

Out of the 12 spies sent by Moses to spy Jericho, only Caleb and Joshua had the courage to say they could overcome the giants.

So what are your giants today? Poverty, sickness, joblessness, persecution, rejection, failure, lack of appreciation, friendlessness, have you been robbed of your identity, dignity, prestige, reputation? You must be an overcome! You must rise above these things and move on! You’re a victor and not a victim!

Shalom!

JB Oseh