“For these are the words of the son of God, whose eyes are blazing fire whose feet are like burnished brass.”

 To the messenger of the church, Thyatira, I know all that you’ve done for me. By now, we understand God is not impressed with our gifts, talents, and abilities. With countless numbers of people created on this planet, each designed with at least one gift, it’s pretty easy to conclude our God can only create creatively!

I do think it’s worth pointing out that he does, however, expect us to use our gifts. It’s possible that the use of our gifts along with its reward may have more to do with us than him. They have the potential to prosper us and bring provision in a world that requires currency for trade. They are given for the edifying and equipping of the saints, and I believe when used appropriately, they can and do bring Him honor and glory!

Thyatira was a community of people whose culture started out loving and ministry minded. They exhibited faith and perseverance and their perseverance caused them to grow in those virtues over time. Growth and transformation was ingrained as a core value. With such great virtues, how is it that those virtues didn’t resist the plague of sinful activity that swept through the congregation?

Side note: For those leading organizations, ministries, and homes, if a healthy culture is not maintained, it can become toxic! Even from small doses of toxicity over time. “A little leaven, leavens the whole lump!” Galatians 5:9 drives this point home. With any small inclination, a bad leader, or a false principle introduced, it’s only a matter of time before corruption invades. What once was healthy and pure results in an entire deviation or destruction of the original intent, mission, or culture.

Thyatira was known as the center of many trade societies whose members were required to participate in idolatry, which often included sexual immorality. These requirements made it very hard for believers to live morally pure.

One woman’s infectious disregard for God’s word spread throughout the community quickly and effectively.

Jezebel, King Ahab’s queen, was a highly immoral woman who practiced evil and immorality. She masqueraded as a prophetess and released a dark spirit in Israel, attempting to mix the worship of Baal with worship of the one true God. She remains a symbol of tolerance and compromise. Like many contemporary messages, her teachings suggested that servants of God can sin and experience no consequences (the contemporary abuse of grace doctrine is a modern version of her teachings).

King Ahab and Jezebel sought to silence prophets and kill the prophetic voice In Israel. That same spirit still exists today. In churches across the country, congregations are tolerating sexual immorality and idolatry. Have you noticed the theme throughout the churches? Sexual immorality seems to accompany idolatry and satanic movements.

“I have waited for her to repent from her vile immorality, but she willingly refuses to do so. 22  Now I will lay her low with terrible distress along with all her adulterous partners if they do not repent 23 And I will strike down her followers with a deadly plague. Then all the congregations will realize that I am the one who thoroughly searches the most secret thought and the innermost being. I will give to each one what their works deserve.”

Now that’s a mouthful! “I waited for her to repent” is the true message of grace. “But she willingly refuses to do so.” There’s her free will! This dance between God’s unfailing grace and mercy, along with his willingness to allow us to choose our path, is incredible! With all the evil and damage she’d done to an entire congregation of the people, God still gave her an extension of grace beyond measure.

The true message of grace around sin is this: Man has a sinful nature due to being born into humanity through Adam, whose burden was on him for all humanity. “Through one man’s sin, sin entered the world.” However, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation (the saving of humanity, the repurchase was bought) presented the ability to be “Born again!” SAVED FROM SIN! The good news of Jesus Christ is that Jesus was the second Adam and redemption came alive!

So, how does this apply to you and I? I’m glad you asked! Well, this means that in order to be saved, you must be saved! Born again into the second Adam’s covering! By being born again, you are now born into the family of Christ. You now possess a dual nature—the fleshy sin nature and the spirit of God that dwells within you, and the residing “Holy” spirit of God. This is so important because this principle empowers you to live the life purchased and expected by Christ. A life of righteous and holy character! The liberty you’ve gained through your rebirth empowers you to say no to sin!

Which brings us to why God can and does hold each and every person accountable for themselves! You have the power to choose evil and you have the power to say no when Satan tries to persuade you towards evil. You have the power to say no to compromise and the tolerating or “overlooking” of evil. You cannot be controlled, nor use anyone’s persuasive arguments as an excuse.

This is the issue within the Thyatira congregation. Exactly the opposite of the Ephesus church who sought conflicting messages and exposed them, this church tolerated them. If there was ever a message to grab hold of, it’s this one! God is taking note of every individual’s tolerance for sin, evil, and lies of the enemy! A scary thought to consider! The fact that it’s not just in doing the sin, you simply have to tolerate it! Which is displeasing to God!

Now is a good moment to take our tolerance temperature and examine our hearts. How much evil do we tolerate? How much of the conflicting message of the world’s psychology or the psychology (mindset, way of thinking) of Satan have we reluctantly tolerated?

Let’s take this opportunity to examine the definition of tolerate. Google defines tolerate like this: allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference.

Now that you’ve read the definition, does it move you toward deep diving into your soul to take the issue more seriously? To not agree isn’t enough. I hear so many people say these exact words in reference to a myriad of social issues and unrighteousness. “Well, I don’t necessarily agree with it but…” By definition alone, to not agree without interference is to raise the eyebrow of God. He said, “I have this against you, you (“tolerated” NIV, “Allowed” NKJV, “Forgave TPT”) all passive words of acceptance.

Let’s recap the background of the issue for clarity. The price for this “strict” position on sin and sin’s influence being tolerated, taught and practiced was Christ’s death! Christ is and has the right to judge harshly the tolerance of sin because it costed him a great price. When we take sin lightly, we inadvertently take lightly the crucifixion of CHRIST!

Let’s head to the end. Christ said, “Everyone will get what they deserve.” This is for those who introduced the message that plagued the congregation, to the ones who tolerated and those who embraced it. The call to repent has been released!

For those who did not adhere to her teachings, to those who will cling tightly till I appear. Here’s the promise: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.”

The reward for staying faithful, for enduring in the midst of perversion will be authority over nations, (govern them with a staff made of iron or a “shepherd’s club” to shepherd and rule. To those who conquer, Christ will share his own rank with the Father and participate with his eternal reign! I’m not sure there can be a greater promise? This is powerful!

This letter is given to those who will have an ear to hear and respond. To the ones whose hearts are open to what Christ would say presently to the churches.

Here’s the summery:

• Don’t take sin lightly – Examine your hearts daily. “ Forgive us our sins, our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!”
• Don’t tolerate evil, sin, or anything contrary to God’s word, both in your own life and in the lives of those you’re responsible for.
• Be careful to not tolerate and go along with societal evil, even the ones you “Don’t necessarily agree with.” –You must do all you can to not allow it!
• Stand firm in righteousness! In these days of decaying morals and social fabric of our society!
• Tend to the culture in your family, organization, community, schools etc.-The plague of immorality (the state of being immoral or wicked) spreads fast!
• Never underestimate the power of ONE! One person can make a difference!

I think the prayer Jesus taught the disciples seems applicable today.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

 Amen

Questions to ponder:

Have you noticed compromise in your moral identity?

Have you noticed a greater tolerance within you for certain types of sin?

Have you become aware of the increasing pressure to tolerate all kinds of things God calls sins from many outlets in our society?

How can you participate in the eradication of mixed messages in your areas of influence?