August 9, 2023

Revelation 2:18-29 (HCSB)
The Letter to Thyatira
18 “Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: “The Son of God, the One whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze, says: 19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look! I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her practices. 23 I will kill her children with the plague. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who examines minds[r] and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known the deep things of Satan—as they say—I do not put any other burden on you. 25 But hold on to what you have until I come. 26 The one who is victorious and keeps My works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations— 27 and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery— just as I have received this from My Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

Adrian Bullard
Sexual immorality can be a tough church subject to discuss, but for the second reading this week Jesus directly points out the sexual immorality of His people and their inhibiting acts. Jesus exclaims that tolerating acts of sin from people around you, after some time, becomes the same as committing the sin. We begin to tolerate the ways of the world rather than disciple the people around us towards the kingdom of heaven. Even through all the, “... love, faithfulness, service and endurance,”(vs 19). God’s desire is that we do not become complacent and bring His light to those around us. Towards the end of this reading, we see how sin can affect our lineage and everyone around us.