4th Church, Thyatira; Morning Star

Revelation 2:18-29. The 4th church for which Jesus has a message is commended for its works, love, service, faith, and patience.

However, he warns against its tolerance of a Jezebel spirit seducing God’s servants.

To those who overcome, He promises the morning star – one of Jesus’ names (see Numbers 24:17).

Thyatira is near the river Lycus and was one of a number of cities of the kingdom of Lydia. The city is now called Ark-Hissar which means White Castle.

Thyatira was famous for purple cloth. Lydia, one of Paul’s converts, Acts 16:14-40, came from Thyatira.

Background Reading:

The Letter to the Church in Thyatira – 4th Church

18 “To the messenger of the church in Thyatira, write:

‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like flaming fire and whose feet are like glowing bronze, says this:

19 ‘I know what you’ve been doing—your love, faithfulness,i service, and endurance—and that your last actions are greater than the first. 20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21I gave her time to repent, but she refused to repent of her immorality. 22Look! I am going to strike her with illness.j Those who commit adultery with her will also suffer greatly, unless they repent from acting like her. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will reward each of you as your actions deserve.

24 ‘But as for the rest of you in Thyatira—you who do not hold to this teaching and who have not learned what some people call the deep things of Satan—I won’t burden you with anything else. 25Just hold on to what you have until I come. 26To the person who conquers and continues to do what I’ve commanded to the end, I will give authority over the nations.

27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter;

shattering them like clay pots.’

28 ‘Just as I have received authority from my Father, I will also give him the morning star.

29 ‘Let everyone listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Revelation 2:18-29


Other slides in this module: