A Warning to the Church in Thyatira: Reject Compromise and Hold Fast to Christ. (The Corrupt Church)
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 18) From Pergamum, our exploration will head easterly and slightly south completing the upper portion of the circle of churches that Jesus addresses in His seven letters of love and warning.
Next stop takes us inland about 50 miles east of the Aegean Sea to the city of Thyatira. During the Roman Empire, this city was known for it’s garment making and dyeing facilities. They appeared to be well organized industries. The existence of many guilds (organized trade unions) were discovered requiring those working in these industries to be registered.
On Paul’s second or third missionary journey through Asia Minor, traveling with Silas and Timothy, they passed near Thyatira. When they arrived in Philippi they met a lady named Lydia from Thyatira who sold purple garments.
“From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:12-15)
As He addresses the church in Thyatira, Jesus introduces Himself as the “Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.” This leaves no doubt who the deliverer of this message is.
Which Part of the Church Age Does the Church of Thyatira Represent?
| Church | Dates (Approx.) | Historical Period | Significance |
| Thyatira | 606-1517 AD | The Medieval Church Age | This church represents the time from the birth of the Roman Catholic Church to the birth of the Protestant Church when Martin Luther nailed his theses to the of Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany. |
Chart of the Historical Period of the Seven Churches of Revelation
Eyes Like Blazing Fire Watching the Church of Thyatira
(Verse 19) Jesus’ eyes of blazing fire are symbolic of His ability to see every detail of their lives. Also, as He states in verse 23, He alone has the power to search the hearts and minds of all people and knows their deeds.
Jesus commends this congregation of believers for their 1) good deeds, 2) their love, 3) faith, 4) service, and 5) their perseverance. This church really has it going on. Christ even extends His commendation by telling them that they’re doing even more now than in the beginning. This church’s engine seems to be firing on all spiritual cylinders. But those eyes of blazing fire see something else.
A Jezebel in the Church of Thyatira
(Verse 20) Among all the great work that the church of Thyatira was performing in service of God, they had a false prophet among the congregation that they were tolerating. Christ’ approval moves quickly to disapproval because they had everything except holiness.
It’s likely that this false prophetess among them was named Jezebel. Considering that Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament, it’s much more likely He was referring to the Old Testament Jezebel who was the wife of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:29-33; 2 Kings 9). In that day, she led many people into sexual immorality and eating of food that was sacrificed to idols.
According to Christ, there was one like Jezebel among the believers in the church of Thyatira that was leading them to commit immoral acts. Rather than remove her from the congregation like a cancer tumor from the body, some were tolerating her teachings.
(Verse 21) Carefully take notice of what Jesus says in this verse. “I have given her time to repent.” Those are the words of a long-suffering and patient God filled with love for His creation. This means that God will suffer long in waiting for His people to turn back to Him.
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
(Psalm 86:15)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
(2 Peter 3:9)
God is patient and long-suffering with all of us which is beyond our comprehension. He waits patiently for all mankind to come to Him and repent. But as Jesus stated about Jezebel, He has His limits.
A Bed of Suffering in a Corrupt Church
(Verse 22) We see how Jesus despises the wicked acts of Jezebel. He pronounces severe punishment not only on her but those who tolerate and associate with her. The unfortunate reality of today is that many churches not only tolerate false teachings of the world, but they embrace and celebrate it. Is your church one of those? What will you do about it?
(Verse 23) Christ proclaims that not just the church of Thyatira, but all churches will know that this wicked immoral behavior should not be accepted or tolerated. The phrase “all churches” doesn’t only span across the other six churches of Asia Minor. It’s an all inclusive term meaning all churches across all generations up to these very last days that we’re living.
(Verse 24-25) There are some in this community of believers that have refused to tolerate the teachings of Jezebel. They have turned their backs on her immorality and have clung to their blessed hope, Jesus Christ. He encourages them to continue their good works and that no burdens will be added to them.
We don’t know for sure what Satan’s so-called deep secrets are. Nothing more is revealed to us in this passage. But we can look at sexual immorality and it’s consistent power to separate us from God. Many have alluded to lust of the flesh as Satan’s secret weapon against mankind.
Sexual perversion and immorality has been a constant throughout history. Even today, it continues to ravage lives, families and most importantly, our relationship with God.
Christ adds a bit more encouragement by telling them to “hold on to what you have.” Here He’s referring to their spiritual strength, their love for God, their ability to continue their good works, and their persistent perseverance in the face of evil.
We Will Rule With Christ
(Verse 26-27) Those in the church of Thyatira who endure patiently for Christ, will receive a reward that many, I believe, don’t quite fully understand. Paul, the apostle revealed the depths of this promise in his letter to the Romans.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
(Romans 8:17)
What Paul is saying here is that being co-heirs with Christ means we will rule with Christ in the Millennial kingdom. Think about that for a moment. We will be a part of the righteous ruling party alongside Jesus. Oh, one other thing. There will be no opposing party. There will be Christ and His church ruling for a thousand years. Righteousness and holiness will reign.
“Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” (Revelation 19:15)
(Verse 28-29) The reward will also include the “morning star.” This is Jesus Christ. This means that we will reign with Him and we will live in communion with Him. Where He is, there we shall also be forever.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
(John 14:1-3)
Closing Reflection
As I sit with the message to the church in Thyatira, I can’t help but feel how easy it is to let compromise slip in unnoticed. Sometimes it looks like tolerance, sometimes it looks like love, but in reality, it weakens my devotion to Christ. Jesus’ eyes of blazing fire remind me that He sees straight through every mask I put on. He knows when my heart is divided.
This passage calls me—and all of us—not just to believe, but to stand firm, even when it costs. To hold on, even when the world calls me narrow or unloving. Jesus’ promise of the Morning Star is not for the halfhearted, but for those who cling to Him no matter the pressure.
I don’t want to be found drifting. I want to be found faithful.
🙏Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are the Son of God whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. You see the hidden motives of our hearts, and nothing is concealed from You. As we reflect on the letter to the church in Thyatira, we hear both Your praise and Your warning.
You commended their love, their faith, their service, and their perseverance. Lord, may these also be true of us. Yet You rebuked them for tolerating Jezebel—for allowing compromise, corruption, and deception to seep into Your holy church. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have tolerated sin in the name of comfort, peace, or acceptance.
Burn away every trace of impurity from our lives. Sharpen our discernment so we will not be swayed by false teaching or seduced by the spirit of this age. Give us strength to hold fast to what is true until the day You return.
Lord, help us overcome, that we might receive the promise You gave to Thyatira—to share in Your authority, to reign with You, and to receive the Morning Star. Let us live in the light of that eternal hope, never losing sight of the victory that is already ours in You.
We pray this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus, the First and the Last. Amen.
<< Rev. 2:12-17 “Letter to the Church in Pergamum” | “Letter to the Church of Sardis” Rev. 3:1-6 >>