Gateway Visalia

Introduction:

Revelation 2:18-29 NASB

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

To the church of Thyatira from Jesus.

19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first.

I see your growth.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. 24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

Tolerate – aphiemi – let loose, permit.

We are influenced by what we tolerate.

Three signs of a Jezebel:

1. A love for authority. v.20 “who calls herself a prophetess,”

2. Refusal to take correction. v.21 “I gave her time to repent,”

3. Claiming to have secret knowledge not found in scripture. v. 24 “the deep things. . . as they call them”

Hold fast until Jesus returns.

26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Dear Church
Revelation 2:18-29 Pastor Lance Ainsworth
August 22nd and 25th, 2024
The power of influence.

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: What era of music do you enjoy most?

Read Aloud: Revelation 2:18-29

1. Three signs of a Jezebel: 1. A love for authority. v.20 “who calls herself a prophetess,” 2. Refusal to take correction. v.21 “I gave her time to repent,” 3. Claiming to have secret knowledge not found in scripture. v. 24 “the deep things. . . as they call them” The church of Thyatira lacked discernment; can you relate? Have you ever been influenced by a Jezebel? Do you think everyone has Jezebel tendencies? How do Jesus words here give us better discernment moving forward?


2. v.24-25 “...I place no other burden on you. 25 Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.” The only burden Jesus places on us is to hold to our faith until he returns. This verse reminds me of Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19), which teaches us how to stand firm in the face of evil. Read Ephesians 6:10-19 and discuss how each part of the armor gives us discernment.


3. v.26-27 “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father;” We are currently subject to government and authority but when Jesus returns He will restore all authority back to His people. Read Genesis 1:28. How does this verse relate to the promise of authority in today’s passage? Do you see yourself as one who has been given delegated authority from God? Do Christians have spiritual authority now?


4. v. 28 “and I will give him the morning star.” This verse is a possible reference the prophecy in Malachi 4:1-5. In both passages we see fire/burning, bronze, the sun/morning star, and good triumphing evil. What hope does this bring to you? What hope did it bring to the church of Thyatira?