1. Series: God’s Message to the Church in Thyatira
This is part of a series on the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 2-3). This article covers the message to the church in Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29).
The video messages of letters to churches in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7), Smyrna (Rev 2: 8-11), Pergamum, (Rev 2:12-17), Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29), Sardis (Rev 3:1-6), and Philadelphia (Rev 2:18-29), Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzs5B_RI3OQ&list=PLGZv4fOP54n3HbIZJqV-Juw8qSO_tO7Ls
2. Justice Is Part of Love
Some level of graciousness, patience, kindness, forgiveness to one another is needed for any sane family or society. Society needs to administer justice. A good judge who cares for people may want to be patient with the accused where possible. The judge also cares for justice, and about right/wrong, and to protect the victims against the perpetrators. Justice is therefore part of love. Patience should not be misunderstood as a lack of justice. God says to one set of people at the church in Thyatira, “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling… know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” (Rev 2:21-23)
3. Getting Better With Time
The church at Thyatira has another set of people, about who, God says, “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” (Rev 2:19). In fact this set of people are getting better with time! They are perhaps “being transformed into His image from glory to glory” as 2 Corinthians 3:18 says. Forgiveness comes by a simple change of heart (like the dying thief on the cross), but to live a life that is increasingly glorifying to God, it takes continuous deliberate intention, deep and careful study/meditation the on the word of God, character-building, perseverance, mutual edification and accountability with a fellowship of other believers and so on.
4. Reward for the Overcomer
The reward for the overcomer is to reign with Jesus! “he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations… as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star” (Rev 2:26-28)
Seven churches of Revelation series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzs5B_RI3OQ&list=PLGZv4fOP54n3HbIZJqV-Juw8qSO_tO7Ls