Layover: Thyatira

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write….I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance….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” (Rev. 2:18-20).

“Ladies and Gentlemen, B. L. Airways would like to welcome you again to our flight to Philadelphia. We have already had three vital layovers. Our next top will be in Thyatira.

“We would like everyone to prepare for landing. You will find that we are still in the province of Asia. In fact, Thyatira is on the border of Lydia and Mysia. Because of its position between two river valleys, it is thought to have been a garrison town, used strategically by the military. One interesting thing to note is that this town was recorded to have more trading guilds than any other Asian city.

“We hope you enjoy your short stay in Thyatira.”

Thyatira is not mentioned very many places in Scripture, or in other writings for that matter. We first hear of this city in the book of Acts where Paul meets a Thyatiran named Lydia. Lydia was “a seller of purple fabrics” and “a worshipper of God” (Acts 16:14).

The Christians of this city were active in their deeds and service for the Lord. Where they faltered, according to many scholars, is through the trade aspect found there. It is believed that the trading business caused problems for Christians in that trading guild membership brought invitation to compromise, as well as other temptations.

Revelation specifically tells us of a woman, likened to Jezebel, who has infiltrated the church and has taught false doctrine. Many people were lead astray by her false teaching. We saw last month that false teaching was a problem in Pergamum, so what lessons can we extract differently from their particular situation in Thyatira?

The fact that Scripture calls the deceitful woman “Jezebel” can give us a clue into what she was trying to sneak into the church. The Old Testament Jezebel was the wife and the primary negative influence that pushed Ahab to do some truly evil acts. One of the worst things Jezebel brought to Israel was Baal worship, a pleasure oriented religion.

When Revelation says that the woman “leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality,” I believe it is referring to sexual immorality. One reason for this is the very fact that she is called “Jezebel,” who brought a sensual religion into the country. Also, when her punishment is given a couple verses later in Revelation, we are told, “I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation” (2:22). What more ironic punishment for someone sinning in the bedroom, than to be confined to that very bed through great sickness?

When we talk about sexual sins, what we are referring to is an impurity in the heart. Our impurity means that there are foreign elements within us that do not belong. It is why gold is put into the fire after it is discovered—to melt away all of the impurities. The same goes with us. When we become Christians, we are a new creation. When we harbor within us anything contrary to the likeness of Christ, it signifies impurity.

Having impurities inside a heart which should be filled with the Spirit almost creates a kind of multiple-personality complex. If left unchecked, we can actually develop a double-life. Now this can be true of sexual sins, or any other sins that are repetitive in our lives. What is interesting about sex is that the Bible ties it directly to marriage. So, when we entertain impurity, we marry ourselves to that impurity.

Following the announcement of punishment in Revelation, we are told that God “searches the minds and hearts” (vs. 23). We might be able to hide our impurities from men, but God sees everything. God looks past flesh and bone to the invisible parts of our being. God is the “refiner’s fire” and can discern between what is acceptable and good, and what is unacceptable and impure.

The deeds done by the people of Thyatira were found acceptable by God, but were mixed with impurities. Immorality seeped into the church and they lived double lives as do-gooders who also practiced immorality.

What’s the big deal, though? As Christians, we are saved and on our way to Heaven, so what difference does purity really make? Jesus gives the answer in one of His Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). This has tremendous implications for us in our daily spiritual lives.

How often have we asked, “Where is God? Why can’t I see Him move in my life?” Other times we pray, “Lord show me Your power.” Many of us who utter words such as these ignore Jesus’ tip, and we continue to harbor impurity in our lives.

The key to all of this is both simple and extremely difficult—we must rid ourselves of all impurity and seek total, unapologetic purity in our hearts. This is easy in that I am not talking about some confusing theological doctrine here. We are to cling to all that is good and godly, and abhor and evacuate immorality. It’s as simple as that. The hard part comes in the fact that we are to daily, and even hourly, crucify the flesh. The refining process is one that will continue until this life is through and we go to join the Lord in a glorified body.  

Purifying our hearts is a time-consuming process, but is one that is vital if our goal is to see God work in our lives. I see no better reason to destroy impurity than to be able to say with confidence, “I can see God!”

“Ladies and gentlemen…we hope you enjoy this stop. Our next layover will be in Sardis, where we will arrive in one month.”

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