Or... …the Revelation Church in Thyatira

The show isn't overly long today, so there's time for a silly segment with (Isaac, and our Summer of kids series. To follow up on the round of singing, and finding out whether Isaac ever plays pranks, or knows any jokes, we shift into a short look at news headlines. The headlines are real, but the commentary that is offered by Chris and Keith is entirely made up. Why ruin the fun by actually reading the news article?

Main Topic

Nathan joins Keith in the look at what was going on in the early church in Asia, particularly to the Church in Thyatira. We break down each verse to dig deeper into their problem.

Verse 18 "

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

Thyatira. Little is known about this city of commerce. It was known for wool, dyed material, bronze work, among other industries.. Lydia, the woman who felt in purple fabrics in the book of Acts was from here.

As with each of the churches, Jesus identifies himself in a way that's tailored to their situation. He claims to be the son of God. A title only used here in Revelation, but relates to the title of son of man used through the gospels .

He is described as having eyes like flames of fire, possibly to counter worship- of a sun god prominent in Thyatira. . More likely, it has to do with having eyes of discernment of judgement.

His feet of polished brass might have had significance to bronze workers, but more likely revealed his strength, and foundational attributes.

Revelation 1

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

Verse 19 "'

I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

Jesus saw they had good qualities, and their works were increasing. They had love (or agape), faith, service, and they had a cheerful attitude in enduring hardships.

Verse 20

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Their downfall was in following a woman in their leadership. At worst they followed her teaching. At best, they tolerated, or suffered with her, meaning they did nothing. They let her alone to run her course of doing damage. The woman is never named, but is compared to Jezebel.

Jezebel:

* Ahab, a weak king, married Jezebel and was enticed to worship other gods. 1 Kings 16

* Elijah, God's prophet, was protected and fed when her wrath rose against him. 1 Kings 17.

* Ahab told Jezebel of her prophets being killed, and it was her who threatened Elijah. 1 Kings 19.

* Jezebel plots murder to get land Ahab wanted. 1 Kings 21.

This unnamed woman was a self proclaimed prophet, and had no real calling from God. Prophets were usually gifted with teaching, predicting, or other signs. The sign given was intended as a proof of divine authority. In her case, she not only didn't have any outward sign, but her teaching led astray the believers to live in all manner of sexual immorality. Not to mention participating in idolatry. Once enticed, willingness sells out.

1 Kings 21:25 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab,