Thyatira

Apart from the numerous trade-guilds represented within the city of Thyatira, little is known about the fourth of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.

Strangely, the longest letter is sent to the least known church. However, what we do know is that they tolerated sin.

The Bible says, “…Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols…” (Revelation 2:20).

The Christian writer, Dorothy Sayers, describes this kind of toleration as, “…the sin that believes in nothing…”

So, how did John address this sin?

He wrote, “…To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze…” (Revelation 2:18).

Clearly, when we have become complacent about either our own sin, or the sin of others, we need a revelation of the purity of Christ.

Are we still appalled by our own sinful behaviour?

Are we as shocked by the sin in the world as we once were?

Do we need a fresh revelation of the holiness of Jesus Christ?

Robert