Revelation 2:18-29
Most of us learned about labor unions in school (AFL/CIO); they represent workers negotiating higher wages, workplace safety, and health benefits, but did you know they were just as powerful in the small city Jesus visited named Thyatira?
He identified Himself as the Son of God with fiery eyes and bronze feet reminding us of His passion and judgment but also of His true identity that brought His execution.
If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now, if He desires Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ Matt. 27:40b, 43
Those trade guilds were highly organized, influential, had mandatory attendance to meetings including pagan worship, and sexual immorality. When Christians refused to participate they faced loss of jobs, homes, social standing, even imprisonment.
Jesus commended these church leaders but also warned of the seriousness of compromise calling it the teaching of Jezebel: bold, decisive, unsubmissive people who encourage believers to ‘just give in a little’, ‘value the world’s diversity’, ‘be inclusive if you want to get ahead’. It’s simply rationalizing sin.
As the church experienced pressure to join these pagan practices and maintain their lifestyle, Jesus called out church leaders for permitting this worldly seduction of His servants, leading them astray, subsequently calling it the ‘depths of Satan’: Enemies from without and enemies from within.
A warning of serious consequences followed those refusing to repent; He would release sickness, anxiety, and mega-oppression for those compromising true holiness and a lifestyle opposed to the world. However, for those who hold their ground, true Nike believers, Jesus promised to fulfill this prophecy of ruling and reigning at His Return:
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. Psalms 2:8-9
This is the longest message of the Seven Churches and closes with yet another promise: “I will give Nike believers (overcomers) the Morning Star.” Jesus is present with us every day with strength, power, and determination as surely as the sun rises.
… because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79
Pastors, elders, and ministry leaders beware of false apostles, prophets, and teachers who lead your people away from sound doctrine which means you have to know what sound doctrine is! Bible studies, seminars, podcasts of respected Christian teachers, take advantage of the plethora of teaching available to you and hold your position.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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