Herbert is 23 years of age. He has recently started a new job with a firm of financial consultants having graduated two years previously from university with a degree in economics. He is delighted to get the work as he has been “in and out” of all kinds of jobs over the past two years. The firm has arranged an evening dinner for all the employees followed by entertainment in a well known Belfast club. Herbert, after talking to different men in his church, feels it would be appropriate for him to attend the meal but to withdraw from the gathering whenever the clubbing begins. Cyril, a Christian work colleague, doesn’t agree. “There’s nothing wrong with staying on”, Cyril advises. “The world poses no threat to us: we are stronger than the world, and by withdrawing you are conveying the impression that to be a Christian is both boring and unsociable.”

Cyril’s advice, which is widespread throughout evangelicalism at the present time, is nothing new. There were false teachers who had infiltrated the church in Thyatira, who were saying essentially the same thing. Described in Revelation 2:20 as the teaching of ‘that woman Jezebel’ the essential message was the same. Don’t withdraw from the revelry of the world. Show to the pagans that you’re as ‘cool’ as they are.

The Town⤒🔗

Thyatira was a town renowned for its trade guilds. Those who worked at the vari­ous industries based in the town were expected to belong to a guild and to partici­pate in all the guild activities which involved both the recognition of a pagan god and various forms of sexual immorality. There were wool workers, linen workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather workers, tanners, potters, bakers and bronze smiths, Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, who we meet in Philippi (Acts 16) originated from Thyatira.

The Church←⤒🔗

There are some good things happening in the church as can be seen from verse 19: “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience (perseverance), and as for your works the last are more than the first.” Here is a church that was active in serving Christ and was making some progress in terms of service and ministry. However, all was not well.

The Problem←⤒🔗

There are those who had infiltrated the church who were teaching error. Instead of encouraging the Lord’s people to lead holy lives and to keep themselves pure they were suggesting that it was OK to get involved with the trade guilds and to participate in both the idol worship and the sexual waywardness associated with them. The Saviour uses the name Jezebel to refer to these false teachers. Some think that this is a reference to a false prophetess of that name who had come in to the church but I think it more likely that Jesus was using this name as a ‘catch all’ expression to refer to these false teachers. Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab (1 Kings 16:31) and was renowned for her love of the false god Baal. She was also a woman of corrupt disposition. The name Jezebel can be readily applied to those who are suggesting that the believers shouldn’t get too worried about in­volvement with the world.

The Saviour has given time to Jezebel and her followers to repent. Failure to lis­ten to Jesus has consequences and, as such, their future will be one of judgement and doom (verse 22 and 23). For those who are faithful to the Lord and con­tinue to serve him whilst remaining apart from the world the Saviour gives a twofold promise. There is the promise of ultimately ruling with Christ at the time of his Second Coming (verses 26 and 27). This truth is somewhat hard to fully grasp but is taught elsewhere in Scripture most notably in 1 Corinthians 6:2. There is also the promise of future glory (verse 28). To receive the morning star (verse 28) is to receive Christ himself for he is so described in Revelation 22:16.

Postscript←⤒🔗

In looking at the different churches that we have considered so far it is interesting to note the different attitude to error that is found in each congregation. For exam­ple, Ephesus, whilst loveless, exercises strong discipline. Thyatira, by way of con­trast, does not seem to be prepared to discipline these false teachers in their midst. This has led some to suggest that we must not strive to expel error from the church for the desire to have a pure church is unattainable, and, it is therefore pointless to strive after such. Harry Buis states: “But despite the evils found in these churches, it is significant that Christ never counsels true believers to leave in order to found a ‘pure’ church of their own.” This is simply to read too much into this passage and to fail to apply the important Reformation principle of comparing Scripture with Scripture to this portion. A casual reading of the Epistles alone shows to us the importance of discipline within the church. (1 Cor 5)

Dr Mark Ross of Erskine Seminary in a recent edition of Table Talk makes the following apt comment in considering Matthew 18:

When lost sheep continue in their rebellion after many patient, persistent appeals, they are at last put out from the church, for the Lord’s forgiveness is not endless toleration of sin. His glory is not everlasting indulgence. His character of mercy and steadfast love includes His justice, for He will by no means clear the guilty.

Church discipline is not something we approach with any sense of ease or joy. It is always painful and distressing. But this passage reminds us that we cannot ignore it as our calling and duty as leaders in Christ’s church. See again the Saviour’s attitude to sin in his Church:

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.Verses 22-23

Solemn words of warning to a compromised church.