Revelation: Truth or Tolerance?

Revelation 2:18-29

Today, we are inundated with self-proclaimed experts. From podcasts to YouTube videos, TikTok, and Instagram stories and reels, men and women, young and old, tell us what to believe and why. With their polished presentations and charismatic personalities, we can easily be deceived by messages that are not biblically sound. That’s what happened to a group of believers who were part of a small church in Thyatira. 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to an angel who delivered the message to the apostle John. Beginning in Revelation 4, we will delve into important end-time prophecies, seeking to understand these topics without getting bogged down in the details. However, before the prophecy portion begins, Jesus provides the historical background of the book by writing to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). In today’s passage, Jesus addresses what is his longest letter to the smallest church. We’ll follow the usual structure of all these letters: the person of Jesus, praise, the problem within the church, the solution, the consequences, and the promise. 

The Person of Jesus
Jesus instructed the angel of the church in Thyatira to write, “The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze” (Rev. 2:18). The church needed clear words of wisdom, so Jesus introduced himself as the “Son of God,” the second Person of the Trinity, establishing his divine authority. 

The description of Jesus’ eyes and feet is the same picture of Jesus that John saw back in Revelation 1:14-15. The blazing fire in Jesus’ eyes symbolizes judgment. He sees all. Nothing is hidden from his sight (Heb. 4:13). Jesus’ feet of burnished bronze symbolize the trials he faced during his time on earth, culminating at the cross. Now the feet of the Righteous Judge pursue all that is evil. 

Praise for the Church in Thyatira 
Jesus commended the believers in Thyatira for their strong Christian virtues. They excelled in love, faith, service, and patient endurance. The praise concluded with this: “Your latter works exceed the first” (Rev. 2:19). Remember, the Ephesian church started strong, but their love faded; however, the opposite is true here. The believers in Thyatira are growing stronger in their devotion. 

The Problem
There were two main problems in Thyatira: tolerance was the first, which led to syncretism, the second. Jesus said, “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” (Rev. 2:20). There was a woman in Thyatira who was misleading the believers. Jesus called her “Jezebel” after the wife of Israel’s King Ahab. The Old Testament Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal and led God’s people astray (1 Kings 16:30-33; 19:1-2). The Thyatira Jezebel spread false teachings and encouraged believers to practice sexual immorality. 

Here's why this “Jezebel’s” teaching was attractive in Thyatira.

The small city had many trade guilds for potters, tailors, shoemakers, bakers, tanners, and other skilled craftspeople. These guilds served as social clubs and provided care for widows. They held banquets in pagan temples and offered food to pagan gods. After eating and drinking, participants often engaged in sexual immorality. The problem was that, to work in a specific trade, one had to be part of that guild. Therefore, the prophetess in Thyatira combined Christianity with pagan worship by teaching that it was possible to follow God while participating in guild practices. This blending of beliefs was appealing. She told believers they could follow Jesus and practice immoral behavior. That’s why her heretical teachings were tolerated and accepted. 

The Solution 
The solution was repentance. Jesus gave the prophetess plenty of time to change her thinking and behavior, but she refused “to repent of her sexual immorality” (Rev. 2:21).

The Consequence 
While some of the believers tolerated this Jezebel, Jesus would not. She was leading people to beds of adultery, so Jesus said:

Revelation 2:22-23
Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

If Jezebel and her followers refuse to repent, they will face sickness, severe tribulation, and even death. This will clearly demonstrate to the rest of the believers that Jesus is the Lord of the church and that he will not tolerate the mixing of pagan and Christian worship for any reason. Jesus described what Jezebel presented as new and enlightened teaching as “the deep things of Satan” (Rev. 2:24). 

As believers, we must recognize that what is labeled as a new teaching is actually a form of old heresy. The prophetess Jezebel’s new teaching in Thyatira was the same false doctrine that the wicked Jezebel of the Old Testament promoted. 

The Promise
Jesus exhorts the believers to “hold fast” until he comes. When he returns, the one “who conquers and who keeps my works until the end” is promised two things.

First, Jesus promised future “authority over the nations” (Rev. 2:26), an “authority from my Father” (Rev. 2:27b). I believe this refers to believers ruling with Jesus during the millennial kingdom (Ps. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4-6). This authority is likened to “a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces,” spoken about in Psalm 2:9. This represents the absolute reign of Jesus. Bible scholar Alan Ross says, “The imagery is probably drawn from Egyptian . . . customs in which the Pharaoh used his scepter to smash votive jars (pottery) that represented rebellious cities or nations.”[1] One day, Jesus will put down all rebellion, and we will reign with him.

Second, Jesus will give the one who perseveres “the morning star” (Rev. 2:28). Some believe this refers to believers who participate in the rapture before the dark hours of the tribulation.[2] I believe the morning star refers to Jesus. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus is described as “the bright morning star.” I see this as a promise that, one day, we will be in his eternal presence forever.

The message to the church in Thyatira serves as a wake-up call for all believers. Are we supporting false teachings by allowing charismatic personalities to mix Jesus with the religions and customs of the world? And are we tolerating those who present half-truths in their messages? We must draw a clear line in the sand regarding our beliefs and never waver from the truth of God’s Word. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 2:18-29. Don’t miss Rev. 2:29, where Jesus tells us to listen closely and pay attention: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Talking to God: How does the image of Jesus’ “eyes like a flame of fire” challenge the way you view your personal integrity and hidden struggles?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're glad to help as we explore God's Word together. Share your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you'd like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you're seeking spiritual guidance.

Please CLICK HERE for a virtual tour of Thyatira.

The Living Grounded Ministry is hosting a tour of the Holy Land from November 4 to 15, 2026, as part of our Bible Immersion trips. We would love to have you join us. Further details will be shared soon.