Wednesday, February 12, 2020

James White / 7 Churches SERIES: THYATIRA

Thyatira signifies "sweet savor of labor," or "sacrifice and contrition," which seems descriptive of the church of Jesus Christ during the 1260 years of papal persecution.


This age of dreadful cruelty, and martyrdom of the true church, improved her real condition. "I know thy works, and charity, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first."
How necessary to the purity and prosperity of the church, has been persecution and affliction! and how corrupting and destructive to holiness has been worldly prosperity! 
 
Jezebel, is a figurative name, alluding to Ahab's wife, who slew the prophets of the Lord, led her husband into idolatry, and fed the prophets of Baal at her own table.

A more striking figure could not have been used to denote the papal abominations. See 1 Kings 18,19, 21.
It is very evident from history, as well as from this verse, that the church of Christ did suffer some of the papal monks to preach and teach among them.
James White

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;
These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire,
and his feet are like fine brass;
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works;
and the last to be more than the first.
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess,
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
And I will give him the morning star.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:18-29