No Perfect Churches

No flawless congregations in the New Testament

Made of imperfect people who create problems

Even strong churches can have fatal weaknesses

Thyatira Commended

Deeds — and your later deeds are greater

Love • Faith • Service • Perseverance

Revelation 2:19

The Son of God Speaks

Eyes like a flame of fire

Feet like burnished bronze

Penetrating knowledge — unyielding judgment

Revelation 2:18

Christ Sees the Good

“I know your deeds”

Love, faith, service, perseverance

Progress — greater than at first

Revelation 2:19

Keep Growing

Do not grow weary in doing good

You will reap if you do not lose heart

Excel still more

Galatians 6:9

But I Have This Against You

The Fatal Flaw

Strengths do not erase sin

Praise does not cancel rebuke

Revelation 2:20

You Tolerate Jezebel

Calls herself a prophetess

Teaches and leads My servants astray

Revelation 2:20

Her Influence Produced

Acts of immorality

Eating things sacrificed to idols

Sin made acceptable

Revelation 2:20

Mercy Offered — Refused

I gave her time to repent

She does not want to repent

Unrepentance invites judgment

Revelation 2:21

Sin Spreads

Bad company corrupts good morals

A little leaven leavens the whole lump

1 Cor 15:33–34 • 1 Cor 5:6–7

Judgment Is Certain

I will throw her on a bed of sickness

Great tribulation — unless they repent

Revelation 2:22

Consequences for All

I will kill her children with pestilence

All the churches will know

I search minds and hearts

Revelation 2:23

The Faithful Remnant

To the rest who do not hold this teaching

I place no other burden on you

Revelation 2:24

Hold Fast Until I Come

What you have — hold fast

Do not abandon truth because others compromise

Endure faithfully

Revelation 2:25

Reward for Overcomers

Authority over the nations

Will rule them with a rod of iron

Revelation 2:26–27

The Morning Star

I will give him the morning star

Christ Himself — our eternal reward

Revelation 2:28 • 22:16

He Who Has an Ear

Let him hear what the Spirit says

To the churches

Do not ignore this warning

Revelation 2:29

Lessons for Us Today

Don’t be deceived by a strong reputation

Tolerance of sin is not love

Unchecked sin spreads like leaven

Our Calling

Grow continually in good works

Guard holiness with courage

Confront compromise when needed

Invitation — Repent & Hold Fast

If leading others into sin — repent now

If tolerating or excusing evil — repent

If faithful amid compromise — hold fast

Gospel Invitation

Believe the gospel of Christ

Repent of your sins

Confess Jesus as Lord • Be baptized

Christ sees — come to Him today