(18) 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; (19) 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. (20) 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. (21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (23) 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 everyone of you according to your works. (24) 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. (25) But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (26) And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (27) 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. (28) And I will give him the morning star. (29) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The fourth Church noticed in this Chapter, is that of Thyatira. When this Church was formed, and by whom, is not said; but it should seem probable, that there was none there at the time Paul first preached at Philippi. For ye are told that Lydia, a woman of this city was converted to the faith, when at Philippi, through the Lord's opening her heart, under the preaching of the word by Paul, Acts 16:14. In the opening of this Epistle, Christ describes the penetrating power of his omniscience, under the similitude of eyes like unto a flame of fire; and his duration and everlasting firmness, in supporting his Church, and going about unceasingly for her welfare, under the figure of feet of fine brass.
Jesus, in all his Epistles, graciously takes notice, of the graces of his people. Their righteousness is of me saith the Lord, Isaiah 54:17. This should not be lost sight of. He that gives grace, will give glory, Psalms 84:12. And while he noticeth the infirmities of his people, it is blessed to recollect, the Lord's engagements to do them away. We have a beautiful instance of this, Isaiah 57:17. The Lord is there speaking of his Church. He declares his wrath. Be hides his face. Still the Church goeth on frowardly. Well! what is the issue? Is there no change in the Church? No. Then God will accomplish it. The Lord saith, I have seen his ways and will heal him. God's grace shall, not be outdone, by man's frowardness. Grace shall triumph, even over abounding transgression.
Who this Jezebel is, is not said. If this Epistle be, as some have thought, a prophecy alluding to a different period of the Church, than when John wrote, and referred not to the things which then were, but to the things which the Lord said shall be hereafter; then it is possible, that the whore of Babylon, concerning whom so much is said, in the after Chapter s of this book, is meant. The features here drawn of a prophetess, and the committing fornication and the like, carry no doubt, a strong resemblance to each other. But where things are doubtful, it is prudent not to decide. It is enough, however, for our present purpose, in making improvements from this Chapter, to behold in the history of this Church of Thyatira, some of God's dear ones, of whom He, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, bears testimony to their faith, and charity, and patience. And that though living in perilous times, when a Jezebel is suffered among them, yet they themselves in a state of grace, and their last days, more than the first. One consolation, however, there is in this prophecy, (if it be a prophecy), concerning the latter-day dispensation; namely, Jesus will cast her into a wretched state of pining desolation; and all her children the Lord will kill. And all the Churches shall know, to their joy, and the Lord's glory, the final overthrow of this Antichrist. And in the same hour, the destruction of Christ's enemies, and of his Church are destroyed, the Lord, will give to his people power over them. The God of peace will bruise Satan under their feet shortly, Romans 16:20. Yea, Christ who is the morning star, will be their everlasting light, their God, their glory, Isaiah 60:19; Revelation 22:16. Reader! again let you and I look up for grace, to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.