We conclude chapter 2 of Revelation by examining the message to the church at Thyatira. This is the longest message in the chapter and contains very graphic descriptions of the church’s relationship to “Jezebel.”
At this point, we should be on solid ground with our approach, so let us begin with the historical background of Thyatira.
Historical Background of Thyatira
Thyatira, known today as Akhisar in Turkey’s Manisa Province, was a significant city in Asia Minor during the period of roughly 100 BC to AD 100. Situated on the border between Lydia and Mysia, the city played a pivotal role in trade, industry, and religious life during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods.
The city was governed by a local council and magistrates under Roman oversight, with the provincial governor of Asia exercising supreme authority. While there is no direct evidence that Thyatira was a major center of the imperial cult, the city’s loyalty to Rome likely included some form of emperor worship, as was typical in the region.
One of Thyatira’s defining characteristics was its trade guilds. Civic life was organized around guilds for various trades—wool-workers, linen-workers, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths. These guilds functioned as both professional and religious associations, requiring members to participate in feasts and rites, many of which were dedicated to pagan deities.
Religious life in Thyatira was diverse, including temples and altars dedicated to Zeus, Artemis, and the local god Tyrimnos, son of Zeus. Though pagan worship dominated, the New Testament reference to Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) indicates that there was at least a small Jewish diaspora presence. Christians, however, would have faced immense cultural and economic pressure, especially when their refusal to participate in pagan rites conflicted with guild membership.
The Text: Revelation 2:18–29
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But 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. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 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, 23 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.
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come. 26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Praise and Rebuke
Thyatira received the familiar structure of praise, rebuke, warning, and encouragement. Like Ephesus, their works are acknowledged—but unlike Ephesus, where the church was guilty of abandoning its first love, the believers in Thyatira are commended for growing in maturity: “your latter works exceed the first.” This shows a thriving community of faith, service, and endurance.
However, their failure lay in tolerating false teaching, personified as “that woman Jezebel.”
Jezebel: A Symbol of False Teaching
The reference to “Jezebel” recalls the infamous queen of Israel, wife of King Ahab, who promoted Baal worship and persecuted the prophets of Yahweh (1–2 Kings). In prophetic literature, idolatry was often described as adultery or fornication, and Jezebel’s name became synonymous with leading the people into spiritual unfaithfulness (2 Kings 9:22).
In Revelation, “Jezebel” is not likely a literal name but a symbolic title for a false prophetess who encouraged assimilation into pagan practices—specifically, eating food sacrificed to idols and engaging in sexual immorality. As we have seen before, the phrase “sexual immorality” is not limited to physical acts but often symbolizes spiritual infidelity—turning away from exclusive devotion to God.
Economic and Spiritual Pressure
The danger here was tied directly to Thyatira’s guild system. Membership in these trade associations often required participation in pagan feasts, including eating food offered to idols. Refusal could mean exclusion from the guild—and therefore economic ruin.
This tension created a stark choice: compromise faith to maintain livelihood, or resist and suffer loss. “Jezebel” was apparently encouraging compromise, teaching that Christians could participate without consequence.
While Paul took a somewhat moderate position on food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8–10), emphasizing freedom of conscience but warning against causing others to stumble, John’s vision here is absolute: participation equals idolatry. There is no room for accommodation.
“The Deep Things of Satan”
Verse 24 references “the deep things of Satan.” Two interpretations are possible:
- Sarcasm: John may be using irony—what Jezebel claimed were “deep things of God” he dismisses as Satanic deception.
- Literal claim: Jezebel may have taught that by engaging with pagan rites, believers could “know Satan’s ways” and thus gain mastery or immunity.
Given the Gnostic tendencies already present in the late first century, the first interpretation—that this was a claim to secret spiritual knowledge—seems most likely.
Judgment and Warning
Because Jezebel refused to repent, Christ promises judgment. The imagery is vivid: she will be cast onto a “sickbed” (Greek: klinē), likely symbolizing suffering instead of pleasure. Her followers (“children”) will also face judgment, possibly referring to spiritual death or the “second death.”
The purpose of this judgment is not only punitive but revelatory: “all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart.” This reaffirms Christ’s divine authority and His role as judge.
Encouragement and Promise
For the faithful remnant who have resisted Jezebel’s teaching, Christ gives no new burden: simply to “hold fast” until His coming. To those who overcome, two promises are given:
- Authority over the nations (Psalm 2 imagery) — believers will share in Christ’s victory and rule.
- The Morning Star — a symbol of sovereignty and also a self-designation of Christ (Revelation 22:16; cf. 2 Peter 1:19). To receive the “morning star” is to receive Christ Himself.
Conclusion
The church at Thyatira illustrates the tension between faith and compromise in a culture where economic survival was tied to pagan practice. Their perseverance and growth were commendable, but tolerating false teaching threatened their witness. Revelation’s hardline stance reminds us that compromise in the name of convenience leads to spiritual infidelity.
This passage also underscores the importance of discernment in the church: not every teaching that claims maturity or deeper knowledge is truly from God. Instead, the faithful are called to endure, resist compromise, and hold fast to Christ—the true Morning Star.
Rooted & Reckoned 
Leave a comment