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. – Comment: I, the Son of God, can see right through into your innermost being (eyes like a flame of fire) and I can tread the winepress of God’s Judgement (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. – I note and praise you because you are doing better than you were, BUT….. 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. –Comment: The woman described sounds like a real person, a female, heretical leader in the church. The name may be substituted to compare her to the evil woman, Queen Jezebel in the Old Testament. 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. – God’s grace time has passed apparently and this woman’s future is sealed. How will Jesus achieve the punishment? He has many ways as He is Sovereign, but I expect that probably she got a sexually transmitted disease, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which can lead to abscess formation, rupture and a slow death. Or God may have used a bolt of lightning! Practicing sin has consequences being passed not only to partners, but to children and even grandchildren! 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. – Eternal Life is a gift of God’s Grace but works will be judged! v24 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. – Perseverance in our faith in obedience to God’s way is highlighted again and again in Scripture! 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.’ – Jesus is the Morning Star! (Rev 22: 16) “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”What a promise, to reflect the Glory of the Christ!” What a promise!
James 1: 12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Prayer: Lord keep me singing ”I’m pressing on the upward way!’