THYATIRA
Today’s Reading: Revelation 2:18-29
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Some of the ruins of ancient Thyatira, located in the modern Turkish town of Akhisar.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 2:28-29
…and I will give him the morning star.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus describes Himself as “The Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). He is, Himself, the most precious Gift. He gives Himself to those who overcome and those who keep His works until the end (2:26). As we have noted throughout this entire two-year journey through the Bible, God uses repetition for strong emphasis! He says, “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches!” “Listen!” “Pay close attention!” All who are consistent in reading God’s Word daily, and who have spiritual ears, are indeed hearing “what the Spirit says.”
Jesus is described (2:18) as having “eyes like a flaming fire” (He sees into our innermost hearts and knows our thoughts), and “Feet like fine brass” (we walk with Him and together we crush Satan under our feet…Romans 16:17-20).
Jezebel (2:20-23), probably not her real name, is the big problem in the Thyatira church. Jesus chose to name her by the name of the most wicked woman in the Old Testament. She manipulated some of the believers by her domineering personality and her claims to be a prophetess (nothing wrong with being a prophetess as were the four daughters of Philip the Evangelist – Acts 21:8-9). Satan beguiled this woman and she gave out false and destructive teachings. Jesus said that she would “teach and beguile my people to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols” (2:20b). The Angel (messenger or pastor) was not charged with any of Jezebel’s evil teachings and deeds, but for tolerating her and for failure to exercise his God-given authority. To be fair, Jezebel may not have been a member of the congregation which Jesus addressed. She may have been someone from the outside trying to draw the believers out of the church and into an independent group. The Apostle wrote to a young pastor some excellent teaching concerning all who are called of God to lead Jesus’ Church. This may be a good time to read again 1 Timothy chapters 3 & 4.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for grace to “hold fast” (as in fastened securely), and as You said, Jesus, “Keep my works until the end.” I pray most earnestly for the gift of “discerning of Spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). I believe that if this gift had been operating in the church in Thyatira, Jezebel could not have beguiled some believers, and the Pastor would not have tolerated her. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS
In the course of doing my best to help Canada retain the traditional meaning of the word “marriage,” I met a Bishop at a conference on marriage in Toronto. With tears in his eyes he told me that he had written letters to all the priests in his diocese, which they were to read, but most of them refused to read his letter to their parishioners. We wept together and I found myself praying in the Name of the One who said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” I put my arm around his shoulders and prayed for authority to be restored to the God-called leaders in Jesus’ Church. I think that if I had met the Pastor of the Thyatira church, I may have done the same. I believe that most congregations want pastors that are strong, wise, and who do not tolerate manipulative personalities who would try to draw people after themselves. I’ve not been a local church pastor since November, 1971. Since that time I’ve had the privilege of ministering in a great many churches of various denominations, and I have an observation I’d like to share. Church members thrive and feel safe when they are convinced that they have a pastor who genuinely cares about them, who exercises gentle authority, and who, himself, submits to the authorities God has placed in senior leadership.
Yours for the protection and guidance of a thorough study of God’s Word day after day, and with the wise guidance and knowledge of a pastor that God has called into ministry,
David
Remains of a portico (a covered walkway or porch) which once stood on the west side of a column-lined street in ancient Thyatira. I wonder if the one Jesus called a “Jezebel” walked here. Her mission from “Apollyon,” meaning Satan the destroyer, is illustrated in these “ruins.” Jesus’ mission is the opposite. He said, “I will build My Church and the gates (rulership) of Hades (Hell) shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b).
Intricate designs can be found amongst the ruins of Thyatira. In today’s reading we are encouraged to have a life designed by the great Creator for His glory.
I just read the blog from 2014. We were so full of comments, then. I wish more of the bloggers made regular posts. I know we are large in numbers for readers and are still unified because some days twenty and thirty people post. Please consider giving more.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Ps 118:8
Jesus I Come, Elevation Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Fx06jskfY
what do you mean when you say “please consider giving more” do you mean money or what????????
More comments, regular posts, Sah.
We call to you, our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, for RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, to pour down upon Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Lord. Oh dear God, make it RAIN, we pray, we pray, we pray. Stop the fire, Lord, in its tracks with the blessing of RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. Change the weather, Lord, to bring floods of RAIN to stop the fire dead. Your Holy blessing to bring an end to the destruction is needed, Lord. The fire is out of control and unstoppable and we need divine intervention of an incredible weather change which pours out RAIN, RAIN, RAIN to stop it, Lord. We believe Lord in YOU as the hearer and enactor of our prayers. We come into unity to pray together for this immediate blessing for the people of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas who have lost so much. Please bring healing, Lord. Please bring comfort, Lord. Please bring hope, Lord. Please bring a miracle of torrential RAIN, Lord. In Jesus mighty Name, we pray, amen, amen, and amen.
Rain. And lots of it! Lord, we call upon You. We ask for Your Perfect Will. You know all about the fire. It is not a surprise to You. We do plead for friends and family in Alberta and may those who do not serve You, now call upon You, and see Who You really Are. Save to the uttermost and send rain. Thank You Lord.
Amen!
Amen Beverlee, agreeing in prayer with you…Thank you Lord God Almighty, for hearing and answering this prayer, in The Mighty Name of Jesus I prayer, AMEN and AMEN!!!
I wonder where the praying people are in Fort McMurray? Don’t hear anything about anyone praying, no word from a Pastor. it is sad situation, yes Lord we do rain, and lots of it, thank you for all the blessings of this day Lord. AMEN
Praying in agreement with you Beverlee. Amen and amen.
Dear friends let’s all join with Beverlee in this pray for Ft McMurray, Blessings to all and a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow to all dear Mothers.
Yes Beverlee and Doreen and Eleanore… and all fellow bloggers,I agree and pray along with you for Ft McMurray!
This is our Father”s world. Amen!
I have been watching the Fort McMurray and surrounding area reports and excellent commentary via The Weather Network.
My heart sings with all of the help, care, concern, and financial aid from all peoples.
Amen for enough rain to stop these fires immediately !
Diane 🙂
Yes, Ft McMurray needs rain, and we ask you, Lord God for it, in Jesus’ Name. And we also ask for an outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, Lord, that many will turn to You and be saved. We need You, Lord God!
http://www.tscpulpitseries.org/english/1990s/ts950109.html
I am agreeing with you all in prayer for rains to pour down on the fires in Alberta. May God bless all the fire fighters and those who are helping during this horrible time. They’ve had to leave their families to tend to their jobs. Lord please help all those people get to safety and may their needs be met along the way.
Thank you Lord for those who are gathering supplies and money to help those in desperate need.
AMEN!
I am in full agreement Lord with all those who are praying for RAIN for Fort McMurray.
Open the clouds full of refreshing saving Rain Lord and pour enough to stop the fires but just enough so as not to cause any more devastation.
Put a hedge of protection around all the people and Oh Father bring comfort to the many hearts who are fearful and hurting. In the Mighty Name if Jesus. Amen
Thank you Teacher David for increasing our understanding of the situation with the church in Thyatira. Yes Lord, please send abundant rain upon the fires of Fort McMurray and other areas in Jesus name. I agree with all the fervent prayers that have been sent up so far today.
I appreciated very much your comment that believers feel safe and secure and thrive when they know that their pastor cares for them genuinely, exercises gentle authority, and himself is submitted to the Authorities under which God has placed him.
We too will continue to pray for the people of Ft. McMurray who have suffered such loss. What an opportunity for God’s people to reach out to them in their distress!
It seems that Canada has been put in a place where only God can solve the problem by sending rain as He is in control of the weather. Then I thought of our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking people to pray across this nation to send rain. He has appeared on my facebook page many times before and after the election and many prayers I believe have gone up for him, now I would like like to suggest to him that He publicly acknowledge God as the one true God and ask for prayer. God is not Mother nature, He is God! Time for that verse over the front door of the Parliament Buildings in Psalm 72:8, “He shall have dominion from sea to sea…” to become very real in this generation. What do you think?
AMEN and AMEN!!
Amen! Rob.
Dear Heavenly Father, may Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We have faith and trust in You Lord for everything, Amen!
Precious Lord take my hand, lead me on…
Thank You Lord: “You brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And You have put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto Our God:” Ps.40:2-3a
Prov. 18:10 “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe”.
Thank you Lord I come, Jesus I come…thank you Beverlee for the song “Jesus I come”
I to have prayed for all the people who are fleeing the flames
Our Heavenly Father knows all things….He is Mighty to save…..We pray He will bring
down the Rain, and may manycry to the Lord Amen …..R….
AMEN!!!
Yes, may You Lord be glorified and magnified in this situation and considering that these fires may continue in future, may it be the means of a spiritual awakening in this nation and others, in Jesus Name, Amen! Our hope is in You, Lord! May many surrender to You and call upon the Lord!
ROB THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS! You have hit the nail right on the head! Let us pray that all peoples will come to the Lord, on bended kneee and confess that we have all sinned against God and if it were not for His death and His resurrection, we would be lost! BUT, WE ARE NOT LOST, WE ARE FORGIVEN COMPLETELY! Our sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west! THAT BRINGS PURE JOY TO MY HEART AND ALL I CAN DO IS DANCE AND CELEBRATE THE JOY OF THE LORD AND THANK HIM FOR HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
I pray that all people will take the time and reflect on the good things in our lives, thank God for all that we have now and forever, thank God for the freedom to post on this blog, thank God for His never ending love for us!
I have a question for everyone, I am trying to find a Scripture verse that says that we do not have because we do not ask! It was Chapter 1:24 of one of the Books of the Bible and I can’t find it; I did when I first heard the verse, but now, can’t find it …….if someone can help would appreciate very much…..
AMAZING GRACE!
also please pray for Roger to quit smoking; to find a home in the same community that he works in, and that he can find a smalll 2nd car….he is a dad/husband, he is a very nice person, God bless his marriage amen
Is it James 4 : 2 ………”Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t as k God for it”?
Thank you for your postings and your prayers. I need 2 more surgeries but one may be done at the end of summer. The other perhaps 6 – 12 months later. I am walking with a walker, but not for more than a short time. I am trying to build up my strength. Do not sleep well, so posting this before I try to get another few hours. God Bless you, I have been praying for you also.
Thank you and God bless you Mary:
the Lord brought the Scripture to my mind it is Mark 11:24
“THEREFORE I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE IT, AND YOU WILL.”
Mary I thank God that you can walk with a walker, even if for a short time, each day you will get stronger,
can you go to a pool and just walk around in the water or sit in the hot tub? water is so very healing;
are you able to get outside much, the fresh air will be good for you, maybe go find a park, I pray it is warm where you live!
Mary I pray that the Lord will give you added strength each, I pray the Lord will lead you to places where you can get fresh air, I pray the Lord will surround you with Christians who can pray for you and walk with you!
I also pray the Lord will help you Mary to think on 5 positive things each day! I saw a big ant the other day and I thanked God for that experience!
Mary you are very special to God! He is walking with you everyday, I thank God that you can post on this blog, it is so good to hear from you! I know that many others will be praying for you and Mary, post as many blogs as you wish, I am glad to hear from you, I will be praying for you, never ever doubt the promises of God; He will never leave nor forsake you Mary! God bless you………….I pray Mark 11:24 over your life Mary! .
Mary the scripture you are looking for is James 4: 2 writing a gratitude journal is
good , and speaking them out helps . I encourage you it will make a difference I know.
I will pray for you Mary God loves You !!
Lianne Hogg