moving forward in our study of the letters to the seven churches in revelation, tonight we come to...

• Moving forward in our study of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, tonight we come to the church at Thyatira. Thyatira was also known as “The Corrupt Church” or “The Church that Tolerated Sin.” Now is a good time to be reminded of our tools for interpreting.

• Moving forward in our study of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, tonight we come to the church at Thyatira. Thyatira was also known as “The Corrupt Church” or “The Church that Tolerated Sin.” Now is a good time to be reminded of our tools for interpreting.

• Remember we are reading the Bible, the Word of God.

• Allow the Bible to speak for itself.• Observe the context.• Use Scripture to interpret Scripture.

• Remember we are reading the Bible, the Word of God.

• Allow the Bible to speak for itself.• Observe the context.• Use Scripture to interpret Scripture.

• “When the plain sense, makes sense, seek no other sense, or you end up with nonsense.”

• Look at the meaning of words in the original language as needed.

• The Plain Things are the Main Things, and the Main Things are the Plain Things.

• Read the Bible prayerfully and pensively.

• “When the plain sense, makes sense, seek no other sense, or you end up with nonsense.”

• Look at the meaning of words in the original language as needed.

• The Plain Things are the Main Things, and the Main Things are the Plain Things.

• Read the Bible prayerfully and pensively.

• “When the plain sense, makes sense, seek no other sense, or you end up with nonsense.”

• Look at the meaning of words in the original language as needed.

• The Plain Things are the Main Things, and the Main Things are the Plain Things.

• Read the Bible prayerfully and pensively.

• “When the plain sense, makes sense, seek no other sense, or you end up with nonsense.”

• Look at the meaning of words in the original language as needed.

• The Plain Things are the Main Things, and the Main Things are the Plain Things.

• Read the Bible prayerfully and pensively.

The Church at ThyatiraRevelation 2:18–29 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.

25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27

‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received 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

• As part of our practice of “observing the context,” we need to know who this letter is addressed to. We need to study the historical context of Thyatira up to and including the period of time in which the message was sent. For this passage, this means that we should do some reading about the history of Thyatira up to around 100 A.D.

• As part of our practice of “observing the context,” we need to know who this letter is addressed to. We need to study the historical context of Thyatira up to and including the period of time in which the message was sent. For this passage, this means that we should do some reading about the history of Thyatira up to around 100 A.D.

• Again, we must remember when doing research outside of the Bible: only the Scriptures are inerrant. Everything else is subject to having mistakes or being written from a less than objective viewpoint.

• Again, we must remember when doing research outside of the Bible: only the Scriptures are inerrant. Everything else is subject to having mistakes or being written from a less than objective viewpoint.

• Historical Notes On Thyatira And The Church In That City

• Still exists as the modern city of Akhisar, Turkey.• Thyatira was about 40 miles southeast from

Pergamum and was less significant than Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.

• Historical Notes On Thyatira And The Church In That City

• Still exists as the modern city of Akhisar, Turkey.• Thyatira was about 40 miles southeast from

Pergamum and was less significant than Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.

• Thyatira served as a military “first line of defense” for Pergamum, but the city was poorly adapted to such military purposes and often found itself overrun by marauding soldiers across the centuries.

• Thyatira served as a military “first line of defense” for Pergamum, but the city was poorly adapted to such military purposes and often found itself overrun by marauding soldiers across the centuries.

• The city was identified with Paul’s missionary journeys in the book of Acts:

• Acts 16:14. “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”

• The city was identified with Paul’s missionary journeys in the book of Acts:

• Acts 16:14. “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”

• In that day, the city was famous for its “guild of dyers” (guilds were roughly the equivalent of a labor union). The goods used in many cities were dyed in Thyatira and shipped out from there. Dying goods was the number one industry of the city.

• In that day, the city was famous for its “guild of dyers” (guilds were roughly the equivalent of a labor union). The goods used in many cities were dyed in Thyatira and shipped out from there. Dying goods was the number one industry of the city.

• The pressure faced by most Christians in Thyatira came from these guilds. To hold a job or run a business, it was necessary to be a member of a guild. Each guild had its patron deity, in whose honor feasts were held – complete with meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality.

• The pressure faced by most Christians in Thyatira came from these guilds. To hold a job or run a business, it was necessary to be a member of a guild. Each guild had its patron deity, in whose honor feasts were held – complete with meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality.

• Christians faced the dilemma of attending those feasts or possibly losing their livelihood. How some in the Thyatira church were handling the situation caused the Lord Jesus Christ great concern.

• Christians faced the dilemma of attending those feasts or possibly losing their livelihood. How some in the Thyatira church were handling the situation caused the Lord Jesus Christ great concern.

• The primary god worshiped by the Thyatirans was the Greek sun god, Apollo.

• Now we are ready to try to understand the meaning of the letter to the church at Thyatira.

• The primary god worshiped by the Thyatirans was the Greek sun god, Apollo.

• Now we are ready to try to understand the meaning of the letter to the church at Thyatira.

• 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: - Jesus is identified as the “Son of God” to emphasize His deity (the only time this phrase appears in the book of Revelation). As the divine Son of God, Jesus Christ has eyes like a flame of fire.

• 2:18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: - Jesus is identified as the “Son of God” to emphasize His deity (the only time this phrase appears in the book of Revelation). As the divine Son of God, Jesus Christ has eyes like a flame of fire.

• Nothing can be disguised, covered or hidden from His sight. His feet like fine brass depicts His holiness and purity as He tramples out impurity.

• Nothing can be disguised, covered or hidden from His sight. His feet like fine brass depicts His holiness and purity as He tramples out impurity.

• Nothing can be disguised, covered or hidden from His sight. His feet like fine brass depicts His holiness and purity as He tramples out impurity.

• Throughout Scripture, fire is the symbol of judgment. So using this imagery, Jesus is making Himself known as the righteous and just judge. (Look back at your notes from Rev. 1:14-15)

• John 5:22 – “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.”

• Throughout Scripture, fire is the symbol of judgment. So using this imagery, Jesus is making Himself known as the righteous and just judge. (Look back at your notes from Rev. 1:14-15)

• John 5:22 – “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.”

• 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience: - Although the letter to the church at Thyatira is one of warning and criticism, the Lord begins it with undiluted praise. Out of their faith and love grew their service and perseverance. Those who love will express that love through meeting the needs of others. Those who are faithful will steadfastly persevere in the faith.

• 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience: - Although the letter to the church at Thyatira is one of warning and criticism, the Lord begins it with undiluted praise. Out of their faith and love grew their service and perseverance. Those who love will express that love through meeting the needs of others. Those who are faithful will steadfastly persevere in the faith.

• 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience: - Although the letter to the church at Thyatira is one of warning and criticism, the Lord begins it with undiluted praise. Out of their faith and love grew their service and perseverance. Those who love will express that love through meeting the needs of others. Those who are faithful will steadfastly persevere in the faith.

• and as for your works, the last are more than the first. – Their loving service was becoming more consistent and their faithful perseverance was growing stronger. For that, they were to be commended.

• and as for your works, the last are more than the first. – Their loving service was becoming more consistent and their faithful perseverance was growing stronger. For that, they were to be commended.

• 20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. – In Thyatira, this Jezebel, this evil woman, this false prophetess, taught those who would listen to her “to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” The very things forbidden in Acts 15:20;

• 20 “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. – In Thyatira, this Jezebel, this evil woman, this false prophetess, taught those who would listen to her “to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” The very things forbidden in Acts 15:20;

• Acts 15:20 – “but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.”

• Who is Jezebel?• Jezebel, more than likely, is not the real name

of the false prophetess. But like Jezebel of the Old Testament, the infamous wife of King Ahab, she was Satan’s agent to corrupt God’s people. Jezebel of ancient Israel led her husband and her nation into idolatrous worship.

• Who is Jezebel?• Jezebel, more than likely, is not the real name

of the false prophetess. But like Jezebel of the Old Testament, the infamous wife of King Ahab, she was Satan’s agent to corrupt God’s people. Jezebel of ancient Israel led her husband and her nation into idolatrous worship.

• Who is Jezebel?• Jezebel, more than likely, is not the real name

of the false prophetess. But like Jezebel of the Old Testament, the infamous wife of King Ahab, she was Satan’s agent to corrupt God’s people. Jezebel of ancient Israel led her husband and her nation into idolatrous worship.

• Who is Jezebel?• She was an unspeakably vile woman – so much

so that the Bible names marrying her as the most evil thing wicked King Ahab did. (1 Kings 16:30-31). Therefore, the Lord branded this false prophetess of Thyatira with the symbolic name Jezebel.

• Who is Jezebel?• She was an unspeakably vile woman – so much

so that the Bible names marrying her as the most evil thing wicked King Ahab did. (1 Kings 16:30-31). Therefore, the Lord branded this false prophetess of Thyatira with the symbolic name Jezebel.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Pushed the Greek philosophy that spirit is good

and flesh is evil. That God is only concerned with Spirit so it therefore does not matter what you do with your body. Leading others to sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Pushed the Greek philosophy that spirit is good

and flesh is evil. That God is only concerned with Spirit so it therefore does not matter what you do with your body. Leading others to sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Pushed the Greek philosophy that spirit is good

and flesh is evil. That God is only concerned with Spirit so it therefore does not matter what you do with your body. Leading others to sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Taken a twisted view of God’s grace, arguing

that it did not matter if Christians sinned since God would graciously forgive.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Taken a twisted view of God’s grace, arguing

that it did not matter if Christians sinned since God would graciously forgive.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Encouraged Christians to experience the “deep

things of Satan,” so they would better appreciate the gift of God and be better prepared to witness to the unbelievers.

• How did Jezebel “teach” the Thyatirans to do wicked in the sight of the Lord?

• She may have:• Encouraged Christians to experience the “deep

things of Satan,” so they would better appreciate the gift of God and be better prepared to witness to the unbelievers.

• Whatever the specific content of her false teaching, it led the majority of the Thyatiran believers astray from truth and righteousness.

• 1 Kings 21:25 – But there was no one like Ahab

who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.

• 21 “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. – Understanding God’s character allows us to see that He is longsuffering towards us and He is a just God.

• Nahum 1:3 – The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked.

• 21 “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. – Understanding God’s character allows us to see that He is longsuffering towards us and He is a just God.

• Nahum 1:3 – The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked.

• 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. – It was too late for Jezebel, her heart had been hardened by unrepentant sin. But God in His longsuffering towards humanity, was offering those who committed adultery with her (those who followed her teachings) another chance to repent.

• 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. – It was too late for Jezebel, her heart had been hardened by unrepentant sin. But God in His longsuffering towards humanity, was offering those who committed adultery with her (those who followed her teachings) another chance to repent.

• 22 “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. – It was too late for Jezebel, her heart had been hardened by unrepentant sin. But God in His longsuffering towards humanity, was offering those who committed adultery with her (those who followed her teachings) another chance to repent.

• 23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.’ – Those who follow the wicked teachings of Jezebel and continue in sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols will not be spared.

• 23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.’ – Those who follow the wicked teachings of Jezebel and continue in sexual immorality and the eating of things sacrificed to idols will not be spared.

• We also see that there is not a feeling or a thought that we can keep from God. Our emotional and intellectual life are both known by Him. He searches and knows our minds and hearts.

• “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” A reality that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

• We also see that there is not a feeling or a thought that we can keep from God. Our emotional and intellectual life are both known by Him. He searches and knows our minds and hearts.

• “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” A reality that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

• We also see that there is not a feeling or a thought that we can keep from God. Our emotional and intellectual life are both known by Him. He searches and knows our minds and hearts.

• “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” A reality that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

• We also see that there is not a feeling or a thought that we can keep from God. Our emotional and intellectual life are both known by Him. He searches and knows our minds and hearts.

• “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” A reality that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

• We also see that there is not a feeling or a thought that we can keep from God. Our emotional and intellectual life are both known by Him. He searches and knows our minds and hearts.

• “I will give to each one of you according to your works.” A reality that should bring fear to those who teach and practice false doctrine, but comfort and hope to those whose faith is genuine.

• 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. – The phrase “the depths of Satan” reveals how far the church in Thyatira had slipped in relation to those in Smyrna and Pergamum. The Smyrna church faced hostility from the “synagogue of Satan,” that is, from unbelieving Jews (2:9).

• 24 “Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. – The phrase “the depths of Satan” reveals how far the church in Thyatira had slipped in relation to those in Smyrna and Pergamum. The Smyrna church faced hostility from the “synagogue of Satan,” that is, from unbelieving Jews (2:9).

• The Pergamum church existed at the site of Satan’s throne, a place filled with idolatry and false worship (2:13). But the church at Thyatira had plunged headlong into the very depths of satanic deception.

• The Pergamum church existed at the site of Satan’s throne, a place filled with idolatry and false worship (2:13). But the church at Thyatira had plunged headlong into the very depths of satanic deception.

• The true believers already bore the burden of this false teaching and immoral living being rampant in their church. They had to resist the constant solicitation to partake in this wickedness and that was burden enough for them to bear.

• The true believers already bore the burden of this false teaching and immoral living being rampant in their church. They had to resist the constant solicitation to partake in this wickedness and that was burden enough for them to bear.

• 25 “But hold fast what you have till I come. – Christ implores them to hold fast until He returns. The Greek word for hold fast is “krateo”, which implies that the task would not necessarily be an easy one to accomplish.

• 25 “But hold fast what you have till I come. – Christ implores them to hold fast until He returns. The Greek word for hold fast is “krateo”, which implies that the task would not necessarily be an easy one to accomplish.

• 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – It is not enough to simply deny “Jezebel” and her teachings. We overcome by “the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony” (12:11).

• 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – It is not enough to simply deny “Jezebel” and her teachings. We overcome by “the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony” (12:11).

• 26 “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – It is not enough to simply deny “Jezebel” and her teachings. We overcome by “the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony” (12:11).

• Keeping His works is to be contrasted with the wicked works of Jezebel. John 6:28-29 tells us what it means to “keep His works.”

• Johns 6:28-29 – Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

• This promise to “give power over the nations” points to one of participation in the millennial kingdom.

• This promise to “give power over the nations” points to one of participation in the millennial kingdom.

• 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ – This verse is a quote of Psalm 2:9 and has always been viewed as a forecast of the triumphant work of our conquering Messiah. The oppressive strength of Rome was nothing compared with the gracious power of God.

• 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ – This verse is a quote of Psalm 2:9 and has always been viewed as a forecast of the triumphant work of our conquering Messiah. The oppressive strength of Rome was nothing compared with the gracious power of God.

• 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ – This verse is a quote of Psalm 2:9 and has always been viewed as a forecast of the triumphant work of our conquering Messiah. The oppressive strength of Rome was nothing compared with the gracious power of God.

• as I also have received from my Father; – Christ will delegate authority to the overcomers as He also has been given authority and power over the nations from the Father.

• as I also have received from my Father; – Christ will delegate authority to the overcomers as He also has been given authority and power over the nations from the Father.

• as I also have received from my Father; – Christ will delegate authority to the overcomers as He also has been given authority and power over the nations from the Father.

• 28 “and I will give him the morning star. – The promise is that the church at Thyatira, those faithful to the calling of God, those who overcome, will eventually receive the Morning Star. That is they will receive the abiding, intimate, and eternal fellowship with the Lord Jesus himself.

• 28 “and I will give him the morning star. – The promise is that the church at Thyatira, those faithful to the calling of God, those who overcome, will eventually receive the Morning Star. That is they will receive the abiding, intimate, and eternal fellowship with the Lord Jesus himself.

• Revelation 22:16 – “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

• 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Heed the message to the church at Thyatira. Those who fail to heed will receive divine judgment; those who do heed will receive divine blessing.

• 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Heed the message to the church at Thyatira. Those who fail to heed will receive divine judgment; those who do heed will receive divine blessing.

• 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – Heed the message to the church at Thyatira. Those who fail to heed will receive divine judgment; those who do heed will receive divine blessing.

• The Applications• The application to the church of Thyatira in

John´s day has been explained through our examination of the text. The problem was not external persecution, but internal compromise.

• The Applications• The application to the church of Thyatira in

John´s day has been explained through our examination of the text. The problem was not external persecution, but internal compromise.

• Historically, the Thyatira period was from A.D. 606 – 1520. This was a period of dominance of the Roman Catholic Church over Christendom. Although during this period the Roman Catholic Church did many good things, it was also a period dominated with the development of many false doctrines.

• Historically, the Thyatira period was from A.D. 606 – 1520. This was a period of dominance of the Roman Catholic Church over Christendom. Although during this period the Roman Catholic Church did many good things, it was also a period dominated with the development of many false doctrines.

• Teaching of the church is equal to the teaching of Scripture• Bowing before images and pictures• Declaring the Lord’s Supper to be the

Sacrifice of the Mass• Doctrine of Purgatory• Selling Indulgences• Praying through Mary and the saints

• Teaching of the church is equal to the teaching of Scripture• Bowing before images and pictures• Declaring the Lord’s Supper to be the

Sacrifice of the Mass• Doctrine of Purgatory• Selling Indulgences• Praying through Mary and the saints

• The Reformation was first a call to repentance (Martin Luther’s 95 theses), but the Catholic Church would not repent; therefore, many left.

• The application of these words to our church today are important. There is as much or more false doctrine coming from churches whose historical ancestors came out of the reformation as those whose ancestors were part of the Catholic Church. The letter to this church at Thyatira is the longest of the seven, though addressed to the church in the smallest of the seven cities.

• The application of these words to our church today are important. There is as much or more false doctrine coming from churches whose historical ancestors came out of the reformation as those whose ancestors were part of the Catholic Church. The letter to this church at Thyatira is the longest of the seven, though addressed to the church in the smallest of the seven cities.

• The application of these words to our church today are important. There is as much or more false doctrine coming from churches whose historical ancestors came out of the reformation as those whose ancestors were part of the Catholic Church. The letter to this church at Thyatira is the longest of the seven, though addressed to the church in the smallest of the seven cities.

• And the message is important, especially to the church today. False doctrine and sin are not to be allowed – even under the banner of love and tolerance. False doctrine is often accompanied by an unrepentant heart (this was certainly the case for Jezebel).

• And the message is important, especially to the church today. False doctrine and sin are not to be allowed – even under the banner of love and tolerance. False doctrine is often accompanied by an unrepentant heart (this was certainly the case for Jezebel).

• And the message is important, especially to the church today. False doctrine and sin are not to be allowed – even under the banner of love and tolerance. False doctrine is often accompanied by an unrepentant heart (this was certainly the case for Jezebel).

• Many today use the love that Christ has for sinners to promote tolerance of sin. Read with me an excerpt from a remarkable sermon by Perry Webb:

• Many today use the love that Christ has for sinners to promote tolerance of sin. Read with me an excerpt from a remarkable sermon by Perry Webb:

• “While Jesus was tender, he was also firm. His meekness was not weakness, and it was a thousand miles from that idle and amiable Laodiceanism that so often marks the lives of his liberal followers today. The sweetness of Jesus was not insipid; his patience was not indifference, nor did it arise from lack of concern. He refused to compromise with error or to violate truth in order to gain popularity. While his overtures of grace were broad, his requisitions of righteousness were exact and unyielding.”

• What will happen to these who practice false doctrine?

• Rev 2:22 – Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

• What are we to do?• Revelation 2:25 – But hold fast what you have till

I come