Be Holy for God is Holy | Daily Devotion
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze:
19 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.
20 “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality.
22 “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.
24 “But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you 25 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.
28 They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!
29 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Revelation 2:18-29 NLT
To the pastor of the church of Thyatira, Jesus reminds that His eyes are like flames of fire, purifying all that He sees, and that His feet are like polished bronze, ready to enact judgment for sin – toward all who refuse to repent.
God’s glory is seen in a pure church, a church that walks in holiness, obeying Christ. A church like that is a light to the world—Matthew 5:16. In turn, God will remove His glory from a church immersed in idolatry and immorality—Ezekiel 10:18. God commands His church, ”Be holy for I am holy”—1 Peter 1:16. So, this is serious. A sinful church allowing false doctrine is subject to divine judgment—Romans 6:23.
Jesus takes His church’s holiness seriously. He desires a pure bride—Revelation 19:7. He sees everything that is going on in His church and He moves quickly with feet of judgment to convict, correct, and chasten the sin in its midst—Revelation 1:15, 2:18. So, He writes this letter to the church in Thyatira, warning them of coming judgment if they do not repent of their wicked ways—Revelation 2:18, 21-22.
He first commends them for their love, faith, service, and patient endurance—Revelation 2:19. But then He brings His complaint, “You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray”—Revelation 2:20a NLT. This leader in the church was encouraging the people to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin—Revelation 2:20. And the church was allowing it! They were permitting evil to take place in their midst. Not good! The church is to uphold the truth. We are to defend the truth, not compromise the truth.
In His grace, Jesus gave this leader time to repent and she refused—Revelation 2:21. Christian, if God is speaking to you right now regarding the sin in your life, repent! Do not harden your heart to the voice of the Lord—Hebrews 3:15. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God—Romans 3:23 NKJV. But in His love, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for you—Romans 5:8. God will judge unrepentant sinners—Revelation 2:22, Romans 6:23. Jesus forgives you when you repent! So, today, turn from your sin and turn to Christ—Acts 17:30!
To the minority in the church that dedicated themselves to holiness, Jesus calls out, “Keep the faith and you will rule and reign with Me”—Revelation 2:24-28. See, if you commit yourself to purity and holiness you will have genuine spiritual power to change lives. You will be able to speak with authority because you live a life of integrity and moral purity.
Christian, it’s your job to examine yourself—2 Corinthians 13:5. Are you right with God? Search the Scriptures—Acts 17:11. Is your church teaching the truth? Take responsibility for your walk with God! Workout your own salvation with fear and trembling, so that you are able to identify false teaching in your midst and the subtlety of Satan that seeks to draw people to compromise and participate in sexual immorality and idolatry.
Prayer: Abba, like Jesus we pray asking You to make Your church pure and holy by teaching Your words of truth. Please fulfill Your word and promises today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
