18-19 “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: “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.”

20-21 “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. 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. I will strike her children dead. 23 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.”

24-25 “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 except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.”

26-28 “To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. 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 New Living Translation

In Galatians 5 vs 7-8 Paul said to some Christians:“You were running the race so well - who has held you back from following the truth?” Those words apply just as much to the Christians at Thyatira. Look at how Jesus first describes them in vs 18-19. But something sad happened - look at what He says in vs 20-21.

It seems that a woman had misled some of them into thinking they could still take part in the sexual lifestyle associated with many of the idol gods of those days. This included temple prostitutes (male and female) who 'assisted' worshippers at these idol shrines. So even in those days many foolish things were taught and done in the name of religion! And what's more, she said that her teachings would lead believers into 'deeper truth', even to know Satan's secrets. vs 24.

But if Jesus has 'eyes like flames of fire' (vs 18) how deep do you think He can see? Could vs 23 be the answer?

We have a Saviour who can see into the depths of our heart and mind! He knows what goes on in our lives and what it is we love most. On the one hand, He is ready to strongly discipline us if we've given ourselves over to wicked things (vs 22). But on the other hand, He only asks us to hold on to the truth we've received (vs 24-25) and promises to reward our faithfulness (vs 26-28). These rewards are described in symbolic pictures of being winners rather than losers.

Oh let us be careful of Satan - he has subtle ways of luring us away from our love of Christ. While we may be wise enough to see through Satanic things such as horoscopes, glassy-glassy, 'black magic' and so on, we may be slower to recognise when he is using some popular religious personality to trip us up. Hold tight to the truth of the gospel; don't let anyone drag you down by promising the treasures and pleasures of the world to rob you of your love and obedience to Christ.