Thyatira, the Corrupt Church

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

NKJV

Years ago when I was in High School, and I will not say how many years, I played basketball.  I was much shorter than most of the guys I played with so to compensate, I would wear ankle weights in practice in order to build up my leg muscles and be able to jump higher.  However, I would never wear those weights in a game. 

Romans 3:23 reminds us that we all have sinned and as Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us, the sin in our lives is a weight holding us back.  However, verse 2 reminds us that Jesus bore the weight of our sins on the cross and we have no need to be held back by carrying this weight.  Therefore, just as I was able to jump higher without the ankle weights when playing basketball, when we shed the weight of sin in our lives, we too will be empowered to better serve our Lord.

The fourth church mentioned in Revelation 2 is the church in Thyatira.  This church is often referred to as the corrupt church and the harsh words in scripture towards this church are a warning to us not to allow corruption to enter our lives, or the lives of our churches.  Unfortunately, however, I fear many churches and many church members have started compromising their stance on God and his Word and with this compromise, corruption is beginning to creep into the church. 

One of the biggest areas where corruption is entering the church is in the family and the sacred covenant of marriage.  Previously, in my post about the church in Pergamum, I wrote about church denominations that condone same sex marriages and even some denominations that ordain gay and lesbian bishops.  However, the most vicious attack on the family by Satan is the high divorce rate among Christians, and Christians living together outside of marriage. 

Statistics typically have reported that the divorce rate among Christians is around 50 percent, but recent research by Harvard trained researcher Shaunti Feidhahn claims that the overall divorce rate in the United States is around 30 percent with the rate among couples regularly attending church being at 15 to 20 percent.  (1)  On the surface we may view this reduction as good news but in the eyes of God, who hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), it is 15 to 20 percent too many. 

There are even some Christians questioning whether Christians should shack up before marriage.  (2)  Many justify shacking up by citing that one would not by a used car without test-driving it first.  However, our spouses are not a used car we plan on driving a few years and then trading in on a newer model for our spouses are someone we are pledging to be with until death do we part. 

Genesis 2:24 reminds us that we are to leave our parents, be joined to our spouses, and become one flesh.  Therefore, if we were to apply the used car scenario, we would be saying it is okay for one to become one flesh with their spouse and lop off that portion of their flesh and trade it in once it has outlived its usefulness to us, how absurd. 

God’s main criticism of the church in Thyatira was that it allowed that woman Jezebel, a proclaimed prophetess to seduce members of the church to commit sexual immorality (Revelation2:18).  I fear the corruption of the condoning of same sex marriage, divorce, and cohabitation in the church today demonstrates how our churches may have allowed Jezebels to come in and begin seducing Christians into sexual immorality. 

However, this does not mean our churches are not to allow sexually immoral people, or people who have been divorced, into our services for the main mission of the church is to share the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).  However, we must be on guard not to compromise on God’s Word about marriage in order to entice these guests into our congregations.  Instead, we as Christians and especially pastors need to proclaim God’s truth on marriage and extend his hand of mercy and grace to those who have been guilty of the sin of sexual immorality.  We also must extend a hand of love and healing to those that have suffered through a divorce.  However, the church must not soften its stance on the important issue of marriage and proclaim the truth of God’s Word on marriage in order to prevent corruption from creeping in as it did at the church in Thyatira. 

I want to close this post with an invitation to those who have committed sexual sin.  1 John 1:9 tells us that,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NKJV

So if you have committed a sexually immoral sin, know that our gracious merciful God forgives you if you confess it and ask for His forgiveness.

If you have already gone through a divorce, know that God still loves you and forgives you.  He also grieves with you and wants to restore your joy and take care of you. 

If you are contemplating divorce, or having an extra marital affair, stop a moment and consider that divorce grieves the heart of God, not to mention the effect it has on your children, if you have any.  Consider that an extra marital affair may bring temporary satisfaction but in the long term will break the heart of your spouse, the one you vowed to be faithful to until death do you part. 

Finally, if you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, please take a moment to pray this prayer with me for having Jesus Christ as you savior not only saves you from your sins but also brings stability to your marriage and strength to resist temptation to compromise leading to corruption. 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life (Romans 10:9-10).

If you prayed this prayer, know that all your sins, including any sexual sins are now forgiven.  This, however, does not mean you have permission to continue living in sin for that would in essence be allowing corruption to enter your life, something God harshly condemned in Revelation2:20-23.  Instead allow God to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) by reading the Bible, finding a church teaching the Bible, and connecting with other believers in that church for this is your shield against allowing corruption to creep into your life. 

1. Bohon, Dave. Research challenges "50 percent" Divorce Statistics for Christians. www.thenewamerican.com. [Online] The New American, June 30, 2014. [Cited: October 17, 2015.] www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/18596-research-challenges-50-percent-divorce-statistics-for-christians.

2. Parrish, Alec. Cohabitation - "Shacking Up". www.overcomingchurch.org. [Online] April 24, 2014. [Cited: October 17, 2015.] www.overcomingchurch.org/page_to_print.cfm?id=151&blog_id=19.