Overcoming Misguided Tolerance

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze:

19 I know your works—your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first.

20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.

22 Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works,

23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.

24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan”—as they say—I am not putting any other burden on you.

25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.

26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works to the end: I will give him authority over the nations—

27 and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery—

28 just as I have received this from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.

29 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. —Revelation 2:18-29

MISGUIDED TOLERANCE

Tolerance is a buzzword in our culture. But certain errors, under certain circumstances, are

.

The church in Thyatira got many things right but it got the issue of tolerance wrong. They were putting up with what they should’ve put

.

CHRIST & CULTURE

Thyatira was a “gateway” city known for its labor unions. Belonging to a union dominated

aspect of your life.
(economic, political, spiritual and social)

Jesus’ introduction of himself reminds us that we cannot know Jesus as savior if we don’t also submit to him as

.

THE COMMENDATION & CONDEMNATION

Jesus commends the church at Thyatira for several reasons. They were a

’ church, (works & service) a ’ church (love & faith) and a ’ church (endurance).

Unfortunately, their love for people was

into a misguided tolerance of sin. They were tolerating “…the woman Jezebel”

(1 Kings 16:29-22:40)

Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word. —1 Kings 18:21

The spirit of Jezebel is

with the Spirit of Christ. We must remove those things that compromise our allegiance to Jesus.

Misguided tolerance can usually be found where spiritual

has been continually resisted. (Rev 2:21)

THE CONSEQUENCE AND COMMAND

The judgment of Christ will make the bed of adultery into a bed of

regardless who commits the sin.

The way to overcome is to simply

in Jesus Christ.

The reward of overcoming is ultimately the gift of

Christ himself. All other desires are ultimately a desire for Him.