4. Thyatira – Idolatry & Witchcraft.                    (Rev. 2: 18 – 29)

Christ highlights His deity to these believers. He tells them that He is searching their motives & will judge those who are worshipping Satan.

                                                         `These things says the Son of God,

                                         who has eyes like a flame of fire, & His feet like fine brass;`

                                                                                                                        (Rev. 2: 18)   

The Lord encourages & commends them for their works, love, service, faith & patience, but warns of the false prophets teaching heresy. The Apostle Peter also warned the early believers that there would be false teachers & false prophets rise up from among them who would bring in destructive heresies. These are works of the flesh – idolatry, sorcery,.....dissensions, heresies – (Gal. 5: 19 & 20)

                                                           ` false prophets.....false teachers....

                                               who will secretly bring in destructive heresies.....

                                                    & many will follow their destructive ways...` 

                                                                                                       (2 Peter 2: 1 & 2)

The Lord then addresses this (spiritual) harlotry, sexual immorality, where people bow down & venerate other so-called gods, or in their hearts follow false doctrines.      (Num. 25: 1 & 2)

                           “because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,

                                  to teach & seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality ....

                           I will cast her ...& those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation

                                                      unless they repent of their deeds.”

                                                                                                                                                (Rev.2: 20 – 22)  

Queen Jezebel, of the Old Testament is often used as an illustration of someone bringing in heresies of witchcraft & idolatry to the people.   (2 Kings 9: 22)  One of the main heresies was imagining there was a `Queen of Heaven.` ( Jer. 44: 17)   Israel burned incense to this so-called deity, & venerated her image in the hope of protection. Even today this is a common practice keeping many in bondage.

The Apostle Paul also warns Timothy of these errors & gives some details of the false doctrines.

                                  `in the latter times some will depart from the faith,

                                 giving heed to deceiving spirits & doctrines of demons.

                                                 ....forbidding to marry,

                                            ....profane & old wives` fables,`           (1 Tim. 4: 1 – 7)

               & `gullible women....always learning & never coming to the knowledge of the truth.`

                                                                                                                             (2 Tim. 3: 6 & 7)

These people are continually looking for `secret knowledge` & teaching, beyond what God says in His Word. They do not have a firm foundation of the truth in Jesus Christ but are led on by their own fleshly desires.  

There needs to be repentance, acknowledging Christ as the ONLY Son of God, not one among other Deities. It is He who `searches the mind & hearts,` His `eyes like a flame of fire`