Presents the Tell it like it is! series of studies:

Revelation 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson, 
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 ***********************************************************************************

Now here is our revised study from: Christopherson's Revelation chapter 2

[18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

The church of Thyatira should pay particular attention to His eyes that "see" what they're doing and His heavy metal feet that could do some serious "stomping" when He returns.  Brass feet will be great for "treading the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (Rev 19:15). Remember, He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule with a rod of iron (and brass feet).

[19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

I know your works,
And I Know your charity,
And I Know your service,
And I Know your faith,
And I Know your patience,
And I Know your works.

[20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Now let's back up and analyze what's being said. First, this is not, and cannot be, the Jezebel of 1 Kings chapter 16, though she certainly was a type.  Her name, Jezebel, means chaste, and so she gives the appearance of purity and holiness and goodness and truth (read as a Polysyndenton now that you know what one is), but we just learned that she is anything but those things. The problem is her church members are too deceived, too seduced and in love with her, to know that what she teaches is an abomination to our Father! (She is not an actual woman, but a "teaching" of the church).

What does it mean to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols? Do you mean she teaches people to have sex outside of marriage and eat food sacrificed to idols?  No, this is church doctrine that is being talked about. She teaches people to become idolaters by eating "spiritual food", i.e. doctrine and traditions, that are not Biblical, and so not from God. It comes from other gods, meaning the false god, Satan himself, but it looks and "tastes" so good!

An example would be the "rapture theory" taught in most Christian churches today. Margaret McDonald, a prophetess herself, originated this doctrine in the year 1830 in Glasgow Scotland. She herself wrote that at first it was evil and there was darkness about it. That should tell you right there where it came from, the dark one himself. It is not supported in anyway, shape, or form in the Bible, yet it "tastes" and "feels" very good to those who wish to "eat" of it and continue being "seduced".

But let's check out the type, the Jezebel in I Kings 16-19.  She had good old Ahab make groves that really angered our Father, more so than all the kings of Israel that were before him. That's pretty serious stuff!

1 Kings 16:33
And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

Well guess what? We just read in verse 17 of Rev. 2 that there is hidden manna, so henceforth we better all start looking a little deeper to uncover the truth.  Get a Strong's Concordance and look up "grove". The word is "asherah", from the root "ashar", to be straight, erect or upright!

Check out all the passages where this word is used and you will "see" without question it is not a grove like the folks of Thyatira think. For example, in 2 Kings 17:10 "they set them up under every tree" and in 2 Kings 23:6 "he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron...".

The asherah was a "thing", it was the Phallus image of  Isa. 57:8 and the "image of the male" in Ezek. 16:17. You guessed it, it was the image of the male upright organ of procreation. OK, it was a big carved penis, there I said it.

But you know what? It was a religious "thing". It was used in the spring sexual orgies honoring Ashteroth, the queen of heaven, from whom we get our word "Easter". Uh, oh! The church of Thyatira wouldn't bring symbols of fertility into the house of God, would they? Eggs, bunny rabbits?

"Oh, but those", we are told, "are just symbols of new life, after all it's spring time. And besides, it's so cute for the kids." (Doesn't Jezebel speak so sweetly?)  Sure, and grove means a clump of trees. How's it feel to be seduced by her? Do you know the origin of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies? What do they have to do with the Passover anyway?

It may offend some, but if that be the case, go ahead and try to find Easter in the New Testament. It ain't there! Surprised? (Note: Please don't send an e-mail saying you found it in Acts 12:4. The word is pascha, translated all 28 other times as Passover.)

[21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

[22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Worshipping Satan, even if in ignorance, is not a very good thing to do if you claim to be a Christian, is it?  It is called the great falling away, the great apostasy.

[23] And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

[24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

[25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

[26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

[27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

[28] And I will give him the morning star.

Rev. 22:16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

[29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

To this point in our study of the book that uncovers and unseals the truth, Jesus Christ has addressed four of the seven churches, and so far three of the four have come up short of pleasing Him. In fact we find that only two out of the seven are pleasing to Christ, Smyrna and Philadelphia.

The question is, "Do you want to please Christ, or not?" That may sound like a "dumb" question to ask someone who professes to be Christian, but let's think about it?

Suppose you "hire on" as a contractor for an architect who has given you the plans to build a great, magnificent structure. You're all excited about your new position and you really want to do a good job and please your boss. But you never quite get around to reading the plans or studying the blueprints. Instead you go about erecting poles and walls the way you think they ought to be, the way you've seen other poles and walls built, "traditionally". You justify it in your mind thinking, "This must be what he wants, everyone else does it this way."

When the boss comes along and asks "What in the world is this mess? Where's the magnificent building I ask you to construct? This doesn't even resemble it. Haven't you read my plans?", you say, "But I thought this is the structure you wanted me to build". You're then hurt and crushed when he fires you saying "get away from me" because he has no use for you.

I'd like to quote two paragraphs from the work of one of the greatest Bible scholars of our modern era, E. W. Bullinger, in his work titled "How to Enjoy the Bible", American Christian Press, pg. 6.

When we come to ask ourselves, and say "Where did I learn this?" "How did I get this?" "Who taught me this?" it is astonishing to find how much we have imbibed from man, and from tradition; and not directly and for ourselves, from the Word of God.

All that we have learned from our youth up must be tested and proved by the Word of God. Where we find it is true we must learn it over again, from God. And where it will not stand the test of His Word we must be not only content, but thankful to give it up; and receive Divine revelation in the place of man's imagination.

The apostle Paul was able to sum it up in one short sentence that we all need to live by:

1 Thes. 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Revelation 2:18 "And unto the angel of the church in Thy-a-ti'-ra write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine [burnished] brass;"

Jesus is introducing John now to the "Church in "Thy-a-ti'-ra".

Revelation 2:19 "I know thy works, and charity [love], and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the last to be more than the first."

This sounds like a good group of people, only their works are a lot stronger then their charity. God is commending them for their works. The problem here is also that at Thyatira is ignorant of who the Kenites are. Their works do not cover up their lack of knowledge of God's Word.

Revelation 2:20 "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jez'-e-bel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."

This is not the "Jezebel" of the Old Testament, but it is the one taking hold of most churches today. This "Jezebel" is the Harlot of Revelation 17. It is the people, churches and system that will whore after the Antichrist. This Jezebel church, "calleth herself a prophetess" [not a harlot], and tries to answer all your spiritual problems, as she drags you into her whoredoms.

My fellow Christian, the Church of Thyatira will teach you all sorts of things that sound good, and just like a whore, she will work over your emotions. She will seduce you into all forms of heathen customs and religious practices and acts of fornication and idolatry.This fits many churches in America and around the world today.

With their works of love, charity, service, patience, and faith; they are totally unprotected against the spiritual war Satan is placing upon them. They are allowing themselves to be herded into Satan's camp. The true bride of Christ in no way will allow herself to be compromised as this Church of Thyatira and these kinds of churches are. The bride of Christ knows her husband [Christ] and looks forward to His return. The true bride of Christ will not fall for Satan's, "Instead-of-Christ" scheme.

Revelation 2:21 "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not."

Thyatira doesn't repent because she has sold herself to emotion, and false doctrine. The "Kenites" have convinced her that she is going to fly away before the destruction comes.

Revelation 2:22 "Behold, I will cast her into bed, and them that commit adultery with her unto great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds."

This is the tribulation of the Antichrist. The tribulation of the Antichrist is the only subject of Matthew 24, Mark, 13, and Luke 21. They give the most detailed prophecies concerning the time prior to the return of Christ, and our gathering back to Him. You, as an individual can be an overcomer, regardless of what your local church body does.

This great falling away that will happen just prior to our Lord's return is called the great "Apostacy". This is because when the false-christ, Satan, arrives on earth, many Christians will believe that the he is the true Christ, rather than the spurious messiah, and will follow and worship the him in ignorance. At that moment, they have been "seduced" by him.

Revelation 2:23 "And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."

Once you have bound yourself over to the false-christ, God's grace by faith is not extended to you. Matthew 24:19 and Mark 13:17 gives us this warning; "But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days." "Suck" is a term used here, "to give your works". This is to nurture along the works of the Antichrist. Once you have done that, your in trouble with our Heavenly Father.

Revelation 2:24 "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thy-a-ti'-ra, as many as have not this doctrine [teaching], and which have not known the depths [deep things] of Sa'-tan, as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden."

This is addressed to those who have not taken part in the Antichrist's deception. It is to those who are within the Church of Thyatira, or one like it, but have not joined in her Jezebel practice. These saints are not, and will not be judged with the others, nor held accountable for the actions of them. Jesus Christ will see that you are protected against all fiery darts of deception in Satan's spiritual warfare, if you only arm yourself with the spiritual armor. This is an individual thing, because the Church simply can not save anyone, for through Jesus Christ we are cleansed of our sins.

Revelation 2:25 "But that which ye have already hold fast till I come."

Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power [authority] over the nations:"

Notice here that it does NOT say, keep my faith to the end. It says, "Keep my works to the end". It is quite common to hear, "All you need is to have faith". My fellow Christian, that will not be sufficient in these latter days, after Satan is already on earth ruling as the Antichrist. "Faith" is of value to us in this end generation, prior to Satan's arrival, for by faith we generate our actions into studying God's Word, and gain understanding and wisdom from the Scriptures, which in turn builds our confidence in Jesus Christ. The Scriptures teach us to tell the difference between what is Holy [Jesus] and what is profane [Satan]. The more wisdom we have from the Scriptures, the more passion we have to work and serve God. You simply do not have faith, if you have no commitment to serve Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:27 "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."

The word "rule" is better translated in the Greek, "Shepherd". The Shepherd looks out for his sheep, and the "rod of Iron" is a scepter of iron.

If your Church is similar to this Church of Thyatira, consider it as " a bowl made of potter", with Christ taking His rod of iron and smashing it to pieces. It won't have a chance on the "the day of the Lord", at His return. All the instructions that Jesus Christ carries out on that day comes directly from the Heavenly Father. All judgments of God are given in love.

Our Heavenly Father doesn't like it when these shepherds prophecy that God said something, when it isn't written in his book. Their false words are lies, and they are Jezebel liar prophets. He hates it, see verse 15.

Revelation 2:28 "And I will give him the morning star."

There are two morning stars, and the first star to come in these end days will be the Antichrist. Isaiah 14:12; "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lu-ci-fer [day star], Thy son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

How many teachers have been tricked into believing this morning star is Christ? Once God has sealed His "elect" and the 144,000 in their minds, the rest of mankind, including many teachers, will be given over to Satan, this morning star. see Revelation 9:1-5.

Revelation 2:29 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Do you have an ear to hear what Christ is saying to the Churches? What does your church stand for and teach?

American Wisdom Series Editor's Note: We are going to stop here in this "Revelation of Jesus Christ" study to review some commentary from verses 18 through 29 in an earlier study we published on the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these 2 authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that did and will take place may prove helpful in our understanding of Jesus' revelation. Also, our introduction #9300 was taken from this earlier study so keep your eyes open for study tips and rules to help simplify your grasp of Jesus' end time revelation

The church of Thyatira should pay particular attention to His eyes that "see" what they're doing and His heavy metal feet that could do some serious "stomping" when He returns.  Brass feet will be great for "treading the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (Rev 19:15). Remember, He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule with a rod of iron (and brass feet).

Now let's back up and analyze what's being said. First, this is not, and cannot be, the Jezebel of 1 Kings chapter 16, though she certainly was a type.  Her name, Jezebel, means chaste, and so she gives the appearance of purity and holiness and goodness and truth (read as a Polysyndenton now that you know what one is), but we just learned that she is anything but those things. The problem is her church members are too deceived, too seduced and in love with her, to know that what she teaches is an abomination to our Father! (She is not an actual woman, but a "teaching" of the church).

What does it mean to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols? Do you mean she teaches people to have sex outside of marriage and eat food sacrificed to idols?  No, this is church doctrine that is being talked about. She teaches people to become idolaters by eating "spiritual food", i.e. doctrine and traditions, that are not Biblical, and so not from God. It comes from other gods, meaning the false god, Satan himself, but it looks and "tastes" so good!

An example would be the "rapture theory" taught in most Christian churches today. Margaret McDonald, a prophetess herself, originated this doctrine in the year 1830 in Glasgow Scotland. She herself wrote that at first it was evil and there was darkness about it. That should tell you right there where it came from, the dark one himself. It is not supported in anyway, shape, or form in the Bible, yet it "tastes" and "feels" very good to those who wish to "eat" of it and continue being "seduced".

But let's check out the type, the Jezebel in I Kings 16-19.  She had good old Ahab make groves that really angered our Father, more so than all the kings of Israel that were before him. That's pretty serious stuff!

Well guess what? We just read in verse 17 of Rev. 2 that there is hidden manna, so henceforth we better all start looking a little deeper to uncover the truth.  Get a Strong's Concordance and look up "grove". The word is "asherah", from the root "ashar", to be straight, erect or upright!

Check out all the passages where this word is used and you will "see" without question it is not a grove like the folks of Thyatira think. For example, in 2 Kings 17:10 "they set them up under every tree" and in 2 Kings 23:6 "he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron...".

The asherah was a "thing", it was the Phallus image of  Isa. 57:8 and the "image of the male" in Ezek. 16:17. You guessed it, it was the image of the male upright organ of procreation. OK, it was a big carved penis, there I said it.

But you know what? It was a religious "thing". It was used in the spring sexual orgies honoring Ashteroth, the queen of heaven, from whom we get our word "Easter". Uh, oh! The church of Thyatira wouldn't bring symbols of fertility into the house of God, would they? Eggs, bunny rabbits?

"Oh, but those", we are told, "are just symbols of new life, after all it's spring time. And besides, it's so cute for the kids." (Doesn't Jezebel speak so sweetly?)  Sure, and grove means a clump of trees. How's it feel to be seduced by her? Do you know the origin of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies? What do they have to do with the Passover anyway?

It may offend some, but if that be the case, go ahead and try to find Easter in the New Testament. It ain't there! Surprised? (Note: Please don't send an e-mail saying you found it in Acts 12:4. The word is pascha, translated all 28 other times as Passover.)

Worshipping Satan, even if in ignorance, is not a very good thing to do if you claim to be a Christian, is it?  It is called the great falling away, the great apostasy.

To this point in our study of the book that uncovers and unseals the truth, Jesus Christ has addressed four of the seven churches, and so far three of the four have come up short of pleasing Him. In fact we find that only two out of the seven are pleasing to Christ, Smyrna and Philadelphia.

The question is, "Do you want to please Christ, or not?" That may sound like a "dumb" question to ask someone who professes to be Christian, but let's think about it?

I'd like to quote two paragraphs from the work of one of the greatest Bible scholars of our modern era, E. W. Bullinger, in his work titled "How to Enjoy the Bible", American Christian Press, pg. 6.

The apostle Paul was able to sum it up in one short sentence that we all need to live by:

1 Thes. 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

In chapter 3, pamphlet 9303 we will procede with to our current 2013 study of the "Revelation of Jesus Christ"

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