The implication here is very strong. What “her children,” “those who commit adultery with her,” were involved with was physical, sexual immorality—physical fornication. Also, we might point out that “sexual immorality” is an expression which is also used when speaking of being spiritual adulterers and adulteresses. That terminology is used both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Perhaps these people were involved in some kind of fertility rights—we don’t know. Regardless, they were involved in spiritual adultery. They had gone from their first love—love of the Lord—and were now following this “Jezebel of a woman.”

Again, it’s obvious that she has gone beyond the limit of God’s patience. Christ, therefore, will help all the churches to know that He understands the feelings and the thoughts of every man. He knows fully and perfectly each one, so that He can judge each one according to his works. […“and all the churches shall know that I am He Who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works,” verse 23].

One of the important things that is set forth in the Scriptures in a number of places, and is expressed here as well, is that God’s judgment will be executed against each of us according to the deeds—according to the actions of our lives. These obviously include not only the things that we do, the things that we don’t do, but also the feelings and the thoughts of our minds and hearts, which, as someone said, is the mainspring of one’s actions. [1 Chronicles 28:9b: “…for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” Proverbs 20:27: “The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” Hebrews 4:12-13: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.”]

So we have this dual look here at the church of Christ in Thyatira. They were full of “love,” and “faith,” and “patience,” and good “works,” and they were seemingly increasing in those. But they allowed something to fester within the church, which was tearing the church apart, and which was going to condemn a number of people in the church, perhaps even the entire church itself.

Exhortation and Promise (verses 24-29)

Yet, Jesus has a Message of hope to those who have not defiled themselves with these false teachings and so-called deep things or “the depths of Satan,” [verse 24]the things that really belong to Satan. First, the Lord says,“I will put on you no other burden,”and then exhorts them to “hold fast what you have till I come,” [verses 24b-25].

The Lord is making His promise to the one who conquers, to “he who overcomes,” [verse 26]. The Lord is putting those who “overcome” or “conquer” on an equivalent basis here. We have spoken in the past and know that as He talks about a “crown of righteousness,” there is the overtone of athletic games and the prize which was given. When He speaks here about “conquering” or “overcoming,” this has to do, again, with an athletic application, a number of athletic contests, and so on. For example, boxing and what was referred to as Grecian-type wrestling where one “conquered” another. But there is a qualification a person must meet to be a conqueror, an “overcomer.” The Lord says that he who “keeps My works until the end” is he who conquers, is “he who overcomes,” is he who, if you will, will receive the crown of righteousness.

The Lord’s promise is to give them “power,” or that He, rather, the Lord, will have “power” to overcome “nations” and “He shall rule them with a rod of iron”. He says that those “who overcome”—those who conquer—will be with Him in this ruling aspect [verses 26-27].

The victorious Christian shares in Christ’s glorious triumph, shares in His authority, and possesses Christ as an everlasting treasure. Whatever may be the inconveniences, whatever may be the difficulties, whatever may be the hardships along the way, the faithful Christian will share in all of the joy and all of the triumph of the victorious Christ. That is the Message to the church at Thyatira. That is the promise that the Lord makes to that church, and that promise extends to us today.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”