Thyatira's Works, Charity, Service, Faith and Patience Revelation 2:19

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, then the “church in Pergamos” and followed with the “church in Thyatira” where He told them, “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;” In chapter two and verse nineteen of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told “the church in Thyatira” how He knew their, “works, charity, service, faith and patience” where we read:

I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith,

and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.

The verse begins, “I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, ...” John began with the words, “I know” which means “Jesus perceives, notices, discerns and discovers” “your works” or “the church in Thyatira's business, employment and that with which they are occupied”, “and charity” which means “the church in Thyatira's affection, good will, love, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love”, “and service” which means “ministering and executing the commands of others”, “and faith” or “and their conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things as well as the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”. Jesus knew the “business, love, ministering and conviction” of the “church in Thyratira”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.” John added the word, “and your patience” or “and the church in Thyatira's steadfastness, constancy and endurance”, “and your works” which means “and the church in Thyatira's business, employment and that with which they are occupied”; “and the last” or “and the uttermost part, the end and the extreme” “to be more than” which means “to a greater quantity, more part, superior and more excellent than” “the first” which refers to “the chief or principal influence and honor in succession”. Jesus recognized the “church in Thyatira's” “endurance and constancy” as well as their “business” which He mentioned for the second time.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we notice how Jesus was well aware of the “works, charity, service, faith and patience” within the “church in Thyatira”. They, like the previously addressed churches, had good works wherein they were active, and they were “steadfast and constant” within them. Jesus knows the activities of those who have “denied themselves, taken up their cross and followed Him” (See Matthew 16:24), and He is aware of the attitudes in which they carry them out. May all who read these words remember that Jesus observes them and seek to please Him in their “works” and “ways”.

Next time John writes how Jesus tells the “church in Thyatira”, “I have a few things against you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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