Revelation Chapter Two, Being Commended

Revelation 2:19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.

As always, our Lord begins by commending Thyatira for the things they are doing correctly. We are also developing a pattern. Jesus our Lord begins with each church–for good or for bead–by telling them that He knows their works.

Why? Jesus once taught, “You will know them by their fruits…even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit…therefore by their fruits you will know them,” Matthew 7:16, 17, 20. Though the Lord was speaking specifically here about false prophets, the doctrine is very true that by our deeds we are known. Our actions betray our thoughts, loyalties, and intentions. When Jesus was being interrogated, the high priest asked the Lord first about His disciples, and then about His doctrine, John 18:19. Again, why? A true disciple models Biblical doctrine. Mind you, not consistently, not always. We are human, still in the flesh and prone to sin and error. But it is our desire and pleasure to serve the Lord by mortifying the flesh and following the Spirit.

All seven churches first have their works examined. The severity of unbelievers’ judgment will be based in part upon their works. Our rewards as Christians will be based upon our works, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. The works of the disciples in these churches reveal the thoughts and intents of the heart. James devotes 12 verses (James 2:14-26) to explain how works perfect faith. True faith is revealed through one’s works, or the absence thereof. Works may done without faith, or to substitute faith, but good works cannot be done without faith. Faith is the motivator, the energizer for what God construes as good works. Even the smallest work done in Christ’s name is noticed and rewarded, Mark 9:41.

The church of Thyatira possesses love, which is entirely essential. Ephesus lacked it; they had left their first love, something Thyatira appears to have avoided. Paul uses all of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 to explain the virtue and primacy of love in a believer’s life.The absence of love for God renders our actions–no matter how self-sacrificing–moot. Love neuters the evils of pride, wrath, malice, and even the giant of self. Love reaches outward, love serves and suffers and endures in patience, which explains why the church was also commended for possessing patience. Peter explained that God finds it commendable when we suffer wrong patiently for doing good, 1 Peter 2:19-21.

It would also seem that the church of Thyatira produced a greater bounty of good works later in their time as a body than at the first. Often, when we first become believers we have a zeal for God that burns us up, and we are passionate; as that passion matures it can become subtle or even blunted, and we lose the energy we once possessed in our fervor to serve God. It seems the Thyatirans did nothing of the sort. With love, faith, service, and patience they produced more than their earlier years. Christ knows these things. He knew their works, love, service and faith.

The Greek term for service is, “diakonia,” and means attendance as a servant. It is variously translated as ministry (16x), ministration (6x), ministering (3x) and misc. (9x). It is clear the term is closely related to the notion of ministry, which Jesus our Lord views as a servant attending his Master’s business.

Faith is the hallmark of Hebrews chapter 11, the chapter often referred to as the heroes of the faith. Hebrews explains that, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1. Sometimes these things are not seen yet, as in prophecies that are not fulfilled. Other times they are never seen, as in Heaven and God’s throne. Some things are not going to be beheld by us on this side of life. But God has made enough known to us through Scripture, through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, so that we may cling to faith that is not blind, but informed. Because God has caused one thing to happen, and then tells us another will, or assures us that some truth is adamant and absolute, we believe. Because we are delusional? No, because we have become convinced by evidence. Thyatira believed, and the evidence of their faith was the abundance of works produced.