| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
| Ephesus |
Smyrna |
Pergamos |
Thyatira |
Sardis |
Philadelphia |
Laodicea |
| "First,
Desirable" |
"Bitter
Affliction" |
"Earthly
Heighth" |
"Sacrifice
of Labor" |
"Prince
of Joy" |
"Love
of A Brother" |
"Just
People" |
| 33-70 AD |
70-313 |
313-1157 |
1157-1367 |
1367-1517 |
1517-1874 |
1874-? |
Paul
35-64 AD |
John
70-100 |
Arius
313-336 |
Waldo
1157-1217 |
Wycliffe
1367-1384 |
Luther
1517-1546 |
Russell
1874-1916 |
| 7 Golden
Candlesticks |
First & Last,
Dead and Alive |
Sharp 2-Edged
Sword |
Eyes like Fire,
Feet like Brass |
Livest and
Art Dead |
Key of David |
Amen,
Faithful & True
Beginning of Creation |
| Left 1st Love |
Synagogue of
Satan |
Antipas |
Jezebel |
Come as Thief |
Hast Little
Strength |
Lukewarm |
| Nicolaitanes |
Tribulation 10
Days |
Balaam &
Balac,
Nicolaitanes |
Depths of Satan |
Defiled Garments |
Keep from Hour of
Temptation,
Hold Fast Crown |
Gold Tried,
White Raiment Eyesalve,
Knock at Door,
Sup with Him |
| Tree of Life |
Crown of Life,
Not Hurt of 2nd Death |
Hidden Manna
White Stone, New Name |
Rod of Iron,
Potter's Vessel
Morning Star |
White Raiment,
Confess Name to Father |
Pillar in Temple,
Name of God, New Jerusalem, & New Name |
Sit in Christ's
Throne |
For more detail, click on
individual Church name.
Church of Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-25
Roughly from CE 1160-1378.
The Seven Churches
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The general consensus is that Peter Waldo was the messenger of this period.
Peter Waldo (d. 1217)
Waldo produced the first translation of the four Gospels into modern
French. The next two messengers would translate the Bible into a common language to
spearhead further reforms.
Waldo was a rich merchant of Lyons, France, who decided to advance true
Christianity with Biblical knowledge. He shunned the luxurious lifestyle of the church and
advocated simplicity of life and adherence to
biblical teachings.
In CE 1156, Waldo wrote The
Last Age of the Christian Church. He and others were alerted to the brevity of life by the sudden death of a friend
in 1157. In CE 1160 Waldo met with citizens at Lyons to begin his ministry. In CE 1170 he
had sold all his goods and had given the proceeds to the poor.
Waldo formed a lay ministry of
evangelists composed of propertyless and celibate men. They were known as "The
Poor men of Lyons."
A Waldensian merchant reveals
his Pearl of Great Price
—the Scriptures
They seemed to be a breath of fresh air to the world at that time.
The Waldensians and Albigenses gathered followers who were subsequently driven into
Italy and the Alps while their faith spread throughout Europe.
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"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." Revelation 2:18
The church had splendid leaders dressed in ermine and
gold, but the Son of God had searching eyes of "fire" that penetrated into the
hearts of those who claimed to worship him. He could see their sins. Christ’s feet
were of "fine brass," showing that those who walked with him were justified and
pure.
"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."
Revelation 2:19
The work which Waldo and his followers had begun,
grew into significant dimensions. The Waldenses and Albigenses had a tenacity that
prospered in spite of the terrible persecution of papacy. God does not overlook the
faithfulness of His people.
At the same time there were many in the papal system
that must have had a conscience that was being suppressed as they saw the pain and
persecution that old system never tired of perpetrating. It is not human to be so cruel.
God speaks to those with some conscience in these words:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou
sufferest that woman Jezebel [the unfaithful church], which calleth herself a
prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication [with the civil
powers], and to eat things sacrificed unto idols [man-worship]."
Revelation
2:20
There was a lot of collective guilt within the church
of that time. They "suffered" these things because it was the easiest thing to
do, to remain quiet while the wicked system did wickedly. This is succumbing to the
"roaring lion [Satan]" and not resisting him steadfastly in the faith.
"And I gave her space [360 years, from 1160 to 1520,
Luther’s trial occurred June 1520, where 41 of his propositions were condemned
as heretical and he was pronounced a heretic. This ended all hope that the papal church
under Pope Leo X would repent.], to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
"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." Revelation 2:21-23
Somehow retributive justice never seemed to
catch up with the papal reign of terror. Here is the promise that it would. Actually, with
Luther’s Reformation the papacy saw itself exposed. That
Reformation ended with the
French Revolution. The papal head was wounded and almost slated for death. The uninhibited
power of the papacy to persecute seemed to have been broken here. Who could have believed
that priests of the Catholic Church would be led away to the guillotine and the pope taken
to prison where he died?
"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.
"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come." Revelation
2:24, 25
To those who would not bow the knee to the wicked
church and who had not known the "depths of Satan," the Lord did not lay any
extra burden. Apparently the faithful of this period had the Lord’s care and
sympathy. He just wanted them to "hold fast till I come."
Yes, during his second presence, the true church would be triumphant
and the antichrist church would be destroyed.
Click to go to the following:
For more information on
history of Papacy.
Topical Studies on:
7 Churches Topical Study Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea
Chapter/Verse by Verse Studies on:
7 Churches Verse by Verse Home Page
Ephesus - Smyrna - Pergamos - Thyatira - Sardis - Philadelphia - Laodicea
Topical Study Home Page - Chapter Study Home Page
- Sinaitic Manuscript - Questions - Glossary.
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Copyright 2001 John Class
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