Have you heard of the sandwich technique?
I’m not talking about how to build something we eat.
Rather, I’m referring to a constructive feedback tool often used during hard conversations.
This tool encourages combining positive reinforcement with constructive feedback.
Christ does exactly this in his review of the Church in Thyatira, our passage of study for today.
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Four
A Study of Revelation 2:18-29 | The Passage
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [i]
Culturally, research reveals that Thyatira was a small city that had many trade guilds. These guilds each had their own patron god, but Apollo, son of Zeus, was considered the chief god of Thyatira.
How does this cultural information help us understand why Christ introduces himself as the Son of God to the church in Thyatira? (Also see Psalm 2:6-8)
What does the description of Christ’s eyes and feet reveal is important to the review of Thyatira? (Review our study of Revelation 1:12-16 from Seeing Through John’s Vision.)
19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.[ii]
List everything the church in Thyatira is doing well.
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.[iii]
Review Revelation 2:14-15 from the previous post. How are the churches in both Pergamum and Thyatira struggling?
Christ refers to a woman named Jezebel. Taking this symbolically, read through the following verses to learn about a specific Jezebel from the Old Testament, noting what she was like.
Remember the cultural setting of various trade guilds, each with its own unique gods. Describe the challenges of refusing to participate in the cultural life with the common practice of sexual immorality at these trade guild’s festivals?
What do you learn about Christ and the opportunity of forgiveness in this passage?
22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.[iv]
How are the consequences for Jezebel and those who follow her immoral practices ironic?
Does the severity of the punishment seem shocking? Appropriate? Why or why not?
Explain what will result from these consequences.
How is this not promoting a works theology but still squarely rooted in grace?
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.[v]
What else is Christ aware of in this community?
Did you catch Christ’s ironic comment about Satan? Why is this important for him to say this to the church?
26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ [vi]
Describe the key to being one who conquers according to Christ.
List the consequences of being one who conquers.
How do Daniel 7:26-67 and 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 confirm what Christ is saying?
Skip to Revelation 22:16. How does this explain the gift of the morning star to those who remain faithful?
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Four
A Study of Revelation 2:18-29 | Application
To the Church in Thyatira
18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. [vii]
How does this imagery of Christ affect you personally?
19 “ ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.[viii]
How are you consistent with any of these attributes?
If you struggle with these attributes, what is holding you back?
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.[ix]
How does this encourage you to repent quickly of anything you struggle with that dishonors Christ?
22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, 23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.[x]
Do you see any hope offered in these two verses for yourself? Others? Why or why not?
24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. 25 Only hold fast what you have until I come.[xi]
How are you holding fast to Christ?
26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 27 and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ [xii]
What excites you about these promises from Christ?
Remember the sandwich technique mentioned at the beginning of this post?
Using the bullet points below, write out the sandwich technique you hear Christ speaking to your heart today.
- What does Christ say you are you doing well?
- What does Christ say are your faults?
- Create an action plan to conquer the faults Christ highlighted for you.
- Write a prayer asking Christ to help you put this plan in action this week.
Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Four
A Study of Revelation 2:18-29 | A Prayer Response
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for this reminder that Christ is our ultimate Judge. Align our hearts, minds, and souls with the following words of David:
8 The Lord judges the peoples;
judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness
and according to the integrity that is in me.
9 Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end,
and may you establish the righteous—
you who test the minds and hearts,
O righteous God!
10 My shield is with God,
who saves the upright in heart. [xiii]
Amen.
Write a prayer of thanks to Christ in the comments below based on what you learned from this study today.
Consider sharing this post on your social media platforms to be an example of salt and light to your circle of influence.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:18.
[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:19.
[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:20–21.
[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:22–23.
[v] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:23–25.
[vi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:26–29.
[vii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:18.
[viii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:19.
[ix] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:20–21.
[x] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:22–23.
[xi] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:23–25.
[xii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Re 2:26–29.
[xiii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 7:8–10.