I want to start this study and step back in time and share something with you that forever changed my perspective. A while back, I was quietly reading the Scriptures, when something amazing happened. A verse suddenly jumped out at me. You know what I mean—one of those moments when time stands still and it appears as if the words are alive, coming off the page. I became so excited I had to get up and walk around. I blurted out, “Oh wow, God, this is good, this is amazing.” Remember, I already had several degrees in theology, so I felt as if I had seen it all, knew every Scripture there was on sexual immorality. But this was different. I was now seeing exactly what the enemy was after with every person and church—and he could only get it through sexual compromise.
I’d like to walk you through this section of Scripture. It’s found in Revelation chapter 2, where Jesus is speaking to the seven churches. It is important we understand God’s heart on this issue. I think you will also learn something that might come as a surprise.
I’ll give you a hint, sexual temptation has absolutely nothing to do with sex at all!
The Apostle John was known for his love for Jesus. In fact, some might argue John had the closest relationship to the Lord of all the disciples or apostles. If this is true, then it is no wonder Jesus trusted John with perhaps the greatest revelation ever given to man.
In the opening chapters of Revelation, Jesus directs his comments to seven churches. Remember, throughout this entire section of Scripture, this is Jesus speaking—after the crucifixion in His permanent resurrected state as the Son of God. This is where the Lord opened up a section of Scripture to me that changed the way I see sexual sin. We will explore these verses over the next few days.
In the letter to the church in Thyatira, Jesus said:
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first (Revelation 2:18-19).
The opening of this letter is the easy part. Jesus praises the church for the positive things she is being and doing. The Lord repeats this pattern of opening each letter with encouraging words throughout this section of Scripture. Ironically, praise is crucial to recovery. Why? It instills hope. Most men who struggle sexually have hidden their secret life of sin for so long, they are hounded by a tremendous fear of being found out. If their fear comes true, they may fall into a pit of despair. By contrast, it is the Lord’s nature to be gentle with His people, even when they are in sin. He truly is longsuffering. As the second chapter in Romans points out, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
By offering praise, Jesus gently affirms His love for them.
Scripture Verses: