January 25, 2026: Revelation 2:18-29 "The Problem with Going Along"

·32 min·3 clips

A Thyatiran blacksmith must choose between attending an idolatrous guild meeting to feed his family or staying faithful to Jesus.

Randy Pospischel opens the episode with a prayer and introduces the text from Revelation 2:18-29. He provides historical context about Thyatira, a small but important trade city in the Roman Empire known for dyed wool and bronze metalwork. The city had various guilds steeped in Roman religion, requiring participation in idolatrous activities for economic survival. Pospischel invites listeners to imagine themselves as a Thyatiran blacksmith or dyer facing the dilemma of attending a guild meeting at a temple to secure business versus remaining faithful to Jesus. Jesus's letter to the church begins with commendation for their deeds, love, faith, service, and perseverance, noting they are doing more than before. However, Jesus criticizes the church for tolerating a woman he calls Jezebel, who claims to be a prophet and misleads servants into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Pospischel explains the significance of eating such food in the ancient world, where meat was scarce and often came from temple sacrifices. He references Acts 15 and 1 Corinthians, where apostles advised against this practice to avoid stumbling weaker believers and because it involved sacrifice to demons. The false teaching appealed to Thyatiran Christians struggling with economic pressures. Jesus warns that he has given Jezebel time to repent, but she refuses, so he will bring suffering and death to her and her followers unless they repent. This serves as a public lesson to all churches that Jesus searches hearts and minds. Despite this warning, Jesus offers hope: he imposes no other burden on the faithful except to hold fast until he returns. Pospischel emphasizes that following Jesus is not about rules but about holding on to him, with the promise of sharing in his authority and receiving the 'morning star' (Jesus himself). The sermon concludes with applications for church leaders, seekers, and believers, encouraging them to avoid cultural compromise and persevere in faith.

As heard by us

A direct sermon on Thyatira that turns ancient compromise into a present question of conscience.

Randy Pospischel, one of the church's elders, frames Revelation 2:18-29 as a warning against compromise when the surrounding culture has made compromise feel normal.

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Why you'd press play

When compromise starts sounding harmless, let Thyatira's warning steady your grip on what Jesus says to hold fast.

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