REVELATION 2:18-19
As we begin a new week, begin by reading the entire message to the church at Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-29.
I don’t think it’s going too far to say that everyone has some Achilles’ heel[1] in their life. Even those who always seem to be developing tremendously in many areas of life, whether it be in faith or character, academics or profession, they probably have something that brings them into equal standing with the rest of us.
That seems to be true of the church at Thyatira. Look at her admirable qualities: good deeds, faith, love, perseverance, doing more than before. Few churches, I suspect, could stand next to her. As a pastor, who could ask for more?
But God could see more than just the good. Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God (the only time He uses this title in the book and perhaps a reference to Messiah or to His now glorified presence in heaven as Lord and Judge) and as the One with eyes like fire. Some have seen this as a reference to Christ’s ability to see through and into all things (EBC), and this certainly fits the context well (cf. 2:23). Christ could see that despite all the virtues this church possessed, it had a secret vice that was all too damaging. Quite honestly, I am surprised that a church of this quality would allow darkness to dwell in their midst. As said earlier, everyone has an Achilles’ heel. But more on that in the coming days…
For today, it is comforting to know that God sees everything in our lives and that nothing is hidden from Him. All the good that we are doing, all the virtues we possess are seen by God – and one day we will be rewarded in heaven. But those vices… those ugly vices that few know or see, God sees them, too. And the beauty of God’s ability to see is that we can come to Him with the ugliness of sin and confess it before Him, and He welcomes us into His presence as a father. But as we will see this week, acting as if God does not see or know what is happening has serious consequences.
What is your Achilles’ heel? You are encouraged to take some time and serious reflect on those areas that are nagging sins in your life and to bring before the Father. Anger, lust, gossip, slander, grumbling & complaining – these are things that can be easily hidden on the outside and yet rage on the inside. Bring them to God, and allow God to work through and in spite of your weaknesses.
[1] For those unfamiliar with Achilles, in Greek mythology, Achilles was a great warrior who was invulnerable in all his body except for his heel. Legend states that Achilles was semi-immortal, however his heel was vulnerable. Since he died due to a poisoned arrow shot into his heel, the “Achilles’ heel” has come to mean a person’s principal weakness. (source: Wikipedia)
