THE THYATIREAN CHURCH AGE: A PERIOD OF DARKNESS AND JUDGMENT

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The Thyatirean Church Age (500 AD – 1500 AD) is the fouth Church Age mentioned in the book of Revelation chapter 2 . This Church represents one of the most significant and challenging periods in the Church’s history. This era is described in Revelation 2:18-29 as the Church that was given a message of judgment, correction, and hope. The Thyatirean Age, also known as the Dark Ages, was marked by spiritual corruption, false teachings, and the rise of the Roman Catholic Church to power.

Before diving into the details of the Thyatirean Church Age, it’s essential to understand the biblical symbol of the lampstand, as it illustrates God’s perfect order and light shining in the midst of darkness. The Lampstand which is being hold by our Lord Jesus symbolized the Church Ages as the Church reflects Christ, we became the light in this world. In this paasage, the light now is in the lamp of Thyatira. In Exodus 25:31-40, the lampstand was made of pure gold, a symbol of purity, and was designed to give light in the holy place of the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 24:1-4
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.”

Leviticus 24:1-4 explains how the lamps were to be continually maintained, with oil provided by the people. The word “order” in this passage came from the Hebrew word “aw-rak” which means to arrange, set, or put in order. This continual lighting of the lampstand symbolizes the light of Christ shining in the darkness, a theme that becomes especially significant as we examine the spiritual darkness of the Thyatirean Age. Even in the darkest of times, God’s order remains steadfast, and His light is never extinguished.

This period in church history saw the transition from Rome’s political dominance to the Roman Catholic Church’s control of spiritual and temporal affairs. As Daniel 2:38-45 portrays through Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, empires rise and fall, but a final kingdom—God’s kingdom—will one day destroy all worldly powers.

The Thyatirean Age began after the collapse of the Roman Empire, when the Pope assumed not just spiritual leadership, but also authority over nations, declaring himself as “God on Earth” or the “Vicar of Christ.” During this time, the church’s influence spread through colonization, crusades, and inquisitions, forcing people into submission through fear and oppression. Many who refused to align with the Roman Catholic church’s teachings were branded as heretics or witches and faced persecution and death.

Rev. 2:18 “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.”

In Revelation 2:18, the description of Christ as having eyes like flames of fire and feet like burnished brass speaks to His role as Judge. The fiery eyes signify His ability to see through the corruption and falsehoods that dominated the Church during this age. The feet of brass, representing judgment, signal that no one can escape His righteous wrath.

The Thyatirean Age was a time when the Church had departed from biblical truth, replacing it with man-made traditions and rituals. Christ’s warning to the Church in Thyatira is that judgment was imminent, and those who had strayed from His Word would face consequences.

Rev. 2:19 “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.”

The Dark Ages are called such for a reason. During this time, the Roman Catholic Church not only controlled church matters but also wielded immense political power. Daniel’s prophecy about the transition from world power (Rome) to church power (Papal Rome) became evident as the Pope declared himself the ruler of both heaven and earth.

Inquisitions, crusades, and the colonization of nations were conducted in the name of the Pope. The Bible was taken away from the people and replaced with church traditions and rituals. Confession, penance, purgatory, indulgences, praying to saints, and even the veneration of Mary as the mother of God became commonplace, but none of these practices were biblically grounded. As the Roman Catholic church introduced these practices, it strayed further and further from the truth of God’s Word.

Rev. 2:20 “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”

In Revelation 2:20, the woman Jezebel is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church’s spiritual corruption during the Thyatirean Age. Just as Jezebel in the Old Testament led Israel into idolatry and wickedness, so too did the Roman Catholic Church lead the people into false teachings and idolatry.

The Lord Jesus referred to the leaven of the lump in Matthew 13:33, explaining that a woman (symbolic of the Roman Catholic Church) had hidden leaven (false doctrines) in three measures of meal (representing justification, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit). These false doctrines made it easier for the masses to accept them, leading people to believe that they could earn salvation through works, indulgences, and rituals, rather than through faith in Christ alone.

Justification was replaced by indulgences and serving the church through crusades.
Sanctification was substituted by confession and penance.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was distorted by rituals such as Mass and confirmation.

Rev. 2:21-23 “And I gave her space 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.”

In Revelation 2:21, Christ gives Jezebel time to repent, but she refuses, becoming more corrupt over time. Despite attempts by reformers like Columba to call the church back to God’s Word, the Roman Catholic Church hardened its heart and continued in its false practices.

Verse 23 makes it clear that Christ will bring judgment upon the Roman Catholic Church and its “children”—the other churches and denominations that adopted its false teachings, such as the Trinity doctrine. Christ calls His people to separate themselves from this false system and to avoid sharing in its judgment (Revelation 18:4).

Rev. 2:24 “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.”

The Thyatirean Age was also marked by what Revelation 2:24 calls “the depths of Satan.” This period was one of immense spiritual darkness, with superstition, disease, and ignorance prevailing. The Roman Catholic Church, in collusion with Satan’s schemes, suppressed true biblical knowledge and kept the people in spiritual bondage. The glorious period for Satan and his wife, the Roman Catholic Church, brought suffering and death to many, especially to the saints who stood for truth.

Rev. 2:25-29 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Despite the overwhelming darkness of the Thyatirean Age, Christ offers hope to those who remain faithful to Him. In verses 25-27, He promises that those who overcome the deception of Jezebel and refuse to partake in her spiritual fornication will rule with Him. These overcomers are described as virgins, pure and undefiled by the corrupt teachings of the false church.

The overcomers are promised the Morning Star, a reference to Jesus Christ Himself. In verse 28, Christ reveals that He is the ultimate hope for those who remain steadfast. The Morning Star signifies a new dawn, the beginning of a brighter era when Christ will reign with His faithful followers.

The Thyatirean Church Age stands as a powerful reminder of the dangers of departing from God’s Word and embracing human traditions and philosophies. Just as the Roman Catholic Church led many into spiritual captivity through false teachings, we must guard ourselves against any philosophy or practice that takes us away from the truth of Christ.

Christ calls us to hold fast to what we know, to stand firm in the faith, and to trust in Him alone for our salvation. He is the God of judgment, but He is also the God of redemption. Those who overcome, who refuse to be seduced by the Jezebel of this age, will reign with Him and share in His glory. Let us remain vigilant, ever watchful, and hold fast to the truth, for He is the Morning Star, our eternal hope and salvation.