The menace of Moral Therapeutic Deism

Paul Luckraft reviews two books by the pastor of Father’s House Sabbath Congregation, North Wales.

Tolerance leads to compromise.

"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.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 2I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.'

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one 'will rule them with an iron sceptre and will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The letter to the church in Thyatira is one of the less well-known letters of Revelation 2-3, being hidden in the middle of the list. However, it is also the longest letter and carries a message of such vital importance to our culture and generation that it would be careless of us not to give it the attention it deserves.

Thyatira Then and Now

Thyatira (modern-day Akhisar, Turkey) was a small commercial city about 50km inland from the coast of Asia Minor – a crossroads town situated at the junction of two major trade routes. As the messenger carried the letters of Revelation northwards from Ephesus, through Smyrna and Pergamum, he would then have arced back down to Thyatira on the next leg of his journey.

As with many settlements in Asia Minor, Thyatira has a long history stemming back thousands of years to Hittite rule. It has changed hands many times since then, coming under the authority of the Persians, Greeks, Romans and many others. A Christian community existed there from the very early days of the apostolic era and flourished for many hundreds of years, until the Ottoman Empire took over in the 14^th Century.

Thyatira was infamous in ancient times for its dyeing facilities and its role in the purple cloth trade (the Gentile convert Lydia, who welcomed Paul, Silas and Timothy into her home in Philippi, was originally from Thyatira and known for her successful trading in 'purple', Acts 16). However, it was also a commercial hub for many other industries including wool and linen textiles, leather work, pottery, bronze-work, agriculture and the slave trade.

In the World, But Not of the World

Culturally, Thyatira was a Gentile, pagan city with a 'work hard, play hard' ethos. It was known for its mercantile prosperity and its trade guilds, which would host lavish festivities for members with drink, sex and idolatry in abundance.

For Christians in Thyatira, though not facing the threat of dreadful persecution, there was constant temptation back into the ways of the world – indulging in unGodly revelry and being tempted into compromise by the comforts and social requirements of the good life. Indeed, refusing to give reverence to pagan gods or Caesar worship as part of guild celebrations could have led to expulsion from one's trade guild (and therefore unemployment), so it would have taken a lot of courage for believers to stand against this kind of activity.

Thyatira was a Gentile, pagan city with a 'work hard, play hard' ethos.

Ruins of a Byzantine church in Thyatira. See Photo Credits.The faithful in Thyatira had to learn to be 'in the world but not of the world' - how to take their stand against the flow of peer pressure and not let worldly values infiltrate the Church. This is exactly the theme the Lord Jesus chose for his letter.

From Tolerance to Compromise

In fairness to the Thyatiran church, they were doing a lot of things right - as the letter openly acknowledges. Jesus Messiah begins by congratulating the group for their good deeds, their love, faith, service and perseverance – and for the obvious growth in their dedication.

However, he loved this band of believers too much simply to pat them on the back for their good deeds and ignore the issues that needed addressing. He knew that though they were doing all the right things on the outside, there was compromise in their hearts.
At the time, the issue in hand was the influence of a certain 'Jezebel' who was leading God's people into sin, telling them it was fine to go along with the rest of the pagan city, experimenting sexually and partaking in idolatrous festivals. This seduction into sin may also have involved some element of occult, with believers being deceived and tempted by the promise of being given knowledge of "Satan's deep secrets".¹

This was the immediate, surface issue for the Thyatiran Church – and God's message was a tough one. She who had refused to repent (the letter implies she had already been given ample opportunity), along with her children (this may refer to her followers, cf. her biological children), would be subjected to suffering and even death as a consequence of their sin. God had had enough of their wilful disobedience; He was going to bring judgment upon them.

The Thyatiran church were doing a lot of things right - but the Lord Jesus loved them too much to ignore the issues that needed addressing.

But the underlying issue here was neither sexual immorality nor the eating of food sacrificed to idols, as much as both needed addressing. The fundamental issue was that the community of faith in Thyatira were being led down a road of compromise because of their attitude of tolerance towards those who were sinning and leading others to sin.

The word used for 'tolerate' in verse 20 means to permit, to allow, to not hinder. In other words, it is not restricted to those who joined in with the Jezebel rebellion, but also includes all those who stood by and watched it happen - too afraid to say anything.

Mixture is Not an Option

This is where the letter shouts so very loudly to our church culture today: tolerance of worldly values, pagan idolatry and false doctrine within the Church, even if we ourselves do not participate, is not an option for Christians. We cannot serve two masters – if we try, we will end up denying the Lord Jesus.

According to Clifford and Monica Hill in their book Ephesus to Laodicea, Christians in Thyatira "had learned the practice of tolerance in order to survive in a multicultural and polytheistic society, but in so doing they had compromised their faith".² Arguably, exactly the same thing has happened – and is happening right now – with Christians in Britain.

Relative wealth and freedom in Britain have left Christians exposed to the seductive pull of materialism, individualism and living for pleasure. The encroachment of suffocating, secular humanist 'tolerance' has made it virtually impossible to talk about universal rights and wrongs without being labelled judgmental or a bigot – so it is easier to stay quiet, to live out the faith in private.

To top it all off, many congregations in this country (like the Thyatirans) are doing well in their good deeds, their love, faith and perseverance; but this often makes it easier to justify doctrinal complacency or sinful behaviour. Believers are too tired, too busy, already doing their bit.

The fundamental issue for the Thyatirans was that they were being led down a road of compromise because of their attitude of tolerance towards those who were sinning and leading others to sin.

And so, comfort has led to complacency – to the point where the Lordship of Jesus is downplayed (even denied), his righteous ways are made light of, and his call to holiness is ignored, in case we offend others. Only last week, verses from the Qu'ran were read out in St Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow as part of a Christian Epiphany service!³ We are already on a very slippery slope.

If believers do not live in ways that challenge and change the culture around us, that culture will end up changing us. Note that the two major aspects of the compromise in Thyatira – sexual license and compromise with other religions – are also the two that most deeply divide the Church in Britain today.⁴

Living Victoriously in Babylon

Learning to live distinctive Christian lives in the midst of a secular/pagan culture is difficult. What is it alright to 'tolerate' in order to build bridges with our neighbours for the sake of the Gospel? How do we grow a Church culture that is not soft on sin, whilst avoiding both legalism (on the one side) and liberal compromise (on the other)?

There are many questions here and no easy answers – this is a path that can only be walked with the help of the Holy Spirit. But it is important to note that the process starts not in word or deed, but in the heart.

It is in the heart that the choice is made whether or not to stand against deception or falsity within the Lord's Body. It is in the heart that tiny decisions are taken to stay silent when brothers and sisters go astray, in case they are offended by our speaking out. It is in the heart that compromise in our own behaviour is pursued, in exchange for the good life or for acceptance by others.

In sum, it is in the heart that tolerance blurs into compromise – before any words have been uttered or actions [not] taken. No human sees these small, imperceptible choices – but God does.

Sifting the Church

The time is coming when the Lord will sift and test us all, as he undoubtedly did the Thyatirans. Those who do not turn will end up suffering – not because God is a sadist, but because he knows we have hard hearts that often need to be broken before they can be changed.

It is in the heart that tolerance blurs into compromise.

Ideally, this judgment will produce a fruit of repentance and a return to obedience and righteousness. This may or may not happen – but what is certain is that it will become increasingly difficult in this nation to exist as a Christian with one foot in the world and the other in the Kingdom. It is either/or, not both/and! What will it take for us to choose the Lord?

Those who do, who hold on faithfully to that which they have been given whatever the cost - the overcomers - will participate with the Lord Jesus in His ultimate rule and reign at the end of time.

They will be given the bright morning star – Messiah Jesus Himself – whose eyes are a blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. He is the King of Kings who will reign for all eternity, when all other kingdoms with their seductions of wealth and prosperity have been blown away like chaff on the wind. It is this perspective that we need – a healthy fear of the Lord's glorious supremacy and power – to keep us from sinning.

References

1 Cf. Luke 8:17; Ephesians 5:11-14. See also commentary here.

2 2005, Handsel Press, p75.

3 See news coverage from Christian Concern.

4 Interestingly, the diocese that oversees all Greek Orthodox adherents in Great Britain (established in 1922 when Greek Christians were driven out of Asia Minor into diaspora by Turkish nationalists) is called the Archdiocese of Thyateira [Thyatira] and Great Britain! Culturally, we have a lot in common.

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Dr Clifford Hill unpacks the message sent to believers in Pergamum, modern-day Bergama (Turkey).

To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live – where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city – where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: you have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against you with the sword of my mouth.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Steep-sided theatre at Pergamum. See Photo Credits.Pergamum was a magnificent city on two sites, an upper and a lower. The Upper Site, the Acropolis, was originally the capital of Asia Minor, the region ruled by the Lydians, forerunners of the Greek Empire. It was the Greeks who built the massive altar to Zeus with its huge stone steps and figures depicting the war of the gods with the giants – monsters with tails of serpents instead of legs. From the town below where the Christians lived it would certainly have looked like the place where Satan sat enthroned – hence the opening salutation in the letter.

Just above the altar of Zeus stood the impressive 10,000-seat theatre with its panoramic view of the countryside that still offers a spectacular experience for visitors. Directly above the theatre are the ruins of the Temple of Athena, the chief goddess of the city. Next to her temple are the ruins of the magnificent library which had more than 200,000 scrolls, most of which were given away by Mark Anthony to Cleopatra when the Alexandrian library was burnt down.

The Lower Site was of great importance as a centre of healing with its famous link to Asclepius who claimed to have been healed by the venom of a snake. The healing centre was the most advanced medical facility in the ancient world and contained a theatre, a library, a temple and 'sacred' springs whose waters were reputed to have healing powers. Visitors today can walk among these ruins and even taste the waters of the spring. The snake symbol over the entrance to the healing centre has become the international symbol for the medical profession.

The Greeks built the massive altar to Zeus to fill the skyline over Pergamum – to Christians it would have certainly looked like Satan's throne.

A Two-Edged Sword

Christians in Pergamum must have felt surrounded by evil forces with the city in the valley where they lived filled with symbols of pagan gods and the mountainside above them dominated by the altar to Zeus, the father of pagan gods, whose presence filled the skyline at the top of the Acropolis.

The letter to the Christians reflects this in its opening words, which come from Revelation 1:16 where Jesus is said to have a sharp, double-edged sword. This implies that he is not only coming against the pagan gods of Pergamum but that there is a cutting edge also directed towards the people of God in the city.

The Altar of Zeus from Pergamum, brought to Berlin in late 19th Century. See Photo Credits.

Clearly there was something radically wrong with the teaching and practices of this fellowship that was being exposed in the message. The Christians were living in a hotbed of satanic practices: "You live where Satan has his throne". The world-renowned place of health and healing with its symbol of the snake and temples to pagan gods filled the very air they breathed. The Christians fought a daily battle to resist the powers of evil that surrounded them.

They had remained faithful even through terrible days of persecution that came upon them when Antipas had refused to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar and had paid the price with a fearful death, and when Christians were assaulted by violent mobs in the city streets.

The believers had survived those testing days - but there were still things about their fellowship that were not pleasing to God. They allowed people to remain within the fellowship who were following the teaching of Nicholas that separated body and soul. This led to the belief that it didn't really matter what they did with their bodies; so they could indulge in physical lusts without it affecting their spiritual life. This was a real danger and unless there was repentance they would feel the two-edged sword brought against the evildoers following this teaching.

Christians in Pergamum survived testing days and lived surrounded by evil forces – but there were still things about their fellowship that were not pleasing to God.

For Those with Ears to Hear...

The final part of the message to Pergamum is addressed to those who had an ear to hear what the Spirit was saying. It is a beautiful promise to the Overcomers, to those who withstood the pressures of idolatry and syncretism (the mixing of pagan practices with Christian beliefs). For them, there would be great rewards.

They would be given some of the manna such as had been put in the Ark of the Covenant during the time the Israelites spent in the wilderness when God miraculously fed his people.

In John's Gospel, following his account of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus referred to the manna in the desert as being the 'bread of life' which he would give to all who come to him (John 6:30-40). This would give Christians full access to an understanding of the nature and purposes of God which are the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge to which Paul refers in Colossians 2:2-3.

Finally, the Overcomers were promised eternal life with Jesus. They would be given "a white stone with a new message written on it" which was similar to the practice of sending an invitation to a special event such as a wedding. The person invited would receive a white stone on which was written a message of invitation using a pet name of endearment that the believer would readily recognise. This would be an invitation to the 'Banquet of the Lamb'.

For those who withstood the pressures of idolatry and syncretism, the letter promised great rewards.

Relevance for Today

The message to the church in Pergamum is highly relevant for Christians today living in a post-Christian society, where the pressures to conform to the values of secular humanism are both open and subtle. In everyday life, we have to conform to convention that is established by law, some of which is directly contrary to the teaching of Scripture. Christians have to find ways of maintaining and witnessing to their faith while not falling foul of the law - though this is becoming increasingly difficult and ultimately, of course, our loyalty to the Lord must come first.

But we also face subtle attacks upon our spiritual lives through social engineering and brainwashing that takes place through the media. Meanwhile, all kinds of paganism and mysticism are making a comeback – proliferating across many spheres of society, including within the walls of the Church.

Young people are especially vulnerable as a whole generation has been deliberately subjected to social engineering by secular humanists. Many people are not even aware of the dramatic way in which our society's culture and values have been transformed in just a few years. We each of us need to read this message prayerfully, asking the Lord to show us where our own values are falling short of the standards God requires among those to whom he offers eternal life.

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