“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass.”
Revelation 2:18
The Lord describes the third characteristic the church at Thyatira needs to heed based on their condition. Through focusing on His
name and features He sends a strong, consistent signal to this church that is struggling with loving the world and trusting it for the things it needs instead of the Lord.
Thyatira is much like Esau when he sold his birthright for a
mess of pottage. Thyatira wants the things they can have in the
moment and which give temporary satisfaction rather than
eternal riches. That means they will lose what would have counted
for all eternity and receive the shame and grief that comes with their
choice. We cannot read this passage without also thinking of Israel. Consistently they forgot God and chased the idols of the world. Consistently God called to them to return until, after their constant refusals, God came to them in judgment. The Lord does the same with His bride, the church in Thyatira who is also chasing the love of an idol.
His feet The Lord has the church at Thyatira focus on His feet. That means they would see the nail prints in the Lord’s feet showing how He was judged and died for their sin. (Do they remember?) Feet are also a sign of judgment in the Bible. For example Isaiah walked barefoot for 3 years prophesizing the coming judgment on Egypt. Paul tells us I Corinthians 15 that the Lord puts all enemies under His feet – a sure sign to the Thyatirans that the world they now worship will be judged. But feet also are an indication of the walk (or path) we are to have in this life. Perhaps the church would remember Hebrews 12:13, “make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” Finally we think of Joshua and Moses both of whom were told to take
off their shoes in light of the Lord’s holiness. The Lord wants them to remember that the way they live this life for the holy God who gave His all for them will be judged.
Like fine brass The Lord continues His description by reminding the church that His feet are like fine bronze. Brass (bronze) is a metal alloy made of copper and tin. It is used to describe with strength, durability, and especially judgment. In the Temple there is the bronze altar where sacrifices were offered, and judgment of (God’s wrath) occurred. This is also seen in the bonze serpent in Numbers where Israel’s sin was judged and forgiveness given.
There is a second meaning of bronze. Bronze is used symbolically to represent stubbornness to God and refusal to repent
of disobedience to God. In Isaiah 48:4 God chastises Israel for their hard-heartedness, comparing them to “hardened brass” meaning they have hardened their hearts toward God – a very bad event.
What can we learn? John Phillips writes of this phrase “As the Lord looks at Thyatira and sees what a harvest of wickedness will grow from the Satanic seed being sown by the woman Jezebel, He reveals His feet of bronze. Judgment must begin in the house of God.” The church is reminded of its stubbornness, Christ’s holiness and authority and the pending Bema Seat Judgment where they will give an account for the choices they are making. Take heed now!