Revelation 2:18-23

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; 19 I know thy works , and charity, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20. Not withstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou suffereth 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. 21 And I gave her space

to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 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.

THE SPACE OF REPENTANCE, THE OPPORTUNITY

TO REPENT, TIME TO REPENT 

The length of time is not specified because the space of repentance

comes to an sudden end when one lest expects it. Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

   REPENTANCE CHANGES THINGS, INDIVIDUALS, SITUATIONS, CIRCUMSTANCES, MINDS, HEARTS, SOULS, CITIES, COUNTRIES, GOVERNMENTS, FAMILIES, CHURCHES, INSTITUTIONS, AND ABOVE ALL ETERNAL DESTINATIONS. Repentance will change you, your life, and especially your position in eternity. It is repent or else, repent or perish, repent or spend life everlasting in the eternal fires of a devil’s hell. It’s either turn or burn! Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. It is said that people need to do better. NO, we need to be better and only repentance will make one better. Since repentance is of utmost importance God gives everyone ample space, time, and opportunity to repent.

   Only repentance can make a radical change in the heart. Psalms 51:17 ...a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Nothing will ever be straightened out until there is repentance toward God.

REPENTANCE GETS TO THE ROOTS OF MAN’S WORST PROBLEM 

   Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: John the Baptist didn’t waste time trimming branches of trees; but he went directly to the root of man’s problem which was sin by preaching repentance.

   God has heard too much prayer without repentance. In my neighborhood a sign says “Pray America.” It should say, “Repent America, you have prayed long enough.” God calls upon His people to pray AND REPENT! II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. God says unless you repent I will not hear your prayers. Some times in the Bible, prayer and repentance are listed together. Prayer without repentance is easy and is usually useless and vain. Problems must be faced and sometimes prayer is only an attempt to ignore those problems. It takes more than just “a little talk with Jesus”; brother, it takes repentance. I have even heard one say, “all you have to do is pray”. No, as the older generation used to say you need to put feet to your prayers and repentance will do that. Get off the mourner’s bench, quit your whining and crying, and repent! John was not the Methodist nor the Catholic. He was the Baptist. There is no forgiveness from God without repentance. You cannot talk God into forgiving you; you must repent. God is not concerned with what comes out of our mouths but with what is in our hearts.

   Once, when a youngster complained about being wronged by an adult church member, I popped off and said, Oh you just have to love them and forgive them. The other boy said, “When they repent.” Someone once told me unless you forgive others, God will not forgive you. Oh, yea, first they need to repent and make things right with you. Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. That is “IF HE REPENT”. Once someone who wronged me ask me what I wanted and I replied repentance and I ain’t got it yet. But they have tried everything else to please me. Matthew 18: 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. This passage doesn’t say forgive him, but exclude him. This is one thing that you rarely see today in church, if at all.

FIRST OF ALL, REPENTANCE MUST BE PREACHED AND EMPHASIZED.

   It was preached during Old Testament times. Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. It was preached to the people of God who were worshiping the sun in the cellar of the temple.

   The city of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

   Too many times an only believe gospel is preached. Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, salvation comes the point of faith in Christ; but it always follows repentance toward God.

   The first Baptist preached repentance. Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is not just a Baptist message; it is the Baptist message; the first Baptist message.

   Jesus, Himself, preached repentance. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus also preached repentance to five of the seven churches in Asia Minor including the church at Thyatira.

   Peter preached repentance. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Of course repentance always goes before baptism.

   The twelve sent by Jesus, preached it. Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

   Paul preached it. Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

   The rich man in hell wanted repentance preached to his living brothers. Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Hell is full of those who wished that they had repented while they had space of repentance.

GOD’S DESIRE FOR ALL TO REPENT IS THE REASON FOR THE SPACE OF REPENTANCE.

   If God had His way everyone would be saved. II Peter 3:9 The LORD is not willing that that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

   Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. God doesn’t usually bring judgment immediately after one’s sin, in order to give them the opportunity to repent.

   Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Again we see the space of repentance which is produced by the goodness, the long suffering, and the forbearance of God.

   God is good to those who are evil by giving them space to repent. Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. God strives with men in order to give them opportunity to repent. But, you don’t have an hundred and twenty years! So you better do it now!

   The severity of one’s sin has nothing to do with it. The fact is that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; therefore all must repent. Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

REPENTANCE, NOT LOVE IS THE NEEDED MESSAGE.

   Paul did not preach love in order to correct a severe church problem. He didn’t go on and on ignoring the problem. He didn’t tell them, “now you just be good little church members, quit your fussing, and love one another.” He told them to repent, without apologizing for it. Whippy preachers need to get off of their shallowness if severe church problems are solved. Modern day church problems are being fed instead of being eradicated. Man’s biggest problem is sin and there ain’t but one solution for sin and that solution is true repentance. Repentance was the only solution for the problem in the church at Thyatira and it is the solution for present day church problems. Things will not get better in America, in families, and in Baptist churches until the old time Bible message of repentance returns to Baptist pulpits. Much more than America’s need to repent is the need of Baptist to repent. Things will never get any better in the Baptist world until a bunch of backslidden, rebellious Baptist repent! If my people, which are called by my name, The change must take place from the inside out and first it must take place among Baptist.

THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE

   Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Repentance is not being sorry that your sins caught up with you, but it is being sorry that you sinned against God. It is literally drowning in the sorrow of your sins. It is being baptized or immersed in your sorrow over sin. It is one thing to drown in your sins. Its another thing to drown in sorrow over your sins. Paul was not sorry for making the Corinthians sorry for their sin, but was glad because the truth made them sorry and therefore church problems were corrected. Quit worrying about truth hurting feelings, because repentance overcomes hurt feelings and appreciates the truth of God no matter how much it hurts to begin with. It will feel good after it quits hurting. II Corinthians 2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

   II Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  

   Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! A bunch of church people repented and behold, many severe church problems were immediately eradicated because Paul started at the top (with the leadership) instead of the bottom. Leading members and leading ministers (the chosen or the frozen) have gotten away with being despots for far too long without repentance.

REPENTANCE PRODUCES SPIRITUAL FRUIT.

Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Please read Luke 3:8-14.

    Too many make a profession of faith without a change in their sorry lives. Church leaders like Jezebel seem to have more problems repenting of their church running than drug addicts or drunks have of repenting of their sins. Have you ever seen anyone who destroyed a church repent? Have you ever seen a church controller or a church politician repent? Name one if possible. But I can name drunks or drug addicts that repented. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. We no longer have revivals because of the lack of repentance. Jesus told five of the seven churches of Asia Minor to repent. Five out of seven is not a very good commentary on the people of God. This ratio is much worse today. It is almost impossible to find a church without a severe problem, today, which has gone on decade after decade. We, church people, seem to have more problems with repentance than some in the world. Even the members that justify or tolerate the problems are as guilty as those causing the problems. A pastor who is unfaithful to deal with the problem is also at fault. Is there more repentance in prisons than in Baptist churches? No wander after dec- ades of non-repentance hearts are cold. The sands of time have caught up with Baptist in America and we are becoming extinct. Many Baptist churches today are a mess and getting worse. The sad commentary in the Baptist world today is And I gave her space to repent... and she repented not. Revelation 2:21

THE NEED OF REPENTANCE AMONG US BAPTISTS

   We Baptists need to repent of many things, today starting with the rejection of Bible doctrine. Next, the usurpers of the authority of Jesus over His local church need to repent. This was Jezebel’s sin in the church at Thyatira. If it is not some Jezebel or a Pelosi; it’s a hen-pecked Ahab, a deacon, a clique, a family clan, a coup, a pastor, the inter–circle, and many times a lodge. God gives gang mentality people space of repentance and they are only taking advantage of the time God is giving them. The reason many have left Baptist ranks is because they are sick and tired of controlling despots in churches. Their contrariness and their failure to repent are bringing God’s judgment and destroying churches.

   Also, many need to repent of their use of Bible perversions, the singing of rotten songs in church, their compromise with non-denominational organizations, their leaning toward Pentecostalism, their desire for one denomination, their opposition to closed communion, and their belief in the invisible universal church.

REPENTANCE ON EARTH BRINGS JOY IN HEAVEN.

   Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

ABOVE ALL, THE LORD JESUS LONGS FOR REPENTANCE.

    Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 6 ¶ He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. The dresser of the vineyard; that is Jesus, asked God to give it more time to repent. Jesus says, let me work on them for a space of time.

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE YOU REPENTED? THAT’S TOO LONG.

   Do you continue to take advantage of God’s patience and goodness by refusing to repent? God will not put up with it forever. Sooner or latter God will say enough is enough is enough and His hammer of judgment will fall.

   You may accuse me of rubbing the fur the wrong way. I have not, let the cats turn around. Turn around while you still have time! Turn around before God throws you into a bed of tribulation along with Jezebel.