Performance Review
Joe Wilson

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.’’” Revelation 2:18-19

Through many years of managing employees and instructing in professionalism, I have performed my share of performance reviews on both the accepting employee and the not-so accepting. One thing I have learned from success and failure is employees are much more willing to accept the bad if you let them know the good as well. To get “slapped in the face” with all the bad just seems unsurmountable without a little good mixed in there with it.

I believe Jesus provides us the perfect example of conducting a performance review as He gives John the words to write unto the seven churches. Today we will focus on the church at Thyatira from Revelation 2:18-19, “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. ‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.’’”

Thyatira was approximately 40 miles southeast of Pergamum and was noted for its abundant crops and the manufacture of purple dye. The church in Thyatira was small, but obviously, the Son of God thought it to be significant enough to include this letter in His inspired Word.

Verse 18 provides all we need to know about Who will be conducting the performance review. I believe the title of “the Son of God” would be enough for even me to understand the absolute importance of what was about to be disclosed. It also encourages confidence that His instruction really is the best way to succeed.

In Verse 19, the Son of God provides the church in Thyatira with what they are doing very well – love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I am sure we could all agree these are qualities we would love and desire to have associated with our personal character as well as the church or community God has chosen for us to serve.

I believe the Son of God has given the church in Thyatira a great start to their performance review that will also encourage them to take a solid look when the “not so goods” are identified in Revelation 2:20-24.