The
Second Jezebel (Rev.2:18-29)
We are continuing through
the book of Revelation, as we have for several weeks now, and we come to the fourth Church
of the seven. Remember, the number seven means perfection. From this we conclude that the
"seven churches" indicate the whole, or perfection, of all Christians. *A note to the
reader: the word "Church" in our studies always means the body of Christ/called
out ones/believers/saints/elect/remnant etc. not the IC DC (Institutional
churches or denominational churches).
The number four represents "world creation or new
creation." This is significant because in His discourse Jesus uses the words I
will give him power over the nations. Jesus is giving this discourse to the elect of Thyatira.
Let me give you some background on this city and Church. The name Thyatira means
"odor of affliction." It was a roman province located about 30-40 miles north of
Sardis; which is located in Asia Minormodern day Turkey. The name of the city is
today called "Akhisar." The city was known for its dye trade, of course we
remember Lydia of the book of Acts which made beautiful garments dyed purple, and its
garment and brass works. This is a Church with condemnation as is four others. This church
played no significant part in latter Church history, in other words it was silent. The
principle deity of that city was Apollo there known as the sun-god. The promise Jesus
gives to her is that of "possession"from the words I will give him
power over the nations.
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.
We already went over what the angel means. However, to
briefly recapitulate it must be concluded that angel meaning angel or messenger is
not speaking about a spiritual, heavenly, celestial being in the Churches. For what would
be the purpose of addressing a celestial being with instructions and criticisms? It is
therefore speaking of a messengerpastors/leaders. (Ephesians 4:11,12?) Again, it is
to the angel of the Church assembly or called out ones. We are, only those that
have been elect, predestined, foreordained, and called to believe and confess, by faith,
salvation in Christ Jesus alone, the Church. Not a denomination or building.
Jesus says, these things saith the Son of God. He uses
His title "Son of God" (which is found in the New Testament about 48 times) in
contradiction to their so-called sun god Apollo. Jesus is stating His authority over them
and their city by proclaiming His rightful position in the Godhead. Who hath his eyes
like unto a flame of fire, remember this is His total OmniscienceHis ability to
look into the deepest parts of your heart and mind. How is it that you feel you can escape
His view after reading this? Doesn't He make you more conscious of the things you do? And
his feet [are] like fine brass, it's interesting Jesus uses the description of one of
their tradesbrass makingto establish His firm and solid authority over them,
and His unmovable position as God.
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.
He says, I know thy works. We've gone over this many
times, but remember He says it to every Church! Let's think about this, He knows how much
you pray, read your Bible, witness, go to fellowship, study His word, live in holiness,
etc. He says five things to them. First, charity. This is an old English word for
"love." Second, service or ministry. Third, faith this is that
true trusting and belief in the TruthJesus Christ. Forth, patience mostly for
His coming. Fifth, works He says He knows all these things, but finds the last
[to be] more than the first. This Church had plenty of "works" for Jesus,
but totally lacked in love.
The key word is "balance" we need to have balance in
our walk with Jesus; not more of one and less of another. Let you life be filled with all
these things; not lacking in any. Notice charity and service are first
because they involve the believer in giving of themselves to others. The last three deal
with what the believer does for himself. What about you? Where do you stand in this list?
Is there something more than the first in your life? (also see ch. 2:4.)
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.
Jesus now speaks of their criticism. He says, Notwithstanding
or however I have a few things against thee. Why? 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. The word sufferest means
to allow or let happen. In the middle English, Angelo Saxon, and old French it also meant
to endure, tolerate, or allow. I mentioned that because I want you to understand the
seriousness of the matter Jesus addresses. The people and Church of Thyatira allowed, let,
and tolerated that woman Jezebel. Her name means "unhusbanded or chaste."
The name Jezebel could be symbolicthere probably
wasn't really some woman named that in Thyatira. Why does Jesus use this name and not her
real name seeing Jezebel could be symbolic? One, if He used her real name they might have
thought it was for her only, and not any others. Two, in using the most wicked and
treacherous woman of the Old Testament (see 1 Kings 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kings 9:22,30.) it
solidifies His concern and seriousness of the matter. Three, it's a great example of
recall for the error of her position and their tolerance of her. Make no mistake this was
a real person, and she was placing herself in authority!
Jesus says she is the kind of woman which calleth herself a
prophetess. Notice, He says, which calleth herself prophetess. He does
not say "which is a prophetess" this is a clear sign of a self
proclaimed, not a God proclaimed, prophetess. What is a prophetess? Simply, it's a woman
that claims to speak for God. Today there are many, many women that claim this office;
however, they do so to their own judgment. When God said to a person "tell them for
me" that was a prophet or prophetess. This self proclaimed prophetess was claiming
that her teachings were from God when in fact they were from satan. Sound familiar?
Jesus goes on to say that they not only allowed her to be a
prophetess, but also to teach that is to hold discourse with others in order
to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, to impart instruction, instill doctrine, to
explain or expound. If we hold to a late date for the book of Revelation (some scholars
believe it was written about A.D. 68 or 69) A.D. 95, we notice that some forty years
earlier Paul had laid down, very clearly, the command for women not to teach in 1 Timothy
2:9-15.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the
woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then
Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity
and holiness with sobriety.
This is very clear. The word teach in this passage is the same
exact word used here in Revelation 2:20. To add to this, Paul, by the Holy Spirit, was
following perfectly with what was given in Genesis 3:16.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and
thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to
thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
There can be no mistake the whole Bible is full of this
prohibition of women teaching and usurping authority. The result was she did seduce my
servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Satan always
has his way of creeping in to fellowships. She seduced or deceived, not just any
people, but my servants--Christians the believers. Jesus did say in the last days
it might be possible the elect could be deceived.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and
shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall
deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24)
Two major things she seduced them into to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. We went over both these weeks ago; however,
to commit fornication is to serve and be loyal to something other than Jesus
Christ! To eat things sacrificed unto idols is to partake of pagan and heathen
practices, for example to worship Mary, partake of the Mass, be baptized for the dead,
study another so-called inspired books, ordain homosexuals, and so on.
2:21 - And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and
she repented not.
It was wrong for her to be teaching. It was wrong form them to
allow it, and Jesus says it's wrong by adding and I gave her space to repent of her
fornication. Those are strong words! Do you think Jesus is joking? Do you think all
these so-called women ministers are right with God? by Jesus' own words it's wrong! They
do need to repent. Jesus says He gave her space or time to repent. That's the
long-suffering and goodness of God towards those out of the way.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(Romans 2:4)
Please notice the arrogance and pride of the woman. He says I
gave her time and she repented not. Many women are in this position today, but they
are not hearing Jesus' Word, nor are they complying to the basic outline nature has taught
them.
2:22 - Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Jesus says He will cast or throw her into a bed this
is referring to, not just a bed to sleep, but a sick bed! To bring this into a
contemporary setting I personally know of two women that are very sick and have all sorts
of problems physically. You may be saying yea, so? Well, the one calls herself a
prophetess and a minister (she became very ill only after her so-called ordination), and
the other follows such ones. Those that follow those false teachers and prophetesses Jesus
says that they that commit adultery with her into great tribulation. He will
cast them in great tribulation. Notice, not "the" tribulation or
"a" tribulation just great tribulationgreat affliction, or trouble.
How long and when will it be? He does not say. Therefore, I would be very careful at who
you listen to or follow. How does one stop this impending disaster? Repent of their
deeds.
2:23 - 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.
Jesus says. I will kill her children. No way! Not loving
and gentile Jesus? You think so? Look at 1 Corinthians 11:27-30; 5:1-8; Acts 5:1-11.
Listen to me please, when your sins are so destructive to yourself and causing others to
fall it may be necessary to go to this pointremoving the instrument of sin to save
many. Remember, God can do what he wants with you; he does not need your permission for
anything. Notice, her children this is those that follow her, she has followers,
heresy has its children. Ever notice how big a following Joyce Myers, Gloria Copland, Rev.
Ev., Marilyn Hickey, and the like have? Do you see how far we have drifted from God's pure
Word in allowing these women to play pastor or prophetess? You had better not listen to
them or follow them. Tune them out and turn them off! If you have an opportunity to talk
to one of them please tell them God's truth, and pray for them to stop and repent.
When He says, I will kill her children with death He's
using a pleonasma means of adding emphasis or a "double witness" to
the certainty of its fulfillment. Why would Jesus do this? To stop the heresy and so 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. When He says the word searcheth it
means "to examine." What does He plan to examine? The reins and hearts
what is that? It's your thoughts and understanding. (see 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 7:9.)
After this close examination He says, and I will give unto every one of you according
to your works. Chilling words! How about you? Are you ready to let Him, the one that
examines your thoughts and understanding, give
you according to your works?
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.
What is this doctrine of which He speaks? Of course it's
that of which Jezebel taught to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto
idols. He adds and which have not known the depths of satan, as they speak. The
depths of satan are the things they spoke and taught; it was the doctrine she had. We
sometimes say in Christian circles, "that is deep teaching, or I want to get into the
deep things of God." It's the same language used in this verse only in a negative
way. The promise to those that keep themselves clean from her and those doctrines, as we
need to do today, is I will put upon you none other burden. Speaking to those
faithful He says, but that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come (2:25).
2:26 - And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the
end, to him will I give power over the nations.
The closing promise in verse 26, after we overcometh, and
keepeth my works unto the end, is to him will I give power over the nations. We
get a hint of this in Revelation 3:21 and 19:14,15. Remember this is something yet future.
Verse 27 is in connection with 26 and outlines the co-regency we will have with Him. (see
Psalm 2:8,9; Revelation 19:15.)
2:28 - And I will give him the morning star.
What or who is the morning star? We should all know that
for 2 Peter 1:19 says the following:
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and
the day star arise in your hearts.
And also Revelation 22:16.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to
testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of
David, [and] the bright and morning star.
This is, of course, none other than Jesus Himself. He is saying
I will give you myself, my real, physical, manifested, glorified self! We will see His
face and behold Him in person. Amen?
2:29 - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.
Did you hear that? He's not talking about the physical ear, but
the spiritual. We must listen to what the Spirit saith. Not these women, or men
false teachers, seminary professors, false pastors, pastors, false ministers, or some
secular person, but the Spirit. The Spirit of the living God.
Understand God's Word has taught us not to focus on one area of
our spiritual life (2:19) but have balance in all. Second, we cannot allow women pastors,
ministers, teachers, or them to hold positions of authority in the Church*. They must be
rebuked sharply and removed. Do not allow them that place. Do not follow those that refuse
to repent of this their wickedness, for there's a price for not doing so (2:21,22). Third,
stay with Jesus no matter what, stay with the faith and keep moving on; don't turn to the
left or to the right, but But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come (2:25).
Amen!
Questions or Comments? E-mail
us
*A note to the reader: the word "Church" in our studies
always means the body of Christ/called out ones/believers/saints/elect/remnant etc. not
the IC DC (Institutional churches or denominational churches).
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