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 Minor—modern 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 messenger—pastors/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 Omniscience—His 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 trades—brass making—to 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 Truth—Jesus 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 symbolic—there 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 tribulation—great 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 point—removing 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 pleonasm—a 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!

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* 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).