Revelation (Written)

Friday, 25 September 2020

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. Revelation 2:24

There are two main changes between this text and other Greek texts. The words “and” and “will” are not found in them. Including the word “and” gives an inappropriate sense of what is being said to the various addressees. Instead, saying, “Now to you I say, to the rest in Thyatira,” provides a logical division between those already addressed who had been a part of the inappropriate actions of Jezebel and the others. The inclusion of the word “and” eliminates this important division.

Jesus is speaking to all “the rest in Thyatira.” He then explains that by saying, “as many as do not have this doctrine.” With these words, one can more clearly see why the word “and” is inappropriate. He has given His words of correction and warning to those who held to her doctrine. He now addresses those who do not. They are those “who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say.”

The words here are variously explained. First, is the term used by these people, “the depths,” which is then qualified by Jesus as “of Satan,” or is the term used by these people, “the depths of Satan”? It isn’t known for certain, but it seems unlikely that a supposed group of Christians would claim they followed “the depths of Satan.” Another option is that the saying was used by those who were not a part of this group. Looking from the outside, they may have said in an ironic manner, “They claim they know the depths of God, but they are caught up in the depths of Satan.”

This is not uncommon, even to this day. When an aberrant cult is noted for their incorrect doctrine, they are acknowledged as such. The cult – for example, the Mormons – might say, “We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” But those who understand their aberrant doctrine might say, “You are followers of the teachings of Satan.”

Whatever the intent here is, Jesus clearly identifies their doctrine as aligned with Satan, just as He had done when using the term “synagogue of Satan” in verse 2:9. Many involved commentaries talk about what the term, “the depths of Satan,” means. But they are unnecessary. Jesus has already explained the behavior of Jezebel and those who committed her many offenses with her.

She was obviously claiming that her conduct was a deep teaching that could only be fully appreciated by those who followed her. She was claiming that her path was the true path to higher enlightenment and communing with God. But in fact, it was an alignment with the works of the devil. For those who had not followed her, Jesus then says, “I will put on you no other burden.”

Some see this as a connection to the trials and sufferings a church may face. But that conclusion doesn’t logically follow in light of this verse. Rather, Jesus is saying that the conduct of the church is acceptable (verse 2:19), but they needed to remove the wicked strumpet Jezebel from the congregation. With that, He would be pleased, and He would add nothing else to consider them a church in right standing. She was the main hindrance to a positive relationship with the Lord. Once she was removed, there would be a harmonious relationship between them and Him.

Life application: In addition to their faithful service, the church at Thyatira had kept away from what was obviously wrong in Jezebel’s doings. However, they had not excommunicated her. She was most likely teaching doctrines which supposedly revealed deeper and hidden truths of God, something that cults have continuously done since then as well. The problem was that the things she taught were neither “truths,” nor were they “of God.”

Her proclamations and actions came from Satan, and Satan’s teachings are always false and destructive. As Jesus said in John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Always be careful of someone who proclaims “something deeper” or “something new.” Check everything you hear against the Bible, and also be cognizant of what has been considered orthodox throughout church history. Jesus Christ doesn’t change and neither does the word that proclaims Him. Hold steadfast to sound doctrine and His instructions won’t be burdensome.

Thank You, Lord God, for the promise of teaching us if we will just listen to Your words. Thank You also for the promise of the glory that lies ahead which You promise to Your redeemed people. In this troubled world of strife and anguish, the promise of rest is our hearts’ desire. Our hearts sing out in joy at the prospect of sharing eternity with such a kind and wonderful Savior – Jesus – whom You sent to bring us back to You! Hallelujah to Your name. Amen.

Thursday, 24 September 2020

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:23

Jesus, still referring to the wicked woman Jezebel, continues with the promised punishments resulting from her actions. In this, He beings with, “I will kill her children with death.” The words of this first clause are emphatic, with the stress on “children.” Further, the word en, or in, is used. It says, “And the children of her I will kill in death.” The same phrase en thanatō, or “in death” is also used in verse 6:8. The word “children” here does not mean literal children, as will be explained below. It is the unrepentant offshoot (child) of a corrupt teacher who would be subject to judgment as well.

Placing the children in the emphatic position sets these people off as a different category than those referred to in the previous verse. There, it said, “and those who commit adultery with her.” The Lord said that He would punish them “unless they repent.” However, no such grant of grace is extended to “her children.”

What this is probably conveying then is a reference to those who have been “begotten” by her into her wicked ways. They haven’t simply committed sin with her, but they are converts to her ways. This is seen, for example, in the words of Paul to the Corinthians –

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4: 14-16

Paul makes a similar statement in Philemon -10. Because they have taken on her perverse nature, they have never been converted to Christ. Thus, without ever having the gift of salvation, they will be killed “in death.” The meaning of this is debated, but because the word “kill” is used both here and in Revelation 6:8, it is probably speaking of a form of death, as most translations render it in 6:8, such as “plague,” “pestilence,” or something similar.

In other words, verse 6:8 says, “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” One might get hit by a sword and live. One might be hungry, almost to starvation, and live. On might get attacked by a beast and live. However, the plague of “death” results in certain death. Once it attacks, the state of death is assured. Thus, to state, “I will kill her children with death,” is a way of showing the surety of what will occur. There is no hope of pulling through whatever affliction they face.

In this, Jesus says, “and all the churches shall know.” What will occur will be so obvious, so purposeful, and so complete in its scope, that what occurs will not be limited to just one church. Rather, all of the churches will hear of it and know that it came about because of judgment. The children of Jezebel – those begotten of her and her wicked ways – will be an example to all. In this, they will understand when Jesus says, “that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”

The phrase, as spoken by Jesus, is a clear and unambiguous claim that He is the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament Scriptures. Time and again, searching the heart and/or mind of others is something that exclusively belongs to the Lord. For example –

“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

This reference in Jeremiah is the exact claim of Jesus in Revelation. He 1) searches out the hearts and the minds, 2) rewards according to the ways that He has sought out. In the New Testament, this same action is also attributed to the Spirit of God. As Paul says –

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

One can see the harmony of the doctrine of the Trinity when these verses are properly considered. Each member of the Godhead performs the actions appropriate to the situation and the circumstance of the events, and all of them are in harmony with the actions of the other two members. As Jesus next says, “And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

Here, Jesus shows that His actions against Jezebel’s “children” extend to all in the church who are involved with her. Whatever a person does, good or bad – the actions, intents, and fruits – will all be evaluated and rewarded accordingly. We can be confident of this because of the example seen here. God is no respecter of persons. What He decides will be completely impartial, completely fair, and all matters will be brought to their proper end by Him. Jesus is the One to determine these things.

Life application: Far too often, people make the mistake of speaking of God’s love while ignoring His judgment. Jezebel and “her children” would not be the recipients of His love.

It can be inferred that if Jesus cast her on a sickbed of suffering, the chances are that whatever communicable disease she got spread through her followers as well. But this is probably speaking of more than just physical death for these “children.”

In saying that they are her children, it indicates that they never received the truth of the gospel. Therefore, they would not just die a certain death, but they would also die the second death in the Lake of Fire. Such is the nature of appropriate divine judgment, and such is the nature of God’s wrath on sin for those who are never begotten of God through Christ.

Despite the terrifying nature of the words of the Lord here, we must remember that Jesus is a fair judge. What He determines will never be biased or vindictive. Rather, it will be perfectly just for all people. Believers have the full assurance of eternal salvation and rewards based on their faithful service. How much better is this than the prospect of eternal separation from God! Live for Jesus and bask in His grace.

Lord God, please change the hearts of those who are sinning, strengthen the hearts of those who are struggling, and continue to bless the hearts of those who are standing strong and faithfully in You. For those who have never come to You through Christ Jesus, move in a great way in this world so that they will want to have what is so wonderfully offered by You. May they see and call out for salvation through His precious shed blood. May it be so, in His wonderful name! Amen.

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. Revelation 2:22

Of the strumpet Jezebel who was given time to repent of her sexual immorality, but who failed to repent, Jesus now pronounces a sentence upon her, beginning with, “Indeed.” It is a note of absolute certainty that action is coming. That action is, “I will cast her into a sickbed.”

The Greek word merely signifies a bed. However, “sickbed,” or “bed of suffering,” is to be inferred. As Charles Ellicott rightly states, “The chamber of voluptuousness will become the chamber of sickness. The spot of the sin shall be the scene of punishment.” The harlot will go from the carnal delights of her fornication to the consequences of it. It is too late because she has failed to repent.

In this, one can see a parallel to what happened to Ahab, the king of Israel. He had committed a great sin, and the promise was made that, because of his sin, there would be consequent punishments laid upon him –

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ¹⁸ “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. ¹⁹ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.’” 1 Kings 21:17-19

Such things were promised to occur in the case of Jezebel so that those who saw it would know that the Lord’s hand was in the judgment. The word is spoken before the punishment so that, when it comes about, others could see and turn from their wicked ways. But just the promise of the punishment is hoped to be enough for some. In the case of those who joined in the sins of this Jezebel, a word of warning is given. Jesus next says, “and those who commit adultery with her.”

The verb is a present participle – “those committing adultery with her.” Jesus’ words to the church remind them that He is aware of all that is occurring there (“I know your works” of verse 2:19). By saying “those committing adultery with her,” He is letting them know that they are not exempt from what is promised to come upon the woman Jezebel. Rather, He will cast them “into great tribulation.”

It is the same word, thlipsis, used earlier in verses 2:9 and 2:10. It is variously translated as persecution, tribulation, affliction, distress, and so on. It signifies pressure. It is as if one is in a narrow place, hemmed in and feeling confined, and thus without options. One might say, “There is no way to escape.” However, added to it here is the adjective megas, or “great.” Those who are engaging in the sin with Jezebel will face the horrible consequences of their actions.

But, in this, they are given a note of grace. Jesus says, “unless they repent of their deeds.” Jezebel’s time was up. She was too far gone, and the disease that was promised would take hold of her. Jesus knew this and His words to her are not one of warning, but of judgment. However, the men of the church – being warned of her affliction – are given the chance to retreat from her, turn from the evil she had introduced, and not catch whatever STD she was surely carrying.

Those who failed to heed the word of the Lord would suffer the consequences of their actions. Those who heeded would be spared. They would learn the lesson vicariously through what they would see in the unrepentant.

In this presentation of Jezebel, one can see an equivalent in the spiritual adulteries of Israel and Judah. The people of Judah had an example of the consequence of what would occur because of their actions of going after other gods (spiritual adultery) in the northern kingdom of Israel. And yet, they went ahead and committed the same actions against the Lord. For example –

The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. ⁷ And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. ⁸ Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. ⁹ So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. ¹⁰ And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 3:6-10

The Lord notes this same type of thing elsewhere in the prophets, but even after having seen the adulteries of the northern tribes, and the consequences of their actions, Judah failed to repent. The Lord thus judged them for their failures, packing them off to Babylon in exile.

Life application: It is the Lord’s intention that people turn from their wickedness. However, there is a time when there is no longer a remedy for such aberrant behavior. Concerning the church at Thyatira, the means of such judgment isn’t hard to imagine. Sexual sins, throughout the ages, have led to the explosion of disease. Entire villages, cultures, and groups of people are destroyed through such diseases. For example, it occurred in Athens in 430BC. At that time, one-third of the people there died. AIDS is certainly such a punishment on sexual sin, as are syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases.

No matter how the sickbed of Jezebel came, it was the result of her sins, and through rejecting the truth and beauty of properly conducted life in Christ. Jesus asks us to turn from such things before they bring about unimaginable pain and agony.

In comparison to Jezebel of the Old Testament, Jesus promised that this New Testament Jezebel would be cast onto a sickbed. Such a violent casting is reminiscent of Jezebel’s final moments as she was hurled out of the window on a high wall – “…she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. …Then he said, ‘Throw her down.’ So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. … So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands” (Portions of 1 Kings 9:30-35).

The casting of Jezebel in 1 Kings resulted in a gruesome end. The casting of the Jezebel in Revelation would be no less intense as she suffered the consequences of her actions. These examples are given to show us that we can all expect to face consequences for the things we do. Let us pay heed.

Lord God, we know that we have choices to make and that we must face the consequences of our own free-will. Our choice, as believers, is to follow you, and our will is to serve You with wholehearted devotion. Thank You for the release from sin and its consequences because of the New Covenant You have granted to us through the shed blood of Christ. We love You Lord God. Amen.

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Revelation 2:21

Some of the Greek texts, rather than saying, “and she did not repent,” say “she is unwilling to repent.” That is certainly more in line with Paul’s words in the book of Romans –

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4

In this, the state of mind is more genuinely expressed because there must be a willingness to repent in order for true repentance to take place. Understanding this, and still speaking of “Jezebel,” Jesus says, “And I gave her time to repent.” It is apparent that this woman has been in the congregation. As such, she would see from their works, love, service, faith, and patience (verse 2:19) that there was a proper way to conduct oneself.

However, time is not what this person needed. The allowance of time was to demonstrate this. She failed to “repent of her sexual immorality.” Despite clearly knowing that what she was doing was wrong, she refused to turn from her ways. It reflects a condition of the heart. In such a state, Jesus says, “and she did not repent.”

Repentance simply means, “to change one’s mind.” There is a difference between a person who is addicted to drugs and who truly desires to not be addicted to drugs, and a person who is addicted to drugs and who is unwilling to give them up. The state of mind is what is evaluated, not necessarily the taking of the drugs. The state of mind is what will potentially lead to ending the addiction. But if the state of mind is unyielding, there will never be a true change.

It is evident that Jezebel had no desire to turn from her sexual immorality. Because of this, Jesus has a harsh sentence coming upon her in the verses ahead. She will receive her just due because she failed to accept the words of Scripture that tell us it will eventually come –

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Life application: The God of the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, is accused of being harsh and angry without demonstrating mercy and patience. However, from the earliest pages of the Bible in Genesis, even to the last pages of the Bible in Revelation, a completely different view of God is given.

Abraham was promised that his descendants would receive the land of Canaan as an inheritance, but it wouldn’t be given to him right away. The reason is given at the time of the covenant in Genesis 15:15, 16 –

“Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. ¹⁶ But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

God gave the people in the land 400 years more to repent and to seek Him out, but in the end, there was simply no remedy. The same is true with the people of Israel in Isaiah –

“I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts.” Isaiah 65:2

Were God to destroy humans every time they sinned, there would be no humans on earth in a single day. Were God to give humans a week to repent and then destroy them, there would be no humans at the end of the week. People who point fingers at, and accuse, God simply deny the reality of their own state. They rule that God is unfair to judge them when in fact He is more than fair.

Jezebel was given time to repent as well… “and she did not.” Churches that mix shrines and relics in with their worship will be held accountable. Churches that mingle humanistic philosophies and ideologies with proper worship will be held accountable. Mingling the holy with the profane is intolerable and will be punished. This is reality and this is just. Pointing one’s finger at God is merely a reflection of a problem with self, not a problem with God.

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
¹² As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:10-12

We know, O Lord, that if You were to count our sins against us as we deserve, none could stand in Your presence. But You are merciful and abundant in kindness to the children of men. Cleanse us Lord. Sprinkle us with the blood of Christ and we will be clean. Thank You for the forgiveness that comes through His mighty and glorious deeds. Amen.

Monday, 21 September 2020

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:20

After providing words of encouragement to the church in Thyatira, the Lord now brings a rebuke against them. This is indicated by saying, “Nevertheless.” It is the simple Greek word alla, signifying but, however, except, and so on. It is now given to contrast His previous words. After this, He says, “I have a few things against you.”

Some manuscripts leave off “a few things,” and simply say, “I have this against you.” As He only addresses one main issue, this is probably correct. Despite consisting of several detailed verses concerning the matter, it is one main subject. That begins with, “because you allow that woman Jezebel…”

First, the term, “that woman,” can also be translated as “your wife.” Some translations will say this. The reason this would be appropriate is because Jezebel was a wife to King Ahab of Israel’s past. Thus, Jesus would be making a connection here in that manner. Either way, the reference is to the wicked Jezebel.

Of this name, Vincent’s Word Studies provides a lengthy and well-laid out synopsis of who the original Jezebel was, and why that name is now being used figuratively of someone in the church. For those who are unaware of her, his words are provided –

“Used symbolically, but with reference to the notorious historic Jezebel. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidon (1 Kings 16:31), formerly a priest of Astarte, and who had made his way to the throne by the murder of his predecessor Pheles. Ahab’s marriage with her was the first instance of a marriage with a heathen princess of a king of the northern kingdom of Israel. This alliance was a turning-point in the moral history of the kingdom. From the times of David and Solomon many treaties had been concluded between Phoenicia and Israel; but it was at the same time the special business of the kingdom of the ten tribes to restore the ancient rigidness of the nationality of Israel. Jezebel looked down with perverse pride upon a people whose religion she neither understood nor respected. Though the ten tribes had yielded to idolatry in the worship of the calves, the true God was still worshipped and the law of Moses acknowledged. From the time of Ahab’s marriage the apostasy of Israel became more decided and deadly. She was ‘a woman in whom, with the reckless and licentious habits of an Oriental queen, were united the fiercest and sternest qualities inherent in the old Semitic race. Her husband, in whom generous and gentle feelings were not wanting, was yet of a weak and yielding character which soon made him a tool in her hands…. The wild license of her life and the magical fascination of her arts or her character became a proverb in the nation. Round her and from her, in different degrees of nearness, is evolved the awful drama of the most eventful crisis of this portion of the Israelite history’ (Stanley, ‘Jewish Church’). She sought to exterminate the prophets of Jehovah (1 Kings 18:13), and inaugurated the worship of Baal the Sun-God on a magnificent scale. Two sanctuaries were established, one for each of the great Phoenician deities, at each of the two new capitals of the kingdom, Samaria and Jezreel. The sanctuary of Astarte or Ashtaroth (the Phoenician Venus) at Jezreel was under Jezebel’s special sanction, and there is reason to suppose that she ministered as a priestess in that licentious worship. Four hundred priests or prophets were attached to this sanctuary and were supported at her table. The sanctuary to Baal at Samaria was large enough to contain all the worshippers of the northern kingdom. Its staff consisted of four hundred and fifty priests, and the interior contained representations of the Sun-God on small pillars, while a large statue of the same deity was set up in front. At these sanctuaries Ahab in person offered sacrifices.”

In using the term “Jezebel,” Jesus is calling to mind this atrocious figure from past redemptive history. In this, He is saying that her qualities and attributes are seen again in the church of Thyatira. It must be noted that it is not said that this woman is commended, but rather she is allowed. The word is aphiémi. It means to permit, allow, tolerate, and so on. They are tolerating that which should not be tolerated. However, tolerating evil cannot be condoned. Next, Jesus says, “who calls herself a prophetess.”

The words stand out as clearly meaning that this person is not a prophetess at all. Later in Revelation, it says, “Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (19:10). True prophecy comes from God. If Jesus is rebuking the church over this woman, it is obvious that her claims to being a “prophetess” are false.

But this is the claim of countless people throughout the church age. Many claim to be prophets or prophetesses even though the Bible is written and complete. There is no longer a need for prophecy because believers are now to live by faith and not by sight. If the words of these false prophets were true, then that would contradict the premise of living by faith.

Further, another abuse of this woman, called here Jezebel, is next seen in the words, “to teach.” Paul’s words, which are prescriptive for the church, state –

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹² And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” 1 Timothy 2:11, 12

This Jezebel has no authority to teach men, and yet she does, as is evidenced by the use of the masculine word “servants.” She is a false prophetess and an unauthorized teacher. Further, what she is teaching is completely contradictory to what is morally acceptable, which is to “seduce my servants.”

The word translated as “seduce” is planaó. It signifies “to cause to wander.” Thus, one is led astray. It is the basis for our word “planet.” Even as the planets appear to wander in the night sky, so a person who is led astray will wander. They have no sure footing and are easily led down unhealthy paths of unrighteousness. Christ came to put us on the proper path. The apostolic writings are intended to keep us on that path, but false prophets and false teachers set about to cause people to stray from it. In the case of the vile Jezebel, her doctrine is to have the servants of the Lord “commit sexual immorality.”

The Greek word can be taken both literally and figuratively. In the case of it being figurative, it is used in leading people astray from Christ and into idolatry. In this case, it is certainly to be taken literally. The reason why is that she also is said to lead them into idolatry. Therefore, she is both physically immoral, and uses that to seduce people away from sound doctrine concerning moral purity (see 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 10:8 for examples). Also, she is spiritually immoral, leading people into idolatry as well.

The second thought, that of spiritual harlotry, is seen in the final words which say, “and eat things sacrificed to idols.” This must be understood from the allowances and prohibitions of Paul concerning the matter of acceptable food and the sake of conscience. To understand this, a detailed study of the subject from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 must be conducted. That commentary is found at this link – http://superiorword.org/wp-content/uploads/study-pdfs/1-corinthians-commentary-rev1.pdf.

In the end, the matter comes down to conscience. What is obvious is that this revolting woman, Jezebel, was working in a manner contrary to what Paul had stated in those verses, causing the believers to violate the law of conscience. In this, they then violate the law of faith. As Paul says elsewhere, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Finally, whether Jezebel is an actual person – a single individual who was a member of the church at Thyatira – who conducted her affairs in this despicable manner, or whether she is used symbolically concerning a heretical doctrine that had arisen within the church (something that appears less likely, but is still possible), the doctrine was there, and it was left unchecked. Jesus is not pleased with this.

Life application: It is unfortunate that people have continued to call themselves prophets and prophetesses through the church age. Claiming such a title normally includes the perception that they receive revelation from God. This is certainly not the case. The Bible is the rule and guide for faith within the church, and claims of extra-biblical revelation are not to be accepted – ever.

The Bible is written, and it alone stands as our rule and guide for the conduct of our Christian lives. There is nothing such a person could “prophesy” that would have any use beyond what Scripture proclaims. Countless millions have been led astray by people who have claimed prophetic revelation. Anytime you accept such from someone, you are opening yourself up to manipulation by a false teacher. Stick to the word. What more could you possibly need for your Christian walk?

Lord, unless we are well versed in Your word, it is often hard to know when someone is presenting a truthful message, or when someone is simply taking verses out of context and applying them in a way that twists the truth. Please keep us from being manipulated by deceivers, and help us to more fully grasp the right and true doctrines of Your word. Give us the hunger and desire to want more of Your precious word day by day. Amen.