Day 54

“But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” Rev 2:20 NASB

We catch a glimpse in this text of a “conservative/liberal” conflict in the late first-century church. Conservatives no doubt pointed out the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Given the pointed nature of that commandment, could a serious Christian even think about participating in cultic prostitution? Some Christians may have found a theological justification for this kind of activity in the writings of Paul, who argued that the state had the authority to require certain things. (See Romans 13:1-7.) 

This remarkable passage could have been used by the Nicolaitans as a justification for participating in the requirements of civil religion (see 1 Tim 2:2-3, NIV, also). We are to pray for, obey, respect, and honour the authorities. Nonetheless, I’m sure Paul would not have approved of cultic prostitution. In 1 Corinthians 8-10, however, Paul is fairly clear that eating food offered to idols is not a major issue in itself. One suspects that sincere Christians who differed from the perspective of Revelation might have found encouragement in Paul’s letters, whether or not they were reading correctly. 

The reality is that Paul’s situation was quite different than John’s. Circumstances alter cases. The book of Revelation recommends social, political, and economic withdrawal from society, if necessary, in order to be faithful to the instructions of Jesus. John takes a hard line with the believers that Paul did not feel was necessary for his day. Evidently, circumstances had changed in the forty years between Paul’s letters and Revelation. Actions that would have been acceptable in the past were no longer so, due to changing circumstances.  May the Lord, help us to be discerning of the times. May we never use a plausible interpretation of Scripture as an excuse for sin. May we always handle the Word with careful attention to the original context.