Day 55

“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. ²¹ I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. ²² Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. ²³ And I will kill her children with plague, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” Rev 2:20-23 NASB.

The church of Thyatira was pushed to compromise with their pagan environment. (Warning to us). The name “Jezebel” refers to the wife of King Ahab, who led Israel into apostasy. (1Kings 16:31-33). Jesus here portrays Jezebel as spiritually immoral (V:20). Those church members who compromised the truth and adopted “unclean” pagan ideas and practices were committing spiritual adultery with her.

The punishment here fits the crime. Since Jezebel has led others to commit fornication, she herself is thrown into a bed, the place where sexual relations usually take place (cf. Heb 13:4). But it is not clear if sexual relations are intended, the bed is also the place where people have to go when struck down by severe illness. The word “death” in this passage probably means “pestilence” or contagious disease. (Think plagues of the Middle Ages – the Thyatira church)

The phrase “I will kill her children with death” does not sit too well with people in today’s world; it has an abusive ring to it. While He was on earth, Jesus always loved children and would never wish them harm. Children often suffer, however, from the consequences of adult action, including the actions of their parents. In this case, the “children” are probably adult disciples of Jezebel, those who believe and act on her teachings, (The Medieval Church). This passage reminds us that gifted people can be wrong. Jezebel was a very gifted person, recognized as a prophetess with great authority and a following. This gifted teacher may not have realized it at first, but she was leading her people into darkness. How does this passage apply to church leaders today? If you and I are placed in leading positions in the church, how can we know when we are wrong? How can we know when the gifts that God has given us are being used to lead people in the wrong direction?

What did Jesus mean in V:25 by “Hold fast what you have till I come?” What do these words mean to you today as you endure various trials? What do you have from Jesus that you must hold on to?