JANUARY 16, 2024 – JEZEBEL

READ: Rev. 2:20-25: Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, … to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. … 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. Now to you I say … as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, … But hold fast what you have till I come.

Christ identifies a serious evil tolerated within this church that threatens the entire congregation: His servants are being seduced by a woman referred to as Jezebel. She resembles the wicked wife of Ahab, who led Israel into adulterous worship of Baal and Asherah. She orchestrated the killing of many faithful prophets.

The woman in Thyatira is equally corrupt. She advocates the Nicolaitan doctrine, teaching that Christians can engage in worldly pleasures, advising openness to what the world offers. This Jezebel propagates her doctrine under the guise of being a prophetess. Servants of the Lord, sincere church members, are led to partake in idolatry and immorality by her deceptive words: “Let them learn the depths of Satan.”

Christ specifically warns the leader: I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman, Jezebel. This applies to both the church council and the congregation. Discipline has been neglected.

In this Christ addresses all congregations (vs. 23): He judges everyone according to their deeds! How closely does this warning resonate with us? The world and its desires easily reaches us and our children daily through various screens. Do we realize that if we succumb, we oppose Christ and risk falling under His judgment with our children? Or do we convince ourselves that we can handle it?

Let’s remember that Christ sees everything. This also calls for our repentance. Let’s hold fast to what we have in Him and not deny Him!

Do we realize that Christ knows our innermost being?

Singing: Ps. 119:38,48