"That Woman Jezebel"

Referring to "that woman Jezebel," Jesus continues: "And her children I will kill with deadly plague, so that all the congregations will know that I am he who searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds." (Revelation 2:23) Jesus has allowed Jezebel and her children time to repent, but they persist in their immoral ways and hence must receive judgment. There is a powerful message here for Christians today. Those who imitate Jezebel, whether men or women, and thus become her children by violating Bible principles on headship and morality or by being headstrong so as to ignore theocratic order, are spiritually in a dangerously sick condition. True, if such a one calls upon the elders in the congregation to pray over him, "the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up"- provided he humbly acts in harmony with those prayers. But let no one think that he (or she) can fool God or Christ by attempting to conceal immoral acts or by putting on an outward show of zealous service.-James 5:14, 15.

Happily, most congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses today are awake to this danger. Elders are watchful of trends toward untheocratic attitudes and wrongdoing. They try to help both males and females who are in danger's way so that these may build spiritually and be readjusted before it is too late. (Galatians 5:16; 6:1) Lovingly and firmly, these Christian overseers restrain any female effort to form cliques for promoting moves similar to women's liberation. Moreover, timely counsel is periodically given in the Watchtower Society's publications.

However, where there has been gross immorality, and especially where this becomes a practice, unrepentant sinners must be disfellowshipped. We recall Jehu's zeal in getting rid of all traces of Jezebel's influence in Israel. Likewise, the John class today take firm action, setting and example for their "Jehonadab commpanions and showing themselves to be far different from Christendom's permissive ministers.-2Kings 9:22, 30-37; 10:12-17.

As Jehovah's Messenger and Judge, the Son of God acts rightly in identifying the modern Jezebel and throwing her into a sickbed, for her spiritual sickness is indeed a chronic one. (Malachi 3:1, 5) Those who have succumbed to this wrongful female influence will also suffer great tribulation-the sorrow of being disfellowshipped, cut off from the Christian congregation as though dead. Unless these repent, turn around, and are accepted back into the congregation, they also face physical death by "deadly plague"-at the latest, in the great tribulation. Meanwhile, restoration is possible if they fully repent of their wrong deeds.- Matthew 24:21, 22; 2Corinthians 7:10.

"All the congregations" must come to know that Jesus searches "the kidneys," the deepest emotions and the 'heart,' the innermost person, including the underlying motives. To this end, he uses trusted stars, or elders, in handling certain problems, such as any Jezebel influence that appears. (Revelation 1:20) After these elders have fully examined a matter of this kind and judgment has been rendered, it is not for individuals to probe into the whys and wherefores of the action taken. All should humbly accept the elder's disposal of matters and continue to be supportive of these congregation stars. Loyalty to Jehovah and his organizational arrangements will be rewarded. (Psalm 37:27-29; Hebrews 13:7, 17) For your own part, may your share be a blessing when Jesus give to each one individually according to his deeds.- See also Galatians 5:17-24; 6:7-9.

Next time: "Hold Fast What You Have"