Abhorring the "Dee[ Things of Satan" - "That Woman Jezebel

Jesus' fiery eyes have pierced further.  He notes something that needs immediate attention.  "Nevertheless,  he tells Christians in Thyatira,  "I do hold this against you, that you may tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols." (Revelation 2:20)  In the tenth century B.C.E. Queen Jezebel, that Baal-worshipping wife of King Ahab of Israel, had become notorious for her murderous, adulterous, dominating ways.  Jehu, as Jehovah's  anointed one, had her executed.   (Kings 16:31; 18:4; 21:1-16; 2 Kings 9:1-7. 22, 30, 33)   The idolatrous Jezebel had no claim to being a prophetess.  She was not like Miriam and Deborah, who served as faithful prophetesses in Israel.  (Exodus 15:20, 21; Judges 4:4; 5:1-31) And Jehovah's spirit did not move her to prophesy as it moved the aged Anna ad the four daughters of Philip the evangelizer. - LUKE 2:36-38; ACTs 21:9. 

Plainly, then, "that woman Jezebel" who  claims to be a prophetess in Thyatira is a sham.  She has no backing of God's   spirit.  Who is she?  Likely, she ia woman or group of women acting  as a shameless corrupting influence in the congregation.  Some associated women may have been involving congregation members in immorality, while brazenly justifying their self-willed course by misapplying scriptures.  False prophesying indeed!    They would influence others to fall into their own ways of "fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetous ness, which is idolatry."  (Colossians 3:5) They would have those in the congregation indulge in an immoral, self-seeking lifestyle that is the kind that is now countenanced, or winked at, in most of Christendom's  religions.

Jesus goes on to tell the elders in Thyatira: "And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her fornication.  Look! I am about to throw her in a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulations, unless they repent of her deeds." (Revelation 2:21, 22)  Just as the original Jezebel apparently dominated  Ahab and then defiled God's executioner, Jehu, so this female influence may be trying to manipulate  husbands and elders.  It seems  that the elders in Thyatira are tolerating the immodest Jezebel influence.  Jesus here sounds a strong warning for them, as well as for the global congregation of Jehovah's people today.  In modern times, some such strong willed women have induced their husband to become apostates and have even instigated court -action against Jehovah's faithful servants. - Compare JUDE 5-8. 

Next time: Abhorring the "Deep Things of Satan" - "That Woman Jezebel"

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