Abhorring the "Deep Things of Satan" - Maintain Integrity

 This message must have encouraged the Christians in Thyatira greatly.  Just imagine-the glorified God in heaven had personally  spoken to the Christians in Thyatira about some of their problems!  Surely, at least some in the congregation responded to such loving shepherding.  This longest of the seven messages also helps us to identify the true Christian congregation today.  In 1918 when Jesus came to Jehovah's temple for judgment, the vast majority of organizations  claiming to be Christian were sullied by idolatry and spiritual immorality.  (James 4:4)  Some based their beliefs on the teachings of strong minded woman of the 19th century, such as Ellen White of the Seventh-Day Adventists and Mary Baker Eddy of the Christians Scientists, and more recently many women have been preaching from the pulpit.   (Contrast 1 Timothy 2:11, 12)  Among the different forms of Catholicism, Mary is often honored ahead of God and Christ.  Jesus did not do so honor her.   (John 2:4; 19:26)   Could  organizations that admit such unlawful female influence really be accepted as Christian?

Note: It is unlawful, because Jehovah and Christ do not approve of this. It says in the Bible, that no woman was to preach; but to sit back and listen to the elders.  Women can make comments from the Watchtower, or go door to door, or use the phone. But not preach from the pulpit. Women should be submissive to their husbands.  Boyfriends don't count in  that area, they are not committed in marriage to the women.  Since women are not allowed to teach/preach from the pulpit, they should also not be marring people. Jehovah would not approve of any of it.

Individual Christians, whether of the John class or of the other sheep, do well to consider this message.  (John 10:16)   Some may find it tempting to follow an easy course, as those disciples of the Thyatira Jezebel  did.  There is also the temptation to compromise.  Today, issues such as eating blood products ( meat still with blood in it or raw.) or accepting blood transfusions  have to be faced.  Some may feel that zeal in the field service  or giving talks  entitles them to be less strict in other areas, such as watching violent and immoral movies and video tapes, or overindulging in alcohol  Jesus' warning to the Christians in Thyatira tells us we must not take such liberties.  Jehovah want us to be clean, whole-souled, not divided, as many Christians were in Thyatira. 

Finally, Jesus declares: "Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations." (Revelation 2:29) For the fourth time, Jesus here repeats this rousing refrain, and  it will conclude all three messages yet to come.  Do you have that responsive ear?  Then keep listening intently to God, by his spirit, continues to provide through his channel. 

Next time: Is Your Name in the Book of Life?/ SARDIS

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