Jezebel, Ahab and the Elijah message.
“To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star! “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” – Rev 2:26-29. NLT
Thyatira was the church of Jezebel (vs20-23) A women in Bible prophecy represents a church. In Ephesians 5:25 -32 the church is referred to as the bride of Christ. Since the scriptures refer to both good and bad women, in prophecy women represent both good and bad churches. Revelation is not talking about Queen Jezebel in flesh and blood at this time in history. She’d been dead for 900 years. Therefore, it must be using her as a symbol of the church of the Middle Ages. This church had “seduced and taught” God’s people false things as we noted yesterday. Just as literal Jezebel did to literal Israel.
In the days of Jezebel and king Ahab the message of Elijah was sent. The end of the Thyatira church period saw the dawning of the reformation. In this part of Revelation, the message given to John is of the church being compared to the Days of Jezebel, Ahab and Elijah. Queen Jezebel was foremost in corrupting Israel and Judah by leading them into Baal (false) worship.
This is the period of time in History when the Dark Ages took place. Church and state came together in 538AD and continued until 1798. This 1260 years is the equivalent (prophetically) of Elijah’s 3 ½ years of drought. 3 ½ years is 1260 days in the Jewish calendar.
During this time the devil pulled out all the stops. The church had reached the bottom – called the “depths of satan,” (vs24-25).
In these days the only Bible was the Latin version, which most people could not read. During this time, the Waldenses and Albigenses would not follow the doctrines of the Roman Church and fled into the mountains of northern Italy and southern France (the Alps). Here they could believe and worship as the Bible taught. Christ’s message to them was to “hold fast till I come.” V25
What is it that motivates people to accomplish difficult tasks? How is it that some people are able to put up with all kinds of hardship and difficulty for a relatively minor reward? Jesus knows that everyone needs motivation to change their ways or accomplish something great. In the letter to the church at Thyatira He tells them to keep their eye on the reward! The day is coming when Jesus will give them authority over the nations. They will be kings and priests in heavenly places. They will have authority like His authority. He will also give them the morning star. But then in Revelation 22:16 it tells us that Jesus is the morning star. He is giving them Himself! So, the ultimate motivation is a close relationship with Jesus.
The church of Thyatira symbolizes the condition of Christianity from about AD 538 to the 1560’s. During this time, the danger to God’s people did not come from outside the church but from within.
Tradition replaced the Bible, a human priesthood and sacred relics replaced Christ’s priesthood, and works were regarded as the means of salvation. Those who did not accept these corrupting influences were persecuted and even killed. For centuries the true church (the faithful remnant) found refuge in wilderness areas. (see Rev 12:6,13,14). But Jesus also commends the church in Thyatira for their faith and love, works and service – pointing to the reformation and the beginnings of a return to the Bible. The Elijah message! This reformation had begun in the 14th century with Huss and Jerome, Wycliffe and many others, then finally Luther, Knox, Zwingli and Calvin. This is the “Morning Star”, Jesus Christ, who brought hope to those who had been in such utter darkness.