Spiritual fornication.
“Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.” – Revelation. 2:22-25
The church of Thyatira was pushed to compromise with their pagan environment. (that is a warning to us). The name “Jezebel” refers to the wife of King Ahab, who led Israel into apostasy. (1Kings 16:31-33). Jesus here portrays Jezebel as spiritually immoral (V:20). Those church members who compromised the truth and adopted “unclean” pagan ideas and practices were committing spiritual adultery with her.
The punishment here fits the crime. Since Jezebel has led others to commit fornication, she herself is thrown into a bed, the place where sexual relations usually take place (cf. Heb 13:4). But it is not clear if sexual relations are intended, the bed is also the place where people have to go when struck down by severe illness. The word “death” in this passage probably means “pestilence” or contagious disease. (Think plagues of the Middle Ages – the era of the Thyatira church)
The phrase “I will kill her children with death” does not sit too well with people in today’s world; it has an abusive ring to it. While He was on earth, Jesus always loved children and would never wish them harm. Children often suffer, however, from the consequences of adult action, including the actions of their parents.
In this case, the “children” are probably adult disciples of Jezebel, (her offspring) those who believe and act on her teachings, (The Medieval Church).
This passage reminds us that gifted people can be wrong. Jezebel was a very gifted person, recognized as a prophetess with great authority and a following. This gifted teacher may not have realized it at first, but she was leading her people into darkness. How does this passage apply to church leaders today? If you and I are placed in leading positions in the church, how can we know when we are wrong? How can we know when the gifts that God has given us are being used to lead people in the wrong direction?
What did Jesus mean in V:25 by “Hold fast what you have till I come?” What do these words mean to you today as you endure various trials? What do you have from Jesus that you must hold on to?
Jesus offers counsel to the faithful ones in the church, He calls them a “remnant.” This is the first time the word appears in the Book of Revelation. The remnant in this text are those who, while they may tolerate Jezebel’s role in the church, do not accept or practice her teachings. In this they anticipate God’s final remnant at the end of time (Rev 12:17). Scholars are not certain as to the meaning of “Satan’s so-called deep secrets.” Sometimes people become so confident in Christ that they think they can toy with Satan. It may well be that “Jezebel” was claiming that from her deep experience of the things of Satan, she could teach people how to control him and demonstrate the fruits of victory over Satan. While the text is not clear, she may have been exercising some type of exorcist ministry (casting out demons).
It is true that Christians will have victory over satan in Christ. When oppressed by satan, we can call on God in the name, the power and the blood of Jesus Christ. When we encounter others similarly oppressed we can do the same. The power of Jesus Christ is real and is manifested at such times in remarkable ways.
The remnant in Thyatira are facing enormous challenges. Jesus doesn’t “pile on” in His criticisms of them. He places no other burden on them than to “hang on” until He comes. It would be easy for the remnant to fall into a cycle of guilt and shame over their past failures to confront Jezebel and her disciples. But Jesus asks no more of them than to hold the course that they are capable of if they will trust completely in Him. They are not perfect, but Jesus says, “I will not put any further burdens on you. Hang on to what you already have.”
The remnant during this time were groups like the Waldense’s who lived in the mountains and survived repeated attempts at extermination by the established church.
Jesus give me the strength to hold on to your words till you return 🙏 God bless you pastor Ross and Jesse for sharing the Lord’s word with us 🙏
Praise God, peace and blessings be with you always. I have been looking for a very long time for this in-depth revelations Bible study. This is the most explained, clear, accurate and knowledgeable study I have found. We’re really starting to get into it now and it’s starting to piece together, praise God. Thank you pastor Ross for all your work here 🙏. God Bless us all with the ability to understand 🙏❤️🙏
WOW thanks leanne, that’s an encouragment. Sometimes I wonder how many people acctually read them.