5 Smooth Stones

Chapter Twenty-Three

JEZEBEL—FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT AND CONTROL

J ezebel was the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon, a Phoenician High Priest. She was a queen in the northern kingdom of Israel, married to King Ahab, and the high priestess of Baal and Ashtoreth. Her name literally means “Daughter of Baal.” Like the family of Herod of the New Testament, she was the enemy of the prophets, as they stood between her and the control that she desired over the worship and the government of the kingdom. The record of Jezebel’s activities are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. But she is spoken of in the New Testament to the Church in Thyatira. Revelation 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a fl ame of fi re, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: 19 ' I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at fi rst. 20 'But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacri fi ced to idols. 21 ' I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to re pent of her immorality. 22' Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.” It is not clear whether there was an actual woman by the name of Jezebel in the church at Thyatira, or if the Lord was speaking of the in fl uence that was the same as was found in the story of Queen Jezebel. It is probable that the Lord was speaking fi guratively in this passage as He did throughout the book of Revelation. When Jesus states in verse 23, “I will kill her children,” it is hard to believe it is in the nature of Jesus to kill actual children, but not hard to believe He will kill the progeny of evil, or that which was birthed or proceeded from evil acts. Jesus gives some key details about how the in fl uence of this pitfall works or gains access. If we know the workings we can be savvy in staying clear of the pitfall.

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