The Doctrine of Jezebel

Rev 2:19  I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

The Church at Thyatira seemed to be righteous in most things. Strangely, "works" encompasses charity, service, faith, and patience. "Works" is from the Greek ergon. In modern times, "ergonomics" is designing and arranging activities so that efficiency increases. That particular Church had some effectiveness with charity, service, faith, and patience. Charity is the work of love. Service to God is another work. Faith, although a gift, must be used for effectiveness. It too is a work (1 Thes 1:3). And I think we can agree, that patience is indeed hard work. 

We think of charity as a synonym for love. It is not. One can be generous for wrong reasons. We don't know the reasons why those at Thyatira were charitable but they were commended for their generosity.  Perhaps, they were a loving church!

In modern times, some denominations focus on the social gospel. They are faithful to give, serve, and be patient with sinners. Those are all noble things but not if the focus on Christ is neglected. Nothwithstanding those characteristics which are desirable, Jesus has a few things against Thyatira. Those few things was the doctrine of Jezebel. Her doctrine was a series of obediences to the law of sin:

Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine (of Jezebel), and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

What does Scripture say about Jezebel?

2 Kings 9:22 What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.

Jezebel, among others things, brought lasciviousness, witchcraft, and  mischief-making unto King Ahab's realm - Israel. Ahab took for a wife Jezebel and proceeded to serve Baal - her god (1 Kings 16:31). It seems likely that false worship was in the Church of Thyatira. Ahab never gave up God, but had other gods before Him - a violation of the First Commandment. His people - Israel - served two masters, neglecting the Great One for the lesser (Mat 6:24).

Essentially, Israel's two gods were JHVH and themselves. The doctrine of Jezebel is "doing what is right in their own eyes" (Deut 12:8). 

Jezebel "cut off (slayed) the prophets of the Lord" (1 Kings 18:4). She missed Elijah for some reason. The main sin of Jezebel was, "ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim" (1 Kings 18:18).

Baal was associated with solar cults and pantheism - the worship of many gods. As did earlier civilizations who presented Baal as Yahweh, it seems that the Church at Thyatira did some mixing of doctrine. Baalim are the many gods of Baal who were "Lords".

Unlike Yahweh, Baal condones and even appreciates varies and sundry sins. Jezebel is known for her artificiality - decked out in fine apparel, fancy hair style, and extravagant make-up (2 Kings 9:30). Jezebel was the church "whore". Yes, the early Church had their Jezebels. 

I recall a pious friend of mine who was crying at work. I asked the reason to which he replied, "The women at church dress so provocatively that I look at them and sin. "The Spirit was willing but his flesh was weak" (Mat 26:41). Having visited his church before, I had noticed those young women, all sitting in a row. I retorted: "You mean the hooker pew?" Without asking how I knew, he just responded, "yes." 

I don't know if those girls were promiscuous or not. They could have been faithful, patient, servile, and charitable -  just like those at Thyatira. However, they dressed and looked like hookers. Regardless of their righteousness, their appearance and immodesty caused anguish on the part of this old Christian man. There needs to be standards of dress and decorum for God's people. I'm not the one who sets the standards but modesty is aptly described in the Bible.

What is the problem of excesses in dress, makeup, and hair? It's self-indulgences. The focus is on the individual selves rather than God. We must be God-centered, not self-centered. It appears that those at the Church of Thyatira were self-indulgent and did as they please. The modern Church, although faithful to God, are somewhat syncretic - they worship God and themselves. I believe self-importance is the most significant doctrine of Jezebel, notwithstanding her witchcraft and many gods.

God isn't jealous of false gods. He can topple any that he wishes with one thought. On the other hand, God is jealous of us (Exod 20:5). As such, when we are our own god, doing our will, God doesn't want to destroy us. His desire is that "none should perish" (John 3:16). What does God do with us who esteem ourselves so highly? He warns us as He did the Church at Thyatira. That is being merciful. 

Revelation was written as a warning to the world. Jesus will judge us, and the penalty will be paid. In that book we are told of the possible outcomes - eschatology. We have a choice to make, and God's warning is the knowledge we need to do God's will so that we shall be saved.

Sin in the Church is reprehensible. Women, don't be offended. There are men "Jezebels" as well. King Ahab did Jezebel's will! Scripture is to rebuke any and all who act like Jezebels even if they are faithful to the Lord. People with her doctrine will die "except they repent of their deeds." (Rev 2:22).

Don't think of the doctrine of Jezebel as purely one of immodesty and lasciviousness. She brought other gods to Israel. Among them were astrology, necromancy, and all sorts of intrigues. In the modern Church, even Christians do Yoga, horoscopes, and such. Many listen to false doctrine, and bring the doctrine of Satan to Church with them. The desire to be entertained at Church, I believe, is a doctrine of Baal. 

Who is Baal? The gods who represent the law of sin. They are Satan's serpents through which he speaks. Jezebel was a sort of priestess of Baal, bringing Satan's doctrine into the Church. Ahab was his priest.