The Complaint -Revelation 2:20-23

The Complaint -Revelation 2:20-23

THE COMPLAINT

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols (2:20).

Jezebel – This woman was Satan’s agent to corrupt God’s people, therefore, the Lord branded her with the symbolic name Jezebel; who was an unspeakably vile woman, and through her evil influence Baal worship became widespread in Israel (1 Kings 16:30-31).

Prophetess – She was a false pretender and a woman of commanding influence.

Teach and seduce – The problem was not external persecution, but internal compromise; not vicious wolves from outside the flock, but perverse people from within (Acts 20:29-30). They permitted her to teach error

Commit Sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols – She may have brought into the church the dual philosophy that the spirit is good and the flesh is evil. Since God is only interested in the spirit, her followers argued that it did not matter what one does with one’s body.

To lead other Christians into false doctrine or immoral living is a very serious sin, meriting the most severe punishment (Matthew 18:6-10). These “little ones” who believe in Christ are spiritual children, or believers. This is such a serious sin that the Lord said that death by drowning would be a better option. The imagery of maiming oneself is language depicting the need for drastic action in dealing with sin (2 Kings 9:30-37).

And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent (2:21).

Repent – The Lord graciously gave this false prophetess at Thyatira time to repent, but she loved darkness rather than light (John 3:19). She knew she was wrong, but deliberately rejected God’s Word, and refused to change her mind. Her blunt and final refusal to repent would lead to a terrible judgment.

Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds (2:22).

Sickbed (κλίνη klínē, Gk) – This word refers to the false teacher of being spiritually sick; stretched out on a bed of death, and eventually being cast into hell, the ultimate resting place for those who refuse to repent.

Great tribulation – Since these were the sinning Christians who had believed her lies, the Lord does not threaten to send them to hell as he did the false prophetess. He promises to bring them severe chastening, and possibly even physical death (1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 John 5:16).

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works (2:23)

Kill her children – The Lord threatens to literally kill Jezebel’s spiritual children with death. Christ will do whatever is necessary to purge His church of sin. This sobering reality should cause all who claim to be teachers and preachers in the church to be certain that they are speaking the truth (James 3:1). It should also warn Christians who are following false teachers to repent of their sins, lest they face divine chastening.

Searches the minds and hearts – This phrase is used in the Old Testament in reference to God, and here it affirms Christ’s deity (1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 7:9; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 11:20, 17:10, 20:12). Nothing can be hidden from the penetrating gaze of the Lord of the churches.

According to your works – Christ’s unerring judgment would be based on each person’s deeds, and those who were innocent would not be punished along with the guilty (Matthew 7:16, 16:27; Revelation 22:12; Romans 2:6; 2 timothy 4:14). People’s deeds reveal their spiritual condition (James 2:18). Saving faith will inevitably express itself in good works (James 2:17, 26). Works cannot save, but they do damn. Christ’s judgment will reflect each person’s deeds.

“God’s faithful followers should be careful to measure everything according to the stated Word of God and, if need be, to stand alone” – Tim LaHaye