Note: By using this photo I do not mean to promote this magazine or their message, I just want to shed light on how biblical references are being used. In this case, probably to promote lust. Which is not what Revelations is about at all!
Why did I use this photo -you ask? The truth is Google... when I typed in the word Jezebel into Google I got images of cover pages of an Atlanta Luxury Living magazine. We are not talking about the magazine, we are talking about the famous name Jezebel. Who is this mysterious woman?
Jezebel is cited in Revelation 2:20 and there is a another citation of (what is probably a different) Jezebel in 1Kings. These books are written like 600 years apart. 1 Kings is estimated to be written in 538 BC and Revelation 60 or 95 AD.
Let's cut to the Jezebel in Revelations... Thyatira is known by Jesus as one that, "tolerate(s) that woman Jezebel,who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols."
Recap, John had a vision while in the Spirit, where Jesus appeared to him to deliver news to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Based on John's vision, Jesus wants to deliver a message first to the church of to the angel of the church of Ephesus which had persevered and endured. The church had tested those who claimed to be apostles and found them false. They hated the same practices of the Nicolaitans that were against God. The main critique was that they were failing to deliver the same love that they had at first, they were to repent and return to deliver the love they once showed.
The church of Symrna was wracked with poverty, ridiculed by so-called Jews, and were about to suffer persecution, imprisonment and possibly death to be tested by satan. In the vision, Jesus asked John to deliver the message so that they could prepare themselves and their faith to endure those ten days of trials. However, he reminds them that there is life after death and that those who are faithful will not suffer the second death.
The church of Pergamum was faithful even after a man of faith, Antipas was put to death in their city. But some were following the teachings of Balaam which led people to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. They also followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans. They were warned to repent before facing consequences, "Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Revelation 2:16 NIV)
The message to the church of Thyatira was to recognize their love and faith, service and perseverance, and effort to improve efforts. However, they were tolerating or following the teaching of a false prophet, Jezebel, who was teaching sexual immorality. She was given time to repent, if she didn't she would be made an example of, and her children would be put to death, to show that people would be repaid for their deeds. Those remained faithful were asked to do so until the end, and they'd gain rulership over Nations. Jesus promises, "I will also give that one the morning star. (Revelation 2:19, 28 NIV)"
Each message to each church ends in some variation of this last verse... "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:29 NIV)
Questions:
I had a few questions after reading this chapter. "Why did John's vision ask him to deliver a message to the angel of each church? What does sword of my mouth mean (in Revelation 2:16 when Jesus promises to those in the church of Pergamum who don't repent I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth?" And why does she promise to Thyatira that all of those who are faithful to the end recieve the morning star?
Possible Answers:
Morning Star Question...
Grace Communion International says...
Perhaps Christ is in view here, if we are
guided by his symbolic self-description at
the end of Revelation: “I, Jesus…[am] the
bright Morning Star” (22:16). To “have”
Jesus as the Morning Star would mean to be
in his glorious presence – to be with him.
This would explain the promise that in the
resurrection the saints glorified will be
with Christ, wherever he is (John 14:3).
https://www.gci.org/bible/rev/ephesus
Bible.org...
The context suggests that in some way it
relates to the overcomers and their reward
in ruling with the Savior. Perhaps it is
the assurance of His presence and provision
to be able to handle the authority given
over the nations assigned.
https://bible.org/seriespage/message-
thyatira-rev-218-29
Message to Angels Question
The Greek word angelos simply meant
“messenger”; usually, the word was used for
supernatural “messengers” from God.
However, sometimes the word was applied to
human messengers of God’s Word: John the
Baptist is called an “angelos” in Matthew
11:10.
Question: "Are the ‘angels’ of the churches
in Revelation 1–3 real angels, or are they
human messengers?"
Some scholars interpret the angels of
Revelation 1:20 as heavenly beings. Others
view them as the human messengers who bore
John’s letter. Others identify them as
those who actually read the message to the
congregations, that is, church leaders such
as pastors, elders, or bishops. A pastor of
a church functions as a “messenger” for
God, delivering God’s Word to the
congregation.
Read more:
http://www.gotquestions.org/angels-seven-
churches-Revelation.html#ixzz3R5Qqy3Pp
With the sword of my mouth Question
Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12. That is,
he would give the order, and they would be
cut as if by a sword. Precisely in what way
it would be done he does not say; but it
might be by persecution, or by heavy
judgments. To see the force of this, we are
to remember the power which Christ has to
punish the wicked by a word of his mouth.
By a word in the last day he will turn all
the wicked into hell.
