“You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet . . . [and] misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”

— Revelation 2:20

Yesterday we marveled at the grace-filled good deeds of the church in Thyatira. Jesus also saw that they “were doing more than [they] did at first.” They were improving and growing in good deeds. “Nevertheless, I have this against you,” he said. Some people in the church were tolerating a “Jezebel” who called herself a prophet but taught the seductive practices of idol-worship feasts and orgies. Jesus compared her to Queen Jezebel in ancient Israel (see 1 Kings 16:29-33; 21:5-26). Jesus was patient, giving her time to “repent of her immorality, but she [was] unwilling.” So he would bring punishment, urging those who followed her to repent as well. The Jezebel of the Old Testament received a cruel and ugly death (2 Kings 9:30-37). It seems that this false prophet in Thyatira—and those who followed her—would receive a horrible death too. All this would happen because of a refusal to accept God’s grace and turn around (repent) to live by God’s way of blessing and life to the full. Jesus promised, though, that all who repented and did not follow such ways would be victorious, able to reign with Jesus and receive the morning star (see also Rev. 22:16).

May we all search our hearts and listen, repenting while we have time to turn and follow the Lord into real, full life.

Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. You are good and gracious. By your Spirit, guide us to follow you. Amen.