Thyatira, Its Believers' Characteristics Pt 2
God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves as well as others. That means we are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if this world system approves it. Remember, we are in this world, but definitely not part of it.
Back in the days of Jezebel & Ahab, meat was often offered to idols in their heathen temples. Then the meat that wasn't burned was sold to shoppers in the temple market place. Now, eating meat offered to idols wasn't wrong in itself, but it could violate this principles of those who have a weakener conscience concerning such. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Please note: Jezebel was obviously more concerned about her own selfish pleasure and freedom above the needs and concerns of fellow believers. Keep in mind, those women who possess that spirit conduct themselves in same manner; always thinking of themselves and ways to manipulate and control. This is putting their will above God's. Jezebel seeks to exert her will above man's and above God's. God gave us free will, but Jezebel seeks to take it away. Even pastors and their wives are not immune to this spirit. Remember this one thing, Jezebel was unwilling to repent. To repent means to change directions or to change one's mind. It means to make a 180 degree turnaround. It is to turn from your sin, to follow God's leading. God's Word is sovereign. What He stated would happen to Jezebel came to fruition just as He said it would: Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?”
And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.”’”
God, in His mercy, has given us time to decide to change our direction and follow Him. It is only our stubbornness that stands in the way. The false teaching advocated by heretics and the so-called 'secret insight guaranteed to promote deeper spiritual life' proclaimed by false prophets, were both tools to spread the depth of Satan's deception. We must hold tight to the Lord's Word so we will not be deceived.
The Lord Jesus states that those who overcome (those who remain faithful until the end and continue to please God) will rule over Christ's enemies and reign with Him as He judges evil. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne...Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God...He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The Lord Christ is called the morning star. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” A morning star appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest; when the world is at its bleakest point. The Lord Christ will burst onto the scene, exposing evil with His light of truth and bring His promised reward. You should be encouraged, I know that I am.
Romans 14:2-3 II Kings 9:30-37 Revelation 12:5; 19:15; 20:2-4; 22:16
~~W.R. Luchie
Back in the days of Jezebel & Ahab, meat was often offered to idols in their heathen temples. Then the meat that wasn't burned was sold to shoppers in the temple market place. Now, eating meat offered to idols wasn't wrong in itself, but it could violate this principles of those who have a weakener conscience concerning such. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Please note: Jezebel was obviously more concerned about her own selfish pleasure and freedom above the needs and concerns of fellow believers. Keep in mind, those women who possess that spirit conduct themselves in same manner; always thinking of themselves and ways to manipulate and control. This is putting their will above God's. Jezebel seeks to exert her will above man's and above God's. God gave us free will, but Jezebel seeks to take it away. Even pastors and their wives are not immune to this spirit. Remember this one thing, Jezebel was unwilling to repent. To repent means to change directions or to change one's mind. It means to make a 180 degree turnaround. It is to turn from your sin, to follow God's leading. God's Word is sovereign. What He stated would happen to Jezebel came to fruition just as He said it would: Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?”
And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.”’”
God, in His mercy, has given us time to decide to change our direction and follow Him. It is only our stubbornness that stands in the way. The false teaching advocated by heretics and the so-called 'secret insight guaranteed to promote deeper spiritual life' proclaimed by false prophets, were both tools to spread the depth of Satan's deception. We must hold tight to the Lord's Word so we will not be deceived.
The Lord Jesus states that those who overcome (those who remain faithful until the end and continue to please God) will rule over Christ's enemies and reign with Him as He judges evil. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne...Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God...He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The Lord Christ is called the morning star. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” A morning star appears just before dawn, when the night is coldest and darkest; when the world is at its bleakest point. The Lord Christ will burst onto the scene, exposing evil with His light of truth and bring His promised reward. You should be encouraged, I know that I am.
Romans 14:2-3 II Kings 9:30-37 Revelation 12:5; 19:15; 20:2-4; 22:16
~~W.R. Luchie
