It is already difficult for us now to understand exactly what was happening in the church of the city of Thyatira, whom exactly Jesus compares with Jezebel and why. Jezebel, who in antiquity effectively ruled...
It is already difficult for us now to understand exactly what was happening in the church of the city of Thyatira, whom exactly Jesus compares with Jezebel and why. Jezebel, who in antiquity effectively ruled the Northern, Israelite, Kingdom, was famous for deciding to introduce there a second official cult, an openly pagan cult; evidently it was the cult of the Baal of Carmel, who was worshiped on Carmel as lord of heaven.
Previously paganism, of course, had also in fact flourished in the Northern Kingdom, but formally Yahwism was preserved there, though "reformed." Jezebel threw off all masks and discarded all formalities, introducing the official state cult of a pagan deity.
It is possible that the study of the "depths of Satan" mentioned by the Savior was also spiritually akin to the situation with Jezebel and the cult she introduced. It is hard to say exactly in what sense the local "Jezebel" studied these depths and how far she immersed herself in them. The issue may be the unhealthy interest in the dark world and dark powers that Christians have often had and still have. Some of them want to know everything about hell and demons: it seems to them that such knowledge is necessary for full spiritual life or for "spiritual safety."
Sometimes people even speak of "fighting the devil," which these people supposedly conduct. In fact, however, it is not at all necessary to know everything about Satan's works in order to avoid them. For this one must know God, God's will, and God's works, in which a Christian will have to participate one way or another. And the desire to know everything about demons and hell usually only distracts from the main thing and can only complicate a person's life, sometimes quite seriously. This, strictly speaking, is what the Savior reminds John about.
2 Of the following letters to the angels of the seven churches it may be necessary to speak first in general, and then particularly. In general we may observe, when the Israelites were to receive the law at Mount Sinai, they were first to be purified; and when the kingdom of God was at hand, John the Baptist prepared men for it by repentance. In like manner we are prepared by these letters for the worthy reception of this glorious revelation. By following the directions given herein, by expelling incorrigibly wicked men, and putting away all wickedness, those churches were prepared to receive this precious depositum. And whoever in any age would profitably read or hear it, must observe the same admonitions. These letters are a kind of sevenfold preface to the book. Christ now appears in the form of a man, (not yet under the emblem of a lamb,) and speaks mostly in proper, not in figurative, words. It is not till Rev 4:1, that St. John
enters upon that grand vision which takes up the residue of the book.There is in each of these letters,
- A command to write to the angel of the church;
- A glorious title of Christ;
- An address to the angel of that church, containing A testimony of his mixed, or good, or bad state; An exhortation to repentance or steadfastness; A declaration of what will be; generally, of the Lord's coming;
- A promise to him that overcometh, together with the exhortation, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear"
The address in each letter is expressed in plain words, the promise, in figurative. In the address our Lord speaks to the angel of each church which then was, and to the members thereof directly; whereas in the promise he speaks of all that should overcome, in whatever church or age, and deals out to them one of the precious promises, (by way of anticipation,) from the last chapters of the book.2:18 And to the angel of the church at Thyatira - Where the faithful were but a little flock. These things saith the Son of God - See how great he is, who appeared "like a son of man!" Rev 1:13.Who hath eyes as a flame of fire - "Searching the reins and the heart," Rev 2:23. And feet like fine brass - Denoting his immense strength. Jobcomprises both these, his wisdom to discern whatever is amiss, and his power to avenge it, in one sentence, Job 42:2, "No thought is hidden from him, and he can do all things."
2:19 I know thy love - How different a character is this from that of the angel of the church at Ephesus! The latter could not bear the wicked, and hated the works of the Nicolaitans; but had left his first love and first works. The former retained his first love, and had more and more works, but did bear the wicked, did not withstand them with becoming vehemence. Mixed characters both; yet the latter, not the former, is reproved for his fall, and commanded to repent. And faith, and thy service, and patience - Love is shown, exercised, and improved by serving God and our neighbour; so is faith by patience and good works.
2:20 But thou sufferest that woman Jezebel - who ought not to teach at all, Ti1 2:12.To teach and seduce my servants - At Pergamos were many followers of Balaam; at Thyatira, one grand deceiver. Many of the ancients have delivered, that this was the wife of the pastor himself.Jezebel of old led the people of God to open idolatry. This Jezebel, fitly called by her name, from the resemblance between their works, led them to partake in the idolatry of the heathens.This she seems to have done by first enticing them to fornication, just as Balaam did: whereas at Pergamos they were first enticed to idolatry, and afterwards to fornication.
2:21 And I gave her time to repent - So great is the power of Christ! But she will not repent - So, though repentance is the gift of God, man may refuse it; God will not compel.
2:22 I will cast her into a bed - into great affliction - and them that commit either carnal or spiritual adultery with her, unless they repent - She had her time before. Of her works - Those to which she had enticed their and which she had committed with them.
It is observable, the angel of the church at Thyatira was onlyblamed for suffering her. This fault ceased when God took vengeance on her. Therefore he is not expressly exhorted to repent, though it is implied.
2:23 And I will kill her children - Those which she hath borne in adultery, and them whom she hath seduced. With death - This expression denotes death by the plague, or by some manifest stroke of God's hand. Probably the remarkable vengeance taken on her children was the token of the certainty of all the rest. And all the churches - To which thou now writest. Shall know that I search the reins - The desires.And hearts - Thoughts.
2:24 But I say to you who do not hold this doctrine - Of Jezebel. Who have not known the depths of Satan - O happy ignorance! As they speak - That were continually boasting of the deep things which they taught. Our Lord owns they were deep, even deep as hell: for they were the very depths of Satan.Were these the same of which Martin Luther speaks? It is well if there are not some of his countrymen now in England who know them too well! I will lay upon you no other burden - Than that you have already suffered from Jezebel and her adherents.
2:25 What ye - Both the angel and the church have.
2:26 By works - Those which I have commanded. To him will I give power over the nations - That is, I will give him to share with me in that glorious victory which the Father hath promised me over all the nations who as yet resist me, Psa 2:8-9.
2:27 And he shall rule them - That is, shall share with me when I do this. With a rod of iron - With irresistible power, employed on those only who will not otherwise submit; who will hereby be dashed in pieces - Totally conquered.
2:28 I will give him the morning star - Thou, O Jesus, art the morning star! O give thyself to me! Then will I desire no sun, only thee, who art the sun also. He whom this star enlightens has always morning and no evening. The duties and promises here answer each other; the valiant conqueror has power over the stubborn nations. And he that, after having conquered his enemies, keeps the works of Christ to the end, shall have the morning star, - an unspeakable brightness and peaceable dominion in him.