Behold, I am throwing her into a bed, and those who have committed adultery with her into extremely hard circumstances, unless they repent of their works. And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. And I will give to each of you according to your works. Rev. 2:22, 23.
The punishment here fits the crime. Since Jezebel has led others to commit fornication, she herself gets thrown into a bed, the place where sexual relations usually take place (cf. Heb. 13:4). But it is not clear if the passage has sexual relations in mind. The bed is also the place where people have to go when struck down by severe illness. The word "death" here probably means "pestilence" or contagious disease.
The phrase "I will kill her children with death" does not sit too well with people in today's world. It has an abusive ring to it. While He was on earth, Jesus always loved children and would never wish them harm. Children often suffer, however, from the consequences of adult action, including those of their parents. In this case the "children" are probably adult disciples of Jezebel, those who believe and act on her teachings.
the passage reminds us that even gifted people can be wrong. Jezebel was a highly gifted person, one recognized as a prophet and teacher with great authority and a following. Though she may not have realized it at first, she was leading her people into darkness. How does this text apply to church leaders today? If you and I find ourselves placed in leading positions in the church, how can we know when we are wrong? How can we recognize when we ae using the gifts that God has given us to lead people in the wrong direction?
More than once I have run into individuals who seem to be sincerely following God to the best of their ability and yet their followers are constantly getting into one difficulty after another. It has led me to ponder very carefully what the behavior of a disciple says about someone's actions or teachings.
If you are the leader of a church, watch your "disciples" very carefully. What is their behavior like? What kinds of things are they presenting to others? Followers often "catch" nuances in a teaching that the teacher may not even be aware of. The flaws in such instruction may only become clear in the later behavior of those who love the teacher. It is those who adore the teacher the most whose behavior will most clearly demonstrate the flaws in his or her teaching.
Lord, I need greater discernment to fully understand the implications of everything I believe and teach. Help me be willing to submit to Your correction, even when it comes through individuals I may not particularly like.
The punishment here fits the crime. Since Jezebel has led others to commit fornication, she herself gets thrown into a bed, the place where sexual relations usually take place (cf. Heb. 13:4). But it is not clear if the passage has sexual relations in mind. The bed is also the place where people have to go when struck down by severe illness. The word "death" here probably means "pestilence" or contagious disease.
The phrase "I will kill her children with death" does not sit too well with people in today's world. It has an abusive ring to it. While He was on earth, Jesus always loved children and would never wish them harm. Children often suffer, however, from the consequences of adult action, including those of their parents. In this case the "children" are probably adult disciples of Jezebel, those who believe and act on her teachings.
the passage reminds us that even gifted people can be wrong. Jezebel was a highly gifted person, one recognized as a prophet and teacher with great authority and a following. Though she may not have realized it at first, she was leading her people into darkness. How does this text apply to church leaders today? If you and I find ourselves placed in leading positions in the church, how can we know when we are wrong? How can we recognize when we ae using the gifts that God has given us to lead people in the wrong direction?
More than once I have run into individuals who seem to be sincerely following God to the best of their ability and yet their followers are constantly getting into one difficulty after another. It has led me to ponder very carefully what the behavior of a disciple says about someone's actions or teachings.
If you are the leader of a church, watch your "disciples" very carefully. What is their behavior like? What kinds of things are they presenting to others? Followers often "catch" nuances in a teaching that the teacher may not even be aware of. The flaws in such instruction may only become clear in the later behavior of those who love the teacher. It is those who adore the teacher the most whose behavior will most clearly demonstrate the flaws in his or her teaching.
Lord, I need greater discernment to fully understand the implications of everything I believe and teach. Help me be willing to submit to Your correction, even when it comes through individuals I may not particularly like.
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