I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Revelation 2:19, 20
The church in Thyatira started well with their journey of faith, showing increase in their level of faith, but they were not able to finish well. They illustrated believers who turn away from God’s presence. So, what happened to them?
First, they let the spirit of Jezebel enter in the midst of them – the teachings that divert from God’s Word. The teachings suggest Christians to follow worldly activities. This spirit of Jezebel not only brings people to commit physical adultery, but also spiritual adultery – by worshipping other gods/idols.
Apostle Peter writes, 2 Peter 2:1-2” But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
Secondly, they did not repent when they were given the chance to repent. The book of Revelation writes that the Lord warned them greatly and waited for their repentance, but they did not repent. They have turned away from God’s presence.
Let this article today be a reminder so that we are always watchful as the church of the end times. Always live holy and keep the commitment to follow the Lord, in any circumstance. God bless.
Source: an article from GBI Gatot Subroto, Jakarta