The Ecclesia, not the present Church!
Question: What is the meaning of the Church in Revelation 2:18-29?
Note: It is regularly taught by some well-meaning groups that the 7 Churches (Gk. Ekklesia/or Ecclesia; - meaning, group or gathering of called out ones in this case mainly Jews), of Chapters 2 & 3, are the same groups, or the descendants of, the Churches established by Paul on his missionary journeys, and that all the comments that our Lord makes to them applies to the current Body of Christ (i.e. the True Church). Whilst many points undoubtedly do apply, our Lord in these two Chapters is specifically concerned with these special groups, only one of which bears the name of Paul's original efforts, Ephesus, and is yet future; as these events are not recorded in History.
V.18 And unto the angel of the Church in (a)Thyatira write; These things saith the (c)Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine (b)brass.
(a) Thyatira; another centre of pagan worship (i.e. Apollo and Artemis).
(b) Brass; prepared for treading down in judgement of the Satanic forces, and his human servants.
(c) The speaker confirmed as The Risen Christ. This is the first direct naming of the speaker, (the Son of God).
V.19 I know thy (a)works, and love, and service, and (b)faith and thy patience, and thy (a)works, and the last (a)works to be more than the first.
(a) The emphasis here on works, shows that in the "Day of the Lord" (Isa. 66:18), the Lord has commissioned the 7 Churches Ecclesia (Jews) to do the work given originally to the Patriarchs, and latterly to Israel at Pentecost, and removed from them at Acts 28:28.
(b) "Faith"; Comp. App. 150 11 1; "Divinely implanted principle".
V.20 Not withstanding I have against thee, because thou sufferest the woman (a)Jezabel which callest herself a prophetess, and she teacheth and (b)seduceth My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
(a) Jezebel lived circa. BC 820, (1Kings 16:30-34, 21:25, 2Kings 9:22-30, Jer. 4:30 & Nah. 3:4). Clearly she did not act during John's life, but will in the future, in principle or fact. She was the daughter of murderers, one of kings, and one of children (Josephus C. Apron 1.18, Ant. 8.13.1), she raised Baal/Satan; with all corruption above the True God Jehovah, requiring Israel to worship Baal/Satan. This is always the objective of Satan, and his servants.
(b) Why they will allow such is a mystery at present. However, it will happen, and have to be dealt with forcibly. Jezebel (BC 820) was the daughter of Ethbaal King of the Zidonians. She was a Phoenician, who were derived of the Canaanites. The Canaanites were derived of human and Nephilim stock, and as they do not appear to have been wiped out as per the order of Jehovah, there may yet be a Nephilim gene pool in the world today. If this is the case; it would go a long way to explaining the intense hatred of Israel that exists. It would also help to explain how easily the Nations surrounding Israel are moved against the Jews, and the "One True God". The fact that Elijah must yet return to act on the behalf of Jehovah, and for the Jews, prior to Christ's return, also mitigates for a similar situation as that of Elijah's first time on Earth, when he fought against Jezebel and the priests of Baal/Satan, (1Kings 18:17-40), and where also Jezebel had brought Israel to the stage where they were following her/Satan's ways; which Elijah challenged (1Kings 18:21). In this verse, she, or her principle are using the same approach to turn Israel against Jehovah, and His Truth. Also; in Zechariah 14:21, there is the statement that "the Canaanite shall no longer be in the house of Jehovah Zebaoth", after Christ's return; implying that He will complete their demise. In Encyclopaedia Britannica (VII, page 232), this idea is supported by the text, that Jesus is possibly a "Nazarite", because the specific Vow of the Nazarites is against the Canaanites, and their religious pagan (worship of Satan) practices and teachings. A type of this principle is Samson.
Again the warning is not to succumb to Satan in any of his guises!
V.21 And I gave her (a)time in order that she might repent, and she is not willing to repent of her fornication.
(a) The forbearance of Jehovah is remarkable!
V.22 Behold, I do cast her into a bed, and them that commit (a)adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her deeds.
(a) "Adultery"; the physical of this is tiny compared with the spiritual. The spiritual is certainly what is being referred to here as well as the physical. Jezebel who controlled the priests of Baal (of Satan), was and will be a very prominent agent of Satan, and will use the same ways and means she employed in the past, all of which greatly appeals to the fallen nature of men and women. The events in all media at the present time, are only a prelude and conditioning, compared to the terrible conditions that will prevail for the 7 Churches Ecclesia (groups).
V.23 And I will kill her (a)children with pestilence; and all the Churches (7 groups) (b)shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins, (d)minds/ and hearts: and I will give unto each of you (c)according to your works.
(a) The children of Jezebel. Almost certainly the principle of Jezebel, as well as Jezebel's own children, (followers) therefore many of them. As all these children are executed in judgement; and as they are known by Christ for their hearts and minds; there is the implication that they are doomed beyond redemption.
(b) They are also clearly used as an example to the other Churches (groups), as to the severe dealing by Christ with such wilful sin and idolatry, which He will enact in the Millennial.
(c) Works again confirmed as one of the criteria, at that time, as opposed to Grace at present!
(d) A reminder that the Almighty looks on the heart (and mind) not the outward appearance.
V.24 But unto you I say in Thyatira, as many as have not this (a)doctrine, and have not known the depths of Satan, as they say; I lay not upon you any other burden.
(a) "Doctrine", i.e. teaching referred to in Vs. 20,21,22 & 23, which are clearly related to the historic Jezebel. Her control of the Satanic priesthood of Baal, which included the practice of female prostitutes and priestesses, and many other sexual perversion and deviant behaviour as the required form of obedience and worship to Baal/Satan, seem here to have been revived, (see Isa. 28:14-18). If this is so this verse relates to the statements in Rev.14:4, regarding those 144,000 with Christ (The Lamb) in Rev. 14:1, and is a prerequisite to their ceremonial condition.
V.25 But that which ye have, hold fast (a)till I shall come.
(a) Clearly showing the closeness of Christ's return when these words apply.
V.26 And he that (a)Overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I (b)give power over the Gentiles.
(a) The Overcoming in this case, is not submitted to Jezebel's teaching, ways and force.
V.28 And I will give him the (a)morning star.
V.29 He that hath an (a)ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches/Ecclesia.
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