October 25, 2002 (40)
JEZEBEL, A SOURCE OF IMMORAL TEACHING. Creating havoc in the church by teaching contrary to the scriptures. Wresting the Word to fit her life style. Thus, causing those who were seeking a less restrictive way of life to fall into all manner of sexual sin, from porno to adultery. Rev. 2:20The prohibitive elements of the Law, carried over into the church were minimal. Among them were the exact sins that permissive Jezebel sanctioned and practiced. Acts 15:20, 29
HOW GREAT IS THE MERCY OF THE LORD. She was allotted a period of time to come to repentance. How long, we do not know but in that <space> she could have found perfect forgiveness and absolute pardon. Who can say? Was it pride that kept her from repenting? Stubbornness or was she too deeply involved in her sin to cease and ask for forgiveness? We are certain that she was not willing to be humbled and did not repent. Rev. 2:21 The space allotted Nebuchadnezzar was twelve months. Dan. 4:29 A person living in that < SPACE > today would do well to repent and cease from sin. There is a day of reckoning where all mercy will cease.
JUDGMENT DAY. Having called to repentance and granted time to do so, the only remaining consequence is to face the sentence. For Jezebel it is a bed or a couch of affliction. The NIV calls it a bed of suffering. While the AMP, adds anguish. Sickness and disease often confine one to bed. With her immoral living a dire sickness could easily have been contracted. Those who were her lovers and embraced her type of loose living were also called to repentance. There is a time element that is featured here in the judgment that was to be meted to her followers. They were to be consigned to great tribulation. How about the great tribulation. A time of extreme suffering, pressing distress and sever affliction (AMP). One horrible price to pay for a season of sinful pleasures. Rev. 2:23
REWARDED ACCORDING TO WORKS. If those works are sinful, the price paid is death. Her children, her adherents face the judgment of eternal separation from the Lord. They were to become an example to all the other churches. Their punishment was not confined to their church alone but to all the existing churches, even down to our day. While we look on the exterior, the Lord in love and kindness looks on the heart. He weighs the motives, the thoughts and intents of the heart. Rev. 2:23 From eternity He knows every action and deed that we commit, both good and bad. Yet, He is merciful and long suffering and would lovingly lead us to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9