In the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John, the church in Thyatira is the recipient of one of seven letters addressed to churches in Asia Minor. Each of these letters follows a similar format and begins with the Lord’s commandment to John to write to “the angel of the church” followed by an introduction to Christ as the effective author. The Lord then gives an assessment of the church which, for Thyatira, includes both praise and fervent rebuke. The lessons of this letter are critical to understanding the Christian faith and obedience to it.

Jesus initially praises the church in Thyatira for its “deeds, love, service, faith and perseverance.” Clearly, Christ is communicating the importance of living our faith through good works and love of others.

But praise quickly turns to condemnation.

“I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.” (Rev 2:20-22, NIV)

I do not believe the message here to be principally about sexual immorality and idolatry. Practicing Christians know such behavior to be sinful and an affront to the holiness of God. But we also know that by God’s grace through faith, forgiveness is available to each of us. To receive His mercy, however, we must repent of our sin.

Jesus gave the woman Jezebel ample time to repent of her immorality, but she was unwilling to do so. The Lord, who sits in judgment of us all, will “cast her on a bed of suffering.”

But once again, just as the message is not primarily focused on sexual immorality and idolatry, nor is it chiefly about repentance. Christians know that repentance is vital. Rather, the message is about TOLERANCE of the unrepentant.

“I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel.”

Jezebel is guilty of bad behavior – behavior that can be damaging to the salvation of the church community. She has been called to repentance, given time and opportunity to do so…and refused. But the message here is not to Jezebel – it is to the church. The message is this:

DO NOT TOLERATE THE UNREPENTANT. There is danger in allowing false teachings and sinful practices to persist within the community as they can corrupt and lead others astray.

This is a recurring theme throughout scripture. As the Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 5:11:

“You must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”

And again in Romans 16:17-18:

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

Jesus promises that He will judge Jezebel and her children, but He also vows to judge those who remain tolerant of her unrepentant sin.

“Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” (Rev 2:23)

For those that overcome, the reward is great.

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations — that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ —just as I have received authority from My Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 2:26-29)