Revelation 2:20-23 - The End Could Be Near!

“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. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” The church Thyatira could be called the corrupted church. Today, when most of the world looks at Christianity as it appears in the churches, and in the lives of those who call themselves Christians, they do not have a very good opinion of them! The compromise and corruption that is being displayed in the church today must make God sick! Just like here in Revelation 2, in this letter to the church of Thyatira, we should not be surprised that Jesus shows up as the “Son of God”, and with “eyes like a flame of fire and feet of judgement like fine brass”! After a word of recognizing the wonderful and growing love and works of this church at Thyatira, the Lord had some very harsh words of condemnation and a strong call for it to repent of its idolatry and sexual immorality! The woman that was the leader of these false doctrines, and the one who was seducing the believers to follow her was given time to repent but refused! Now the Lord was giving the rest of the church time to repent or else! Jesus said He would cast this Jezebel into a sickbed. This could mean she has become like an invalided and is eaten up with physical, emotional and mental health needs. And her followers would also suffer great trials and tribulation just like her if they would not repent! Wow! Doesn’t that describe the condition of so much of Christianity today! It is just plain sick and without the healing power of Jesus and ability to really influence and make a difference in the world around it! All you need to do is look at the prayer list of most churches today. Even the small churches fill up pages of request for the sick and hurting in their midst! How sad! The phrase, “I will kill her children with death” is translated in the NASB as, “I will kill her children with pestilence.” Amazing, especially with what we have just gone through with the corona virus. No one was exempt!  Do I need to say more? Jezebel’s bed of sin became a bed of sickness! And the Lord said that what He does in judgement to this church at Thyatira would become an example to all the other churches to remind them that He is still searching the hearts and minds of His people and looking for a broken, humble heart of repentance! Today we are waking up to the news of a major world power ruthlessly invading a neighboring country! The whole world is being thrown into chaos and confusion and who knows the end will be of what is going to take place. We thought that the virus was bad. Who knows how many people will die because of this conflict and the suffering that will take place. I believe this all should remind us that the Lord is coming very soon and we need to be ready! Also the world is living in great fear and insecurity. Our present world leaders appear to be corrupt and very weak! The world is looking for a strong leader who will promise peace. I personally believe he is already alive and living somewhere and will be revealed soon! But I also believe the true believers will be raptured just before his appearance. Today, is a day of great opportunity for us to pray and share our faith with those around us! We have the answers they need in the Lord Jesus Christ! May the Lord help us to share Him today! God bless!