Today’s Reading | Revelation 2:18-29
You Tolerate
When John referred to a woman named Jezebel in this passage, was he referring to an actual woman in the church at Thyatira? Possibly, but that name most likely referred to a specific woman whose actions resembled those of Jezebel in the Old Testament. God saw this church and knew that they had some good things going for them. They had a church of love and faith that resulted in service to others and perseverance in suffering. God told them that in the areas of service and perseverance they had grown and increased. However, as in the case of the church of Pergamum, they tolerated a woman who, by her teaching, led believers into committing sexual immorality and eating meat sacrificed to idols. She may have even taught that homosexuality was permissible or that engaging in sex before marriage was fine if the couple were in love. Whatever she taught, it misled people into committing sin. We must never permit teaching that contradicts what the Bible says, or is not found in Scripture. If it is not in your Bible, it must be rejected, even if someone claims it is true. If you can’t defend it with Scripture, forget it.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?