20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:20-23 KJV)
Thomas Scott
Verses 20-23: Thus far this church seemed in a flourishing condition; yet there was a worm at the root of its prosperity, which would destroy the whole unless it were removed. Notwithstanding all those things which deserved commendation, the Lord Jesus had a few things to allege against the presiding minister and the pastors at Thyatira; especially because they suffered such persons as taught those abominable tents, and perpetrated those evils, which Christ hated: for the same heresy is here doubtless opposed as in the foregoing epistle. It is not agreed whether the expression, “that woman Jezebel,” is to be understood literally or figuratively. From the reading in some manuscripts, it has been thought that the wife of the presiding minister was intended; that she had obtained great influence in the affairs of the church, and made a bad use of it; that she pretended to possess prophetic gifts, and under that sanction propagated abominable principles; and though her conduct was disapproved by many, yet no proper decision was used in censuring her, or preventing the mischiefs which she occasioned.—The figurative meaning, however, seems more suited to the style and manner of this book: and in this sense, we may understand it to denote a company of persons of the spirit and character of Jezebel within the church, under one principal deceiver; as the Roman antichrist is represented by the emblem of an abandoned harlot. Jezebel, a zealous idolater, being married to the king of Israel contrary to the divine law, used all her influence to seduce the Israelites form the worship of JEHOVAH into idolatry, with which the vilest licentiousness was connected; and this greatly aided the temptation. Thus these persons at Thyatira, having, probably through the fault of the pastors and members of the church, found admission among them, and by their artifices and blandishments attached a party to their cause, employed their whole influence to draw men from the pure religion of Christ, into carnal and spiritual fornication and adultery, and to poison their minds with abominable doctrines. Yet they had not been duly censured and opposed; and it is evident that neither the fatal tendency of their opinions, nor the atrociousness of their conduct, had been fully understood till this epistle was sent. This evil had long been working; and the Lord had, in his long-suffering, given space for repentance to the ringleader, and those who abetted the delusion; but they still persisted in their wickedness. He therefore declared that he would cast the principal offender “into a bed,” as visited with some painful and incurable disease, at length to terminate in death; while such as had been seduced to join in these abominations would, “unless they repented of their deeds,” be thrown into the most grievous afflictions. 1Co 11:29-34 Indeed Christ, their Lord and Judge, purposed to destroy by pestilence, Re 6:7-8 or other tremendous judgments, these seducers, and their whole progeny or party; in order that all the churches might be assured, by the detection and exemplary punishment of such scandalous offenders, that he was that glorious God who claimed it as his peculiar prerogative “to search the reins and hearts” of men; to discern all their secret imaginations, purposes, and inclinations; and to render to every one of them according to his works.—Here again the peculiar style of Deity is employed by “the Son of God.” It is far more expressive to say, “I am he who searcheth the heart,” than “I search:” nor can such language be accounted for on any other ground than the Trinitarian doctrine, whatever pains and ingenuity may be employed in the attempt. Jer 17:9-10