JEZEBEL IN THE CHURCH

 Sir,

In Revelation 2:18-29, Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira. The letter is notable for its length and prophetically it fits well the long period from the mid-6th century to the early16th century, this period is also known as the ‘Dark Ages.’
Jezebel is figuratively employed to relate to the condition of the church during this period.

Jezebel was a prophetess of a pagan god, Baal, who got married to Ahab king of Israel. As queen of Israel she led almost the whole nation into the immoral and idolatrous worship of Baal. The true prophets of God were put to death and the false prophets of Baal were exalted (1 Kings 16:29-22:24).

Similarly, the church of the Dark Ages adopted many pagan beliefs and practices that the truths of God’s Word were forgotten. The Bible was banned, and many faithful Christians were put to death as ‘heretics’, causing great numbers of God’s people to flee into the wilderness. This was the darkest period for God’s people, as the corrupted church enforced its domination and tried to destroy the faithful remnant.

The church became corrupt by combining pagan rites with Christian teachings. Many pagan practices and heathen rituals were introduced into the churches, baptized with Christian terminology and thus accepted as being true; images began to be worshipped in churches. Various practices of priests which were unknown to the early church began to be approved.

The payment of money to earn forgiveness, long journeys to places sacred by the church and confessing sins to a human priest were among them.
Idol worship, the rosary and praying to dead saints became rampant in the church. The saints who dared to oppose the authority of the Roman church were killed.

While it is true that the church of the dark ages, like Israel in the days of Jezebel, was largely corrupt, Christ recognised that there were those who remained true to Him in those difficult circumstances.
These faithful little lights in the darkness though flickering in dungeons and caves at times loved Christ and did many works of loving service.
God always has His faithful people and unto them Christ says; “Hold fast, I will put upon you none other burden,” (Rev 2:24,25).

Bopoto Gwinyai (7663 8191)

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