2007-1-20 05:54:00
JJ: The next letter is to Thyatira.
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; (Revelation 2:18)
JJ: It is interesting that each of these letters is seen by most students as being addressed to the churches, but it is important to note that technically this is not true. They are addressed to "the angel" of the church rather than the church itself. The important point to glean here is that the word angel, or messenger, is singular whereas a church refers to a whole body of people.
What is the significance of this?
Quite simply it is this. The instructions in each of these letters applies to a significant group of seekers attempting to stay upon the path, but in application the aspiring disciple must learn and apply them alone, as an individual entity. His interplay with the inner Christ must be between him and the Master, as if the instructions were intended only for him - yet there are many (the church) who will go through this stage.
The inner voice gives three descriptions of itself at the beginning of these instructions:
The voice is telling the seeker that it is the true authority. It represents the only true Son of God who can be trusted. Any outer voice claiming to speak for God can fail and let you down, but not the inner one.
These are eyes that can see through the heaviest illusions, penetrate the innermost being and know the deepest thoughts and intents. The seeker can hide nothing from the Christ within. It is useless to put on a fa?ade.
This tells us that the inner Christ has power to subdue any resistance and will eventually dominate as a king by putting all elements of the lower self under his feet.
Notice that these three descriptions were repeated from the first part of the vision, but others left out. This is because these three apply in particular to this stage on the path. The common thread between them is authority. Until liberation is obtained the seeker must ever work on gaining a trust for the inner Christ. In this Thyatira stage he must do more than listen. He must apply that which he knows.
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. (Revelation 2:19)
JJ: The seeker does not need to remind God, his Son or the inner voice about his works and achievements. They are all seen and known. They are not only seen but also evaluated.
The Master is telling the seeker of his achievements so far. He has done good works. He has developed charity, or the capacity to love on a spiritual level. He knows how to unselfishly serve. He has faith in the plan that God has for us, and the patience to endure to see that plan accomplished.
Then he is told something interesting. He is complemented a second time for his works. Why is this? He is merely told that he completed a cycle of training and gained important assets from it. Now he is involved in another cycle of works with even greater lessons to be learned.
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. (Revelation 2:20)
JJ: The seeker has learned and continues to learn some important lessons, but is making mistakes in the process. Interfering with his spiritual progress is a woman called Jezebel. This name was not picked by accident, but is the name of a destructive woman from the days of Elijah, the prophet.
She was a Phoenician princess who married King Ahab, an Israelite who was supposed to lead his people toward the true God. She turned Ahab away from Jehovah, and toward the worship of her god, Baal.
Ahab seemed to be so mesmerized with her that she seemed to get her way in all things. She influenced him to open temples dedicated to Baal in Israel and then to rule the people with tyranny. She went so far as to kill the prophets and sought the life of Elijah, but he escaped her wrath and placed a curse on her which was fulfilled in her death by her own people.
Jezebel was such an evil woman that her name has since been synonymous with corruption and licentiousness.
The interesting thing about the Jezebel of the Apocalypse is she calls herself a prophetess.
Now a prophetess of old was seen as a righteous and good woman who speaks the word of God. This tells us that the Jezebel, who is in the life of the seeker, is corrupt and evil, but presents herself as good, and favored of God.
The Master thus chastises the aspiring disciple because his vision is clouded and he allows her "to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
Assignment: Give an example of who this Jezebel may be (in this age) that the seeker could encounter. What's so bad about eating something that has been sacrificed to idols or false Gods?
Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.
Joel Hawes
Copyright © 2007 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved