Page 556 - Demo

This Spanish miniature recalls the tragic death of Queen Jezebel, the Phoenician princess who was pushed from a window of her palace (2 Kings 9:30-31).
2:17 Those who remain faithful to the end will be rewarded, fed with “hidden manna,” and given a white stone or token with a new name upon it. Both of these images recall sacramental encounters with Christ: baptism includes the giving of a name, and Eucharist, food for life.
2:20 The Old Testament queen Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab (see I Kings 16), who introduced the worship of the pagan God Baal to the Israelites. Her name became synonymous with treachery. Here, a woman who has become a source of division in Thyatira is called “Jezebel.”
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REVELATION 
15Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of [the] Nicolaitans. 16Therefore, repent. Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and wage war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17“‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I shall give some of the hidden manna;* I shall also give a white amulet upon which is inscribed a new name, which no one knows except the one who receives it.”’e To Thyatira.* 18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira,* write this:
“‘The Son of God, whose eyes are like a ery ame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: 19“I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the rst. 20Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,
who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacri ced to idols.* 21I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry. 22So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense su ering unless they repent of her works. 23I will also put her children* to death. Thus shall all the churches come to know that I am the searcher of hearts and minds and that I will give each of you what your works deserve.f 24But I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not uphold this teaching and know nothing of the so-called deep secrets of Satan:* on you I will place no further burden, 25except that you must hold fast to what you have until I come.
26“‘“To the victor,* who keeps to my ways* until the end, I will give authority over the nations.g
27He will rule them with an iron rod.
Like clay vessels will they be smashed,
28just as I received authority from my Father. And to him I will give the morning star.
29“‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
* [2:17] The hidden manna: this is the food of life; cf. Ps 78:24–25. White amulet: literally, “white stone,” on which was written a magical name, whose power could be tapped by one who knew the secret name. It is used here as a symbol of victory and joy; cf. Rev 3:4–5. New name: this is a reference to the Christian’s rebirth in Christ; cf. Rev 3:12; 19:12; Is 62:2; 65:15.
* [2:18–29] The letter to Thyatira praises the progress in virtue of this small Christian community (Rev 2:19) but admonishes them for tolerating a false prophet who leads them astray (Rev 2:20). Her fate is sealed, but there is hope of repentance for her followers (Rev 2:21–22). Otherwise, they too shall die (Rev 2:23). They are warned against Satanic power or knowledge (Rev 2:24–25). Those who remain faithful will share in the messianic reign, having authority over nations (Rev 2:26–27), and will in fact possess Christ himself (Rev 2:28).
* [2:18] Thyatira: modern Akhisar, ca. forty miles southeast of Pergamum, a frontier town famous for its workers’ guilds (cf. Acts 16:14), membership in which may have involved festal meals in pagan temples.
* [2:20] The scheming and treacherous Jezebel of old (cf. 1 Kgs 19:1–2; 21:1–14; 2 Kgs 9:22, 30–34) introduced pagan customs into the religion of Israel; this new Jezebel was doing the same to Christianity.
* [2:23] Children: spiritual descendants.
* [2:24] The so-called deep secrets of Satan: literally, “the deep things of Satan,” a scathing
reference to the perverse teaching of the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:15).
* [2:26–28] The Christian who perseveres in faith will share in Christ’s messianic authority
(cf. Ps 2:8–9) and resurrection victory over death, symbolized by the morning star;
cf. Rev 22:16.
* [2:26] Who keeps to my ways: literally, “who keeps my works.”
e. [2:17] Is 62:2; 65:15.
f. [2:23] 1 Sm 16:7; Jer 11:20; 17:10.
g. [2:26] 12:5; Ps 2:8–9.