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. Rev 2:20 (KJV)
To "suffer" the woman Jezebel means that they let her teach without proper condemnation and allowed her to continue in the fellowship of the church. The name "Jezebel" refers to the gifted but wicked idolatrous wife of Ahab, king of Israel. Under her influence Ahab was led to allow the introduction of idolatry and to endorse its shameful practices. He also worshiped Baal himself and did more to provoke Jehovah to anger than all the kings before him. (
1 Kings 16:29-33.)
Some think she was a real woman whose wicked influence was so similar to the Jezebel of old that she was called by that name rather than her own. Others think the name refers to a faction or party in the church that taught and practiced as did the real Jezebel. Since the church at Pergamum was rebuked because they had a faction that held the doctrines of Balaam (
2:14), it seems that the church at Thyatira had a faction that was described by the name Jezebel. Besides, in this book a woman represents a church, could represent a party or faction. Claiming to be a prophetess would mean that the faction claimed to teach according to divine authority.
and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Whether Jezebel means a real person or represents a faction, the lesson would be the same. In imitation of the ancient Jezebel idolatry and licentiousness were taught. Since this was the teaching of Balaam, and probably the Nicolaitans as well, it may be that the person or persons condemned at Thyatira were some of the same false teachers differently interpreted.
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And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.
This may mean that warning had been given in some way that time to continue in such teaching would end unless repentance came or that God had allowed her time to repent if she would. But since she did not will to repent, then the punishment had to fall upon her.
