JEZEBEL AND THE EUNUCHS
Pastor Bruce Morrison’s Farewell Sermon, Christian Fellowship Church, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Sunday, February 24, 2002.
Scripture text: Revelation 2:18-29
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed together like the potters vessels – as I have also received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” NKJV
This is a very sad day for Marlene and me. We love you very much and saying good-bye is very difficult. I know that this is a difficult day for you too. Many of you have phoned us, written to us or by some other means have expressed your love to us and the sadness that you feel due to our leaving.
However, we believe that we are doing the right thing. We also believe that the future of our church does not depend on us but it depends on you. The church was never ours it is the Lord’s. We are merely under-shepherds of Jesus who is the Chief Shepherd. You are not sheep of Bruce Morrison’s pasture; you are sheep of His pasture. Someone other than me will become the under-shepherd of the Lord in this house. Other than that, nothing will change. It’s still His house, you are still His sheep.
What should a pastor say in his last message to a church he has pastured for over 20 years? Should he reminisce about the many good things that have happened over the years? Should he talk about the future? Should he preach at all? Maybe it’s not a time for a sermon to be preached.
After much thought and meditation about this I prepared this message. It may be the most important sermon I have ever preached. It is a message for the whole church as a body and it is for each of you individually as well. I pray that the Holy Spirit will help me to deliver it and help you to hear it.
Over the last few weeks you have heard me preach from and refer to Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders found in Acts chapter 20. I believe Paul’s message is timeless, appropriate for any pastor who must say good-bye.
Of great significance in that message was Paul’s emphasis on church problems. In Acts 20: 29-30 he said:
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers; to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And from you men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Today I will emphasise the same thing that Paul did. To do so I am going to talk about Jezebel, a woman of great evil and great influence, and her husband Ahab, who was a very evil man. I am also going to talk about three eunuchs.
A eunuch is an emasculated man. The barbarous disabling practice of forcing men to become eunuchs was widely practiced in ancient times. Sometimes men mutilated themselves as an act of worship to a heathen god. The Law of Moses forbade such practices and prohibited eunuchs from participating in public worship. (Deuteronomy 23:1, Leviticus 22: 23-25).
Who were Jezebel and Ahab?
The story of Jezebel and Ahab is found in the Old Testament. The Jezebel in Thyatira in the New Testament was a person like the Jezebel of old. To understand why Jesus referred to a problem in the church in Thyatira as a problem with Jezebel, we need to understand the Old Testament story.
Jezebel’s father, Eth-baal, or Ithobal, was the king of Tyre so Jezebel was a princess, a person of privilege and position that most young women only get to dream about.
Jezebel’s father was a devout worshiper of Baal, a false god. Eth-baal means, “like unto Baal”. The Hebrew word for Baal means “possessor”, as in “Lord God possessor of heaven and earth”. Though Baal does not exist as God he does exist as a powerful demonic force that is pitted against the one true God, His purposes and His people. When he “possesses” he enslaves and destroys. The intense devotion Jezebel’s family had to Baal was so great her father’s very identity was connected to it.
Baal worship included many horrible activities such as murder for the purpose of sacrifice to the god and gross immorality. To its worshipers, Baal was the male deity of power and sexuality, much the same as the Greek and Roman cults of Aphrodite and Venus. The Baal idol resembles the male sexual organs.
Privilege sure isn’t everything. The fact is, the favour Jezebel enjoyed was a curse to her.
Instead of learning from her father the ways of love, acceptance, forgiveness, justice and a relationship with the one true God, she learned to be a brutal, immoral, controlling woman, a person without conscience, full of hatred and contempt, and a worshipper of a god who did not exist.
One might well say, Jezebel was a victim of parental neglect and abuse!
King Omri was Northern Israel’s sixth king and he had a son whose name was Ahab.
For political expediency and military leveraging, Omri allied himself with Eth-baal even though God forbade such alliances. Omri was a compromiser who deemed expediency to be better than honour. He was a desperately wicked man one that the Bible says, “Did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him”. I Kings 16:25.
In the process he sold out his son. The alliance between Tyre and Israel was sealed by the marriage of prince Ahab to princess Jezebel. Omri knew that God forbade such marriages but he was willing to sacrifice his son’s well being in order that he may satisfy his selfish motives.
One might well say, Ahab was a victim of parental neglect and abuse!
As is often the case, dysfunction produces more dysfunction, and the marriage of two dysfunctional people produces much suffering and chaos
The marriage of Jezebel and Ahab was nothing short of a disaster for God’s people. When Ahab became King, Jezebel became queen and she quickly ascended to pre-eminence. She was a controller and manipulator like few before her. Ahab was relegated to a role of subservience and bondage.
However, Ahab didn’t mind this at all! In fact he rather liked the new worship style Jezebel introduced to the people of Israel; wine, women and song all done in praise to Baal.
Jezebel brought 450 prophets of Baal into their home. They sat at the King’s table with Ahab and his queen. To spice things up Jezebel added 400 prophetesses of Ashteroth to their family. Ashteroth was the female goddess of fertility, love and war. The altar to Ashteroth resembles the female sexual organs.
Every day was a party day at the house of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Ahab built a brand new house in Samaria in order to accommodate everyone and the festivities. He lived what many would call “the good life” surrounded by 400 of the world’s most beautiful women. And, he could sleep with any of them or many of them whenever he wanted. His wife didn’t mind. In fact she encouraged it and set the example for him. Jezebel was a charmer, a seductress who appealed to every vile passion and appetite known to man. She showed Ahab how to party like no one else could.
Wouldn’t most men yield themselves to such a woman and do anything she asked? Little wonder that Israel was like putty in her hands. The nation was mesmerized by the flattery and persuasion of this temptress and loved every minute of the debauchery she promoted.
A whole nation of about 10 million people was taken up with Jezebel and her ways. All followed after her – all except for 7001 people who remained faithful to God.
As for Ahab, the Bible says, “He did much to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel to anger more than did all the Kings of Israel before him”. I Kings 16:33. He was more than a “chip off the old block”. He devised and practiced more evil than his father ever dreamed of.
Naboth
A man by the name of Naboth owned a vineyard that was near Ahab’s palace in Samaria. Ahab wanted the vineyard for a garden so he asked Naboth to exchange it for a better one
or sell it to him. Since the vineyard was an inheritance and Mosaic Law required that he keep it in his family, Naboth refused.
This made Ahab angry and “blue”. He went home, lay on his bed and sulked. Jezebel noticed this and asked what was wrong. When she found out she said she would fix the problem. She forged the king’s name on a document, arranged for false witnesses to accuse Naboth of cursing God, and had him tried, convicted and sentenced to death.
Anyone who has ever encountered Jezebel knows that these are her methods. She is a specialist at bearing false witness. This practice is forbidden in the 10 commandments. In Proverbs chapter 6 it is described as an abomination and something that God hates with a passion.
There are lots of Jezebels in this world. People who accuse their victims of the very sin they themselves are guilty of. If a Jezebel has a problem with anger she will accuse her victim of having this problem. Regardless of what her sin is, she will always place the blame on another. Jezebel cursed the God of Israel and held him in contempt. This was her principle sin and it was the sin she laid on Naboth.
Many of you listening to me today know exactly what this is like. You have been falsely
accused by another and by deceit were blamed for committing the very sin that was committed against you.
You have cried out for justice! You have cried out to God who is a God of justice. You have wondered why no one has heard you and why heaven is silent.
But this time Jezebel and Ahab went too far. God sent the prophet Elijah to speak to Ahab and he said:
Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?…. This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood – yes yours!……And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.” 1 Kings 21:19 & 23.
When Ahab heard these words he humbled himself, put on ashes and sackcloth and fasted. God honoured his repentance and temporarily withdrew the judgement he said he would send. However, Ahab’s repentance did little to help Israel. His kingly authority had been surrendered to Jezebel and she was firmly in charge. The judgment that was stayed would eventually fall on Ahab and his house.
In Israel there were many prophets. These men feared God and rejected the idolatry and wickedness that Ahab and Jezebel brought to the nation. These men were the conscience of the nation.
Jezebel was not a woman of conscience. She had little regard for the opinions or feelings of others. One by one she had the prophets killed. The prophets remained undaunted. They would not bow or bend to this wicked woman. These were men of integrity, men who laid down their ministries and even their lives for conscience sake.
In his book The Three Battlegrounds, (Advancing Church Publications, 1989), Francis Frangipane says this about Jezebel.
Jezebels worst enemies are the prophets; her worst fear is that the people will embrace repentance. Jezebel hates repentance. Though this spirit will infiltrate the church, masking its desire for control with true Christian doctrines, it will hide from true repentance.
Jezebel hates humility. Jesus taught that greatness in the kingdom was measured in childlike honesty of heart, not in what we appear to be to others… (page 102)
Elijah
When Jezebel attacks the kingdom of God there can be many casualties, but she never ultimately triumphs. God always has a man, or a woman, who rises to the top. This does not mean that the prophets who died did so in defeat or in vain. Their sacrifice was part of a process that ultimately led to triumph. To accomplish God’s purposes, their deaths were necessary. They had the spirit of Jesus who also died in order that good could win.
Eventually all the prophets were dead or in exile except one - a man named Elijah. This man single-handedly called Ahab to a showdown. The battle he fought was not an obscure unnoticed skirmish. Elijah summoned Ahab to the top of a mountain, Mount Carmel, so everyone could see. In I Kings 18:20-40 we read about the great victory Elijah won over the prophets of evil.
Elijah was a man who rose in the spirit of Israel’s greatest king, David. When just a boy David single-handedly took on Israel’s most formidable foe, the Philistines and their champion Goliath. The odds were against David. He was not skilled in warfare. The size difference was laughable. But for David there was only issue -honour! Not his honour, not even the honour of his nation, but the honour of the God he served!
Elijah had seen God’s honour all but destroyed in Israel. With the rise of Ahab and Jezebel came a spirit of blasphemy that almost entirely choked the glory of God in the land.
Elijah stood alone, all the other prophets were gone, most of them dead. He was a man of great courage, purpose and resolve. People like him are described in Hebrews 11: 33-40.
He was a man of faith and courage, undaunted by difficult circumstances.
Elijah knew the God of miracles, signs and wonders. He knew that for the sake of His honour God would answer by fire. And he did! One of the most remarkable events in all history is the consuming of Elijah’s offering by fire sent from heaven.
When it was over all of the prophets of Baal were dead!
God’s judgment and mercy
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. I Kings 19:1-2
Jezebel was not present at Mount Carmel during the Elijah – Baal showdown. She did not see the fire fall from heaven. However, Ahab told her everything and she knew his
story was true since all her prophets were dead.
How does a person respond to the fire of God – His presence and His power?
Each of us must make a decision about this. As noted earlier, Jezebel was a victim of abuse and we should sympathize with her. However, she was responsible for the choices she made and would answer to God.
Jezebel showed no remorse or repentance. This is amazing considering she had encountered the power and glory of God in a manner that few others in history have experienced. In spite of God’s intervention she became more resolute in her hatred for Him and for the prophet Elijah. She determined to displace Elijah and kill him.
We know Ahab was the most wicked King Israel ever had. The effects of his sins brought devastation to Israel. We also know he showed signs of repentance. However, his repentance never brought fruit and was therefore meaningless. Why?
Ahab was spineless. He lacked the courage it took to confront Jezebel. He cowered in fear in her presence.
He is a representative of all weak leaders. Men (or women) who are in a place of authority but do nothing about the injustice and evil around them are like Ahab. One might say, “They have his spirit”.
The devil loves to see this kind of person ascend to a place of leadership. It gives him free reign. He loves to see a person of weak moral conviction become a popular politician. He loves to see fathers shrink from their role of leadership in the family. He loves mothers who will not stand up to abusive fathers. He loves parents who will not discipline their children. He loves pastors who lack the courage or conviction to reprove those who sin in the church. He loves Ahabs wherever they are found.
Sin will take you further than you want to go. Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay. Sin will cost you more than you want to pay. Ahab went farther, stayed longer and paid more than he ever dreamed possible, but under Jezebel’s sway, he did nothing about it.
The Thyatiran Jezebel
The Jezebel of Thyatira, though she literally existed, was likely not really named Jezebel.
When Jesus said, “That woman Jezebel”, he revealed His disdain for any person who, like the ancient Jezebel, displaces true spiritual life and authority and introduces a counterfeit.
For example we can see the work of a Jezebel in the life of John the Baptist. The angel who announced his birth said John would operate in the spirit and power of Elijah. (Luke 1:13-17).
In his time, John was a modern-day Elijah. He did the same kinds of things Elijah did.
He confronted sin as Elijah did. He preached repentance as Elijah did. He defended
God’s honour as Elijah did.
King Herod’s wife, Herodias, hated John and wanted him dead. She planned a party and asked her daughter to dance for Herod. Herodias knew of her husband’s lust and knew she could trap him. She knew that through seduction Herod would be so driven by his lust he would do anything. She was right, and when the daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist it was too late, he had given his word and John’s fate was sealed.
One can easily see the spirit of Elijah in John. He was an uncompromising prophet who, like Elijah, loved the fire of God. He prophesied that the Holy Spirit would come and when he did he would bring “fire”, good fire, God’s fire, as a baptism that would fall on the altar of human hearts that are yielded to God. Just as unlikely as fire consuming Elijah’s doused-with-water offering so too would the Holy Spirit fall on the unlikely candidates of Pentecost in the upper room. At Elijah’s altar on Mount Carmel, Elijah used 12 stones that represented each of the sons of Israel to rebuild the altar. When the fire fell it not only burnt the offering it also consumed the stones. This is a wonderful picture of inclusion. No one was left our! Today it is the same. The spirit of Elijah is rising in the church and everyone can get in on it – even those whose hearts have been hardened like stones. It doesn’t matter what caused the hardness. Be it years of neglect and abuse, or the choice to forsake God and follow sin, every heart can receive God’s miracle life changing power. The spirit of Elijah has not died. It is alive and well
and present when people seek God.
Just as much as John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah so too did Herod come in the spirit and cowardice of Ahab and Herodias came in the spirit and power of Jezebel.
Jezebel can show up anywhere, any time, in any people!
By all appearances the church at Thyatira was a good church. It was a church known for its good deeds, for its love and for its faith. It was a charismatic Spirit filled church par excellence! Its “service” was outstanding. There was a commitment to excellence in ministry. The preaching, the worship team, the Sunday School the leadership teams were all made up of men and women of talent, commitment and devotion.
Notwithstanding outward appearances, something was terribly wrong. The spirit of Jezebel held an icy grip on the church. Jezebel challenged spiritual authority, particularly the authority of the pastor.
Who are the Jezebels of the church? They can be anybody. Francis Frangipane in his book The Three Battlegrounds, in describing Jezebel’s targets says:
As we identify those whom this spirit is most likely to influence, let us recognize that this demon can also operate through men. In fact, Jezebel seeks the highly refined qualities of the professional musician, especially when such a man has both the ambition and the opportunity to become a worship leader or director. It will also seek to surface in the life of the pastor himself, in which case he will become very authoritarian and unyielding in his control of the church. Such a pastor will invariably be isolated from fellowship and accountability with other pastors. The man will find himself lured into maintaining flirtatious and sensual relationships, “special intimacies” with one or more women in the church. In time he will most likely succumb to adultery.
Yet this spirit prefers the disposition of a woman’s nature. And since certain female ministries are more involved than others, it follows that they would be targets for the spirit of Jezebel. Church leaders should take heed. This spirit will seek to maneuver itself into leadership positions. Remember, Jesus said of Jezebel, “she calls herself a prophetess” (Rev. 2:20). A woman can most certainly function prophetically; she can be anointed by God to serve in delegated authority as a prophetess. But when she insists upon recognition, when she manipulates or entirely disregards the male leadership in the church, “when she calls herself a prophetess,” beware.
Prayer leaders, church secretaries, worship and song leaders, pastors and their wives, you are all especially targeted by this spirit. All of you serving in these roles should be instructed and warned about the warfare that may come against you. Each of you should be part of a church “warfare team” that is trained to war against Jezebel (page 101-102).
There is a growing awareness of the work of Jezebel in the church. John Paul Jackson, in his book Unmasking the Jezebel Spirit, (Streams Publications, 2002), wrote this:
No church is too great, too healthy, or too pure to be exempted from an attack by a Jezebel spirit. In fact, the greater the church, the greater the assurance that those with a Jezebel spirit will seek to gain influence and power---unless the pastor, the leadership team, the intercessors, and prophetically gifted individuals exercise their responsibility and withstand this spiritual attack.
A Jezebel spirit can be found in any church or denomination. It is not confined to one particular church affiliation.
Displacement
It is important to note that the “spirit of Jezebel” in the church is not a gender issue. It’s not about women. It’s about a system – a system of displacement of spiritual authority.
It is a principality that operates in men or women who yield to it.
This system, this worldview, this manner of existence, predates the historic Jezebel of ancient Israel. It even predates the creation of mankind. It originated in Lucifer who, in his highly favoured place in God’s creation, chose to rebel against God. He took for himself the worship that God alone deserves. He undermined the authority of God and sought the support of other angels. Those who followed him became demons.
Lucifer appeared in the Garden of Eden after the creation of mankind. He introduced his system of independence to the first humans who then chose to deny their Creator and follow the creator of iniquity.
We live in an age of apostasy. Society has turned its back on God. The Ahabs and Jezebels are doing well. We are living in a generation that does not know right from wrong. There is little conviction in the land, few with moral uprightness. God has been displaced.
Jezebel will continue to win if she can hold her grip on the church. The biggest issue the church faces is the matter of spiritual authority. This is why Paul testified that daily with tears he warned the Ephesian elders about false leaders and teachers, about anything that would displace true spiritual authority. If Jezebel lost her grip on the church, there is no telling what the church could do!
Men and women of prophetic giftings in the church today are warning about the presence of Jezebel. Benny Hinn said recently that the spirit of Jezebel must be cast out of the church in order for the spirit of Elijah to come forth. Andrew Bryce, (who ministered in our church about two years ago) told me recently that prophets of God are warning about the presence of Jezebel in the Canadian church. She has an icy grip on many congregations.
A Matter of Faithfulness
Jesus said that Jezebel led His servants into sexual immorality and the eating of foods offered to idols. He also said that He had given her time to repent but she refused.
Though “eating food offered to idols” is not a problem in the church today, the compromise that this practice represented is very much a problem today. Jezebel taught; something evil can be good, something profane can be pure.
Jezebel was strong willed, a manipulator and a controller. She subtly influenced several in the congregation. She made them doubt the pastor and his integrity.
In the Bible immorality means more than sexual sins. It denotes unfaithfulness in relationships such as the husband and wife relationship. It is the act of breaking covenant. Angry outbursts, words of contempt, selfishness are all deeds and attitudes that violate a covenantal union such as marriage. This immorality can also be present in the church. False accusations, gossip, bearing false witness, refusal to submit to spiritual authority and a host of other sins are the immoral practices to which our Lord referred.
These are acts of rebellion against covenant and spiritual authority. Often leaders do not know of these sins because they are practiced in secret. Their seriousness however is as great as if a person came into a church service and held a séance at the altar, or consulted a witch, or practiced tarot card or crystal ball gazing right in front of the pulpit and the pastor. Why is it this serious? It is so because the Bible says rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. (1 Samuel 15:23).
Church Discipline
I don’t know the actual number of times I’ve preached or taught in our church over the last 20 years and 7 months. Perhaps 3000 times? Maybe more? Of all the sermons and Bible studies I’ve given there may be nothing more important to the future welfare of this church than what I am about to say now.
The most difficult part of pastoring a church is the administration of church discipline in a manner that is consistent with what the Bible requires. Whenever a pastor rebukes a person for wrongdoing he is likely to face a counter attack that can be downright scary.
The person may deny his or her sin and counter accuse the pastor. For example, a dishonest person will likely accuse the pastor of being dishonest. An angry person will likely accuse the pastor of being angry and so on.
Worse however, is the slander and false witness against the pastor that soon begins to spread through the church. People who are prone to listen are quick to either cry “foul” or hold private resentment toward the man of God.
Remember, Jezebel hates prophets and the prophetic word. She is not open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and has no fear of God.
Leaders can easily fall under the spell of Jezebel. Though they may not commit the sins she does they nonetheless can be intimidated and seduced by a Jezebel spirit. Too many pastors have fallen under Jezebel’s spell to their own hurt and the hurt of the church.
The following are some quotes from a sermon David Horner, a Baptist pastor from Rhode Island wrote on Jezebel.
Those who become zealots fro protecting the rights of the wrong soon find themselves on the side of the wrong, promoting the very teaching and actions which will destroy the testimony they want to give.
Instead of confronting the offending parties we prefer to leave well enough alone and hope that they will not be too much of an unholy influence on others.
Even though the Bible teaches us to deal with sinful deeds and teachings directly and speak the truth in love, today we believe we know better than God does.
Leaders act as silent advocates of sin and error by refusing to stand up against them.
Over the years, from time to time, it has been necessary for me to confront members of the church who sinned. The elders, deacons and the congregation have supported me during such times.
The most important message I can bring to you today is to urge you to support your new pastor when he has occasion to do the same. Remember this: this is the most difficult part of pastoring and one that leaves the pastor most vulnerable to slander and criticism.
It takes a courageous leader to confront the strength and obstinacy of a Jezebel spirit. By their actions, a person with a Jezebel spirit will reveal a pastor’s strengths and weaknesses. Pastors may see things about themselves they would rather ignore. The pastor may respond defensively when their authority is challenged. To quell a revolt a pastor may respond by appeasing or even promoting this person. If a pastor feigns ignorance of Jezebel’s wrongdoings, he or she may become a kindred spirit. If your pastor is not rebuking with authority – there is something wrong!
However, if a pastor brings correction to the church when it is needed, people will feel secure under his leadership and will develop trust in godly authority. Those who have sinned are given the opportunity to repent and be restored. Conversely, if a pastor fails to correct sin and rebellion, he or she will eventually lose the respect of the congregation.
The word “angel” in the Book of Revelation is from the Greek word that means messenger. Jesus addressed the man called to be His messenger to the church, who many Bible scholars believe to mean the pastor.
In His message to the church at Thyatira, Jesus did not reprove Jezebel; rather, He reproved the pastor. The Lord did not blame Jezebel for the problems in the church; He blamed the pastor for allowing Jezebel to have influence. The pastor was held responsible and accountable. Ultimately, Jezebel was not the problem in the church. The problem was a weak pastor who tolerated her. This gives us some idea of the weight of responsibility that rests on the pastor. Believe me, church discipline is the most difficult part of pasturing a church.
It is difficult for pastors to exercise church discipline without the support of other leaders and of the congregation. On those occasions when your new pastor must exercise church discipline, please support him!!!
Doctrines – The doctrine of Christ versus the idolatry of ideas!
Jesus referred to Jezebel as a prophetess and a teacher. She was a woman who seduced and influenced with ideas. She introduced ideas of compromise with the world. She challenged spiritual authority and thereby pitted herself against the doctrine of Christ. This is why our Lord so strongly opposed her.
What is the doctrine of Christ? It is the body of teaching that declares who Christ is and what He has done. He is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He died on the cross for our sins, rose again the third day, ascended into heaven and will someday return. He saves, heals, baptizes empowers and blesses His people, His bride, the church. There is so much we could say about the doctrine of Christ.
Preaching the doctrine of Christ will bless, strengthen and encourage you – but it will also convict you. If it doesn’t you need to take a closer look at the spirit that is anointing the preacher. The sermons may sound good but if they lack reproof for sin or fail to bring personal correction, it may not be the Holy Spirit who is anointing the preacher but the spirit of Jezebel!
Now God does bless, heal, and prosper us. But these are not the only riches of the kingdom. The greater riches are the riches of the soul: love in the face of hate, righteousness in the face of temptation, peace in the midst of turmoil, joy in the midst of sorrow, submission instead of rebellion, faith instead of doubt….. This is the doctrine of Christ and it is opposite to the doctrine of Jezebel!
Jehu and the Eunuchs
Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window. Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace Zimri, murderer of your master?” And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who? So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. Then he said, “Throw her down,” So they threw her down, and some of her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her underfoot. 2 Kings 9:30-33.
Jehu was Northern Israel’s tenth king and he was a good man. He was determined to restore righteousness to the nation. One day he came by horseback to the palace where Jezebel lived.
Jezebel prepared herself for his arrival. She dressed in her most seductive attire, and donned her best make-up. She was as alluring as ever and anticipated that this man would be like all the others. This would not be the first time she seduced a king and she had no reason to believe she would not be successful. She also taunted him and with contempt accused him of treason similar to that committed against Zimri, Northern Israel’s fifth king. Jezebel was brazen, her defiance knew no bounds. But king Jehu was not like other men she had known. He neither feared her, respected her, nor desired her.
His voice rang through the palace: “Who is on my side!” He cried aloud again, “Who?”
Lo and behold three eunuchs answered his call. These were nobodies. These were men who had been brutally and barbarically deformed by Jezebel. Their masculinity was gone. Their identities were gone. They were not held in high esteem by others or by themselves. These were men for whom others held little regard and men who weren’t a threat to anyone.
But these hapless abused nobodies answered king Jehu’s call. For the first time in their lives they had something greater to liver for “We’re on your side”, they shouted!!!
Then, empowered by the word of the king they threw Jezebel from her window and she fell to her death. As a sign of approval and assurance, Jehu trampled her body with his horse.
The spirit of Elijah rose in three unknown, insignificant men. Jezebel and her evil authority were crushed.
A song that has become very popular in the church today and one we have grown to love in the church is: Days of Elijah by Robin Mark.
These are the days of Elijah, declaring the word of the Lord; And these are the days of your servant Moses, righteousness being restored. And though these are days of great trial, of famine and darkness and sword, shell, we are the voice in the desert crying ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’
Behold He comes riding on the clouds, shining like the sun at the trumpet call; lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee, and out of Zion’s hill salvation comes.
These are the days of Ezekiel, the dry bones becoming as flesh; and these are the days of your servant David, rebuilding a temple of praise. These are the days of the harvest, the fields are as white in your world, and we are your labourers in your vineyard, declaring the word of the Lord!
There’s no God like Jehovah! There’s no God like Jehovah!
I join my voice with many who today who see the church in this generation rising with the spirit of Elijah. These are believers who believe they must cast down Jezebel. These are men and women, teens, and children who refuse to yield to the forces that try to forge them into an image of Jezebel’s making. They will not accept the intimidation, the condemnation, the shame and inferiority projected on them by others. They have heard the voice of the new king – the King of Kings! - who rides heaven’s white charger into the courtyard and cries, “Who is on my side?”
Many in the church today are rising and saying, “I do!” They are rising with new anointing and confidence, not human confidence born in pride, but Divine confidence born in humility.
These are people who say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I can win over temptation, over lust, over sin and over the devil. I can be someone who brings God’s glory to this world. I can make a difference! I am not afraid! I am the Lord’s!
My last word as the pastor of this church is to all who think they are nobodies. Rise in the name of Jesus our Saviour and Lord, renounce the hidden things of darkness, never confess again that you are Jezebel’s slave! Confess only that you are the Lord’s - in His name you are a winner!
God bless you, we love you with all of our hearts!
Pastor Bruce and Marlene
