Today, society emphasizes tolerance as a chief virtue. In various ways, social leaders tell us, “Accept and embrace all beliefs, all teachings, all viewpoints, and all behaviors. Otherwise you will be accused of being insensitive, of being narrow-minded bigots.” Jesus, however, knows and supports the intolerance of the Ephesian Christians. Conversely, He condemns the Christians in Thyatira for their tolerance.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:20).
Christians in Thyatira had their good points too. But Jesus knew that their tolerance, if left uncorrected, would cause their downfall. Their “Jezebel” would corrupt the entire church (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6).
Why had they been tolerating her?
- Perhaps they prized peace in the congregation. The false prophetess had followers. Did the leaders delay because challenging her risked dividing the church?
- Perhaps they prized peace with the surrounding community. “Jezebel” promoted the eating of food sacrificed to idols, which would have pleased idol-worshipers. By accommodating idolatry, she was a bridge between Christianity and paganism. To interfere with that bridge might harm relationships. It might stir up trouble for Christians again, as had happened in other places (Acts 16:19-24; 19:23-29).
- Perhaps they prized an immature idea of love, thinking that criticism and confrontation were unkind.