Cycles of Resistance || Overcoming Jezebel

Nov 30

Revelation 2:18-29 New King James Version

18 “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: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 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 eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 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. 24 “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. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Jezebel Resists the Work of Jesus

2025 is the Year of OVERFLOW

A Year To Experience The Fullness, And Overflow, Of Heaven On Earth

An OVERFLOW of the Revelation, Abundant Life, and Victory of Heaven [MORE JESUS!]

2025 Is An Ephesians 3:20 Year

A year where God will do exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask or think in our lives, families, and city

This Year Jesus Will Teach Us How To Remain In His Cycle Of Overflow

NEED - SEEK - PREPARE - POUR - OVERFLOW - NEED (SLIDE: OVERFLOW CYCLE)

This Year the Cycles of Resistance will SUBMIT to Jesus and His CYCLE OF OVERFLOW

Jezebel Resist the Work of God [John 6:28-29, John 17:3] in Our Lives

This leads to the increase of works, love, service, faith, and patience

Jesus Rewards all who OVERCOME Her and Keep His Works Until the End

His Reward is an OVERFLOW of Himself
- Power over the nation - rod of iron [Psalm 2]
- Morning Star [Revelation 22:16]

Who and What is Jezebel?

The Name Jezebel Appears in the Old Testament 21 Times

1 Kings 16:30-33 New King James Version

30 Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.

Hebrew - izebel (H348)

Jezebel = "Baal exalts" or "Baal is husband to" or "unchaste"

The Name Jezebel Appears in the New Testament Once

Revelation 2:20 New King James Version

20 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 eat things sacrificed to idols.

Greek - iesabel (H2403)

Jezebel = "chaste"

wife of Ahab, an impious and cruel queen who protected idolatry and persecuted the prophets
the symbolic name of a woman who pretended to be a prophetess, and who, addicted to antinomianism [grace is freedom from moral law], claimed Christian liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols

Is there A Connection Between The OT & NT Jezebel?

It Cannot Be the Same Person

All 21 occurrences of the name Jezebel in the Old Testament refer to the historical figure

This Jezebel lived almost 1,000 years before John received this revelation of Jesus

It Could Be a Different Person with the Same Name

Doubtful as John rarely identifies specific individuals or locations by name in his prophetic revelation

Rather he seems to address spiritual archetypes or patterns [Balaam, Babylon, Dragon, Serpent, Beast, etc…]

Thus I do not believe that this the intention in Revelation 2:20

It is Most Likely a Spirit, or a Spiritual Pattern/Archetype

Jesus calling Simon Peter “Satan” [Matthew 16:23, Mark 8:33]
“Jezebel” can also refer to a recognizable spiritual pattern

Jewish readers of Revelation 2:20-23 would have thought of the life & death of OT Jezebel

PASTORAL MOMENT || 2 Things the Spirit of Jezebel is NOT

A Person in Your Life [It’s a Spirit Influencing You]
Gender Specific [Operates in/through Men & Women]

10 Characteristics of the Spirit of Jezebel

1. Jezebel Hates the Prophetic & Prophets of the Lord

1 Kings 18:4 New King James Version

4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.

Jezebel hates the prophetic/prophets because they expose the compromise and idolatry she wants to keep hidden

Jezebel wanted the Israelites to believe that Yahweh and Baal were the same person, justifying her idolatry and unhealthy/corruptive behaviors

Jezebel will always dismiss correction as punishment, confrontation as abuse, and boundaries as abandonment

2. Jezebel Cultivates & Encourages False Prophets

1 Kings 18:19 New King James Version

19 Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who [are provided for]eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Cultivates and encourages false prophetic voices to justify and support her wickedness
Pretends to support & speak for “others,” but uses them to manipulate situations in her favor

“A few of us have been talking…”
“People have come up to me concerned about…”

3. Jezebel Threatens and Distracts Through Demonic Messages

1 Kings 19:1-4 New King James Version

19 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

4. Jezebel Hides Gossip Behind Concern

1 Kings 21:5-6 New King James Version

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food? 6 He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ”

5. Jezebel Stirs Up Covetousness to Create Drama

1 Kings 21:7 New King James Version

7 Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “You now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

6. Jezebel Steals Authority by Pretending to Support You

1 Kings 21:8 New King James Version

8 And she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who were dwelling in the city with Naboth.

Jezebel is more than willing to confront or smooth things over for you with people if it means she can speak for you, in your name, and then back to you, for them, in their name

7. Jezebel Operates in Flattery & Slander [Character Assassination]

1 Kings 21:9-10 New King James Version

9 She wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 10 and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.

8. Jezebel Aims to Steal, Kill, & Destroy
1 Kings 21:11-15 New King James Version

11 So the men of his city, the elders and nobles who were inhabitants of his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth with high honor among the people. 13 And two men, scoundrels, came in and sat before him; and the scoundrels witnessed against him, against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth has blasphemed God and the king!” Then they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, so that he died. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.” 15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.”

9. Jezebel Intentionally Stirs Up Wickedness

1 Kings 21:25 New King James Version

25 But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.

10. Jezebel Dominates Others through Intimidation & Seduction [She Wants You Afraid or Infatuated]

2 Kings 9:30-31 New King James Version

30 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. 31 Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, “Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?”

3 Ways to Overcome the Spirit of Jezebel

Revelation 2:18-23 New King James Version

18 “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: 19 “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 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 eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 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.

1. Allow Jesus to Expose Jezebel in You

Jesus Spoke to Thyatira about Their Jezebel Problem, Not Some Other Church’s Jezebel Problem

This morning Jesus wants to expose Jezebel’s influence in your life first

Only Jesus, the Son of God, Sees Us Rightly

Son of God, with eyes like fire and feet like fine brass

Jesus sees clearly and refines what He reveals
Jesus is stands steadfast and immovable upon purity

Jesus Identified Thyatira’s Increasing Fruitfullness

The church in Thyatira was multiplying in works, love, service, faith, and patience

Jesus Exposed Thyatira’s Increasing Corruption

Jezebel was in their midst

Some didn’t even know Jezebel was there
Some were tolerating Jezebel’s influence [you allow that woman Jezebel]
Some were being influenced by Jezebel [teach & seduce My servants]
Some were in partnership with Jezebel [those who commit adultery with her]

PASTORAL CAUTION || Only the discernment of Jesus will reveal the spirit and rescue people

The suspicion of man will only help the spirit and hurt the people [No witchhunts]
We are not demon-hunters, we are God-chasers

Jesus Will Only Expose What He Desires to Make Whole

Jesus will NEVER tolerate Jezebel in His church, corrupting His servants

He rejects unclean spirits, patterns, and behaviors in order to rescue people
This happens through conviction, confession and repentance

Eventually, Jesus will deal with Jezebel and all who tolerate her influence

He will cast Jezebel into a sickbed
He will cast those in partnership [commit adultery] with her into great tribulation
He will kill her children with death

These are three parallels to how the Lord dealt with Jezebel and her influence in the OT

2 Kings 9:32-33 &35-36 New King James Version

32 And he looked up at the window, and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” So two or three eunuchs looked out at him. 33 Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot… 35 So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. 36 Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of the Lord, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel;

2 Kings 10:7 & 10-11New King James Version

7 So it was, when the letter came to them, that they took the king’s sons and slaughtered seventy persons, put their heads in baskets and sent them to him at Jezreel… 10 Know now that nothing shall fall to the earth of the word of the Lord which the Lord spoke concerning the house of Ahab; for the Lord has done what He spoke by His servant Elijah.” 11 So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his close acquaintances and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

2. Repent For Operating like, and Tolerating, Jezebel

The Spirit of Jezebel will NEVER Repent because It Does Not Want To

The ONLY way to be free of Jezebel is to humble yourself before Jesus and repent
Lean into the Holy Spirit’s conviction, don’t harden your heart!

Repent for Operating like Jezebel

Masking gossip with concern
Manipulating emotions/creating drama to get what you want or need
Taking authority, that is not yours, in the life of others to “help them”
Flattery and slander
Stirring up/justifying wickedness in yourself or others
Rejecting correction, dismissing confrontation/boundaries as abusive

Repent for Tolerating the Influence of Jezebel [Passively Committing Adultery with Her like King Ahab]

Refusing to acknowledge, address, or confront Jezebel [Allowing her to benefit you]
Fantasizing about running away, quitting, escaping, or even killing yourself
Giving her authority in your life by allowing her to have real talk for you/outsourcing your secret place

3. Reject Jezebel’s Ways [Doctrine] in You and Others

Confront and Keep Jezebel OUT of Your Heart through Confession

Guard your heart with all diligence [above all else] because Jezebel will try to get back in

Stay Humble, Compassionate, and Unyielding when Confronting Jezebel in Others

Be quick to apologize for and acknowledge misunderstanding/miscommunications
Assume the best of everyone, and remind yourself that Jezebel is killing the person she is influencing
Clearly and verbally identify the behaviors that won’t be tolerated while honoring the person
Set boundaries for future interactions

Be clear that the person is welcome in your life, but the unhealthy behaviors are not

Jezebel Resists the Work of Jesus in Your Life

Revelation 2:24-29 New King James Version

24 “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. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

“Step Into the Peace of Your Lord”

2 Kings 9:22 New King James Version

22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

To Tolerate Jezebel and Her Doctrine/Influence is to “Know the Depths of Satan”

Jezebel unchecked will cast you into a sickbed
Tolerating Jezebel will cast you into great tribulation
Both will kill your children death

There Can Be NO Peace for Us or Our Families Until Jezebel is Cast Down in Us

Don’t keep Jezebel hidden [Only Jesus and His Holy Spirit can discern her among His servants]

Lean into the conviction, confess, and repent!

Don’t remain in partnership with Jezebel [Don’t trust her as a prophetess/authority]
Don’t remain under Jezebel’s influence [Teaching and Seduction]

What you allow you become

Don’t tolerance Jezebel [Passivity]

What you tolerate you replicate

To Those Who Overcome Jezebel are Those Empowered to Keep Jesus’ Works Until the End