The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope

Practical (cont.)
Its adherents have descended to
“the depths of Satan”, and God
will “kill her children with death”.
Commendation is given for works
more than faith, but condemnation
is expressed for awful idolatry and
immorality introduced by a
prophetess called Jezebel.
There is a clear parallel here with
the Jezebel of Old Testament times.
This woman was the wife of Ahab,
king of Israel. She was also the
daughter of Ethbaal, king of the
Zidonians. She slew the prophets
of the Lord (1Kings18:4,13),
funded 450 prophets of Baal and
400 prophets of the groves (1Kings
18:19), and promoted idolatry and
immorality in Israel. Spiritual
apostasy is usually accompanied
by moral depravity.
The only word of comfort is for
those who "have not known the
depths of Satan" (v.24). They are to
"hold fast till I come" (v.25), and
then will be rewarded. They will
reign with Christ in His kingdom.
In contrast, the children of this
apostate Church will be cast into
Great Tribulation and killed.
151
The Book of the Revelation
Prophetic (cont.)
The Roman Church will continue
into the Great Tribulation.
"Behold, I will cast her... and
them that commit adultery with
her into great tribulation...
(Rev. 2:22).
During the Great Tribulation
apostate Rome will be judged;
"I will kill her children with
death" (Rev 2:23).
This is described in Revelation
ch.17, where the harlot woman is
clearly apostate Christendom
headed up by Rome during the
Tribulation (Rev.17:9,18). After
Christendom rides the fourth
beast to power (ie the Revived
Roman Empire), Antichrist will
turn against Christendom.
"The ten horns...shall hate the
whore, and shall make her
desolate and naked, and shall eat
her flesh, and burn her with fire"
(Rev.17:16).
Christendom has craved political
power throughout the Holy
Roman Empire, and lately by its
influence in the EU. However,
only the saved will reign with
Christ (Rev.2:26), and these will
be given the "morning star" (ie
they will be caught up at the
Rapture). Christ's second coming
is likened to the "Sun of
righteousness" arising (Mal.4:2),
but the "morning star " rises first;
Christ will come to catch away the
saved before the Tribulation.