Daily Devotional For February 29, 2028
And I have against you that you permit the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and deceive my servants to commit fornication and eat food offered to idols. Rev 2:20.
We catch a glimpse in this text of a “conservative/liberal” conflict in the late first-century church. Conservatives no doubt pointed out the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Given the pointed nature of that commandment, could a serious Christian even think about participating in cultic prostitution? Some Christians may have found a theological justification for this kind of activity in the writings of Paul, who argued that the state had authority to require certain things.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgments on themselves. . . . Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” (Romans 13:1-7 NIV)
This remarkable passage could have been used by the Nicolaitans as a justification for participating in the requirements of civil religion (see 1 Tim 2:2-3, NIV, also). We are to pray for, obey, respect, and honor the authorities. I’m sure Paul would not have approved of cultic prostitution. In 1 Corinthians 8-10, however, Paul is fairly clear that eating food offered to idols is not a major issue in itself. One suspects that sincere Christians who differed with the perspective of Revelation might have found encouragement in Paul’s letters, whether or not they were reading correctly.
The reality is that Paul’s situation was quite different than John’s. Circumstances alter cases. The book of Revelation recommends social, political, and economic withdrawal from society, if necessary, in order to be faithful to the instructions of Jesus. John takes a hard line with the believers that Paul did not feel was necessary in his day. Evidently circumstances had changed in the forty years between Paul’s letters and Revelation. Actions that would have been acceptable in the past were no longer so, due to changing circumstances.
Lord, help me to be discerning of the times. May I never use a plausible interpretation of Scripture as an excuse for sin. Help me to handle Your Word with careful attention to the original context.