[Thyatira]

God spoke the following through J Leland Earls about the spirit of false religion.

The fourth church to which I wrote was Thyatira. Dur­ing this era, the apostasy culminated with the complete centralization of power in the bishop of Rome who was given the title of ‘Pope’ or papa of bishops. The eastern section of the organized church resisted this centralization of power in the west, and gradually a schism developed to such propor­tions that an open split resulted. After commending the faithful of the church of Thyatira for their works and charity and service and faith and patience, I expressed my displeas­ure at the increased apostasy: ‘Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jeze­bel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to se­duce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols’ (Rev. 2:20).

That which was the ‘doc­trine of Balaam’ during the Pergamos era, became, in the Thyatira period of the church, the seducing tactics of ‘that woman Jezebel.’

(Why is it called “the Jezebel spirit? It’s because it’s the same spirit that influenced and worked through the wicked queen Jezebel and we identify it’s evil characteristics by studying the ways in which this woman operated)

Jezebel was the wife of the wicked king Ahab during the days that Israel had almost completely aban­doned the faith of their fathers.

She was the daughter of a foreign king who brought her alien religion into lsrael, and because of the weakness of Ahab, she dominated the religious life of the nation, destroying the true prophets of God and establishing the prophets of Baal and Asherah. (see I Kings 16:30-32, 18:4, 13, 19). This is the typical picture I chose in order to portray the religious condition of the Thy­atira period, commonly referred to as the Middle Ages: the inception of which was in the years of growing papal power.

The word I spoke declares that Jezebel seduced my servants to commit fornication. Symbolically, this Jezebel is one and the same as the great whore described in the 17th chapter of Revelation, ‘with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication’ (Rev. 17:2). This ‘fornication’ has to do with the illicit relation­ship of church and state, primarily; however, it relates also to the unholy union of church and man-made organizations which purport to speak for me.

It is the church turning to the arm of flesh for its sustenance and propagating power. (See Jer. 17:5). This ‘mother of harlots’ is symbolic of false religion – that which is alien to the true spirit of Christ. She has filled the earth with her abominations, and the in­habitants of the earth are drunk with the wine of her forni­cation.

This woman has plied her trade for many centuries, even before the Christian era began. She is pictured as sit­ting upon many waters, or peoples, and also upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 17:1-3). From the over-all his­torical perspective, the seven heads are seven major nations or empires which have been, or will be, influenced by this woman.

They are: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (both pagan and Christian, including those nations which have apostatized into communism, raking up­on their heads the name of blasphemy – Rev. 13:1), and the coming world government of the false prophet which must continue for a short time (Rev. 13:11-18, 17:10, 19:20). The woman, or false religion, will continue to hold sway in the coming era of the seventh head, for the corrupt religious systems, both Catholic and Protestant, will enter into league with it. The sixth head, which ruled in the apostle John’s day (Rev. 17:10), has continued until this day, as its hereditary power has continued through Christendom, even though apostate and blasphemous.

Historically, the woman, which is the priestcraft of false religion, has affected the affairs of the nations direct­ly through the close relationship of government and an offi­cially supported priesthood. The priesthood has helped the ruling forces to maintain their power and control by keeping the masses of people in subjection through fear and supposed paternalistic favor. Thus the woman is supported or carried by the beast through an official working relationship between religion and state. In those former Christian nations which have taken upon their heads the name of blasphemy, how­ever, there is a different relationship between the woman and the beast.

The woman is responsible for the coming into being of such Marxist dictatorships by fostering conditions leading to severe reaction against the corrupt system which prevailed through her fornication. Thus false religion actu­ally is responsible for spawning communism; it is her off spring. And because she has spawned it, she shall be judged by it. This is portrayed in the prophetic picture by the following: ‘And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make, her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire” (Rev. 17:16).

The ten horns are ten nations which will be completely taken over by Marxist elements and become an integral part of the ‘sea beast’ of communism. (Rev. 13:1). They shall then turn on the religious systems and decimate them, both Catholic and Protestant. This will include the very stronghold of the Roman church system in Italy – the Vatican. Think not that only the Catholic branches of apostate Christianity will feel the wrath of the beast. The harlot daughters of the Protest­ant fold will also be greatly affected.

In the letter to Thyatira I gave this warning concern­ing Jezebel: ‘Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds’ (Rev. 2:22). It will be during the great tribulation that the great whore will be decimated by the communist powers, which correspond to the dogs that ate Jezebel after she was cast down and trodden under foot. (See II Kings 9:30-37).

I have given her much opportunity to repent of her fornication but she has refused, therefore “I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the reins and hearts: and I will give to everyone of you according to your works’ (Rev. 2:21, 23). My people, the time is drawing near when all of these things shall take place.

Therefore consider what I speak to thee, for even now you are being tried; and even now I am searching your heart. And to you I say, as I did to certain ones in Thyatira, ‘as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put on you none other burden. But that which you have already hold fast till I come” (Rev. 2:24).

30 Consistent Traits of the Jezebel Spirit

Jezebel is a spirit, but it finds access through areas in our heart and lives not submitted to God. It loves to use emotions as a playground. Although the Jezebel spirit is described in the Bible as being a woman, it does not actually have a gender. There is no doubt that it functions just as proficiently through men.

1. Refuses to admit guilt or wrong

A Jezebel spirit is never wrong, unless it is a temporary admittance of guilt to gain “favor” with someone. To accept responsibility would violate the core of insecurity and pride from which it operates. When a Jezebel apologizes it is never in true repentance or acknowledgment of wrongdoing but rather “I’m sorry your feelings were hurt.”

2. Takes credit for everything

While a strong trait of Jezebel is to never take responsibility for its wrong actions or behavior, it also is quick to take credit for benefits for which he contributed no effort.

3. Uses people to accomplish its agenda

The Jezebel spirit lets others do its dirty work. The Jezebel gets another person’s emotions stirred up, then lets that person go into a rage. The Jezebel sits back looking innocent, saying “Who me? What did I do?” This behavior makes it difficult for even the most ardent truth seekers to pin one down. The Jezebel spirit is clever in its agenda.

4. Withholds information

This is a form of control. A Jezebel wields power over you by knowing something you don’t know in a situation. In the eyes of a Jezebel, having information you don’t have is a powerful weapon of control.

5. Talks in confusion

It is impossible to converse with a Jezebel in logic. One pastor wrote a six-page letter to his elders about a situation in the church. The context was so vague that no one was without confusion. This is a way to maintain control and domination. When confronting a Jezebel, the subject may be changed five times in one minute. Confusion keeps them “undiscovered” and unexposed.

6. Volunteers for anything

A Jezebel volunteers in order to establish control. It seemingly has endless (nervous) energy and eagerly looks for opportunities to be in charge of projects. Although it will work hard, its motive is never pure, and eventually its secret agenda cannot be hidden.

7. Lies

A Jezebel lies convincingly. No one can lie better than it can. It can turn on the charm and make you believe blue is red. It always fools those whom it just met while those who have been victimized by its tactics stand by helplessly. The fact that Jezebel can look you in the eye and lie just shows how strong and adamant this rebellious and recalcitrant spirit is.

8. Ignores people

A classic ploy of a controller is to ignore you when you disagree with him. This tactic is frequently used by leaders when someone doesn’t agree with their plans, and they isolate the person by ignoring him. Some in these situations have been ignored for months, just because they chose not to be a puppet and say to every idea or whim. This puts the person out of the leader’s grace and forces him to either “come around” to the leader’s way of thinking or be indefinitely ignored. One is not free to disagree with a controller.

9. Never gives credit or shows gratitude

A Jezebel will rarely acknowledge another person’s actions, not even for something that turned out to greatly benefit the Jezebel. He just cannot bring himself to say thank you or to acknowledge that someone else did something right. There are those who have gone out of their way to bless a Jezebel by being the catalyst of sending him on a trip or giving a gift. Yet never will there be a thank you. This again puts the controller in a position of power.

10. Criticizes everyone

This is a characteristic of a controller. He has to be the one who looks good, so he will quickly sharply criticize anyone who makes a suggestion or plan. Even though he likes the plan, he can only criticize it because the idea did not originate from him. Criticizing others elevates the controller in his own mind. Makes you feel like you have to walk on eggs around them while they do and say whatever they want. Takes offense easy.

11. Oneupmanship

A person with a Jezebel spirit will always upstage another person. He feels threatened by anyone who dares to steal the limelight or anyone who is a threat to his power and control. If you are with such a person and tell of your accomplishment or victory, you can be assured he will quickly tell of something he has accomplished.

12. Sequesters information

A Jezebel loves to be in control of information. If there is ever a situation where information is important, he will push to be the “first” to know it. He seems to know everything about everyone. Where he gets all his information is beyond comprehension, but he can dictate to you data and details about people’s lives and actions in mass quantities.

13. Uses information

A Jezebel uses information as a leverage for power and then shares tidbits with you, often things told him in confidence. This gives him a sense of power, even to the point of trying to impress people by “knowing things” that others do not.

14. Talks incessantly

Many people talk habitually, but a Jezebel uses talking as a form of control. In a typical conversation, he does all the talking, whether it is about sports, the weather or the Kingdom of God. Because of this form of control, he is unable to receive input from anyone in his life. All conversation with him is one-sided. You are doing the listening.

15. Spiritualizes everything

When a controller is confronted, he commonly spiritualizes the situation, explaining it off on God. This prevents him from owning up to responsibility required of him. The implication is always, “You’ve got a problem; I don’t.”

16. Is insubordinate

A Jezebel never takes the side of the employer or a person in authority, unless it is a temporary action to make himself look good. He often will take credit for someone else’s idea. His main desire is for power and control. There is no conscience when an opportunity for recognition presents itself.

17. Is pushy and domineering

A person with a Jezebel spirit pressures you to do things, seemingly ripping from you your right to choose or make a decision for yourself. He makes others feel as though they don’t have enough sense to think for themselves.

18. Is clairvoyant

Many who operate with a spirit of control also have a clairvoyant spirit. A Jezebel has supernatural help in knowning and sensing information. If he uses this against you, he may say “I can’t tell you how I know this. I just know it.” This is not the Holy Spirit, but the help of a clairvoyant or familiar spirit. Clairvoyance may be defined as the power to perceive things that are out of the range of human senses.

19. Uses the element of surprise

A Jezebel’s main thrust is to be in control, and a large part of control is catching you off guard. Therefore, the element of surprise works well when he shows up a day early for a meeting, etc.

20. Sows seeds of discord

A Jezebel will continually belittle another person in the most subtle way. The strategy is to “gain” control by minimizing the value of another person. It is common for him to tell half-truths to implicate another person in your eyes. By sowing these seeds, he hopes to eventually reap a harvest of destruction, improving his position of power.

21. Commands attention

A Jezebel likes to be the center of attention and doesn’t like to see others recognized and lauded. When someone else is recognized, he will quickly undermine the person’s accomplishments verbally.

22. Is vengeful

Since a Jezebel is never wrong, if you contradict or confront one, get ready to become his worst enemy. As long as you are in agreement with him, all is fine. But if you confront or challenge him, then look out. You are the target of his fiercest venom. A Jezebel will stop at nothing to destroy your reputation.

23. Attempts to make you look like you’re the Jezebel

A Jezebel spirit is difficult to pin down. If the person is near to being confronted, he or she will skillfully twist the entire situation, trying to make the innocent person look like the one who is attempting to control. As always, the Jezebel will do anything to look like the one who is right. It blames its victims of what it is guilty of. Psychopathic tendencies and behavioural patterns.

24. Insinuates disapproval

A Jezebel will often imply disapproval to those under his or her control. The controlled person feels no freedom to express an opinion, for fear of disapproval. This often manifests in a marriage or in a working environment.

25. Knows it all

A Jezebel is usually blatant regarding his knowledge of everything. Quick to express his opinion in any area, he leaves little room for anyone to point out the other side of an issue. He has made idols of his opinions.

26. Is ambitious

The Jezebel has strong desire, but all for self. “I want what I want when I want it,” describes his worship of self-will. A Jezebel leader will never use the words, “We have a vision,” but rather, “My vision is thus and so.”

27. Gift giving

Gift giving is a form of manipulation a Jezebel uses that always makes you feel obligated to it. It also compromises the victim in speaking direct and confrontive truth. Naturally, not everyone who gives gifts is guilty of control, but gift giving is a tactic used by those who have a need to control.

Likes to through what they did for a person in their face. God causes it to rain upon the righteous and unrighteous and all of our giving must be as unto the Lord.

28. Is independent

No one has input in a Jezebel’s life. It fraternizes with no one unless it is to get you to “cooperate” with its agenda.

29. Is religious

A Jezebel dwells in the local church but doesn’t like authority unless it is in the position of authority. It interferes with the flow and work of the Holy Spirit. Can be very pious and project false humility until confronted. Also likes to use God’s word to manipulate or put guilt on its victims to further its own agendas. Has an obsession with submission. Love sets free it does not control or manipulate.

30. Hides

We all want to believe that the person with a Jezebel spirit is delivered. The person may seem “normal” for a period, exhibiting none of the classic traits. Then suddenly without warning a situation will arise, once again with the spirit taking control and wreaking havoc over lives. Hopefully, true repentance will come. Only then will the person be delivered.

The good news is that God gives each individual person the freedom of choice. Everyone has the freedom to make decisions, to make mistakes, to think for himself, to communicate, to like or dislike and to express his taste and creativity.

Those who control are in worship of their own wills and their own ways. Thank God for freedom.

If you recognize any of these traits in your own life, begin by praying this prayer:

Father, I acknowledge that I have yielded myself to the spirit of Jezebel. I come to you, humbling myself before you. I desire your standard of righteousness and holiness.

I ask you to forgive me for my tolerance of the Jezebel spirit and for being sympathetic to its ways. Please forgive me for every way I have opened myself up to this spirit. Help me to ruthlessly reject every type of this thinking and the desire to control and manipulate other people.

I renounce and bind this demon of Jezebel, and I pull down this stronghold in my life through Christ. I call the fire of God’s Holy Spirit to destroy its powerstructures in and over my life in Jesus mighty name and I renounce the demonic character structures through which this spirit operates through my life.

I choose to renounce and subject the throne of my emotions to King Jesus. Lord Jesus I ask You to now invade and displace Jezebel’s kingdom in every part of me and give me the grace by Your Spirit to overcome.

I choose to let down all guards of emotional self defense and I call forth the hammer of God according to Jeremiah 23:29 to smash down all walls of defences. I renounce all the emotional wounds and trains of thoughts through which this spirit operated in my life to the Lord ship of Jesus Christ.

Please Father I ask that God binds up all my brokenness, heal my wounds and fill me with Your holy love. Help me Lord Jesus to renounce all roots of bitterness, unforgiveness and offences.

Also if Jezebel entered my life through generational curses or witchcraft I choose to renounce it in Jesus name. Also if it operates through sorceries, blood sacrifices, incantations, spells, hexes, vexes, charms or any ritual vows I renounce and pull down those strongholds and altars through Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior.

I release God’s judgment upon it. Father please displace all deception in my heart and mind with Your truth and fill me with Your Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit I will live by your standard of righteousness, holiness and conduct. Open my eyes and cause Your light to expose any darkness, and help me to walk in humility and truth. I ask You Father to now wield the sword of the Lord and cut the cords of intimidation, manipulation, religion, sexual immorality, false humility, domineering, rebellion, intellectualism, witchcraft and control. I renounce these spirits that works under Jezebel in Jesus name.

In Jesus Name,

Amen