Revelation 2:21 Commentary and Bible Study

Everyone agrees this means a bed of sickness. She is going to be struck down with a terrible illness from which she will die, as will those who are her disciples. Those who adopt her policy will know great trial and trouble in their lives, but her immediate disciples, who help her propagate this, will die also. Now it does not mean that anybody who compromises today, even if it is an unconverted false teacher, is going to be judged before our eyes with a terrible illness and a death. This was done specifically to Jezebel – her symbolic name – and to her immediate followers in those days so that the church of Christ could see the mind of God.It is rather like Ananias and Sapphira who suffered death because they lied against the Holy Ghost. If we lie against the Holy Ghost, we will not necessarily suffer the same immediate fate. Because it was done to Ananias and Sapphira, it does not mean it is going to be done to all of us. We will be judged in due time, at the end of life. It was done instantly to them as a warning to us of God’s mind in the matter, as with Jezebel. In this case, she and her immediate disciples would die so that the churches would know how seriously God takes this.