Revelation 2:20-24
A few weeks ago, a few Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my door to talk to me about their religion. I asked them a few questions about the Gospel of John, and they decided that they didn’t want to talk any further. This left me wondering: How does a cult like that start? If you’ve ever wondered how false teachers gain influence in churches, Jesus gives us a clear window into their playbook in his letter to the church in Thyatira.
First, he says, “Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.” (v. 21) That line says a lot. Notice, “she calls herself” a prophetess. The church didn’t give her that title. The elders didn’t affirm her gifting. She just claimed the authority. That’s often how false teachers operate; they self-appoint. They don’t wait for community affirmation; they assert their role and expect others to fall in line. But that’s not the biblical model. In Scripture, gifts are affirmed in community, not claimed in isolation. If someone walks in saying, “God told me,” but isn’t willing to be tested, questioned, or corrected by the church… that’s a red flag.
Then Jesus says, “I gave her time to repent, but she refuses.” (v. 22) False teachers aren’t just misguided; they’re often unrepentant. One of the key marks of someone who’s walking with Jesus is a humble and teachable heart. A person who never says, “I was wrong,” or “I need grace,” is a person to be cautious around. They might be charismatic, but pay attention to whether or not they’re Christlike.
Finally, Jesus says some in Thyatira had been lured into “the deep things of Satan.” (v. 24) That’s a haunting phrase. False teaching often comes disguised as “secret wisdom.” “I’ll show you the real truth.” “There’s more to this if you’re ready for it.” That’s not just manipulation, it’s classic cult behavior. In his prolific book about cults, Walter Martin wrote, “One of the distinctive marks of a cult is its claim to secret knowledge; truth revealed only to the initiated, withheld from the outsider.” And Jesus is saying: Don’t fall for it. Truth doesn’t hide in the shadows, it walks in the light.
Here’s the challenge for us as believers: Be committed to knowing and following Scripture. Test what you hear. Don’t tolerate what Jesus wouldn’t. Be teachable and discerning. And always remember, it’s always about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s the foundation of our faith.
Ryan Paulson
Lead Pastor