ACC ~ Revelation 2 v20 - 21

CHRIST OPPOSES BISHOPS WHO FAIL TO DISCIPLINE SINNERS. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: He is speaking to the leaders of the churches who fail to impose the severity of ecclesiastical discipline upon the extravagant and the fornicator and those who do whatever other kind of evil. It is possible that this also refers to heretics. “Who calls herself a prophetess,” that is, a Christian, for many heresies flatter themselves with this name. EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE 2.20, HOMILY 2.

THE LORD DOES NOT WISH THE DEATH OF SINNERS. OECUMENIUS: To show that God alone possesses perfect sinlessness, he says, “I have this against you.” And what do I have [against you]? “That you have the woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,” and you do not throw her out. For in the person of Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, he sees a paradigm for the wickedness of that woman who lived at that time. And she, he says, “who calls herself a prophetess, teaches and deceives” many to commit fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. He refers either to physical fornication or to that apostasy from God of which it is said, “And they committed fornication in their works,” and again, “They committed adultery with wood.” But the Lord does not wish the death of a sinner but rather his conversion and life, and so he says that he gave to her an opportunity for repentance. But if she does not wish to repent, he says, I will do such and such to her and to those who commit adultery with her, so that all might know that it is I who am God—for it is the prerogative of God to search minds and the hearts. For it is said, “It is God who searches the heart and mind.” But, indeed, to those who have nothing in common with that adulterous woman, that is, those who are more simple and do not know the deceitful crafts of the evil one—for this is what you say—upon you I will place no greater burden, for your simplicity suffices. Only hold fast the teaching which has been handed over to you until my second coming. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2.18-29.

HERESY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO DECEIVE THE SIMPLE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Although on account of [your] faithfulness and your service for those in need I acknowledge your piety and your endurance, nonetheless I rightly blame you, because you allow the heresy of the Nicolaitans to exist openly. This heresy is figuratively called “Jezebel” because of its impiety and licentiousness. Because of this [heresy] my servants, through their simplicity of mind, are presented with a stone of stumbling and are drawn toward idolatrous practices from which they had [previously] fled. You must curb this [heresy], because it deceitfully calls herself a prophetess, being moved by an evil spirit. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2.19-20.

Rev