Persecution: Spirit of Jezebel
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Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the "Spirit of Jezebel" is often discussed within Christian circles as a metaphorical representation of certain destructive behaviors and attitudes that oppose the work of God. This term is derived from the biblical account of Queen Jezebel, a Phoenician princess who became the wife of King Ahab of Israel. Her account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings.

Biblical Background

Jezebel is introduced in 1 Kings 16:31, where it is noted that Ahab "not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him." Jezebel's influence led Ahab and the nation of Israel into idolatry and the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity. Her actions were in direct opposition to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Jezebel's persecution of the prophets of Yahweh is a significant aspect of her legacy. In 1 Kings 18:4, it is recorded that "while Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water." This act of persecution highlights her aggressive stance against the true prophets of God and her determination to suppress the worship of Yahweh.

Characteristics of the Spirit of Jezebel

The "Spirit of Jezebel" is often characterized by several key traits that are seen as antithetical to Christian values:

1. Idolatry and False Worship: Just as Jezebel promoted the worship of Baal, the spirit associated with her name is seen as encouraging idolatry and leading people away from true worship of God.

2. Manipulation and Control: Jezebel's influence over Ahab and her ability to manipulate situations to her advantage, such as orchestrating the death of Naboth to seize his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-16), exemplify a spirit of manipulation and control.

3. Persecution of the Righteous: The spirit is also associated with the persecution of those who stand for truth and righteousness, as seen in Jezebel's relentless pursuit of Elijah and the prophets of Yahweh.

4. Immorality and Deception: In Revelation 2:20, the church in Thyatira is warned about a woman who "calls herself a prophetess" and leads God’s servants into immorality and idolatry, reminiscent of Jezebel's actions. This passage is often linked to the spirit of Jezebel, highlighting themes of immorality and deception.

Impact on the Church

The spirit of Jezebel is believed to manifest in various ways within the church and society, often through individuals or ideologies that seek to undermine biblical authority and promote ungodly practices. This spirit is seen as a source of division, strife, and moral compromise, challenging the church to remain vigilant and steadfast in its commitment to biblical truth.

Response to the Spirit of Jezebel

Believers are encouraged to respond to the spirit of Jezebel with discernment and spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Prayer, adherence to Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential in combating the influence of this spirit.

In summary, the spirit of Jezebel represents a formidable challenge to the faith and integrity of the Christian community, calling for a resolute commitment to the principles of God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome its influence.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 19:2
Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not your life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... clothed Elijah, and through him reproved Jezebel and Ahab ... the land of Babylon; and
the spirit that delivered ... there came great affliction and persecution to the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... In the case of Elijah, Ahab and Jezebel, together with ... The Holy Spirit is prepared,
not only to be ... us to witness for Jesus, to endure the persecution and trial ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

Epistles to the Seven Churches.
... was slain (Dr. Hales thinks) in Domitian's persecution, in AD94. ... an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit saith to ... She is probably called Jezebel, from her being a ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/epistles to the seven churches.htm

A Message from the Crowned Christ
... this might be changed, but with Jezebel-like obstinacy it ... obstinacy will be a great
tribulation or deadly persecution. ... in the control of the Holy Spirit and of ...
/.../iv a message from the crowned.htm

Peace
... Peace ecclesiastical stands in opposition to schism and persecution. ... it, and drop
it upon us by his Spirit. ... long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 peace.htm

"What Doest Thou Here?"
... had been turned away by the threat of Jezebel. ... Baal ignorantly, but with whom the
Spirit of God ... discouragement from duty, because of opposition or persecution. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 13 what doest thou.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Saul persecuted David; and Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah; and ... godly in Christ Jesus shall
suffer persecution:" or, as he ... him that was born after the Spirit, even so ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The Laodicean State of Christendom.
... century AD"a period of persecution and martyrdom ... because thou sufferest that woman
Jezebel, which calleth ... characteristic of Laodicea is the spirit of boosting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 the laodicean state of.htm

Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... no contradiction, and when her proud spirit was roused ... Yet in that very court where
Jezebel was mistress ... the days when there was persecution everywhere against ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/obadiah or early piety eminent.htm

The Second Part.
... Ely take heede of judging Hanna's Spirit rashly by ... are loth to forgo them: If Jezebel
proclaime a ... powring out flouds of persecution against the Church, causing ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

Resources
What is Donatism? | GotQuestions.org

What was early Christianity like? | GotQuestions.org

What is totalitarianism? | GotQuestions.org

Persecution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Persecution

Persecution is Inconsistent With the Spirit of the Gospel

Persecution is Sometimes to Death

Persecution of Abel

Persecution of Antipas

Persecution of Daniel

Persecution of David

Persecution of Elijah

Persecution of Elisha

Persecution of Gideon

Persecution of Hanani

Persecution of James

Persecution of Jeremiah

Persecution of Jesus

Persecution of Job

Persecution of John

Persecution of John the Baptist

Persecution of Lazarus

Persecution of Lot

Persecution of Micaiah

Persecution of Moses

Persecution of Prophets

Persecution of Prophets Martyred by Jezebel

Persecution of Saints, is a Persecution of Christ

Persecution of Simon

Persecution of Stephen

Persecution of the Apostles

Persecution of the Congregation at Smyrna

Persecution of the Disciples

Persecution of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ)

Persecution of the Jews

Persecution of the Righteous

Persecution of the Righteous: A Mode of Divine Chastisement

Persecution of the Righteous: Deliverance From

Persecution of the Righteous: Diffuses the Gospel

Persecution of the Three Hebrew Young Men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego) of the Captivity

Persecution of Timothy

Persecution of Urijah

Persecution of Zachariah

Persecution: All That Live Godly in Christ, Shall Suffer

Persecution: Blessedness of Enduring, for Christ's Sake

Persecution: Cannot Separated from Christ

Persecution: Christ Suffered

Persecution: Christ Voluntarily Submitted To

Persecution: Christ Was Patient Under

Persecution: False Teachers Shrink From

Persecution: God Delivers out of

Persecution: God Forsakes not his Saints Under

Persecution: Hypocrites Cannot Endure

Persecution: Lawful Means May be Used to Escape

Persecution: Men by Nature Addicted To

Persecution: Originates: Hated to God and Christ

Persecution: Originates: Hatred to the Gospel

Persecution: Originates: Ignorance of God and Christ

Persecution: Originates: Mistaken Zeal

Persecution: Originates: Pride

Persecution: Pray for Those Suffering

Persecution: Preacher of the Gospel Subject To

Persecution: Saints May Expect

Persecution: Saints Suffer, for the Sake of God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Commit Themselves to God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Exhibit Patience

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Glorify God

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Deliverance

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Pray for Those Who Inflict

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Rejoice

Persecution: Saints Suffering, should Return Blessing For

Persecution: Spirit of Chaldeans

Persecution: Spirit of Gentiles

Persecution: Spirit of Herod

Persecution: Spirit of Jews

Persecution: Spirit of Jezebel

Persecution: Spirit of Paul

Persecution: Spirit of Pharaoh

Persecution: Spirit of Pharisees

Persecution: Spirit of Saul

Persecution: Spirit of Zedekiah

Persecution: Suffering of Apostles

Persecution: Suffering of Daniel

Persecution: Suffering of David

Persecution: Suffering of Hebrews

Persecution: Suffering of Jeremiah

Persecution: Suffering of Micaiah

Persecution: Suffering of Paul and Barnabas

Persecution: Suffering of Paul and Silas

Persecution: Suffering of Peter

Persecution: Suffering of Saints of Old

Persecution: Suffering of The Church

Persecution: Suffering of The Prophets

Persecution: The Hope of Future Blessedness Supports Under

Persecution: The Wicked: Active In

Persecution: The Wicked: Addicted To

Persecution: The Wicked: Encourage Each Other In

Persecution: The Wicked: Illustrated

Persecution: The Wicked: Punishment For

Persecution: The Wicked: Rejoice in Its Success

Related Terms

Phygellus (1 Occurrence)

Phygelus (1 Occurrence)

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)

Lystra (6 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Apostolic (2 Occurrences)

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)

Testaments

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Witch (2 Occurrences)

Between (2624 Occurrences)

Offended (26 Occurrences)

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Within (400 Occurrences)

Firm (111 Occurrences)

Temporary (13 Occurrences)

Rome (12 Occurrences)

Dispersed (28 Occurrences)

Driven (128 Occurrences)

Arises (21 Occurrences)

Ariseth (20 Occurrences)

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)

Short (128 Occurrences)

Nero

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Message (222 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Account (460 Occurrences)

Derbe (4 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Age (404 Occurrences)

Straightway (96 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Region (96 Occurrences)

Persecuting (14 Occurrences)

Philip (37 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Subapostolic

Sub-apostolic

Simon (75 Occurrences)

Mark (182 Occurrences)

Sermon (1 Occurrence)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Victor's (4 Occurrences)

Various (52 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Nakedness (50 Occurrences)

Urged (44 Occurrences)

Upper (99 Occurrences)

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)

Offense (44 Occurrences)

Overthrown (44 Occurrences)

Olves

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)

Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)

Joyful (83 Occurrences)

Jabneh (1 Occurrence)

James (40 Occurrences)

Jabneel (2 Occurrences)

Leading (101 Occurrences)

Lasts (9 Occurrences)

Gentlewomen (3 Occurrences)

Goods (231 Occurrences)

Godly (50 Occurrences)

Word's (3 Occurrences)

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)

Wreath (21 Occurrences)

Influenced (2 Occurrences)

Persecution: Spirit of Jews
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