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seeing, all knowing Lord, with "Eyes like unto flames of fire" (piercing into all spectrums and dimensions) and with "feet of fine brass," indicating His resolve to tread down His enemies with judgment.

          They were commended for their works (twice) indicating that works are the primary focus of this church. So too, today we see the Catholic Church leading the pack with the Social humanitarian Gospel -- feeding the poor, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, etc.
They were reproved for tolerating "Jezebel,", who seduces Christ's servants to commit "fornication," indicating the presence of demonically controlled people, who seduce God's people from Biblical truth to the "traditions of men -- thus another aberrant hybrid, mixing paganism with truth -- leading to doctrinal error.

          Jezebel, Ahab's wife in the Old Testament (1 Kings Chaps. 16-21) was a murderess, who led the children of Israel into idolatry. She stirred Ahab to do more evil than any other Old Testament king. Figuratively, she represents the Papal system, which led people into ritualized religion; through the continual "sacrifice of the Mass", Christ is continuously transformed and sacrificed daily. By calling priests, "Father", the church and its emissaries, placed themselves as intermediaries between God and men. In addition, paganism and all forms of doctrinal error are propagated -- repetitive prayers; prayers to Mary; the saints, and to icons and all kinds of Biblical distortions can be found in her teachings, resulting in Jezebelism. Like Ahab and Jezebel of old, the Catholic Church has shed more Holy blood than all the Roman Emperors combined; throughout the "Dark Ages", her "Inquisitors" ravaged Europe, committing all manner of atrocities -- murdering and torturing untold millions of "heretics". All in the name of Jesus Christ. (See Foxe's Book of Martyrs)
Christ warns those who "tolerate" this Jezebel" that they will be cast into "great tribulation" which may point to the fact that all who work together with this church (from within and without) will come under God's judgment and may be cast into the "Tribulation" for simply tolerating her errors.
         
Even though Christ commends this church twice for her faithful service -it becomes increasingly apparent, as we study these letters, that He values adherence to His Word above all of our works; if we dilute our doctrines and bury our differences (so we can work together) but tolerate error, we shall surely incur God's displeasure and rejection at His return. Cowardice is abhorrent to the Lord, so let us uncompromisingly stand for the truth, in all of our circumstances. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" and "those who worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." Having one without the other is like rowing a boat with one oar -- we will find ourselves turning endlessly in circles; but with both oars firmly held, we can move ever forward.

          Overcomers are promised rulership with Christ and will be given "The  Morning Star," which is the first star to herald daybreak. What this means is that Christ will give all who conquer this system, the Revelation as to the approximate season of His return, thus they will see it coming long before others ever have a clue.

          This represents the Protestant Church since the "Reformation". Christ reveals