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The congregation of Thyatira
« To the angel of the congregation in Thyatira write: These are the things that the Son of God says, the one who has eyes like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine copper: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and ministry and endurance, and that your deeds of late are more than those you did at first.
“‘Nevertheless, I do hold this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. Look! I am about to throw her into a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with deadly plague, so that all the congregations will know that I am the one who searches the innermost thoughts and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds.
“‘However, I say to the rest of you who are in Thyatira, all those who do not follow this teaching, those who did not get to know the so-called “deep things of Satan”: I am not putting on you any other burden. Just the same, hold fast to what you have until I come. And to the one who conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations, and he will shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, just as I have received from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’ » (Apocalypse 2:18-29).
Regarding the Congregation of Thyatira, Jesus Christ is blaming the congregation about the undesirable presence of a woman who behaves like Jezebel. The historical story of her, at the same time violent and immoral, is in the narrative of the two biblical books of the Kings (see 1 Kings 16:32,33; 17:1-3; 18:4,13; 19:1-4, 14; 21:1-16; 2 kings 9:30-37 (her violent death)). In this context, the « deep things of Satan » are linked to teachings that had infiltrated the congregation—teachings like those of Jezebel (Does the devil exist?).
Beyond the bad behavior of this woman, mentioned by Jesus Christ, arises the question of the role of women in the Christian congregation.
In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul insists that Christian meetings should be conducted in order: « For God is a God not of disorder but of peace » (1 Corinthians 14:33). Let everyone speak for the purpose of spiritually building the congregation (1 Corinthians 14:26). This teaching must be understandable for the whole congregation: « Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue » (1 Corinthians 14:19).
As part of congregational meetings, in the spiritual sanctuary temple, in the framework of teaching, women are not allowed to speak in any way: « As in all the congregations of the holy ones, let the women keep silent in the congregations, for it is not permitted for them to speak. Rather, let them be in subjection, as the Law also says. If they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the congregation » (1 Corinthians 14:33-35). The expression, « As in all the congregations of the holy ones », shows that it is not simply a local decision, or only applying to the congregation of Corinth, but a divine instruction applied to all Christian congregations of holy ones. Moreover, this biblical instruction is repeated in the first letter to Timothy: « Let a woman learn in silence with full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but she is to remain silent » (1 Timothy 2:11,12).
After such a statement, some might claim that these words are misogynistic, as they sideline women within the congregation itself. The Apostle Paul demonstrated that the Mosaic Law served as a model for the future functioning of the Christian congregation: « Those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ » (Colossians 2:17) and « For since the Law has a shadow of the good things to come, but not the very substance of the things » (Hebrews 10:1).
Consequently, the operational pattern of the Christian congregation is rooted in the reality of Christ, and its framework is the spiritual temple-sanctuary. Indeed, in the book of Revelation, while sending messages to the seven congregations, Christ is within the precincts of this temple-sanctuary—specifically, in the Holy Place (Revelation, chapter 1). The temple-sanctuary represents the framework for the inner functioning of the Christian congregation within the context of worshiping YHWH God. Only priests held a primary teaching role. In the courtyard of that same temple-sanctuary, they were assisted by non-priestly Levites with practical tasks.
Similarly, today, congregation overseers (bishops) act as priests, while ministerial servants (deacons) serve as assistants to the overseers. The qualifications for overseers and ministerial servants are found in the first letter to Timothy (3:1–7 for overseers; 3:8–10 for ministerial servants). Within the formal framework of internal operations (inside the spiritual temple-sanctuary), God—the heavenly Father—and His Son, Jesus Christ, did not intend to authorize women to play an active role in teaching or public prayer.
Naturally, outside the formal setting of a congregation meeting, a woman may preach and teach publicly. For instance, consider this account from Acts: “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus; he was an eloquent man who was well-versed in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of Jehovah, and aglow with the spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about Jesus, but he was acquainted only with the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him into their company and explained the way of God more accurately to him” (Acts 18:24-26). Thus, Priscilla, Aquila’s wife, actively participated in publicly teaching the good news outside the formal meetings of the Christian congregation.
In informal settings among Christians—such as during a meal or a casual social gathering—where discussions, readings, and Bible studies take place, both men and women may speak, provided it is not a formal congregation meeting (like the one described in 1 Corinthians chapter 14) (The Administration of the Christian Congregation, According to the Bible (Colossians 2:17)).
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