Revelation 2:19-20

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

God told the church at Thyatira that He had seen their works of love, service, faith and patience. Those are wonderful things and actually, they are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But there was a problem. The church had allowed a woman, who called herself a prophetess, to take a position of authority, teaching in the church in the role that was strictly reserved for men, and leading the congregation astray. God made it clear to young Timothy through the apostle Paul that women were to learn in "silence" in the churches (I Corinthians 14:34). God is holding that same thing against the modern church. Too many times women are in leadership roles in the church, when those roles were designed for men. 1 Timothy 2:12 teaches us that women are not to "usurp authority" over men in the church. The word "authority" in the Greek is associated with teaching. From the beginning until right now, God did not ordain women to lead in the church.

Does that mean that women should not have any active roles in the church? Absolutely not! Women should absolutely come together and study God's Word as a group. Women should also teach the youth the Word of God in church and at home. But when it comes to offices such as pastor, elder, deacon, or any role that handles the scripture over mixed congregations, those roles are strictly reserved for men. God is going to hold the modern church responsible for allowing the spirit of Jezebel to run rampant through the church just like He held the Thyatira church responsible. Believers, let's remember to stay in our God-given roles.