January 10 - Revelation. Thyatira (pt. 2)

January 10 – Revelation. Thyatira (pt. 2)
Revelation 2:18-29

The Jezebel that Jesus warned this small church about was leading many of His followers astray. No one was stopping it. They were simply allowing the corruption to continue without confrontation. Jesus had given her time to stop what she was doing, but she was perfectly comfortable with all of the attention she was receiving. The children he speaks of in Rev. 2:23 are those that are following her and find themselves as comfortable as she does in what they are doing.

Not only was this Jezebel leading the church into immorality, but she also promised them that they would learn the deep secrets of Satan. Jesus reminds them that only He, only God can search hearts and minds.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 tells us that the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God … and all so that we have the mind of Christ. This is what Jesus wants us to aspire to.

Jesus says that He will give authority to the overcomer in Rev. 2:26.

In Matthew 28:18, He tells His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He has the power to give that authority to whomever He pleases and He will give it to the overcomer.

The word ‘rule’ in Rev. 2:27 is the Greek word ‘poimanei’ which literally means to shepherd. They were told to act as shepherds to the nations.

While this verse comes from Psalm 2:9, the last verse of that Psalm says, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:12b) The church must take refuge in God. They were being pulled apart by the teachings of Jezebel. In Rev. 2:25, Jesus tells them to hold on and they will receive the morning star.

In Numbers 24:17, Balaam the Oracle received a word from the Spirit of God. This is definitely a prophecy of the Messiah. “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”

In Matthew 2:2, the Magi follow the star to the child, Jesus. They arrived out of the east. The morning comes from the east.

This is the Messiah in whom we find refuge. When God calls us to return to him from the seductions of all the world has to offer, He offers us the Savior, the Son of God, the morning star.