A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 65
Jesus concludes his message to the church in Thyatira (as He did in all seven of His messages to the churches) with promises to the one who overcomes. As in all the other churches, the promises to the Overcomer in Thyatira were incredible and perfectly fitting for the believers in that church.
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations
—‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”—Revelation 2:26-29 (NKJV)
These promises were never meant for everyone in the Church. They are only offered to those individuals within the Church who go above and beyond what most believers are willing to do. These are the individuals who overcome the issues that Jesus points out to be corrected and who serve the Lord with single hearts as His bond servants.
Real Authority
The church in Thyatira was characterized by Jezebel’s illegitimate leadership. She called herself a prophetess, but Jesus exposed her as a false teacher who seduced the believers to commit immorality and idolatry.
The Thyatira church represents the Dark Ages that saw the rise of the illegitimate church hierarchy culminating in the pope blasphemously claiming the title of “Head of the Church,” establishing himself in the place reserved for Jesus alone. (See Ephesians 1:22 and 5:23 and Colossians 1:18.) Even today, on the official website of the Vatican, the pope is given the title of “The Holy Father,” usurping the place of God Himself. (See Matthew 23:9.)
In contrast to those who rule over God’s people with unjust, illegitimate authority, Jesus promises to give the Overcomer “power over the nations—‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels.’”
This is real authority! This is not the illegitimate authority that the false church leaders gain by giving titles to themselves. This authority is given by Jesus Christ Himself, and this authority will be backed up by God!
In giving this promise of ruling power to the Overcomer, Jesus is quoting from the 2nd Psalm. This Psalm speaks of the ultimate governmental authority given to the Son of God.
“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’” —Psalm 2:7-9 (NKJV)
The remarkable thing about this promise to the Overcomer is that the authority Jesus promises to give is the same authority that is given to Him by His Father God!
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father”—Revelation 2:27 (NKJV)
These are the same words used to describe the authority of Jesus Himself when He returns to earth as the conquering King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
“And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.”—Revelation 19:15 (NKJV)
But the promises don’t stop there. Jesus also promises the Overcomer that “I will give him the morning star” (Revelation 2:28 NKJV).
The Morning Star
The promise of the morning star was particularly appropriate for the overcomers in Thyatira because this church represents the Church during the Dark Ages. During this time, darkness increased, and the light of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ was being intentionally snuffed out by the powers of Darkness. The struggle was intense, and Darkness seemed to be winning. The true disciples of Christ clung to their hope that evil would be defeated and Truth would ultimately prevail.
Peter’s words of hope seem very appropriate for the believers living in this dark time:
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”—2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)
Things looked very dark for the Church at this time, but darkness would not win! God had not abandoned His Church. God would begin very soon to restore all things that had been stolen from the Church! Jesus Himself would be the Morning Star that would bring the light of Reformation to the Church and restore, one by one, each Truth that had been stolen or corrupted by the false church in the Dark Ages!
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.”—Revelation 22:16 (AMP)
Even during the last years of the Thyatirean Church Age, the light of Reformation began to dawn as John Wycliffe was inspired to translate the Bible into English so that it could be read by the common people.
John Wycliffe later became known as the “morning star” of the Reformation.
Reference:
The Holy Father. The Holy See. (n.d.). https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/index.htm
