The Promise - Revelation 2:24-29

The Promise - Revelation 2:24-29

THE PROMISE

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden (2:24).

Depths of Satan – Jezebel and her followers claimed to be plumbing the very depths of Satan’s domain and remaining spiritually unscathed. They believed that they were free to engage the sphere of Satan and participate in sins of the body without harming the spirit. They imagined themselves to be free to explore the satanic sphere and then brazenly come to worship God.

No other burden – Bearing the burden of seeing blatant false teaching and immoral living rampant in their church, and having to resist the incessant solicitation and ridicule from the Jezebel party, was burden enough for them to bear.

But hold fast what you have till I come (2:25).

Hold fast - (κρατέω kratéō, Gk.) indicates that it would not be easy (1 Corinthians 10:12). The word kratéō means “To take hold of, grasp, hold fast, in mind, observe (2 Thessalonians 2:15; Rev. 2:13–15; 3:11). They were to hold on to their faith in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:19). All believers are to cling to what is good until Christ’s return (Romans 12:9).

Till I come – This the first reference in the 7 epistles to the return of Christ, meaning that there will be Thyatira-like churches in the world when He does return.

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations (2:26).

He who overcomes – We overcome by refusing to tolerate evil teaching in the church of God. The overcomer is the Christian who overcomes the specific threat to him and his church by his faithful conduct, or obedience.

Until the end – Steadfast obedience marks a genuine Christian.

Power over the nations – This promise is taken from Psalm 2:7-9, and is one of participation in the Millennial Kingdom. Those who remained faithful to Christ despite being beaten and despised in this life will rule with Him in His earthly kingdom (Revelation 12:5; 19:15).

‘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 (2:27).

Rule them – To tend or feed like a Shepherd or Pastor.

Rod of iron – Rod is the same as the word for scepter (Hebrews 1:8).

The people who rule with Christ will help protect His people and promote holiness and righteousness. Christ will delegate authority to them just as He also has received authority from His Father (Daniel 7:18, 27; John5:22, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:2).

And I will give him the morning star (2:28).

Morning Star – While Christians will reflect Christ’s glory, the Morning Star is Christ himself (Revelation 22:16; 2 Peter 1:19). Christ promised believers Himself in all of His fullness (1 Corinthians 13:12).

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” ’ (2:29).

What the Spirit says to the churches – We are to heed the message.

3 Important truths stand out:

1. This letter reveals the seriousness of practicing and tolerating sin, and that God will judge continued, unrepentant sin in the church.

2. A pattern of obedience marks true Christians.

3. God’s gracious promise to His own is that, in spite of struggles with sin and error in churches, they will experience all the fullness of Christ as they reign with Him in His kingdom.