Prayer – Lord, please show me the truths in Your word and guide me to understand them. Life can be so simple…but we search for more, desire an easy life, but still want to comprehend just what this spiritual life—eternal life is all about. Give us wisdom and help us to recognize the importance of Your promises.
Write this letter to the angel of the church in
Thyatira. This is the message from the Son of God, whose eyes are like flames
of fire, whose feet are like polished bronze: "I know all the things you
do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient
endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. But I
have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who
calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit
sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she
does not want to turn away from her immorality. Therefore, I will throw her on
a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly
unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her
children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches
out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you
whatever you deserve. But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira
who have not followed this false teaching ('deeper truths,' as they call them—depths
of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold
tightly to what you have until I come. To all who are victorious, who obey me
to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations. They will
rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. They will have
the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the
morning star!" Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and
understand what he is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:18-29
Meditate. Are you listening to what God is saying?
Have you ever been up early at dawn on a clear morning and noticed
a bright star shining in the east? It is likely the planet Venus, sometimes
known as the morning star. Peter was a witness to the transformation of Jesus
when he saw Him speak with Moses and Elijah (See Matthew 17:1-8) and he later
described this event in his second book.
For we were not
making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received
honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God
said to him, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."
We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy
mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the
message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they
wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day
dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:16-19
In another scripture passage we note that Morning Star is
the title that Jesus has given Himself.
"I, Jesus, have
sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source
of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star." Revelation
22:16
Imagine how Jesus is shining into our hearts and lives. He
is like that star of Bethlehem—shining night and day whether we can see it or
not. He is always with us—lighting the way of Truth for us to follow.
With that thought in mind consider how Jesus is going to
give us, Christians who are victorious, authority over nations. When I first
heard this, I was taken back a little. I am not worthy of being an authority
over any nation—but considering that Jesus is with me…hmmmm…I think I can do this.
I can do all things….
For I can do
everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Rule with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. This
is referred to in Psalm Two and is about Christ coming in the end times and crushing
the nations then that are not submitting to Him.
You will break them
with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. Psalm 2:9
It looks like God’s plan all along has been for Christ to rule…and His followers will rule with Him. So, be victorious.
 |
| Roaring Pacific Ocean - Oregon Coast |
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise
noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories
No comments:
Post a Comment