Following Jesus 102

Following Jesus: What kind of church are we?

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority 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 2:24-29 ESV)

Within each church, there is a remnant. A remnant are those who remain, and in this case it refers to those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ. What encouragement does the Lord Jesus give to those who are maintaining their purity before the Lord while in the midst of corruption?

To begin with, Jesus encourages the faithful remnant to hold fast to Christ. “But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. (Vs. 24-25).

The one burden Jesus asks them to bear, and the one they continue to bear, is to hold fast to what they have in Christ. What they have is a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ to be characterized by biblical teachers, communicating biblical teachings resulting in godliness.

Secondly, Jesus encourages the faithful remnant to continue serving Christ. “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star” (vs. 26-28).

The believer and church who continues to be victorious over temptation and sin, Jesus will give them authority over nations. This is a promise for the future. It may well refer to the kingdom of God yet future. It will be a righteous rule and authority. It will parallel the authority God the Father gave to Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Finally, the faithful remnant is to continue listening to Christ. This means, as previously stated, to understand and to apply what Jesus is teaching.

To hold fast to Jesus means to hold fast to His Word. Read and memorize Psalm 1.

Pray that God will enable you to hold fast to the Word of God in your life and to have a heart which is sensitive to the Lord’s leading and will.

God encourages us to persevere in doing good works. What are you presently doing in order to being God glory? 

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