Read: Revelation 2:26-29; Psalm 2
And I will give him the morning star. (Rev. 2:28)
Before we leave Thyatira, give a last thought to Jezebel, because what’s said about her is remarkably relevant to our church situation today.
Jezebel called herself a prophetess, meaning she claimed the inspiration and authority of the Spirit for her teaching. That teaching urged the Christians of Thyatira to join in what their society approved. It probably went something like this: “You don’t have to separate yourselves from the world. Embrace the culture, especially if it’s good for business. Go ahead, go to the temples, attend the feasts. Your traditional morality with its fear of ‘worldliness’ is old-fashioned and naive. Those of us with the Spirit know better.”
In Psalm 2, the Lord promised his Son that he would rule over the nations with authority and power, with an iron rod to dash in pieces those opposed to his righteous reign. In Revelation 2, Jesus the Son promised the same thing to those who remain true to him. To the Romans, the morning star was Venus, a symbol of Roman power and sovereignty. (Julius Caesar claimed to be descended from a son of the goddess Venus.) To John’s faithful readers, the morning star was Jesus himself—“I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16). If we hold fast and keep his works, we will share in both Jesus’ life and his kingly rule. —David Bast
As you pray, meditate on Jesus’ promise that those who resist the world will rule with him.
About the Author
Rev. Dave Bast retired as the President and Broadcast Minister of Words of Hope in January 2017, after 23 years with the ministry. Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. He is the author of several devotional books. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he has also studied at both the Fuller and Calvin seminaries. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and four grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
