AN INCREDIBLE GIFT OF AUTHORITY

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

In Christ, Mark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from My Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2:26-29

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In most countries in our world, one person holds a position of ultimate authority, ruling over a given populace within set geographical boundaries. Typically, these leaders are solely responsible for what is happening within their borders and the scriptures make it very clear that they all are accountable to God, the One who blessed them with their opportunity to lead (Romans 13:1-2).

Given that there is a finite number of people who would ever qualify or find themselves in a position to govern a nation at the highest level, the average person wouldn’t ever get the chance to experience what that would be like. But as we see in today’s passage, Jesus, the Savior of the world (John 4:42) who is one with His Father God (John 10:30), can make the seemingly impossible possible. Look again at his closing words to the Christians in Thyatira at the end of Revelation, chapter 2:

To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from My Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Vv.26-29

Yes, the church of Thyatira was under attack by Satan and the false teachings of Jezebel and those who prescribed to her lies but note here that a great reward awaited them if they would just hold on and stay true to Him to the end, carrying out His will along the way. To those believers and the multitude of Christians who have followed them, Jesus promised to “give authority over the nations” just as He had “received authority” Himself (Matthew 28:18-20). They would rule all countries of the world “with an iron scepter” and would possess the power to “dash them to pieces like pottery”. Additionally, He would give them the “morning star” which meant He was giving them Himself (Revelation 22:16).

This delegation of might was also mentioned in Paul’s second letter to his ministry protégé and partner, Timothy. In the second chapter, we read this in verses 10 through 12:

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. 2 Timothy 2:10-12

Those who endure through life and remain steadfast in Jesus will also “reign with Him” and it is this reigning that we find Jesus underscoring at the end of his letter to the Thyatira church and its believers.

Jesus never promised that life as His disciple would be easy. Rather, He said that if He was persecuted and hated, even to the point of being murdered, than His followers could expect the same experience. The believers in Thyatira and all others in the first century knew this all too well and here in the 21st century, persecuted Christians all over the world can relate as well for we can’t turn a blind eye to the truth that millions of Christ believers face danger and even the threat of death for their faith in Jesus.

Yes, being a Christian comes with an associated great cost but as we see today, it also brings an incredible gift of authority, one that has the disciples of Jesus ruling the nations along with Him.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.