0981. The Overcomers at Thyatira

The Overcomers at Thyatira

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

And he shall role them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father" (Rev_2:26-27).

In Thyatira we have the church which has sinned in that she has harbored and even encouraged the seducing of the saints by an ecclesiastical hierarchy that demanded world alliances and idolatrous practices.

As we turn our attention toward the Thyatira overcomers, let us consider several correlated truths.

1. The vision of Christ as He appears to Thyatira. "And unto the angel of the Church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass" (Rev_2:18).

To the church that permits the powerful and worldly authoritative Jezebel to dominate it, and to drive it, Christ stands with eyes of fire fully cognizant of her sins; and with feet like fine brass, possessed with all authority and judgment against her sins. Christ will not yield His place of Headship to any man, or to any group of men.

2. The vision of what overcoming means in this Church. In brief, the Thyatira overcomer is the one who refuses to become dominated by the ecclesiastical powers that demand obeisance and that lead into a false worship.

This overcomer acknowledges the one Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, He bows to but one authoritative voice–the Holy Spirit Who speaks unto the churches.

This overcomer will be forced outside the camp with his Master; but he goes gladly bearing His reproach. He accepts the whip of Jezebel rather than yield to her demands.

3. The vision of the overcomer's reward. The vision falls into two chief parts:

(1) I will give him authority over the nations. This is exactly the reverse of the teaching of Jezebel. She, as a representative of the government, sought authority over the church, God gives the overcomer authority over governments.

Just here we must walk with care. We have in this promise to the Thyatira overcomer no commission to the Church to seek governmental sway in this age. Untold harm always results by mixing dispensations.

The Catholic Church errs, grievously, in seeking civil power. She is ever ambitious to attain now, what awaits for overcomers in the millennium. The Church during this age is to be hated, maligned and persecuted by an opposing world. She is to remain a minority, and a separated people.

When Christ comes again it will be different. He will come as King of kings and as Lord of lords. He will reign in both the civil and the spiritual realms.

The promise to the Thyatira overcomers is that they shall reign with Him. This is no small matter.

To the Apostles who had left all to follow the Lord Jesus, Christ said: "When the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Illustration: A man of large business told us one day something like this: Said he, "There are certain ones who have toiled with me and helped me to make this business a success, and I propose to make them my heirs. They have suffered with me, and, according to the spirit of the Master, they should reign with me, and this is my plan in their behalf."

(2) "I will give him the morning star." The Lord comes as the "Morning Star" in the rapture; He comes as the "Sun of Righteousness" in His revelation. He is the "Morning Star" to His Church; He is the "Sun of Righteousness" to Israel.

How blessed then is the promise, "I will give him the Morning Star." Certainly when "one is taken and another left" the overcomers of Thyatira will be among the taken ones.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR