Author: Charlie Garrett

Monday, 28 September 2020

‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father; Revelation 2:27

The words of this verse are in the middle of the honors bestowed upon those who “overcome” in Christ. Here, He will now note that they will share in His triumph and will – together with Him – rule the nations. It is based on a promise made to Christ from Psalm 2:7-9 –

“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

Understanding the context, Jesus begins the words of this verse with, “He shall rule them with a rod of iron.” The word translated as “rule” actually means “to shepherd.” It is used, for example, of the coming Christ in Matthew 2:6 –

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.”

The word translated as “rod” carries with it the sense of authority, and thus it is a scepter. That is the intent of the word here. It is found in that same manner in Hebrews 1:8 –

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”

This rod, or scepter, being iron has its own meaning. In the Bible, iron represents strength, be it in binding together, in government, in hard service, in bondage, etc. For this reason, Albert Barnes rightly notes –

“To rule with a scepter of iron, is not to rule with a harsh and tyrannical sway, but with power that is firm and invincible. It denotes a government of strength, or one that cannot be successfully opposed; one in which the subjects are effectually subdued.”

Understanding this, Jesus next says, “They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels.” The verb in the Greek is present tense, and thus it should read “as the vessels of the potter are broken.” It gives the vivid sense of watching the nations collapse from their previous states of exaltation, and being reduced to a homogenous blend of nations, subjugated before the rule of Christ. This will begin with the judgment of the nations, as spoken of by the Lord in Matthew 25:31-46. Of that, here are verses 32 & 33 –

“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”

The sheep are the nations who will support and protect Israel during the Tribulation period. The goats are those who will be belligerent to her. How do we know this? It is because Jesus was speaking under the Old Covenant and about the Kingdom Age, not the Church Age (which was still a mystery according to Paul’s later writings).

In His discourse in Matthew 25, Jesus refers to those needing help and comfort as “my brethren.” Therefore, He is speaking of the Jews and is referring to the Tribulation as described in the book of Revelation. Jesus was, is, and always will be, a Jew. His brethren are the Jewish people. Those who are on Christ’s side during the Tribulation will likewise support the nation of Israel. Take this note for understanding from Ezekiel 36:22 –

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.”’”

A new order lies ahead during the millennial reign of Christ, to which these words are referring. This then is a temporal grant to those who not only overcome, but who keep Christ’s work until the end (2:26). During the millennium, the anticipation of the prophets for a world ruled by Messiah from Jerusalem will come about. This is foretold many times in the prophets, but one example is –

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.
³ Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
⁴ He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruninghooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 2:2-4

This right to rule is then acknowledged by Jesus as the way it was intended. As He says, “as I also have received from My Father.” This is what was promised to the coming Christ in Psalm 2. Jesus here acknowledges that it will be so, and He offers that right to rule to those who both overcome and who are faithful to keep His works now.

Life application: Despite their unfaithfulness, God’s name is upon the Jewish people and He still has a plan and purpose for them. The Kingdom Age is coming, and Christ will rule from Jerusalem in the midst of His people Israel.

Lord God, help us to be faithful through the times of trouble. But also, Lord, help us to be faithful through the times of blessing. In either time, we can lose sight of what is most important, getting misdirected from our walk with You. Be with us, guide us, and keep us on the right path at all times. To Your glory alone. Amen.

Sunday, 27 September 2020

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— Revelation 2:26

This verse is the beginning verse of the fourth set of honors (this time to those in Thyatira) promised to the one who “overcomes.” Such a person, as previously noted, is the one who believes in Jesus Christ – the God/Man, calling on His name and being cleansed by the power of His shed blood. That was summed up 1 John 5:4, 5 –

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Jesus next adds on a note of perseverance, “and keeps My works until the end.” It is a phrase found only here in the New Testament. It implies that not everyone who is saved (which is eternal) will be given this power. This is obvious, because of how the term “overcome” is defined elsewhere (including the quote from 1 John 5). There is eternal salvation, but there are also promised blessings for those who persevere in their salvation.

This then is a special blessing to those who not only call on Jesus Christ for salvation, but those who also keep His works. The promised blessing then falls under the category of “rewards” as outlined by Paul –

“If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

It is with this thought, that Jesus’ words are speaking of rewards for perseverance, that He next says, “to him I will give power over the nations.” The word “power” speaks of control or authority. It is an authority given by God to His saints. In its reception, they have authority and ability to act according to His will.

That this is speaking of a granted authority based on perseverance, and not an authority given to all who are saved, is seen in Jesus’ parable concerning the minas, found in Luke 19:11-27. There, Jesus shows that the greater the faithfulness, the greater the responsibility that will be granted to those over the cities. That parable is referring to the kingdom age.

The same idea is conveyed here. The change from “cities” to “nations” is noteworthy. The Greek word is ethnōn. It speaks of the heathen world in contrast to the nation of Israel. Those faithful in Israel during the kingdom age are given rule over cities. Those faithful in the church will be given rule over nations. Jesus will continue to explain this in the next verses.

Life application: There will actually be some who are taken up at the rapture who will be completely surprised by the event. We read this in 2 Peter 1:9 –

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

Peter is speaking about a person who “was cleansed from his old sins” and yet had forgotten about it. This person won’t be the ruler of the nations, but will spend his time watching others, who were faithful in their walk, exercising authority that they will be denied. Obviously, there will be many gradations between the two as well.

The Lord will be perfectly just in His judgments, and also in the doling out of rewards to His faithful. What will be the anticipated rewards for you? Only you can set the course for them now. Make sure that you don’t fall away from the sure rewards that await those who remain steadfast in Christ!

Lord, we are all so very prone to falling away from the full attention we should give to our Christian responsibilities. Therefore, we ask that You guide us, carry us, and strengthen us as we go forth. Keep us from falling away, or even being faithful but unproductive followers of You. Help ensure our lives are properly directed to the things that You deem proper and appropriate in our Christian walk. Amen.

Saturday, 26 September 2020

But hold fast what you have till I come.  Revelation 2:25

Jesus just noted that He would place no other burden on the faithful of Thyatira other than no longer tolerating the horrific woman Jezebel. They needed to clean that up in their church and continue on in their works, love, service, faith, and patience mentioned in verse 2:19. With that understood, He now next states, “But.”

The Greek word is an adverb, plen, that is less commonly used than other conjunctions. It gives the sense of “except,” or “nevertheless.” This is its only use in Revelation. With this fixed in the reader’s mind, He says, “hold fast what you have.”

Those would be the positive qualities mentioned above. They have those favorable traits. The Lord is pleased with them. And, if they will simply cut out the tolerance for Jezebel and those who would participate with her, the Lord will add no other burden on them. The church will continue on, standing approved in His presence. And that will be, as He says, “till I come.”

The Greek reads, “until which (time) I might come.” The words are accentuated by an untranslated particle, an. The inclusion of this particle stamps the time of His coming as indefinite. His return will be whenrever it will be, and the church is not privy to when it will be. But the fact is that the promise of His coming remains. As He said in John 14 –

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2, 3

Life application: Short and to the point… to the faithful in Thyatira, Jesus – who has already acknowledged their good points – asks them to “hold fast.” When an individual or a group is doing what is right, it is often difficult to continue on as things deteriorate around them or attacks come against them. But Jesus is aware of our weaknesses and limitations, and His words here show that He isn’t there to place additional burdens on those who are doing the right thing. Instead, He asks them to simply “hold fast,” even if the time is indefinite – He will come.

In this, there is a time for the works to end and the relief to come. The beauty of what Jesus did was to leave that moment unknown to His children. By promising to return, but by not giving us the date, it could be at any moment. The anticipation of His return, therefore, should be on the minds of all who have called on Him in two ways:

1) They should be of the mind that what they are doing is of eternal effect in the lives of others. This is because if they don’t go about their business and the Lord comes, then those they neglected will never have the knowledge which leads them to salvation.

2) They should be aware that if what they are doing is inappropriate or disobedient, then their last deeds before the judgment will be open and exposed as insufficient for commendation.

Jesus is coming and, though we are hindered by the knowledge of when that that will be, we are also bolstered by that same fact. The masterful plan of Jesus is that He is coming, and therefore we should all be about His business every moment of our lives. Should He tarry, all we can do is praise Him for His patience in dealing with the wayward sons of Adam. Let us remember the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10 –

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

How good it is to know that we could be in the generation that experiences Your return for the church. May this be a motivating factor in our wanting to continue on despite trials, setbacks, and frustrations! O Lord, may You be pleased with the conduct of our lives as we hold fast to doing the good works which are pleasing to You. Amen.

Friday, 25 September 2020

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. Revelation 2:24

There are two main changes between this text and other Greek texts. The words “and” and “will” are not found in them. Including the word “and” gives an inappropriate sense of what is being said to the various addressees. Instead, saying, “Now to you I say, to the rest in Thyatira,” provides a logical division between those already addressed who had been a part of the inappropriate actions of Jezebel and the others. The inclusion of the word “and” eliminates this important division.

Jesus is speaking to all “the rest in Thyatira.” He then explains that by saying, “as many as do not have this doctrine.” With these words, one can more clearly see why the word “and” is inappropriate. He has given His words of correction and warning to those who held to her doctrine. He now addresses those who do not. They are those “who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say.”

The words here are variously explained. First, is the term used by these people, “the depths,” which is then qualified by Jesus as “of Satan,” or is the term used by these people, “the depths of Satan”? It isn’t known for certain, but it seems unlikely that a supposed group of Christians would claim they followed “the depths of Satan.” Another option is that the saying was used by those who were not a part of this group. Looking from the outside, they may have said in an ironic manner, “They claim they know the depths of God, but they are caught up in the depths of Satan.”

This is not uncommon, even to this day. When an aberrant cult is noted for their incorrect doctrine, they are acknowledged as such. The cult – for example, the Mormons – might say, “We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” But those who understand their aberrant doctrine might say, “You are followers of the teachings of Satan.”

Whatever the intent here is, Jesus clearly identifies their doctrine as aligned with Satan, just as He had done when using the term “synagogue of Satan” in verse 2:9. Many involved commentaries talk about what the term, “the depths of Satan,” means. But they are unnecessary. Jesus has already explained the behavior of Jezebel and those who committed her many offenses with her.

She was obviously claiming that her conduct was a deep teaching that could only be fully appreciated by those who followed her. She was claiming that her path was the true path to higher enlightenment and communing with God. But in fact, it was an alignment with the works of the devil. For those who had not followed her, Jesus then says, “I will put on you no other burden.”

Some see this as a connection to the trials and sufferings a church may face. But that conclusion doesn’t logically follow in light of this verse. Rather, Jesus is saying that the conduct of the church is acceptable (verse 2:19), but they needed to remove the wicked strumpet Jezebel from the congregation. With that, He would be pleased, and He would add nothing else to consider them a church in right standing. She was the main hindrance to a positive relationship with the Lord. Once she was removed, there would be a harmonious relationship between them and Him.

Life application: In addition to their faithful service, the church at Thyatira had kept away from what was obviously wrong in Jezebel’s doings. However, they had not excommunicated her. She was most likely teaching doctrines which supposedly revealed deeper and hidden truths of God, something that cults have continuously done since then as well. The problem was that the things she taught were neither “truths,” nor were they “of God.”

Her proclamations and actions came from Satan, and Satan’s teachings are always false and destructive. As Jesus said in John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Always be careful of someone who proclaims “something deeper” or “something new.” Check everything you hear against the Bible, and also be cognizant of what has been considered orthodox throughout church history. Jesus Christ doesn’t change and neither does the word that proclaims Him. Hold steadfast to sound doctrine and His instructions won’t be burdensome.

Thank You, Lord God, for the promise of teaching us if we will just listen to Your words. Thank You also for the promise of the glory that lies ahead which You promise to Your redeemed people. In this troubled world of strife and anguish, the promise of rest is our hearts’ desire. Our hearts sing out in joy at the prospect of sharing eternity with such a kind and wonderful Savior – Jesus – whom You sent to bring us back to You! Hallelujah to Your name. Amen.

Thursday, 24 September 2020

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:23

Jesus, still referring to the wicked woman Jezebel, continues with the promised punishments resulting from her actions. In this, He beings with, “I will kill her children with death.” The words of this first clause are emphatic, with the stress on “children.” Further, the word en, or in, is used. It says, “And the children of her I will kill in death.” The same phrase en thanatō, or “in death” is also used in verse 6:8. The word “children” here does not mean literal children, as will be explained below. It is the unrepentant offshoot (child) of a corrupt teacher who would be subject to judgment as well.

Placing the children in the emphatic position sets these people off as a different category than those referred to in the previous verse. There, it said, “and those who commit adultery with her.” The Lord said that He would punish them “unless they repent.” However, no such grant of grace is extended to “her children.”

What this is probably conveying then is a reference to those who have been “begotten” by her into her wicked ways. They haven’t simply committed sin with her, but they are converts to her ways. This is seen, for example, in the words of Paul to the Corinthians –

“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. ¹⁵ For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4: 14-16

Paul makes a similar statement in Philemon -10. Because they have taken on her perverse nature, they have never been converted to Christ. Thus, without ever having the gift of salvation, they will be killed “in death.” The meaning of this is debated, but because the word “kill” is used both here and in Revelation 6:8, it is probably speaking of a form of death, as most translations render it in 6:8, such as “plague,” “pestilence,” or something similar.

In other words, verse 6:8 says, “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” One might get hit by a sword and live. One might be hungry, almost to starvation, and live. On might get attacked by a beast and live. However, the plague of “death” results in certain death. Once it attacks, the state of death is assured. Thus, to state, “I will kill her children with death,” is a way of showing the surety of what will occur. There is no hope of pulling through whatever affliction they face.

In this, Jesus says, “and all the churches shall know.” What will occur will be so obvious, so purposeful, and so complete in its scope, that what occurs will not be limited to just one church. Rather, all of the churches will hear of it and know that it came about because of judgment. The children of Jezebel – those begotten of her and her wicked ways – will be an example to all. In this, they will understand when Jesus says, “that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”

The phrase, as spoken by Jesus, is a clear and unambiguous claim that He is the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament Scriptures. Time and again, searching the heart and/or mind of others is something that exclusively belongs to the Lord. For example –

“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

This reference in Jeremiah is the exact claim of Jesus in Revelation. He 1) searches out the hearts and the minds, 2) rewards according to the ways that He has sought out. In the New Testament, this same action is also attributed to the Spirit of God. As Paul says –

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27

One can see the harmony of the doctrine of the Trinity when these verses are properly considered. Each member of the Godhead performs the actions appropriate to the situation and the circumstance of the events, and all of them are in harmony with the actions of the other two members. As Jesus next says, “And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

Here, Jesus shows that His actions against Jezebel’s “children” extend to all in the church who are involved with her. Whatever a person does, good or bad – the actions, intents, and fruits – will all be evaluated and rewarded accordingly. We can be confident of this because of the example seen here. God is no respecter of persons. What He decides will be completely impartial, completely fair, and all matters will be brought to their proper end by Him. Jesus is the One to determine these things.

Life application: Far too often, people make the mistake of speaking of God’s love while ignoring His judgment. Jezebel and “her children” would not be the recipients of His love.

It can be inferred that if Jesus cast her on a sickbed of suffering, the chances are that whatever communicable disease she got spread through her followers as well. But this is probably speaking of more than just physical death for these “children.”

In saying that they are her children, it indicates that they never received the truth of the gospel. Therefore, they would not just die a certain death, but they would also die the second death in the Lake of Fire. Such is the nature of appropriate divine judgment, and such is the nature of God’s wrath on sin for those who are never begotten of God through Christ.

Despite the terrifying nature of the words of the Lord here, we must remember that Jesus is a fair judge. What He determines will never be biased or vindictive. Rather, it will be perfectly just for all people. Believers have the full assurance of eternal salvation and rewards based on their faithful service. How much better is this than the prospect of eternal separation from God! Live for Jesus and bask in His grace.

Lord God, please change the hearts of those who are sinning, strengthen the hearts of those who are struggling, and continue to bless the hearts of those who are standing strong and faithfully in You. For those who have never come to You through Christ Jesus, move in a great way in this world so that they will want to have what is so wonderfully offered by You. May they see and call out for salvation through His precious shed blood. May it be so, in His wonderful name! Amen.