REVELATION 2:24-29
Read Revelation 2:24-29.
What are things you hold on to? Whether it is a pencil or fork or a teaching or belief, we hold on to the things that are important and essential for us at the time. What are things you don’t hold on to? These are things that are useless or unneeded or harmful to us at the moment. Have you ever tried taking a hot bowl out of the microwave with bare hands? If so, you know it isn’t something you hold on to for very long because it is unsafe and frankly unbearable. Such was the instruction of Jesus to the faithful in the church at Thyatira. These few faithful ones were commended for not holding to the teachings of Jezebel, called the deep things or secrets of Satan (v. 24).[1] Holding to such teachings and practices was unsafe and useless. The faithful were careful not to put their hands into the fire. To these Jesus told to hold on to the truths they had kept until now. They were charged to keep the faith, deeds, love, and perseverance that were the virtues of the church.
It is not merely what one holds on to that makes one strong, but also what one doesn’t hold on to.
For those who hold on to the good and right things and avoid those things that are unsafe and useless, Jesus promises a place in His future kingdom of leadership and care for others. He will rule over nations, and the nations will have no power over them just as clay vessels have no power or authority over their potter. In addition, Jesus promises them the “morning star” – perhaps a reference to Christ Himself (cf. Rev. 22:16).
How about you? What are the things that you are holding on to? What are the things that would take a crowbar to get you to let go? Are they good and right things (e.g. truth, love, patience, a forgiving spirit, etc.) or are they like poison to your health (e.g. bitterness, anger, pride, lust, etc.)? What would God have you continue to hold on to and what would He have you let go of?
[1] The deep secrets of Satan (NAS) may be a reference to the false idea that in order to defeat Satan, one had to enter into the experience of sin and thus be better equipped to serve Christ. Only through experience could one understand the real nature of sin.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:20 am
“The deep secrets of Satan (NAS) may be a reference to the false idea that in order to defeat Satan, one had to enter into the experience of sin and thus be better equipped to serve Christ.” Hmmm, how does this relate to the advice we give people in adversity that the troubles they go through will help them minister to the kind of people who have gone through the same troubles? Should we then be more careful how we give that advice? It seems like just a short step from “the troubles” to “the sins”. Is it that those who have enter an experience of sin (and, in coming out of it) DO have good to share with one another, but to jump into sin is too self-destructive and costly to be worth those benefits?
Oh and how does this related to the claim that we make God’s glory is only brighter because of the surrounding darkness? (Inky velvet backdrop to a glistening diamond.)
I suppose we can turn back to Romans 3:5-8 for direction in how to interpret all three of these pieces of advice: that none of them should be an invitation to enter sin — whatever the benefits, even if they glorify God in the end.