A Revelation Invitation

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: …
“‘The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.’” (Revelation 2:18a,26-28 ESV)

“Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heav’n” (John Milton, Paradise Lost).

Have you ever heard anyone say that? I’ve heard it on TV and in movies. I’ve seen it printed on t-shirts and bumper stickers. It must be emboldening in some way to those who hold to this notion. In truth this expectation is a great delusion. What convinces people that they will rule anyone or anything in hell? Who do they think will submit to them? It’s ridiculous to think that anyone will care what they want. It’s pure fantasy, wishful thinking. If you want to rule, keep the works of Christ until the end.

In this letter to the church in Thyatira, the Spirit alludes to Psalm 2, one of the great royal Psalms, in which David describes the futility of the kings of the earth opposing God’s Anointed. David says that the Lord laughs at such arrogance. The Lord has set one king, his son, above all others. The Lord says of his son, “You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Psalm 2:9 ESV). There will only, ever be one who will rule all, the Son of God. And his rule cannot be resisted but will crush all who oppose him. In the context of Revelation, this breaking in pieces applied even to Caesar. The Roman Empire, the target of the Lord’s iron scepter, was doomed to crumble.

Jesus also alludes to Balaam’s prophesy and blessing of Israel in Numbers 24:14-20 where he says, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth” (v 17 ESV). Jesus is the morning star (Revelation 22:16), a ruler who rose out of Israel. He will crush all authority that opposes him like he did the nation of Moab.

The Spirit also makes a second application of Psalm 2 in this letter. The church knows that Messiah is sovereign over the nations. But the great news is that they too will rule with the Son. Jesus will take that rule from those who currently hold it, that is, the Romans and every nation and ruler who follows that attempt to usurp his authority. Jesus will hand over to the people of God the power and authority that he will take back from the nations. He promises to share his reign over the nations with his people who have conquered by giving them “the morning star.” It turns out that the weak are the ones who will rule creation. The very people who have been discarded, trampled on and exploited are those who will share in Messiah’s reign. The meek will indeed inherit the earth. God’s people will govern this world like it’s supposed to be—no exploitation, no oppression, no corruption, no war, no crime. Instead, just and righteous rule where peace and prosperity prevail for all. This is the promise to those who overcome, to those whose loyalty to the Son, the King, is steadfast in the face of persecution and the threat of death.

Son of God, thank you for this promise. Thank you for the assurance of a world to come where your reign is supreme and forever free of the wickedness and oppression that dominates our world now. To think that I will reign with you, my King, is humbling. Prepare me now to rule in love and righteousness. Amen.