Abhorring the "Deep Things of Satan" - "Hold Fast What You Have"

 Jesus' next words brings comfort: "However, I say to the rest of you who are in Thyatira, all those who do not have this teaching, the very ones who did not get to know the 'deep things of Satan,' as they say:  I am not putting on your any other burden.  Just the same, hold fast what you have until I have come." (Revelation 2:24, 25) There are faithful souls in Thyatira who have not been influence by Jezebel.  Similarly, for 40 years prior to 1918 and since then, not all professing Christians have tolerated the immoral, corrupt ways that are so rampant in Christendom.    The small band of Bible Students, now known as Jehovah's Witnesses, that tried to help church members see the un-Christian  origin of many of Christendom's doctrines, has moved to rid itself of all Babylonish beliefs and practices through apostate Christendom.  This includes the permissive teaching of "that woman Jezebel." 

The John class today have also encouraged their companions, the great crowd, to beware of immoral influences, such as those in the debased world of entertainment.  There is no need to view or experience corruption out of curiosity or in order to  learn what to avoid.  It is the course of wisdom to keep far away from the "deep things of Satan." As Jesus says:  "I am not putting upon you any other burden." This reminds us of the decree of the Christian governing body of the first  century: "The holy spirit and and we ourselves have favored  adding  no further burden to you except the necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things you will prosper." (Acts 15:28. 29)   For spiritual prosperity, avoid false religion, misuse of blood (as in blood transfusions), and immorality!  And your physical health will likely be protected too.  

Satan has other "deep things" today, such as complicated speculations and philosophies that flatter the intellect.  In addition, permissive, immoral reasonings, these include spiritism and the theory of evolution.  How does the all-wise Creator regard these  "deep things"?  The apostle Paul quotes has saying: "I will destroy  the wisdom of the wise ones."  In contrast thereto,  "the deep things of God" are simple, lucid, and heartwarming.  Wise Christians shun the "deep things" of Satan's sophisticated world. Remember, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God will remain forever." - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:19, Kingdom Interlinear; 2:10, 1 JOHN 2:17. 

To those Christians in Thyatira, Jesus now speaks heartwarming words:  They also encourage Christians  today: "And to him that conquers and observes my deeds down to the end I will give authority over the nations, and he shall  shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will will  broken to pieces  like clay vessels, the same as I have receive from my Father." (Revelation 26:27)  Indeed a wonderful privilege!  This authority that anointed conquerors receive at their resurrection is a sharing with Jesus in wielding the "iron rod" of destruction against the rebellious nations at Armageddon. At best, the nuclear firepower of those nations will sputter like a wet firecracker when Christ dashes his enemies to pieces as he would vessels of clay. - PSALM 2:8, 9; REVELATION 16:14, 16; 19:11-13, 15.

Jesus adds:  "And I will give him the morning star." (Revelation 2:28) Jesus himself later explains what this "star" is, saying: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star." (Revelation 22:16) Yes, it is Jesus who fulfills the prophecy that Jehovah forced from the unwilling lips of Balaam: "A star will certainly step forth out of Jacob, and a scepter will indeed rise out of Israel." (Numbers 24:17)   How will Jesus  give "the morning star" to those who conquer?  Evidently, by giving himself to them, by taking them into the closest, most intimate relationship with him. (John 14:2, 3)   Surely a powerful inducement to endure!  Stimulating it is, too, for the great crowd  to know that "the bright morning star"  will soon exercise his Kingdom authority in restoring Paradise here on earth!  

Next time: Abhorring the "Deep Things of Satan" - Maintain Integrity

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