“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’ To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:18-29
Questions for Reflection:
The vivid description of Jesus in the opening line "with eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze" can be so intimidating we run from Him or so comforting we cling to Him. When Warrior Jesus is described like this does it evoke more of a sense of fear or security ... intimidation or relief? What does this tell you about your "go to" impression of Jesus?
Contemplate the idea that the image of "Warrior Jesus" instills fear in those He is fighting against but security in those He is fighting for! Where do you see yourself in your relationship with Him today? Where is He leading you to see yourself in relationship to Him?
Prayer of the Week:
Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today! You the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE and no one comes to God the Father except through You. I thank and praise You for the passion, fervor and zeal with which you Seek me, Save me and Rescue me each day all while doing battle against evil, the evil one and all his cunning accomplices. All this you do out of love for me, for all people and for Your church. Thank you, Jesus, so very much! I praise you also for being adamant about Truth! You know that You are the only true means of Life now and forever for every person. Your way is the True way. Thank you for being a Warrior for Truth and I surrender to You! I confess honestly Jesus that I struggle at times with understanding and applying Your Truth especially when my own ego gets in the way - when I think I know what is better for me and others than You do. I need You Holy Spirt, the Spirit of Truth to lead me into all Truth. I also confess that I sometimes compromise Your Truth and Your Love in my thoughts, attitudes, convictions, actions and words as well as my moral choices and positions. Sometimes I have held on to sin and sins disregarding Your word to me. (Spend a moment confessing to Jesus specific things He is bringing to mind.) I am so very thankful, in this moment, that I can confidently ask for and authentically receive Your complete and total forgiveness solely based on Your grace towards me that You paid for all my sins. I do that now. Thank you for fighting for me even when I fight against You. Jesus, fill me afresh with Your Spirit so that I might live today, not out of my old sinful self but out of my new self, my new Life in Christ, that is in this moment of truth filled prayer being renewed and restored by Your Spirit. Today I get to trust You and live fully alive, with You as my WAY, my TRUTH and my LIFE! Amen!
