Power Over the Nations Revelation 2:26

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, the “church in Pergamos” and after commending the “church in Thyatira” he told them, “I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” and he added, “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. But that which you have already hold fast till I come.” In chapter two and verse twenty-six of Revelation, John shared how Jesus told the church how He would give them “power over the nations” where we read:

And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

The verse begins, “And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, ...” John began with the words, “and he that overcomes” which means “and the person whether male or female who conquers, carries off the victory over their foes”, “and keeps my works” or “and attends to carefully, guards and observes Jesus' business, employment and that in which He is occupied” “unto the end” which means “until the termination, close and limit at which a thing ceases to be”. The conditions set forth by Jesus was for a person to “overcome” and “keep” His “works” until “finished”.

The verse continues, “... to him will I give power over the nations:” John added the words, “to him” or “to that person whether male or female” “will I give power” which means “Jesus shall grant, bestow, supply, furnish and deliver ability, strength, right and authority” “over the nations” which refers to “upon and against the multitudes of individuals of the same nature or genus, tribes and people groups”. Jesus promised those who “overcome” and “keep” His “works” will have “right and authority” over “the people groups” of the world.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see Jesus' exhortation for believers in Him not only to “be conquerors” but also to “comply with and complete” His “works”. Jesus followers are to be “conquerors” in this world. In fact, Paul the apostle wrote, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37), and people who trust in Him are to “hold fast to, own and possess” to His “business” until “final or completed”. Jesus promised the people within the “church in Thyatira” those who do these things shall receive “power over the nations”, and equally today God Almighty is observing those to whom He can “grant” “right and authority”.

Next time John writes how Jesus tells the “church of Thyatira” “he shall rule them with a rod of iron”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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