July 31 Rule With Jesus

Revelation 2:26-29 “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nation – 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ – just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
 
ONE of the many unique principles of Christianity against all other belief systems in the world is our sure hope in Jesus. We know that our God-given faith has secured us for eternal life. No one can remove our faith because God’s Spirit has broken sin’s stronghold to give us eternal life. Faith in Christ secures one in this unmovable truth.
    Jesus affirms this doctrine in this portion of his message as he quotes from Psalms 2:8-9 “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
    Iron is the symbol of God’s strength in judgment and salvation. Christ declares the great reward for his faithful followers. In Jesus, we have the power to destroy sin as iron destroys clay pots. As a reward, we will rule over the unbelievers.
    This rule is as a shepherd. When our Good Shepherd leads us in his authority, we will be given authority to lead others to Jesus. We will rule over the sin in our hearts, and we will reign with Jesus in heaven above all sin and death.           
    Does the Lord’s promise fill you with confidence, hope and joy? Do you live in wonder at his eternal grace? As Jesus has received authority from the Father, he anoints his faithful church to minister his justice and grace. Remember he commissioned his disciples (then and now), “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
    His authority transcends to his faithful. His light becomes your light. The morning star is Jesus’ light of salvation bursting forth into the world as the sun breaks forth in the morning dawn. Hearts born in darkness receive the bursting light of salvation.
   
Prayer: I pray faith rules my heart like iron to destroy sin, to be filled with the eternal morning star. Amen.