THE SEVEN CHURCHES [NO

Assessing the Assemblies No. 6

The Church at Thyatira
Scriptures Rev. 2v 18-29

Our previous visit took us to Pergamus the most northerly church. We are now moving about forty miles in a south easterly direction to our next port of call which is the church at Thyatira.

As has been mentioned in previous studies we can look at these churches in many different ways and I have tried to look at the prophetic aspect of each church. We can see an unfolding of church history. We can see this depicted in the seven churches from the church of the first century up until the rapture of the church. I realise this is not the main interpretation, these were seven literal churches but that must never stop us from considering the deeper things of God.

In this province of ours, and indeed in the United Kingdom as a whole, it has become unfashionable and politically incorrect to attack error. We are told that we must tolerate other people’s beliefs, however what they mean by ‘toleration’ is really ‘accommodation.’

One who stands for truth could find them easily labelled as being sectarian or as being bigoted. I think we must search our hearts before God and make sure that we are not being correctly labelled.

I heard the former moderator of the Presbyterian church say recently that we in Ulster have used the Bible as a basis for bigotry. Is that really the case?

From the following scriptures we can see that today, Paul would also be accused of this.

Ephes. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Is Paul encouraging bigotry or bible based conviction? Paul says, "Have no fellowship," He says again, "From such turn away."

As we have studied these churches we have looked at Ephesus which reminds us of the first century church that left its first love.

We then looked at the church in Smyrna, which pictures the church for the next two centuries, which was under severe persecution.

Then Constantine embraced Christianity. We see this depicted in the Pergamus church. Pergamus actually means mixed marriage.

Around 600 AD we come across the first pope and many would see in the church at Thyatira the beginning of the Roman Catholic Church.

It is noteworthy that and whilst the first three churches depicted periods of church history that have ended, the next four periods depicted are ongoing right up until the rapture of the church. They actually run concurrently.

We shall see that Thyatira is the first church of the seven where the Lord’s return is mentioned.

I don’t want to labour this point too much but let’s look at some of the similarities between the church at Thyatira and the Roman Catholic Church.

Notice that this church had a woman to the fore. Look at verse twenty.

Rev. 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Notice the reference to "that woman Jezebel," of course the Church of Rome has elevated Mary to a position of God. Mary would have to be God or how else could she hear many people praying at the same time?

Notice that woman Jezebel claimed authority for herself, "Which callest herself a prophetess."

In other words it was a self appointed authority. When the Church of Rome speaks it claims authority. It is self-appointed authority. The Old Testament Jezebel murdered the prophets of God and put out a death threat on Elijah. She had no time for the perpetrators of truth, does this not sound similar to the church of Rome?

1 Kings 19:1-3 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Notice the reference to false teaching and to idolatry in Rev. 2 v 20.

The Church of Rome is steeped in idolatry and is a false system. It is in fact a cult.

Interestingly Dr Ironside says that the word ‘Thyatira’ is made up of two words meaning, "sacrifice," and "continues on." If you like ‘an ongoing sacrifice.’

Does this not remind us of the mass, which is an ongoing continual sacrifice of Christ?

What did Christ cry from the cross?

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What does the Hebrew writer say of Christ’s death?

Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

We are noticing similarities between the Church at Thyatira and the Church of Rome. What did Jezebel do during the reign of Ahab her husband?

She brought into Israel a mixture of pagan worship and philosophy. She also allowed the worship of God. What is Romanism?

It is a mixture of pagan practises, human philosophy and Christianity. Look at verse twenty two.

Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Rome’s judgement is certain and those who get into bed with her are warned that they need to repent.

It is sad that so many professing Christians and some who profess to be evangelical are queuing up today to get into bed with Rome. This is all done in the name of tolerance and in the name of peace in the name of unity. Let us remind ourselves again what Paul’s advice was in Second Timothy.

2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

A young Roman Catholic girl said to a believer on one occasion, "Where was your church before Henry the Eight?"

The Christian replied, "Where yours wasn’t, in the Bible."

Let’s not be fooled in these days of ecumenism and apostasy, remember Rome is Rome and she hasn’t changed.

I just want to show you again the picture that develops as we look into these churches. Let’s look at this actual church at Thyatira.

Thyatira was the smallest of all the places the Lord wrote the letters to and yet it received the longest letter of them all.

Although Thyatira accepted many forms of worship it wasn’t known for its religiousness. It was a rich agricultural area and a wealthy little town. It was noted for its numerous guilds. [Trade unions] Its main industry was the production of wool and dyed goods. One famous woman in scripture bears this out, remember Lydia?

Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Each of the guilds had a pagan deity. If you weren’t a member of one of these guilds you couldn’t work and if you were a member you were obliged to attend the feasts which involved eating meat sacrificed to idols. This often led to sexual immorality and idolatry. Genuine believers knew this was wrong and was not pleasing to their God. .

You can immediately imagine the dilemma that believers in Thyatira faced.

Nothing is said of the founding of this church. It could have been be part of Paul’s outreach from Ephesus or perhaps Lydia had spread the gospel to this place, remember her household also believed. We cannot be certain who planted this church at Thyatira.

It is to this church the Lord addresses his next correspondence.

Let us see firstly a warning entrance.

You can usually tell by looking at someone what sort of a mood they are in. For example one look at my wife when she comes home from her work and I know the mood she is in.

One look at the Lord here and you can see that he really means business, look with me at verse eighteen.

Rev. 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

In verse eighteen again we have another description of the Lord taken from chapter one. In most of the seven letters this is the case. Notice "eyes as flames of fire," we are reminded of the penetrating eyes of our saviour. Compare this with Hebrews four verse thirteen.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Nothing escapes the Saviour’s all seeing eyes. Look again at verse eighteen.

Rev. 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

"His feet are like fine brass." Brass speaks of judgement so we can see from this verse that the Lord is going to deal with this church. There is something that needs to be judged.

Look back at chapter one and you can see one difference here from the description of chapter one.

Rev. 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

In Chapter one Christ is called the Son of man, in verse eighteen of chapter two he is called the Son of God.

The title "Son of man" reminds us of his humanity he is our great high priest.

But here in verse eighteen the Lord addresses himself as the Son of God and this reminds us of his Deity. Had this church become too familiar with Christ?

Had they treated him just like any other man? Perhaps they had put others on a par with Christ?

Do we not see similarities again with the Church of Rome? Has Rome sidelined Jesus for Mary? Has the pope replaced Christ?

Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

That’s the rock Christ would build his church upon and not Peter the so called first pope. The Rock that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of the living God.

Surely his deity reminds us again of his holiness. Here is the omnipotent one and he is coming to judge this church.

Do you see the warning entrance? I wonder has the Lord something to warn us about? Don’t forget the personal application of these letters.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

We have considered a warning entrance now let us look at a warm endorsement.

The Lord continues as previously by commending them for their good works. The lord is a fair and just judges as we can see again from verse nineteen.

Rev. 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

"I know thy works," the Lord says. Then he breaks the deeds down for us.

Rev. 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Notice the words he uses:

Charity, this is the first church to be commended for its love.

Service, they worked for the Lord and they met the needs of others.

Faith, they are commended for their faithfulness.

Patience is perseverance, they endured even under pressure.

True faith and love will produce service and perseverance. This church at Thyatira had some good qualities. Look at the end of verse nineteen.

Rev. 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

The Lord said it is even improving, in other words you are working more than ever and there has been growth.

Is there service and perseverance in our Christians lives? If not could it be that love and faithfulness is missing? One Christian grace will lead to another in our lives look what Peter said.

2 Peter 1:7-8 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have already noticed a warning entrance and a warm endorsement. Let us continue as we look at a woman’s error. Look at verse twenty.

"Thou sufferest, " that means thou tolerate. In fact it means you have accommodated it, you can see how things are getting worse in the Churches.

Rev. 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

In Pergamos as you can see from the above verse it was said, "thou hast." It describes the mere presence of false teachers, here in Thyatira false teachers were not only present but they had the pre-eminence.

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman." Thee is singular and this message would seem to be directed to the elder or pastor of the church. Some have even suggested that this woman could have been his wife and she was calling the shots actually it could read, "thy woman."

Remember Ahab although he was the king he was only really Jezebel’s puppet.

One thing is certain there was a woman in this assembly and she was exercising a great influence. It was an influence for evil. She may not have been called Jezebel but she would be easily recognisable. Jezebel has been described as the woman who put on the war paint in the morning and went on the warpath in the afternoon.

Jezebel brought her pagan idol worship with her.

1 Kings 16:31-32 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. [32] And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

Jezebel killed God’s prophets and she had a warrant out for Elijah. She wanted him dead, She couldn’t tolerate truth or those who stood for it. Think about her treatment of Naboth.

1 Kings 21:1-2 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. [2] And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

Naboth was a man with an inheritance and Ahab wanted it but Naboth refused to sell.

1 Kings 21:7-8 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. [8] So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.

Do you see how she usurped authority?

1 Kings 21:9-10 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: [10] And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

Do you see how she used religion to kill Naboth, she twisted the scriptures to suit her evil ends.

Jezebel stands in scripture as an example of immorality, idolatry and subtlety. Does this not remind you of the Church of Rome?

Here in this assembly at Thyatira was a woman, probably an attractive woman with a strong personality. Someone who could argue from scripture, even if it was twisted she was very domineering. This Jezebel of a character had taken over the assembly.

Two sins are mentioned in verse twenty.

She was self- appointed as she claimed to be a prophet. And also the very fact she was allowed to teach. What had Paul told Timothy?

1 Tim. 2:12-14 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. [13] For Adam was first formed, then Eve. [14] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Women generally are more susceptible to error than men. Woman are not given

the teaching role in the church, that is not male chauvinism but that is what the word of God teaches.

Most women recognise this but in this church at Thyatira there was a strong-minded woman who had taken over. Not only was she allowed to teach but she was teaching error. Look again at verse twenty as we study this church at Thyatira.

Notice that she was seducing, that is, she was leading others astray. Perhaps she was advocating that it was all right to join the guilds. It was all right to eat the food sacrificed to idols and it was all right to commit sins of sexual immorality.

She would no doubt have twisted the scriptures perhaps she would have argued that we are saved by grace so we can do what we like. She would have said this body is separate from spirit and God doesn’t really care what we do with our bodies. Paul’s teaching however is clear.

1 Cor. 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

This teaching would make her very popular, not only did it allow these believers to have a great time but they could go about unhindered. And best of all, she seemed to have scripture to back it up. Does this not all ring so true today?

In many churches standards of purity and holiness are surrender for political correctness. Drop your standards to win the lost we are told, don’t be too tight you will put non Christians off. Don’t preach the gospel; don’t preach about hell as you will only put people off.

What an influence her teaching was having on this assembly at Thyatira.

They had a problem in the area of God’s relationship with man, that is idolatry. They had a problem in the area of mans relationship with mankind, that is fornication. Everything God’s commandments protected against Jezebel promoted and the saddest thing of all she was able to do it from the pulpit. The Lord had had enough. Look at verse twenty one.

Rev. 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

In verse twenty one we see the mercy and grace of God. "I gave her time to repent of her fornication and she repented not."

I wonder has the Lord spoken to some believer reading this study? Has the Lord spoken over and over again?

"I gave you space," but you misunderstood it for my acceptance of your sin. You have behaved like those Paul spoke of in Romans two.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Look at verse twenty-two as God speaks of the judgement to fall.

Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

"I will cast," it’s as if judgement has already commenced, she was beyond hope and beyond redemption.

Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

"A bed of pain or sickness," some have added, her couch of immorality and pleasure became a bed of pain and hardship.

Those who have committed adultery with her are surely those who had sided with her and aided her. I think this is used in a spiritual and not a physical sense here, they would know great tribulation. This has an immediate interpretation, hardship and troubles would be the consequence, God would indeed chastise them.

Again look at his goodness the Lord says, "Except they repent of their deeds," God was giving her accomplices time to repent. Jezebel was beyond hope but there was hope for her followers.

Oh don’t be following false teachers’ repent the Lord says. Look at verse twenty three as the judgement continues.

Rev. 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

"And I will kill her children with death." Again it’s probably spiritual children and not actual children. The fruit of her teaching are the children mentioned here, God would remove them.

What a warning to this church, repent or else! The following verses reveal how serious God treats sin within the church. Unconfessed sin is serious.

1 Cor. 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Think about Ananias and Sapphira.

Acts 5:1-3 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. [3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

We all know what happened to them.

The bottom line is that the Lord will take whatever steps are necessary to have his church pure.

The first instruction given to the church was in regard to sin in Matthew’s gospel.

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Remember what Paul said?

2 Cor. 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

The Lord wants his church to reflect him.

Ephes. 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

This church at Thyatira tolerated immorality and the Lord wasn’t going to tolerate it much longer. It was repent or else! Look again at verse twenty three.

The Lord said, "The other churches will know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts." The reins spoken of are kidneys. In modern language he knows our hearts and minds, whether covert or overt he knows.

This verse confirms again the deity of Jesus Christ as we can see by comparing it with what was said of God in first Chronicles.

1 Chron. 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Also we see this truth repeated in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 11:20 But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

We have already noticed a warning entrance and a warm endorsement we then looked at a woman’s error. Look at verse twenty four and notice a welcome encouragement.

Rev. 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Here for the first time we see a remnant within a church. There were those who were grieved by Jezebel, there were in this church some who were saddened by the apostasy. The Lord recognises them remember even through the dark ages God had his remnant of faithful believers.

"You have not known the depths of Satan," you haven’t sunk down to the level of her teaching. They hadn’t the deep things of Satan in mind they wanted to know the deep things of God.

1 Cor. 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

This remnant had held unto the deep things of God. What way do we stand? Will you reach the depths? Which one?

"As they speak," some believe this refers to the apostles, in other words the is confirming what was taught.

Perhaps it is better understood as what the remnant themselves believed. The Lord is supporting and assuring them that it is correct to avoid the deep things of Satan.

"I will put upon you none other burden," the Lord knows exactly what we can bear. Isn’t it good to know that the burdens we bear are loaded on by him? May that be a comfort to your heart. He will not over load you, hallelujah.

The Lord wanted them to deal with this woman, he wanted them to continue to take their stand and to live separate lives in this city. That is enough for you saith the Lord. Reject error and reject compromise and I will put upon you none other burden.

To do this is indeed a burden, may we have the strength and grace of God to do as he says.

Reflect again on what the Lord said, look at the following verses.

Rev. 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Rev. 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Do you see how Christ deals with the faithful differently than the unfaithful?

The word ‘cast’ in verse twenty two is the same as ‘put’ in verse twenty four.

Praise God he will not forget your faithfulness in times of adversity.

What a welcome encouragement for the faithful remnant. It is indicative of church history that the Lord can only find a few, the majority seems to have been apostatised.

What is the best remedy to cheer believers living in an age of ever increasing apostasy? Let us see the answer as we look at a wonderful expectation.

Rev. 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

"Hold fast till I come," praise God, Jesus Christ is coming again.

The blessed hope is an encouragement to faithful saints to stand fast, it is an encouragement to hold fast. Look at verses twenty-six and seven.

Rev. 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Again as we have said previously the overcomer is the true believer. The Lord expects, and the word of God expects the believers to continue unto the end.

Look at the reward, here it speaks of millennial blessing.

You may suffer in this world now and you may be oppressed. Perhaps you are even ostracised but look one day you are going to occupy a privileged position. Compare these verses with Psalm two and you can see the connection.

Psalm 2:8-9 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

The Lord quoted from this millennial psalm. If we share now in his rejection. Don’t worry we will share one day in his victory. Look at the following scriptures, which emphasise his coming rule over the world.

Rev. 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Rev. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Paul reminds us that.

1 Thes. 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Jesus one day will come with the saints but firstly he is coming for the saints.

Rev. 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.

Notice what Jesus is called in Malachi.

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

This is for Israel and speaks of his Second Advent. But before the sunrises the morning star appears so who is he?

Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus is coming first for his church.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The Lord finishes this letter with the personal call.

Rev. 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

What message does the church today receive from the church at Thyatira?

God will judge unrepentant sin in the church.

True Christians will be marked by obedience.

The blessed hope of the soon coming saviour should encourage obedience, faithfulness and holiness.

A roman patrician saw his father die and leave everything to his slave Marcellus. His father however did say, "I will give my son one thing and he can choose what it is."

The son said, "I will take Marcellus," and in doing so he then got everything!

When we have the morning star we have everything.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.