Thyateira (2.24–29)

English

However, I say to the rest of you in Thyateira, whoever does not hold this teaching, who have not known the satan’s depths (as they say), I will not throw on you another burden. Anyway: Hold on, grasp until when I come.

And whoever conquers and keeps my works until the end, I will give him authority over the nations and he will shepherd them with an iron rod—like the potter’s jars are shattered—like I also received from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the assemblies.’

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Interpretation

coming

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Parallels

Psalms

2.8–9 ‘Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’

Numbers

24.17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near—a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel

Testament of Levi

18.2–3 And then the Lord will raise up a new priest to whom all the words of the Lord will be revealed. He shall effect the judgment of truth over the earth for many days. And his star shall rise in heaven like a king; kindling the light of knowledge as a day is illumined by the sun.

Joseph & Asenath

14.1 And when Asenath had ceased making confession to the Lord, behold, the morning star rose out of heaven in the east. And Asenath saw it and rejoiced and said, ‘So the Lord God listened to my prayer, because this star rose as a messenger and herald of the light of the great day.’

Sibylline Oracles

8.248 An iron shepherd’s rod will prevail

Psalms of Solomon

17.21–25, 32 See, O Lord, and raise up for them their king, the son of David, at the time which you chose, O God, to rule over Israel your servant. And gird him with strength to shatter in pieces unrighteous rulers, to purify Jerusalem from nations that trample her down in destruction, in wisdom of righteousness, to drive out sinners from the inheritance, to smash the arrogance of the sinner like a potter's vessel, to shatter all their substance with an iron rod, to destroy the lawless nations by the word of his mouth, that, by his threat, nations flee from his presence, and to reprove sinners with the thought of their hearts. […] And he shall be a righteous king, taught by God, over them, and there shall be no injustice in his days in their midst, for all shall be holy, and their king the Anointed One of the Lord.

Mark

4.9 And he said, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

Matthew

13.16 ‘But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.’

28.18 And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’

2 Peter

1.19 You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.