A person reigns with Christ and shepherds the nations by:
1. Walk in Christ’s love doing first works
2. Endure suffering, poverty and persecution
3. Obey teaching from whole counsel of God
4. Be pure without compromise or idolatry
5. Walk in Christ’s victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence
6. Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God
7. Listen to Jesus’ voice for zealous service and fervent prayer
Walk in Christ’s Love Doing First Works for Real Living
Christ knew the deeds, hard work and perseverance of the church in Ephesus. It could not tolerate wicked men and tested those who claimed to be apostles that were found false. They did not grow weary enduring hardships for His name. They must repent of forsaking their first love and do the things they did at first. Otherwise, Christ would remove the lampstand from its place if they did not repent. He was pleased they hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. By overcoming, He would give the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:1-7). Walk in Christ’s love doing works you did at first for real living.
Endure Suffering, Poverty and Persecution to Receive Crown of Life
Christ considered Smyrna rich in their afflictions and poverty. He knew the slander of a synagogue of Satan who said they were Jews, but were not. Christ told them not to fear suffering as the devil would put some in prison to be tested and persecuted for ten days. He would give them the crown of life if they were faithful, even to death. Those who overcame would not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:8-11). Endure suffering, poverty and persecution to receive the crown of life.
Obey Teaching From Whole Counsel of God to Receive Provision and Blessing
Christ knew Pergamum lived where Satan had his throne, yet remained true to His name without renouncing their faith. They were to repent because some held the teaching of the Nicolaitans and others held to Balaam’s teaching who taught Balak to entice Israel to sin by eating foods sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. He would fight against them with the sword of His mouth. Those who overcame would be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who received it (Rev. 2:12-17). Obey teaching from whole counsel of God to receive provision and blessing.
Be Pure Without Compromise and Idolatry for Reigning and Shepherding to Receive Christ as Reward
Christ knew Thyatira’s deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. Their later works were greater than those done at first. However, they tolerated Jezebel who misled His servants into sexual immorality and eating foods sacrificed to idols. Because she was unwilling to repent of her immorality, Christ put her on a bed of suffering. Those who committed adultery with her would suffer intensely unless they repented of her ways. Others who did not hold onto her teaching or learned Satan’s deep secrets would have no other burden. Those who overcame and did His will to the end would have authority over the nations by ruling with an iron scepter and given the morning star (Rev. 2:18-29). Be pure without compromise or idolatry for reigning with Him and shepherding the nations to receive Christ as your reward.
Walk in Christ’s Victory to Overcome Busyness and Over-Confidence for His Acceptance
Christ knew Sardis’ deeds and their reputation of being alive, but really dead. He commanded them to wake up and strengthen what remained and near death for their deeds were not found complete in God’s sight. They were to obey and repent after remembering what they received and heard. If they did not wake up, He would come like a thief. A few worthy people did not soil their clothes and walked with Him. Overcomers were dressed in white with their names never erased from the book of life. Christ would acknowledge His name before His Father and angels (Rev. 3:1-6). Walk in Christ’s victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence for His acceptance.
Embrace Evangelistic Opportunities Relying On God to Gain Stability and Honor
What Jesus opened no one could shut and what He shut no one could open. He placed an open door before them that no one could shut. He knew they had little strength, but they kept His word and did not deny His name. He made those of Satan’s synagogue who claimed to be Jews but lied to fall down at their feet and acknowledge God loved them. Because they kept His command to endure patiently, He kept them from the hour of trial to test those on the earth. Because He was coming soon, they were to hold on to what they had so no one would take their crown. He made overcomers a pillar in His temple and wrote on them God’s name and the name of the city of His God, the new Jerusalem, which would come down out of heaven from Him. He would write on him His new name (Rev. 3:7-13).
Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God to gain stability and honor from Him.
Listen to Jesus’ Voice for Zealous Service and Fervent Prayer to Sit on His Throne
Christ knew that since Laodicea’s deeds were neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, He would spit them out of His mouth. By acquiring wealth, they considered themselves rich without needs. Christ said they failed to realize their wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked state. He counseled them to buy from Him gold refined in fire to become rich, white clothes to wear so they could cover their shameful nakedness and eye salve so they could see. Because Christ rebuked and disciplined those He loved, they should be earnest and repent. If anyone heard His voice and opened the door, He would go in and eat with him and he with Him. Overcomes had the right to sit with Christ on His throne like He did with His Father on His throne (Rev. 3:14-22). Listen to Jesus’ voice for zealous service and fervent prayer so you can sit on His throne.
Ask God to enable you to reign with Christ and shepherd the nations as you walk in Christ’s love, endure suffering, be pure, walk in His victory, embrace evangelistic opportunities and listen to His voice for zealous service and fervent prayer.
