We heard a two-part exhortation to the church of Thyatira: “Hold on to what you have” (verse 25) and “Do my will to the end” (verse 26). That exhortation was followed by a rich promise: “You will rule with Christ over the nations” (verses 26-27). In other words, we heard an exhortation to abide in Christ and live according to His Word and a promise that whoever lives holy and, therefore, is a stranger in this world will eventually rule with Christ over this world! What an encouragement to live holy. But then follows another promise in verse 28, “And I will give him the morning star.” In Revelation 22:16, we hear Christ speak, “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” So, the promise to Thyatira is most likely a promise of continued fellowship with Christ. What a great promise this is! Therefore, let us hold fast to Jesus and His Word and live accordingly. Living an unholy life, clinging to sin, and neglecting God's Word leads to darkness. The presence of the Morning Star withdraws, and the Light of Christ diminishes. There are so many examples of this truth in God's Word. We read in Psalm 32:3 and 4, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.” But that same Psalm tells us what to do. Verse 5b, “I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Let us stay close to the Great Shepherd of His flock and His Word. As we read in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” The letter to Thyatira ends with the words, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” So, the letter ends with a call to attention and a call not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:20). Let us walk in love. Love for God and our neighbor. That love is found in Christ. His love compels us to live in love and, thus, in holiness.