April 17: LUX LUCET IN TENEBRIS

“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.”  Revelation 2:24

The Apostolic Church of the first century AD, fresh from the ministry of the Savior, was not without its problems. Their faithful witness in the world, along with their Biblical dealings when challenges arose, are laid out in the book of Acts. Their reliance upon the Spirit of God, along with faithfulness to the written Word included a readiness to accept correction from that Word. Thus, a loyal remnant was present as a witness in the world.

In the days of Jezebel and Ahab, there was also a faithful remnant, even though Elijah felt as though he was alone in his faith. God assured him that His Spirit was alive and working in the hearts of others: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)

In the letter of Jesus to the church in Thyatira, He addresses the listeners “Now to you I say…” zeroing in on the rest (meaning the remnant) in Thyatira: “and to the rest in Thyatira”. He also addresses those in any of the other churches who have faithfully adhered to His Word: “as many as do not have this doctrine”. What doctrine? An impure doctrine, polluted with false and deceptive teachings. Those “who have not known the depths of Satan” remained unaffected by the strategies of Satan. The word for known refers to an experiential knowledge, as in a sexual relationship. Loyalty to the Lord kept them from committing spiritual adultery by breaking the law of God.

In prophetic fulfillment, there were several groups of remaining ones who comprised the rest [remnant] in Thyatira. One of these groups, known as Waldensians, labored to keep the light of God’s Word shining during the Dark Ages. Against a horrific onslaught of persecution, they protected, meticulously hand-copied, memorized, and shared the Word. They risked their lives to create opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with millions, both literate and illiterate. To them was given the promise: “I will put on you no other burden.”

The bulk of the church at Thyatira went on to form the Roman Catholic Church. They ruthlessly pursued and hunted down the Waldensians, whose creed was Lux lucet in tenebris (“A light shines in the darkness”). The Waldensians often escaped their persecutors by hiding and living in caves located high in the Swiss Alps. Their love for the Savior and confidence in His unchanging nature rendered them fearless of the threats imposed by man.

And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. Daniel 7:8b

Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Revelation 12:6