Can I keep going?

You may have gone to bed so weighed down with the darkness of your situation and wondering if you can keep going.

But the day has broken, here you are, you begin again but who heralded that?

Remember how in 2:28 the church in Thyatira were promised the morning star? In these next verses we read who exactly the morning star is and of course, it is Jesus!

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give youthis testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22: 14-17)

Venus is known as the morning star as the first to appear after the sun sets or the last to disappear before the sun rises. It heralds of course a new day, hope and a new beginning.

At the moment when the night is at its darkest there is a belief that the morning will break soon and the morning star is that sign. His name is not Venus but Jesus!

Set in the context of washing of robes from the darkness we live in comes this promise.

The Morning Star, Jesus.

Can you still see the Morning Star? How is that possible in such darkness?

The answer is v17, the Spirit. (If you are looking for a chapter which reveals the Trinity then there is no greater one than this last one of the whole Bible).

It is the Spirit that enables us to live ready; to see the Morning Star/Jesus in the midst of the darkness; for the martyrs not to give up; for the intercessors to pray; everywhere in the world in church and chapel, in cathedrals and under trees, calling for Jesus to come. It is the Spirit in our homes; in that favourite place where we go to each morning to pray; in the cry for help; in the place where you cannot cope; when you feel alone; in the exiled island of Patmos; as you feel the whole of creation longing for respite for something to break; Come!

That’s our promise. The Spirit’s presence. Maybe you cannot muster hope today but you can acknowledge your helper. Maybe you’re not interested in enthusiastic plans for the future but you can welcome your helper into your today. Some mornings you simply need help for the morning to begin. And the helper will come and partner with you and together you will pray to Jesus, “Come!”