The prize for faithfulness was the privilege of reigning with Christ in His earthly kingdom (cf. 1:6; 12:5; 19:15; Ps. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:4-6). As with the promises in the other letters, this one is probably for all believers and would encourage them to overcome the temptations this Jezebel held out. The Lord intended the prospect of this blessing to motivate the unfaithful in the church to return to God's will for them and to encourage the faithful to persevere. Believers who are faithful will receive authority in heaven from Jesus Christ and will "rule"(lit. shepherd) others during the Millennium (Luke 19:11-27; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21). Some believers evidently will receive greater authority for being faithful than others who have not been as faithful (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). This is the first mention in Revelation of the Lord's coming for the church, the Rapture (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
"This is the nearest we have in the seven letters to a definition of the conqueror. He holds fastthe traditions of faith and life delivered to the Church till the coming of Christ (v. 25), and he keepsChrist's works till the end (v. 26)--whether that end' be the Lord's parousia or his own death."132
John identified the "morning star"(v. 28) elsewhere as Jesus Christ Himself (22:16). The morning star (the planet Venus) appears in the night sky just before the dawning of a new day. From Babylonian to Roman times the ancients regarded the morning star as a symbol of sovereignty and, in Roman times, victory.133Jesus Christ will guide faithful believers in the future as the new day of His rule dawns (cf. Titus 2:13). A special close relationship with Jesus Christ seems to be the focus of this blessing.
"The gift of the morning star must refer to the fact that the exalted Christ shares his messianic status with the believer who conquers."134
Commentators have pointed out that spiritual conditions during the Middle Ages in the West (A.D. 606-1520) were similar to those that existed in this church. There were faithful believers, but there was also a strong encouragement coming from those who claimed higher authority to do things contrary to the teachings of Scripture. This came primarily from the Roman Catholic Church. Some have also compared the leadership of the Virgin Mary, as promoted by the Roman Church, to Jezebel's leadership in Thyatira.135
