With the news that confronts us these days; almost apocalyptic conflict in the Middle East, and brutal terrorists attacks in Paris, even a cautious reader of the Revelation can't help but just wonder about the trajectory of history and how it all relates to the last days. Of course the book of Revelation has a lot to teach us about living in dangerous and difficult times, but not just at the end of history, throughout all of history.

What does it tell us is most important? Well, it's most basic instruction appears in multiple places throughout the book but here in Revelation 2:8-29, the central and longest of the seven letters to the churches of Revelation, we can discern the message clearly. It's a message that all of us can apply to our lives right now. It's a message that I find absolutely galvanizing, it is catalytic but it's a message some might find disappointing. It's a message about good works. The word "works” appears more often in the letter to Thyatira than in any of the other letters. Verse 23 is key. It ends with the words, I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. The message of the letter to Thyatira can be summed up with three simple and statements: do good, fight sin and hold fast.