January 2009

Monthly Archive

January 14, 2009

Revelation 12: We Will Overcome!

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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I hope that you are reading the chapter of the day before you read this . . . because you should prayerfully seek to gain understanding on your own.  Don’t let me spoon feed you MY thoughts.  What if I’m wrong?  And, what if the Lord wants to give YOU some insights??  So, if you haven’t, go read chapter 12, then come back.  :)
 
Now, chapter 12 is quite symbolic in the “story” that it tells.  Generally, most of Revelation is NOT symbolic, as some have supposed.  Here it is, but remember the Lord wants us to understand, so let’s not overcomplicate it, if we can.  There is much to be learned and studied, for those who want to mine the depths of it.  However, understanding IS available to all.
 
So, let’s first decode the two main symbols in this passage.  The definition is actually right in the text.  As a rule, the best way to interpret Scripture, is with Scripture.  So, who is the “Woman” here?
 
See verse 17, it speaks of her “offspring” being “those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus”.  This would tell us that “she” could be the Church, for this is what “births” believers, and is a consistent symbol throughout Scripture (the Church being a woman from which is born children of God).  But, seeing that she is the womb from which Jesus came (v.5 describes her “Son” who will “rule the nations with an iron scepter” – clearly that is Jesus), we should define her identity the faithful remnant of Israel throughout history.  With Jesus being born through “her” and bringing salvation to all, it is a more inclusive identity that DOES include the Church, since we are grafted into Israel through Him. 
 
The Dragon may seem more obvious, but, still the answer is given to us in verse 9 — he is “Satan, who leads the whole world astray”.   
 
The general story line here is the rage of Satan.  He hates Jesus and he hates God’s people.  He boils with anger and is bent on destruction against God’s purposes, His people, and the salvation of others.  This chapter shows us why (as described in chapter 10 from yesterday) Jesus MUST displace and destroy many the governments of the earth — because the Antichrist will so violently oppose the saints and all that is good, and will turn the governments of the earth against them. 
 
Chatper 13 only tells part of the story (chapter 14 will finish it), but let’s take a closer look.
 
Verses 1-6 set the stage by telling us what has already happened:  Jesus, the Jewish Messiah was born.  Satan tried to kill him off (remember that?  Herod had all the firstborn sons of the day slain, but God led Mary and Joseph away during that time).  Jesus was taken up to the Throne, where He is today (Colossians 3:1). 
 
(Verses 7-9)  Micheal the archangel and the angels make war against the devil and his demons.  The angels win (of course) and the devil and demons are thrown to earth. 
 
So, after the angels conquer the devil in heaven, who will defeat him on earth?  WE WILL!!!   It is the “glory of all the saints” to be the executors of God’s judgments against His enemies (see Psalm 149:6-9)!  How does we do that?
 
We Overcome Satan by:
-the blood of the Lamb (v.11), and
-the word of our testimony (v.11)
 
1.  The Blood of the Lamb- speaks of the finished work of Christ on the Cross.  We overcome the works of Satan (sin, sickness, oppression, etc.) by fully appropriating all that Christ has accomplished for us — salvation, healing, deliverance, authority.  Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8), but He’s doing that today, though us! – how?
 
2.  Through “the Word of our Testimony” –  this is how we release the benefits of the work of Christ, thereby destroying the works of the devil:
It has a lot to do with the words of our mouth, like-
-declaring the Truth of the Word = worship, praise and prayer
-recounting the works of God in our lives (this is what we usually call “testimony”)
-intercessory prayer
-staying faithful to the Gospel in what we say, and HOW WE LIVE
 
A little explanation on these:
-Revelation 6:9 speaks of those who were killed for staying faithful to the Lord — this was called ”testimony they kept.  Our lives completely surrendered to the Lord are an act of spiritual violence!  It does damage to the kingdom of darkness as we live our lives holy to the Lord and do not dilute the Word in the way we live and profess.
 
-In Psalm 149 verse 6 it says: ”the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands”, and that these are what  we use to execute God’s jugments!  So our two weapons to destroy the kindgdom of darkness are 1. PRAISE and 2. THE WORD, as Hebrews 4:12 tells us it is the double-edged sword (and I would contend that this is the Word spoken verbally in intercession).  With these WE destroy the kingdom of darkness!  What an authroity and privilege we have been given! 
 
The End Time Church will be actively involved in this battle, as we continue to see over and over in this End Time Battle Plan! 
 
How should we begin to prepare NOW for this day?
 
We MUST become people of praise, and not just on Sunday morning!  The devil is at work all the time — we should be warring in worship all the time!
 
We Must EAT THE SCROLL (as in Revelation 10), continually devouring the Word and letting it become who we are.  Are you thoroughly convinced of the importance of this yet? 
 
Think about this:  If we will “overcome” by these things (the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony), how do you think we will fare if we do NOT give ourselves to these things now?  Do you see any place where it tells what happens to those who do not overcome?  I don’t see any indication that anyone will overcome in any other way.  It is not optional but to give ourselves to these things. 
 
I look forward to overcoming our adversary with you!
Comments welcome!
 

January 13, 2009

Revelation 11: Here Comes the Kingdom!

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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First, let me encourage you to check the past entries comment sections where some questions and discussions have begun to bubble up. 
 
Chapter 11 starts with a really interesting account of Two Witnesses.  I don’t know about you, but seeing this unfold will be SO COOL!  Apparently two men (they really ARE men, see verse 6) will be endued with great power, and will prophesy on the earth for 1,260 days.  They will operate in the power of Moses and Elijah, able to call down fire, shut up the skies, etc.  Finally, when their ministry is finished, the Beast (Antichrist) will kill them.  Interesting to note, it’s only when they are finished that the Lord allows them to be killed. 
 
Why would He allow this? 
 
Well, first, for the believer, death has “no sting” (I Corinthians 15:15) – we have nothing to fear in death, so if these men are done with their ministry, death is no big deal, it’s actually a gift!  We graduate to Heaven!  But, there’s much more that the Lord wants to do here.  The AntiChrist thinks he wins by killing them, and then to shame them, leaves their dead bodies out for all to see (and presumable mock, “they had so much power, look at them now”, etc.).  Little does he know that he’s playing right into the hands of the powerful Scriptwriter, who uses their death to put a huge exclamation point on the whole thing by RAISING THEM FROM THE DEAD, right in public view of the whole world!  This testimony and the terror of the subsequent earthquake will cause many to glorify the Lord (and who knows how many will be saved by their supernatural ministry!)!
 
The Seventh Trumpet is sounded, and clearly it is an Announcement of what is happening:
 
God is here beginning to show His true colors, and not hide Himself anymore.  He is showing more and more of His glory in this drama as He continues to systematically destroy the Kingdom of darkness on the earth and begin to more fully establish His Kingdom.  The statement “He has begun to reign” is thrilling!  Can you IMAGINE??  Of course, Jesus reigns today in the hearts of those who say “yes” to Him, but He has never IMPOSED His rule and reign on the Earth. 
 
Are you beginning to see what is happening in the unfolding of the Father’s glorious plan?  He WILL enforce His Kingdom on Earth.  He will remove everything that stands in the way of His Kingdom of Love.  You could even say it’s a hostile takeover of the governments of the Earth.  That is what ALL of these judgments and events foretold in the book of Revelation are all about!  I tell you, it IS GOOD.  There has never been anything as GOOD and glorious as Jesus TRULY ruling the Earth.  Why would we fear?  Why would we want to be gone (removed from the earth before the playing out of this drama)?  When Jesus DOES take over the governments of the Earth, He will need faithful people to govern under Him!  Wouldn’t you like to take your place to rule and reign with Him on the Earth? 
 
Verse 18– “THE TIME HAS COME!”
for judging the dead,
      and for rewarding your servants the prophets
   and your saints and those who reverence your name,
      both small and great-
   and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”  
That’s pretty clear, isn’t it??
 
And Heaven is OPENED!!  (verse 19)
 
What do you think THAT looks like??
 
Let your holy imagination run wild as you meditate on that! :)
 
Comments welcome! 
 
 

January 12, 2009

Revelation 10: Eat the Scroll!

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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Chapter 10 takes a break from the release of judgments to let us take a breath, and answer the question once again, “What about US?”.  Just as the angel showed John after he saw the seal judgments rapidly unfolding that there would be protection as God put His seal on His people, John gets to see what God will be doing in His Church as the terror of the trumpet judgments plays out (and did you notice in chapter 9 that those who had God’s seal could not be harmed? See 9:4).
 
Where chapter 7 spoke of Protection for God’s people, chapter 10 speaks of Direction given to God’s people, inviting us into a deeper role in this drama. 
 
(verses 1-4) We see a very mighty angel appear with a little scroll. A mystery is spoken, but John is not alowed to record it for us!  Isn’t that interesting?  Apparently there is some information here that God wants to be kept hidden until the right time.  This hearkens us back to the prophecy of Daniel (see Daniel 8:26), where the Lord tells Daniel to “seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.  And, that “distant future” is actually the events of Revelation.  Daniel contains a lot of parallel information to Revelation about end times events.  Although these books give us quite a bit of detail about what is to come, and provide us basically with Jesus’ end time battle plan, there is some information that will not be revealed until the actual time when these events are happening on the earth!
 
Verse 7 alludes to this when it says, “In the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.”  It tells us that there is yet prophetic information that God will be revealing to His people in the end time drama.  Though we have a pretty clear script here, He wants to endue us prophetic insight, so that we partner with Him in power in that Day.  We will be required to be fully dependant on the leading of the Holy Spirit and not our own understanding in that day!
 
Do you know that this is already a reality for some of our brothers and sisters in other nations where persuction for following Christ is rampant?  I have read of some of these who have to listen to the Holy Spirit to even know when and where their next church meeting is!  For real!  And, He tells them, and they show up and have church!  To advertise the meeting could cause them to be found by those who would might harm them.  We will surely need this kind of revelation and attuning to the Holy Spirit in that Day, when the rage of the Anti-Christ will surely come against those who love Jesus!  And, as I mentioned a deeper and more widespread outpouring of the Spirit is already happening all over the globe with increase of spiritual dreams (as Barry shared with us Sunday) and a spirit of prophecy invading the church more and more.  It’s the continual fulfillment of Acts 2 and Joel 2, where God promises to pour out His Spirit!  Are you pressing in to receive more than you have?  I assure you there IS more to be had!  We should be continually asking the Lord to “give to (us) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that (we) would KNOW Him” (Ephesians 3:17).   
 
As the angel declares that the mystery of God would be accomplished (v.7), it’s talking about much more than just having a high level of prophetic insight in that time (though this is needed and important).  It’s also referring to Romans 16:25 where Paul talks about the mystery of this amazing thing called salvation that we have and are continually experiencing!  The salvation the Jesus purchased is beyond just saving our souls (though that would be great enough).  It is the full redemption of mankind into the pure image of God and to his royal status as CO-HEIR with Christ in His Kingdom ,and the full Kingship of the Messiah on earth, which these very judgments will bring about!  How glorious it will be! 
 
So, how do we enter into the process of being those who can receive and operate in the prophetic spirit?  How do we allow God to continually tranform us into the image of Christ, so that we will made worthy to reign with Him in His Kingdom on earth?
 
This chapter ends the very answer to that — the very simple, yet many times diffucult key to unlocking the mysteries of Christ:  EAT THE SCROLL (verse 9).  This is familiar concept if you have read some of the prophets.  Look up Jeremiah 15:16 and Ezekiel 2:8-3:3.  You’ll see that the Lord commanded these men of God to take His Word and “eat it”.  God is inviting us to do the same.  Practically what it means is that we give ourselves to devouring the Word of God, ALL of it.  This indicates way more than a casual reading now and then, and laisses-faire attitude towards the Bible.  We are to take the Word and make it the very thing that nourishes us and forms who we are.  Just like the food we eat is processed and becomes the tissues that form our body (as they say, “you are what you eat” :)), we are to take the Word of God (written and Spirit-breathed) and let it mold us, build us, fashion our very being, in such a way that it IS our DNA, the code that controls everything about us.    
 
Notice that he didn’t just have a bite of it.  He ate the whole thing!  We are to “ingest” ALL of God’s word, not picking out pieces that we don’t like or don’t understand, but take ALL of it!  You might say God doesn’t want us to be picky eaters when it comes to the Scriptures :) . 
 
So, why does it turn sour in his stomach (verse 10).  Well, if you really take ALL of God’s Word and let it define your very being, there are parts that will be unpleasant.  It will kill off all of your self-seeking, it will bring death to your favorite sinful habits, and to let it contol every thing about you means that you have to completely give up your “rights”.  You are not the boss of you, Jesus is!  Don’t you know that’s what it means when we call Him “Lord”??  It means He calls the shots, His Word has final say about everything we are, like it or not!  Seems harsh, I know.  To your flesh, your pride and your sinful appetites (your “stomach”) it IS harsh.  But, He is a Loving Lord.  To submit to Him in everything is for our very own good.  He has our best interests at heart – He made us!  He knows what we were created for, and He knows how life will be the best and most perfect for us!  The obvious flip-side to that truth is: usually, we don’t!  We are wise to surrender ourselves to His Word, devour it, ALL of it and be completely His.  We will never regret it, and it will be our greatest joy!
 
So, I challenge you the next time you want stand up and defend yourself, your personality and just who you believe you “are” before the Word of God – don’t.  Let His Words have final judgment over you.  In them you will find true joy and true life.  Actually, you would be blessed to do a word study on the “judgments” (best in the New King James version) — here’s a quick list. 
 
Finally, Jesus Himself is called the Word (see John chapter 1)!  By giving ourselves to the study and devotion in it, we are really learning to love Him and know Him!!
 
What is your plan to diligently devour the Word, daily, and to devour it all?
 
What are you doing to cultivate a prophetic spirit, to receive more of the Holy Spirit, daily, and to hear from Him and depend on His voice??
       
If you don’t have an answer to those questions . .  set some goals and make a plan.  You will not grow in these areas on accident, or just by showing up to church on Sunday morning.
 
Comments welcome! 
 
Man does not live on bread alone, by by every Word that proceeds from God!
 

January 11, 2009

Revelation 9: The Least Severe, the Deepest Love

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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I mentioned in yesterday’s post that it’s a good idea to partner your study with some fasting, and meant to share a link to some thoughts I shared a while back on fasting on my blog.  I forgot to link it, so if you’re interested, go here.  And, if you go here, you can download a whole FREE book called “the Rewards of Fasting”, coauthored by Mike Bickle (just scroll down to the bottom where it says “Mike Bickle ebooks”).  Enjoy!
 
I’d also like to encourage you in this:  One chapter of the Bible a day is really not that much.  It’s really helpful to gain understanding to read each chapter more than once through, maybe even at different times in the day, so you can meditate on it and see what more the Holy Spirit will bring to you. 
 
Chapter 9 is a continuation of chapter 8 where the trumpet judgments began to be released.  Here is a full listing of them (chapter 8 and 9). 
 
From Mike Bickle’s notes:
The trumpet judgments are supernatural acts of God through nature (first four trumpets) and through the release of demons (fifth and sixth trumpet) to destroy the Antichrist’s resources.
First trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth’s vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth trumpet (Torment):releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth trumpet (Death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
 
Something interesting happens here with the fifth and sixth trumpets.  We see in verses 1&2 that ”the Abyss” is opened.  Apparently this is the holding tank (hell, presumably) for Satan and His demons.  So in actuality it is the demons who are the ones who perpetrate the torture and killing of these judgments.  But, it is the sounding of the angel trumpet, released under the leadership of Jesus that actually causes these things to happen. 
 
This in an interesting interplay between two kingdoms, and needs to be understood.  Many people believe that all the “bad stuff” that we see happen in the book of Revelation is the devil’s fault, because “God is so good, He would never do that”.  It’s one reason many people stumble over the book of Revelation.  So, see the clear distinction here.  The demons ARE the ones torturing people (5th trumpet) and then killing people (6th trumpet), and clearly that is what demons love to do.  However, the One in charge of it all is JESUS.  So, the demons are expressing their wrath, but only to the extent that Jesus allows them to!  Even Satan and his demons are simply pawns in the hand of the Lord.  This is a tough concept to fully grasp, but it is true.  Nothing happens that is not known, understood and allowed by Him.  
 
This is true, even in our lives today!  Sometimes we have spiritual attack, where demons may attack us, or trouble in our lives, but Jesus knows, and has even allowed these things to happen!  Why, to punish us?  Not usually.  His leadership is perfect.  His wisdom is perfect.  He allows what He does because He is looking to produce something within us, NOT harm us.  Look at these verses:
 
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.   
 
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
 
God has a purpose in EVERYTHING that He does in our lives!  If we were not resisted, we would not gain strength.  If we didn’t have trials that test our faith, we would not grow in perseverance or be mature.  No situation is an accident, nor is it wasted in His purposes!   
 
(Back to Revelation)  So, what is His purpose in the 5th and 6th trumpets?  See verse 20 – He wants people to repent!  He is looking to bring MORE souls into His glorious Kingdom!  They may not respond this time, but that IS His goal, but He doesn’t force anyone’s will.  Remember that as you continue reading this book.  I’ve heard it said this way:  God is using the least severe means, to reach the greatest number of people, at the deepest levels of Love.  I believe this is a trustworthy saying that deserves full approval :) . 
 
Just remember in the End Times Drama, there are three forces at work, reaching a climactic crescendo: 1.  the judgments of God  2.  the rage of Satan  and 3. man’s sin (the depths of sin will be incredible!).  God is orchestrating the tension of this crescendo into a perfect resolution as He will set His King (Jesus) on His holy hill (Psalm 2:6). 
 
And don’t forget one very important fact, as noted before -WE HAVE A HUGE ROLL TO PLAY.  Think about this for a minute – do the plagues released by the seven trumpets sound familiar at all?  Interesting that they are called plagues . . think of the plagues in Egypt!  God sent plagues on Pharoah’s evil Kingdom, setting His people apart and delivering them into the Promised Land . . and He used a man- Moses..  And in the End Times, He is going to send these plagues on the AntiChrist’s evil Kingdom, He’s going to set His people apart, and He’s going to do it through His Bride, the praying Church, perfectly partnered with Him in intercession before His Throne!! 
 
May we learn His heart, so we can partner with Him, and may we allow the trials of this life to purify us to be a mature, equally-yoked Bride! 
 
Comments welcome! 
 
Let His come before the Throne of Grace!
 
 

January 10, 2009

Revelation 8: Let Your Kingdom Come!

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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Continuing our study of Revelation in the next few chapters, the events may seem hard to understand.  I want to encourage you once again that our study of this must be done in a spirit of devotion — loving Jesus and seeking to know Him more. It is the Revelation OF Jesus Christ, after all.  As you read ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and revelation about Jesus.  “What does this event tell me about Him?”  “Why is He doing this?” “How will I remain faithful and love Him in this midst of this?”  Also it’s strategic that we are doing this during a season of fasting.  Incorporate some fasting in your study, because fasting opens your spirit to receive more from God, it sensitizes you to Him.  The Holy Spirit will give you more insight. 
 
Chapter 8 is intensely cinematic and action-packed.  I always let it play like a movie in my mind, but Hollywood does not have the special effects to pull of the grandeur of these events — it’s breathtaking!  It opens with the breaking of the 7th seal, and there is silence for half an hour in Heaven.  Can you imagine?!  After chorus after chorus of praise, and the thunderings proceeding from the Throne, suddenly every thing is silent, and the Scroll is finally unsealed. 
 
The breaking of the 7th seal begins the release of the “trumpet judgments”.  These are judgments against the Anti-Christ’s empire, by depleting his resources.  From Mike Bickle’s notes:
The trumpet judgments are supernatural acts of God through nature (first four trumpets) and through the release of demons (fifth and sixth trumpet) to destroy the Antichrist’s resources.
First trumpet (Food Supply): burning 1/3 of the earth’s vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (Food Supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (Water Supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (Light, Energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
(we’ll look at the others tomorrow in chapter 9).
 
But an important question should be asked: HOW do these get released??
 
(verses 3-5).  An angels takes incense and the prayers of the saints and throws it on the fire on the altar before God.  The fragrance comes before the Lord, and THEN the angel dips his censer in the fire again and throws it to earth, where suddenly thunderings, lightnings, and earthquakes break out. Let’s take a look at these things:
 
-Incense was described in Revelation 5:8 as “the prayers of the saints”.  So we have here the prayers of the saints mixed with the prayers of the saints.  Perhaps this means the stored up prayers of the saints of all the ages COMBINED with the saints present on the earth during these events, partnering with God’s heart in intercession. 
-Fire on the Altar (that never goes out) is seen in Leviticus 6:12-13 and represents the unceasing worshipofferings before the Lord.  Even more interesting is that in Numbers 16:46, we see that incense combined with the fire on the altar provides atonement and mercy for God’s people when the plague of His wrath comes!!  How cool is that!
-Thunder, Lightning and Rumblings hearken us back to chapter 4 verse 5, where these things are a part of the glory of the Throne!!  We see the glory of God and His rulership being sent to earth!  Is this not what have all prayed for??  “Let Your Kingdom come… on earth as it is in Heaven”!! 
 
So the message of chapter 8 and the beginning of the Trumpets:  The Kingdom of God is beginning to come to earth, and it comes as the people of God PRAY and WORSHIP as a continual fragrance before God!  This releases mercy and protection on those who will serve Him as His wrath falls upon the Anti-Christ and those have chosen to serve Satan (and there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground — you choose Christ or Satan in that day).      
 
Give Him the worship He is worthy of!!
 

January 9, 2009

Revelation 7: Sealed!

Posted by Jessie under Revelation
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As we head into chapter 7, you might want to check out what a royal “seal” is like (as seen in chapter 6 – the breaking of 6 of the 7 seals on the Scroll).  Go here if you’re interested or unfamiliar with ancient seals.
 
Chapter 7 is the answer to all of the questions and exclamation points that chapter 6 leaves people with (and particularly the last verse of chapter 6 – “Who can stand?”).  After seeing the beauty of Throne and Jesus as the Worthy Leader, suddenly things get intense — horsemen riding out to release destruction and all . . . It’s easy to wonder, “What about US??”
 
Before the four horsemen of chapter 6 can begin to wreak havoc on the earth and the peoples of the earth, something extremely significant happens.  In Verse 3, there’s an angel with with the seal of God who is on assignment to make sure that EVERY follower of Christ is sealed, and therefore PROTECTED from the wraths that are coming on humanity.  There will be supernatural protection on all those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus and have resisted the Anti-Christ and refused to bow down to him and his evil world system!  You see, a royal seal was used on documents (like the Scroll) for mainly two reasons:  1.  To indicate who this document belonged to and 2. To insure that it was protected from being tampered with until it was delivered into the correct place. 
 
First, John specifically numbers the Jews from every tribe who are sealed for the Lord (the 144,000).  As Romans 1:16 states, salvation is “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” and “salvation is from the Jews”, Jesus said in John 4:22 — and Jesus Himself is a Jew!
 
Next, there is a Great Multitude that John sees, wearing white robes.  Don’t be confused as some have, thinking, “Does this say that only 144,000 will be saved?”  These are clearly two seperate groups of people, if John can “number” the Jews and count them each out by tribe, yet this other group is so many that “no one could count”, and also represents EVERY nation, tribe, tongue and language (verse 9)!  This is (most of) you and me reading this, and every other person who receives salvation who is not of Jewish decent.  And, what a GLORIOUS picture it is, as so many people, from so many different backgrounds and cultures, so diverse, are all singing ONE song –
the song of Salvation!!! 
 
Thank You, oh Lamb of God for the Your glorious salvation to us who believe!!!
 
(verse 11)  Next, the angels burst into song as well!  They can’t contain their worship of the wisdom, glory, power and strength of the God who saved this Great Multitude.  Do you know WHY?
Read I Peter 1:10-12!  It speaks how even the angels cannot comprehend this salvation that you and I get to FREELY receive!  Funny how we always think of angels as something greater than us, but really they SERVE us and they are in awe of us — because we bear the very IMAGE of God (they don’t!).  And, God in Christ is able to take this fallen race of image-bearers and restore them (“salvation”) into their true nature as the ones who truly reflect the glory of God, whom these angels can serve and adore . . . but, they do not have the capacity to freely and voluntarily give Him love and receive love back from Him!  Did you know that?  They were not created in the nature of the One who IS Love, WE ARE.  We are the only created being with the very nature of God, which is able to have deep, intimate communion with Him!  The angels LONG to experience the glory and privelege that we so easily take for granted in loving and being loved by God! 
 
As the chapter closes out, one of the Elders and John look awestruck upon the End Time generation, those that come through the Great Tribulation.  They come “out of” it, which indicates that have been IN it.  They stand in white, purified by the testing of the Last Days. In Matthew 24:9-13, Jesus speaks of this Great Tribulation.  For us, it will be a time of testing, not because are subject to the wrath of God, but because we will be greatly persecuted by the Anti-Christ regime, and also because “the love of many will grow cold” — in other words, many believers will be offended at God for what is happening on the earth, because they do not have understanding of Him or what He is doing.  But, “he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). 
 
This sends a clear message, I believe:
1.  We must KNOW AND UNDERSTAND what God is doing in the end.  Our study of Revelation is essential to that. 
2.  We must stay in the place of worship before the Throne, gazing upon His beauty and declaring His goodness.  This is this Truth from which the judgments come.  To lose that perspective leaves us in the camp of those whose love “grows cold” when we see events unfolding that seem to condradict a God of love.  We must know the extent of His love and jealousy!  They are the motivation behind all that happens! 
 
See verses 14-17:  What is it that these white-robed ones do?  They minister to the Lord, day and night!  Let us be those who worship Him night and day, what stay in His presence (“in His temple”).  Because it is those ones who He will “Spread His tent over” — the Divine Supernatural protection! 
 
Comments welcome!
 
 
Jessie Still 
 

January 8, 2009

Revelation 6: Who can stand??

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Before I jump right into chapter 6, remember what we just saw in chapters 4 and 5, these are ALL connected.  As they seals begin to be opened, read it in light of what we’ve just seen — The dazzling beauty of God’s Throne room, where these judgments emanate from and the Wounded One who is in perfect wisdom, justice, and perfect mercy, executing the glory of God’s plan — notice verse 1: the LAMB is the one who opens the seal — HE is doing all of this! 

Also remember that the unfolding of events that we are going to see in the next few chapters reveals to us the personality and perfect leadership of Jesus Christ.  Be asking the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to you as you read.   Lord, give us eyes to see as the living creatures do!

So, chapter 6 begings the releasing of judgments with the opening of the 6 seals (hmm, one left to come . . ).  A quick overview of waht the seals are:

Six of THE SEVEN SEALS (Rev. 6:1-17)
First seal (White Horse): Antichrist’s political aggression (Rev. 6:1-2)
Second seal (Red Horse): bloodshed and World War (Rev. 6:3-4)
Third seal (Black Horse): famine and economic crisis (Rev. 6:5-6)
Fourth seal (Pale Horse): disease and death to 1/4 of the earth (Rev. 6:7-8)
Fifth seal (Prayer Movement): prayer movement strengthened by the martyrs (Rev. 6:9-11)
Sixth seal (Cosmic Disturbances): cosmic crisis (Rev. 6:12-17)

Reading these can be quite startling, can’t it?  What are these about?  Why is JESUS punishing all of the inhabitants of the earth like this?

He’s not!  Ok, I said Jesus is the One doing this, and He is — but He’s not haphazardly releasing devastation on the whole human race, as you may think.  It’s so important that you get this:  These judgments are directed specifically at the Antichrist and his kingdom (all who choose to follow him).  Why would the One who bore the marks of wrath destroy those that He came to save?  He will not!  He’s only completing the salvation that He purchased!  He is now going to completely cleanse the earth of all sin and ungodliness — everything that stands in the way of the full expression of His love and all of His perfections. 

And remember, WHY did He purchase us?  What was the comleteness of our salvation (see 5:10)?  We are made not only to be saved from wrath, but to reign WITH Him!  We will be WITH HIM releasing these signs and wonders on the earth and destroying the kindgom of the Antichrist, and everything that stands against our beloved Christ (aka doing away with”anti-christ spirit”).  We will be part of releasing the seals (as well as the trumpet and bowl judgements) as we partner with Jesus in the place of Intercession before the Father!  

So, what is there it fear?  We get to go to war against the Antichrist, and WIN!!  This is exciting!  This is the will be our greatest hour as the Church!  We will not be destroyed, we will be protected (as we’ll see in chapter 7). 

One thing must be highlighted here, however:  the Church that reigns here and overcomes is a praying Church.  We don’t see much evidence of any other group.  In other words, the Church that will stand with Christ in that day is the one that has given itself to the place of corporate intercessions and learned to join in with the heart of Jesus.    

This is a sober call to us today to learn to stand with Him and join with Him as the Great Intercessor.  To give ourselves to learning the Word (the two-ednged sword the Jesus will use to judge and destroy His enemies, see 1:16).  We have to find the grace to do this now (and not just in a special 504 season :) ) in a sustained way.  it is our call to rule with Him begins NOW!  

verse 17:  “The day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Us, if we make the choice today to surrender to Him wholeheartedly and keep ourselves before His Throne in worship and prayer!  

What do you think of that?!?

 

January 7, 2009

Revelation 5: The Plot Thickens

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The Drama of chapter 5 is absolutely incredible.  Can you see it?
 
After being completely captivated by the beauty of the Throne Room and the One on the Throne, the Lord lets John see it — the Scroll (v.1).  The Scroll is the script of the Father’s plan to finally bring all things into perfection.  The Consummation of all things!  It is the Thing that EVERY human being, and even the whole of Creation is groaning for — that all of the fallenness, imperfection, and pain of this world would be cleansed, all things would be made completely new and the perfections of the Garden restored.  It’s what we ALL want — an end to the tensions and the longings and frustrations of this life!  How precious and powerful is that Scroll in the Father’s right hand! 
 
(v. 2-3) But, Who will execute the Father’s plan??  Who will finally bring the ANSWER to the planet?  What kind of leader can be found who is able to execute the plan with perfect justice, mercy and love?  Who can be found to deal rightly with the human race with fairness and righteousness?  Who is WORTHY? 
 
(v.4) No one worthy can be found!!  John weeps and weeps and weeps!!  “No one can open the scroll?!?  No one is worthy?  Then there is no hope for us!!  All is in vain!  We’re doomed forever!!”  Can you imagine the bitterness of these tears?   
 
(v.5) But, wait.  There IS One.  He is found perfect in holiness and power (the Lion).  Yet, He is a Man — able to mete out judgment with tenderness and sympathy for our human frailty (the Root of David).  Jesus, the God-Man is worthy!  He is able to faithfully execute the Father’s perfect plan and bring all things together under His loving leadership! 
 
(v.6)  Why is He worthy?  Because He is the Lamb on the Throne.  Not only is He the Son of God (on the Throne), He humbled Himself to the very lowest place, below all of humanity, that which He created, and allowed Himself to be slain as the sacrifice for all sin, for all time (the Lamb).  He is the One who can Judge, but also wears the skin of those who He will judge, and bears in Himself the marks of wrath to remove the judgment.  Wow, what kind of Person is this?   
 
(v.7-end) He is the only Person who is responded to with a three-fold chorus of worship!!  How else do you respond to this One, so majestic and beautiful, yet marred to redeem fallen mankind??  Threefold worship = First the living creatures and the elders fall down and worship.  Second, all of the angels burst into praise.  Third EVERY creature in heaven, on earth and under the earth join in a chorus before Him! 
 
But wait, there’s more!  What brings forth this abundance of adoration?
Jesus takes the Scroll from the hand of the Father! (v.7)
and the immediate response is HUMANS (the elders) worshipping (having harps) with intercession (bowls of incence).  We will take part in releasing the End Time plan on earth, by joining with Jesus (the Great Intercessor) through worship and prayer!!  See, it is BECAUSE He purchased us with His blood (v.9) so that we CAN be kings and priests (v.10): those who will bring his Kingdom on Earth, under the leadership of the One with Scroll!  We are in this WITH HIM!!  What an amazing privilege! 
 
The angels respond to this astonishing Plan to join the Redeemed in leadership with the Redeemer by declaring His great WISDOM and STRENGTH (v. 11), worthy of all honor, glory and praise!
 
All of Creation sees the scope of His plan and cries out in amazement and worship (v.13). 
 
(v.14) And finally, the living creatures, those who day and night gaze on God and percieve His beauty and perfections, eternally studying Him with their many eyes, shout their holy agreement, “AMEN!!” = This is who HE is!  This is what He is like!  His Love and Mercy know no bounds!  His wisdom is beyond searching out.  All of His ways are just and true!
 
And again, undone by the magnitude of it all, and their calling to reign with the Holy, the elders (humans — that’s us!!) fall down before Him!
Incredible! 
 
I wonder if Paul had seen this heavenly scene when he wrote in Epesians 3:10-14 (NLT): “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. . .  When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father . . . “
 
Ideas for responding devotionally to this passage:
-Worship Jesus!  Tell Him how worthy He is!
-Spend some time meditating on the details of Jesus the Lamb — what could seven horns and seven eyes mean?
-Use the very verses in this text as prayers before the Lord, and why not get on your knees or your face while you do it? :)
 
Comments are always welcome!
 

January 7, 2009

Revelation 4: We MUST be Stunned Before Him

Posted by Jessie under Revelation, Uncategorized
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Revelation 4 is one that we MUST dig DEEP into.  Look at what happens in the first three verses:
 
Verse 1 – John is shown an open door
Verse 2 – Jesus Himself invites John to “come up” into Heavenly realms, to see “what’s about to take place”
Verse 3 – John sees the STUNNING Throne Room of God.
 
These three verses alone speak VOLUMES! 
 
1:  There is an OPEN DOOR to us to come up inot the Throne Room!  Notice that it wasn’t just a door that was being opened for John, it was simply a door that was open.  What an invitation!  God desires that we “come up” into His Presece where we can experience the glory of Heaven!  He’s calling us up to see Him, where He is, so that we can view things/events from HIS perspective! 
 
2:  Jesus is the One INVITING us into this place — to not stand afar off from Him and what He is doing!  Not only does He not want us to be ingorant of Him and what He’s orchestrating  He desires holy partnership with us, His Bride, in all that He is doing.  What a privilege and responsibility!  What an honor that He would choose us to share in His glory! 
 
3:  Notice what happens here, it’s SO significant.  In verse 2, Jesus tells John that He wants to show him what is about to take place, i.e. the events of the end times.  But, BEFORE He can tell John about the opening of the end-time scroll, trumpet judgments, etc He wants John to SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE THRONE ROOM.
 
Do you see what’s going on?  Before we find out about facts and events of the End (which can be a bit startling), it is NECESSARY that we be STUNNED and fascinated with the Beauty of the One who is masterminding the whole process in His infinite wisdom.  The only way we can stay steady and rightly understand the events of Revelation is by seeing Him in His beauty and standing in the place of WORSHIP.  If we do not approach our study of Revelation without staying in the place of worship and beholding the glory of God on His Throne, we miss the whole message.
 
The message of Revelation is THERE IS ONE WHO IS BEAUTIFUL and He is the on the Throne.  The events of Revelation are HIS works, from the place of His beauty, to bring about His beauty in its fullness and without hindrance on the Earth.       
 
The rest of the chapter details the glories of the Throne room and He who sits on the Throne.  Let me assure you that every detail has meaning, this is God, not one description is a wasted word.  Here are some questions to ponder and dialogue with the Holy Spirit about as you are studying –
 
-Why does He have the appearance of jasper and carnelian (these were precious gemstones, learn a little more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper and here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian ).  What could their colors mean?
 
-Why does the “rainbow” around the Throne look like an emerald?  What could this represent?
 
-What’s with the four living creatures around the Throne?  Clearly, their full time occupation, and their very reason for existence is this one thing: to gaze on the greatness of God (this is why they have so many eyes — so much to see!), and to declare the glories of what they see.  There’s really only one word they can find to sum it up – HOLY.  And thus they NEVER STOP CRYING OUT- HOLY!  Can you imagine??  Billions and billions of years, every day, every night, see Him, being stunned and crying out, “HOLY!” 
 
Let me suggest this devotional excercize:  Meditate on this Throne room scene as John has tried to capture it in words.  Try to paint the picture in your “mind’s eye” (perhaps even try to sketch it out on paper), and then as you gaze upon it in your spirit, worship the One who sits on the Throne.  Take the word, “holy” and unpack it in prayer, something like this:
 
“Lord, You are holy.  You are totally other than.  You are so different from everything that I know.  Your beauty is beyond comprehension.  You are completely unblemished in your purity.  You are perfect in every way.  You are completely righteous and blameless in all of Your ways.  All Your ways are right and true.  There is no wisdom above You . . . “
 
Comments are always welcome!
 

January 5, 2009

Revelation 3: Your Judgments are Better Than Gold

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Revelation chapter 3 continues the letters that Jesus speaks to John for the seven churches.  As you read, remember that they speak to us at the end of time, communicating clearly what is needed for us to stand and be victorious in the day of His return.   Also remember, these are not the words of an angry, far away God who is looking to criticize.  They are the words of a LOVING God who disciplines the ones He loves and corrects them.  If He didn’t love us, why would He care if we were straying and in danger of His wrath?  It is BECAUSE of His love that He tells us the truth!  As Proverbs says, “a rebuke from a Friend is like a kiss on the lips”.  Let’s receive his affection for us!     
Ok, but how?
 
Well, I would encourage you to finish “outlining” the messages to each church according to teh patten I mentioned yesterday: 
-There’s a greeting, highlighting a specific facet of Jesus’ personality
-Jesus affirms what He is proud of in this group of people
-He delivers a loving correction to areas of weakness
-Encourages them to submit to His leadership by telling them the reward they will receive if they are faithful.  [It's okay to be want rewards!  God has planted it in us to be motivated by rewards!]  
Once you’ve boiled down the messages to the “Keys” for us to live right and stand in the day of His return, turn the passages into conversation (aka prayer).  Here are some examples.
 
“Jesus, help me to love You the way I did when I first met You.  Remind me of the zeal I had then, and increase my passion for You. . . “
 
“Lord, give me an ear that truly HEARS your words and a heart the receives your loving correction. Come and judge me with Your word.  I want to stand righteous before You.  Spirit, speak to me . . . “
 
“Help me to love what You love and hate what You hate, God . . “
 
“Wake me up, Lord!  I want do want to think that I’m alive when I’m dead on the inside!!”
 
What are some prayers that stir up in your heart as you read these letters?  Share them! Go to the link above and add comments!
 

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