Living Word Magazine Going Deeper into God’s Word Issue 9 April 2012
To know Him and experience the power of His resurrection.
Bible Studies by: Daniel Kolenda, Ken Legg, Matthew Parsons, Derek Williams, Edwin & Lillian Harvey & more!
Bible Studies Online International
www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk JOHN 1:14. WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF A FATHER'S ONLY SON (NRSV) ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov
In this month’s issue: 2.
The Holiness & Glory of God
3.
Rebuilding the Walls Part 2
5
A Round with God
7.
Rescued from the Pit
9.
How To Walk Worthy Without Becoming Religious
Lewis Armstrong (USA) Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK) Matthew Parsons (UK) Wesley Chick (UK)
Ken Legg (Australia AG)
10.
Train Others to Pray
11.
The Pentecostal Bible Commentary – 1 Corinthians
Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)
Mathew Bartlett (UK)
13.
The Exaltation of Christ
17.
The Runaway Prophet (Jonah)
Derek Williams (UK)
19.
In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 14
Derek Williams (UK)
21.
Guest Article: Prayer that Brings Heaven to Earth
Mathew Bartlett (UK)
Daniel
Kolenda (CfaN) ©Photos Above& Back cover © Photoquest. Cover: © Karlien Du plessis.. Left © from top:Eric1512, Jeff Schulz,BCritchley, Paul Prescott and Velvetweb.
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IN THIS ISSUE
March Reader’s Article
By
Lewis Armstrong USA
The Holiness & Glory of God
WRITE IN THE GAPS
HOLINESS
Ephesians 4:24
Isaiah 6:3
Exodus 15:11
Describe the new man we put on when we obeyed the Gospel?
How could the earth be full of God's glory? __________________________
In what way is God glorious?
_______________________________
_______________________________
Exodus 33:23 Why do you think God's Face could not be seen? ________________________
Isaiah 35:2 I Thessalonians 3:13.
In Christ, God’s people will see what?
Explain what God does to our heart.
________________________________
_______________________________
Isaiah 42:8 What is God implying?
I Chr. 16:29 Worship the LORD in the _________ of ________.
I Thessalonians 4:7.
_______________________________
What did God not call us to?
Isaiah 60:1-2
_____________________________
What will be seen on the people?
Psalm 93:5 What adorns the Lord's house? ________________________________
_______________________________ Hebrews 12:14: What would be the result of our not living in holiness?
Ezekiel 43:4
____________________________
Describe how the glory of the Lord moved. _________________________
I Peter 1:15-16 We are to be ______ as He is ______.
Eze. 43:5.How did the temple have the glory of God?
Isaiah 57:15
GLORY
________________________________
Where does the Holy One dwell?
Psalm 113:4 How is God's glory described?
Psalm 96:9 Due to his holiness, we should _________ before Him
________________________
________________________________
Hab.2:14.What will the earth be filled with? ________________________________
Amos 4:2 Because He is Holy, what does God have to do? _____________________
Psalm 138:5 What is the magnitude of God's glory? __________________________
Mark 8:38 How will Jesus come again? ________________________________
2 Corinthians 7:1 We should be ____________ holiness.
Isaiah 2:19.
Rev. 4:11 Why is God to receive glory?
What will God's glory do? ________________________________ 2
_______________________________
REBUILDING THE WALLS NEHEMIAH Chapter 2:10-20 By Arfon Lloyd Thomas (UK) Photo: © Paul Prescott
PREPARATIONS AND PROBLEMS One thing becomes very apparent when we study Christian history – that is whenever anyone says, “Let us get up or arise and build” the Devil is quick to awaken and say “Let us get up and destroy!” The Bible records for us that there were about 50,000 Jewish people now living in and around Jerusalem. Unfortunately they had very little concern for the sad and fallen state of Jerusalem and the Temple. However, we need to note that once Nehemiah made it known that he was about to start a rebuilding project all the problems began! We learn from this that no battle commences in the spiritual sense until someone dares to stand up for what they know is right. A question that we might like to ponder is: How much overtime has Satan had to put in due to our
willingness to stand our ground for God’s glory? The Bible makes it clear that whenever we stand up for Jesus as citizens of Heaven then the Devil will throw all that he has at us to try to destroy our walls of faith. He will do all that he can to ruin our steps of obedience. If you don’t want to be involved in the battle, then may I suggest that you remain seated! The action of Nehemiah is a good example for us today. He first took a tour of inspection and viewed the state of affairs. Likewise, whenever we are called to undertake a task for God we should also view the scene by taking a good look at our own lives. In doing so we will be able to identify the difficulties and weak points. We may even weep over the ruins that we find. However, with God’s help, we don’t have to linger over every negative situation. We
just need to look at them with honesty and then gracefully and humbly hand them over into His loving care. Or, as the great hymn says, ‘Take everything to God in prayer.’ Great and wonderful movements of renewal and revival begin in God when one humble Child of God is willing to make amends. Nehemiah was brave and bold enough to look fully at the facts and analyse them, then turn to God for guidance. May we also pray: O God, how can we stay seated when there is so much at stake? Many walls of Your Kingdom have been destroyed and neglected. Please give us courage this day to stand up and be counted. Teach us Lord, how to take a glance at the problems of our own lives and to look to You for the possibilities that lie ahead. Amen. Once Nehemiah is in possession of all the facts he then convenes a
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meeting of all the inhabitants and draws their attention to the problems that surround them. Likewise, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit convenes a meeting with each one of us and convicts us of sin – yet conveys a passage of righteousness through Christ Jesus our Lord. Sometimes the spiritual matters of our lives become somewhat clouded by familiarity and we need to be firmly confronted. We need to look around to see and take note of our spiritual home.
Prayer: O Lord, forgive us for our timidity when facing Satan and his forces. We know we are no match for him in our own name. But in Your Name there is just no contest! Help us to rise up and resist him for Your glory. Amen.
Christian Counsellor’s Companion from Ken Legg.
God never intended us to be as ruined walls – for this would never glorify Him. How desperately we need Godly men and women to take a stand within the Church today. We need people to stand up to the opposition of the Devil and his dominion. We also need to stand together and say, “Make all the threats you want to, we will not be diverted from our task of rebuilding God’s House for His glory.” We are called then to continue the work of rebuilding broken walls as we praise His Name. Nehemiah rejected the opposition because he was under a commission from God the Father and that is why he was able to stand his ground. Let us be reminded that Satan has camped for long enough on God’s property and it’s time for us to stand up and say, “In the Name of Jesus it’s time for you to go.”
Building the Walls Worldwide Pastor Arfon Lloyd Thomas is an experienced minister with the Baptist church in the UK and is willing and available to conduct short term mission trips and revival schools both in Great Britain and overseas. If you would like to invite Pastor Arfon Lloyd Thomas to your church or conference anywhere in the world, we would be pleased to hear from you. Contact the Bible Studies Online International office at: admin@biblestudiesonline.co. uk 4
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A Round with God Testimonies from the Golf Course
truth, the spiritually deaf refuse to hear the truth and the spiritually mute refuse to talk about the truth. Some just get very angry, very defensive and storm off. Please stay with me for a sentence or two as I explain what I mean by being rescued. God has declared that not one of us is perfect and that we have all fallen short of His standard. Many I years ago I failed an examination by two marks. Fifty percent was the pass and I achieved forty eight percent. ''Are you going to fail me for the sake of two marks?'' I asked my tutor. The reply was straight to the point. 'Two marks or forty-two marks short, it matters not. You still fail.' The point was made. l think if God would settle for 'reasonable behaviour' as a pass mark for Heaven most of us would settle for that, or to put it in golfing terms, we would 'take it off the tee' . The problem is, God will not compromise, and the pass mark into Heaven is one hundred percent perfection. This means we are all stuck, because none of us are perfect. We need rescuing.
By Matthew Parsons Photo Š Karlien Du Plessis Evangelist with Assemblies of God UK 'Brian,' I started, so what's the thought behind a rescue club?' 'I guess, to rescue you from a difficult place.' Brian replied. Well I,m not sure if every golfer needs such a club in his or her bag, but I am convinced we all need rescuing from a very difficult place.
One of the hardest tasks I have as a preacher is to try and open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf and the Iips of the mute. of course I refer to the spiritual life of individuals and not the physical, although Jesus has and still continues to heal the sick. However, the spiritually blind refuse to see the 5
The pass mark into the Kingdom of God is not achieved by our good works or by our own self righteousness. You cannot go to Heaven by going to church, reading your Bible or even saying prayers. You cannot go by way of confession to a priest or by saying that you were christened as a baby. Tom is one of our top golfers at Merlin. He is well respected as he serves the community as a police detective, undertaking a very important role. Having said that, Tom would see himself very much as 'one of the boys' and without going into detail his life had been at low
ebb prior to meeting his wife to be, Hannah. I first met Tom at Merlin and although I found him to be very approachable he would say today that at that stage in his life, he was not a very nice person. On one occasion, he shared with me about the death of his dad. we went on to talk about heaven and eternal life and Tom was slightly interested without being totally dismissive. From that time I, with a few friends started to pray for him. It was no great surprise therefore when some months later he opened up to me again as we stood at the bar of the clubhouse. 'Something has happened to me. I don't want anyone to really know about it, but I have had a real experience of God'. What Tom didn't know was that following a chat I had with him when he shared about his step-dad dying, I and a few others had been praying for him on a regular basis. 'So what happened?'' I asked trying to give a quiet controlled answer, while inwardly I was jumping up and down rejoicing. 'l was out on the road, when suddenly this lorry was coming up behind me, I lifted my hands and said 'God I am yours,' and something has happened, but can you keep it quiet?'' We spoke for a few minutes about becoming a Christian, and we arranged to meet at his home the following week so that we could talk through what being a Christian was all about. Within a few days I was sitting with Tom and his lovely wife Hannah. I learnt more about horses in thirty minutes than I had learnt in fifty years owing to Hannah's expertise. Soon we were talking about what had happened to Tom. I explained that being a Christian was about having a restored relationship with God and not about trying to keep a
list of do's and dont's, must and must not's. We agreed that we had all sinned and l then shared one of my favourite verses in the Bible being 'The wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.'
A Roung with God by Matthew Parsons is available in paperback (101 pages) from Amazon UK price ÂŁ5.99 Buy the book at Amazon UK
'You know Tom,' I continued 'What this verse is saying is that God is offering us a free gift. Eternal life. All of our sins, past, present and future were laid on Jesus Christ so we could be forgiven. The cross, Tom, is where Jesus laid down His life and became God's eternal sacrifice for sin. It's the place where we meet the grace of God and accept by faith God's free gift of forgiveness and salvation.' That night, Tom accepted Jesus. As we prayed a very simple prayer I could sense that something very real was taking place in Tom' s life. 'Wow that's amazing' said Tom when he finished his prayer. It was a wonderful evening. Of course I was to keep it all very quiet, but I was not surprised when out if this new found relationship with God, Tom got a Bible, started to pray and even came to church. ln addition he started to tell others about this wonderful new life he had found in Jesus. Yes, Jesus came to rescue all of us who have sinned and fall short of God's high standard. The question we must ask ourseIves is a simple one, ''What will I do with God's free gift of salvation?' Jesus has paid the price. All of us can be saved and all of us can be rescued from a lost eternity. The Rescue Club is designed to get you out of danger. Do you have one in your bag? The rescue man, Jesus Christ, came to save you. Will you invite Him into your heart?
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Famous Quotes
Golfing
The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course. ~ Billy Graham Golf is a day spent in a round of strenuous idleness. ~William Wordsworth If you drink, don't drive ~ Don't even putt. ~ Dean Martin
Rescued from the Pit
By Wesley Chick (UK) Photo: © Velvertweb
Recently our newspapers and television reports were filled with the story of miners trapped underground in the country of Chile. How pleased we were to see those miners rescued out of a horrible pit! Ps.40v2:He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. The word here means to be lifted up, to rise up, to raise, to be brought up. The verse tells us that he, that is, our Lord himself reaches down to where we are. Verse one tells us that he inclined to me and heard my cry. Whatever the situation we are in, when we call, he is ready to respond and moves to help us. Ps.113v5-7: Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high. Who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth. He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the dunghill.
The words ‘horrible pit’ are a reference to a cistern, a dungeon, a pit or grave. It is a place of devastation, desolation and destruction. This is a perfect description of the destination of all who turn against God. Ps.9v17;The wicked shall be turned into hell and all nations that forget God. The word that that is used for the grave or the pit is inter-changeable, both can be used, as the following few verses show. Job.33v18:He keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword. Ps.28v1:Unto you will I cry o Lord my rock; be not silent to me. Lest if you be silent to me, I become like them that go down to the pit. Although Christians die, God shall redeem our life from the horrible pit of death and corruption to the glory of resurrection.
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Hos.13v14:I will ransom them from the power of the grave. I will redeem them from death. O death I will be your plagues. O grave I will be your destruction. The verse goes on to describe being brought out of miry clay. This describes the kind of earth unsuitable for most plants. It is a thick, slimy consistency, which is difficult to remove and if a person stands in this type of ground long enough, can find themselves stuck fast and unable to move. This is an apt picture of the world that has the unsaved held fast in its grip. They can do nothing of themselves to get out of it, only God in his mercy, can reach down and lift them free; this speaks to us of God’s salvation. Ps.37v39: But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord. He is their strength in time of trouble. Is.12v2: Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation. The verse goes on to say, and set my feet upon a rock. This describes a place that is firm, sure and steadfast. It is also a description of God. 1.Sam.2v2:There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Ps.18v31:For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is a spiritual foundation that provides security. The scriptures tell us that Christ himself is the cornerstone. 1.Pet.2v6: Wherefore also it is
contained in the scripture, behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. 1.Cor.3v11: For other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Mat.21v42:Jesus said to them. Did you never read in the scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner; this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. Eph.2v20: And are built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.
As the chorus of the hymn puts it. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. The verse ends, and established my goings. Having rescued us from the pit and set us on the rock, we see now that we are established along the journey of our Christian life. The word for establish here means, to stand firm, steadfast, sure, faithful, to be established. As saints we are secure, firmly established and cannot be moved. Job.11v18: And you shall be secure, because there is hope; you shall dig about you and you shall take your rest in safety. 2.Chr.20v20: And as they went forth, Jehosaphat stood and said, hear me, o Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem; believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established. Believe his prophets, so shall you prosper. Col.2v6+7: As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so
walk in him: rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Ps.55v22: Cast your burden on the Lord and he shall sustain you; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps.66v8+9: O bless our God, you people and make the voice of his praise to be heard. Who holds our
soul in life and suffers not our feet to be moved. There is an old chorus we used to sing, not heard so much these days. It says, O glory to God he lifted me up, he lifted me up I know. He reached down his hand and lifted me up and that’s why I love him so.
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New commentary on 1 Corinthians out now! 8
How To Walk Worthy Without Becoming Religious By Ken Legg
Image: ©Lostarts
The Holy Rosary Shop? How ‘religious’ can you get? It is no secret that Jesus was an enemy of religion. Some say that the word ‘religion’ comes from the Latin word religare, which means “to tie, or to bind.” Concerning the religious leaders of His time, Jesus said: “…they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matt.23:4). He was referring to how the leaders restricted people’s lives through a superabundance of rules and regulations. The Law had 613 commandments, but the scribes and elders decided that was not enough and added thousands more! That’s what religion does – it lays heavy burdens upon unsuspecting people who are led to believe that these man-made commandments are actually God-given. In contrast, Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He never came to bring people into bondage through the imposition of laws, but to set them free by means of the truth. And yet, the New Testament epistles abound with exhortations relating to how we, as God’s people, should live. So what’s the difference? If we fail to answer this question correctly we will either end up using the New Testament in a legalistic way, or we will simply disregard all the instructions from the epistles and the truth will not impact our living.
Legalism or morality teaches us how to behave. In contrast, authentic Christianity helps us to “learn Christ” (see Eph.4:20). What does that mean to “learn Christ”? Here are three important distinctions between legalism, or morality, and New Testament instruction. 1) Morality tells people what to do, or not do, without any reference to Christ. It is a list of rules that can be used as a general moral checklist, even outside the context of the Church. We can give the same rules to the world – and in fact, sadly, much of Christianity today attempts to moralize society in this way. In contrast, the apostles always first taught Christians who they were in Christ and then exhorted them to be those people, i.e. to live in the power of their new creation identity. First they taught the believer’s position in Christ; and then they exhorted their hearers to embrace the ‘walk’ that corresponds with that position. I often use a pair of scissors to illustrate this point. If you attempt to cut a piece of paper with a single blade of the scissors you are going to find it difficult. Scissors are effective only as both blades close against each other to produce a cutting result. Likewise, Paul’s epistles, such as Romans, Ephesians and Colossians are made up of two parts. The first part is doctrinal, in which Paul tells us who we are in Christ. In the second half he goes on to exhort us to let there be an outworking of what God has worked in us (Phil.2:12-13). No one who preaches or teaches from the Word of God has the right to exhort God’s people to behave in a certain way 9
without first telling them who they are in Christ. Otherwise they will just bring their hearers under the power of legalism and condemnation. On the other hand, if we think it is sufficient to only focus on the doctrinal truths of our new creation identity, without teaching the walk that corresponds with the new life, we will be equally deceived. 2) Morality makes demands upon us to produce something. We are expected to manufacture certain behavioural works. In contrast, in Christ we are given something. We have been given a life; His life! He that has the Son has the life. So, for example, instead of trying to produce patience, purity, love, generosity, etc., by faith I put on the new man which is the very life of Christ Himself (Eph.4:24; Rom.13:14). 3) Morality is an attempt to clean up bad habits. But the Christian life is different to this. The old behavioural patterns are replaced, not by focusing upon them but by embracing the new. When Spring arrives we don’t go into the garden and pluck off all the old leaves from the trees. Why? Because the new leaves automatically push the old ones from the branches. Likewise, as we put on the Lord Jesus Christ we make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its desires. By yielding the members of our bodies as instruments of righteousness unto holiness, we inevitably make them unavailable to serve sin. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh! Ken Legg (AG Gold Coast, Australia)
Train Others to Pray An extract from “Kneeling we Triumph” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey ISBN 1-932774-08-4. 128 Pages Price $6.00. Image © Margaret M. Stewart Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com
Photo © Eric1513
One of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples (Luke 11:1). The plea and purpose of the apostles were to put the church to praying. They did not ignore the grace of cheerful giving. They were not ignorant of the place which religious activity and work occupied in the spiritual life. But not one or all of these, in apostolic estimate or urgency, could at all compare in necessity and importance with prayer. The most sacred and urgent pleas were used, the most fervid exhortations, the most comprehensive and arousing words were uttered to enforce the allimportant obligation and necessity of prayer. —E. M. Bounds. In traveling among the nations, John R. Mott made it a practice to study the sources of the spiritual movements which transformed whole communities. Invariably, when he could reach the source, he found it to be intercessory prayer. “I heard of a man,” he says, “who spent three hours a day in intercession.” When someone asked him, “How can we multiply intercessions?” he said, “I used to lay down a great many points on how to get people to pray, but I have made up my mind that the only way to get them is to do it myself.” —Selected.
Leaders of men and movements have seen this importance of prayer-training. D. E. Hoste, successor to Hudson Taylor, places this need above all other branches of instruction: “In connection with the Training Home, the thought sometimes comes to me, in view of the growing emphasis on prayer and intercession in those parts of the field where there has been special spiritual blessing, whether the exercise of them should not have a more definite and larger place in the course of preparation. The leadership would need to be by someone who through much exercise and even travail, has himself been baptized with a true and fervent spirit of prayer. “Should it not be recognized that the practice of prayer and intercession needs to be taught to young believers, or rather developed in young believers, quite as much, if not more so than other branches of the curriculum?” The late J. D. Drysdale, founder of Emmanuel Missions and Training School, possessed this same vision: “If I am concerned that my flock be men and women of prayer, then, as their pastor, I must lead the way; apathy in me will produce apathy in them. The church prayer-meeting ought to be the best attended in the week, and if it is, success will follow the ministry of the Word at the weekends. I would rather a thousand times set men and women to pray than teach them to preach.
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The homiletics class can teach them to preach.” J. H. Jowett, a most godly and moving preacher, emphasized the same need: “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” In his autobiography, Bristol Fashion, Hugh Redwood states that as a young convert no-one had taken the pains to teach him how to pray, and to this he attributed his failing to make the most of a period in his life which could have proved so useful. After years, he rediscovered Christ through prayer. What books we might have had from the pen of this journalist had some simple Christian introduced him to access to God by prayer!
“More ships!” some cry; “More guns! More fighters in the air!” But wise the King who calls for—more prayer! Remember, angels use this ancient thoroughfare— So keep the highways clear: more prayer! One day will not suffice to meet time’s wear and tear; Each hour of life must see— more prayer! Again, and yet again, the scrolls of God declare, The deepest need of men—more prayer! —Unknown.
NEW! The Pentecostal Bible Commentary Series: 1 Corinthians
Here is an extract from the section on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Gifts of Inspiration
and God's sweet presence’. To comfort is to console or solace when in trial or distress. So as Ellicott says, prophecy is meant for ‘building up, stirring up [and] cheering up’. A gift of healing may benefit a person's body in this life; but prophecy ministers to a person's spirit and prepares them for the next life. Prophecy helps the church on the heavenly road, imparting the will and mind of God, and strengthening believers for the fight of faith. Its effect is immediate and far reaching, for the gift ministers directly to a person's spirit. Prophecy is a divinely inspired and anointed utterance. It is not deliberated, and so is not to be confused with the ministry of preaching. Horton realised this and wrote: ‘as speaking in tongues is a supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue, so prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue’.
The Gift of Prophecy Paul refers to this as one of the greater gifts of the Spirit (see chapter 14) because of the manner and scope of its effects. It ministers edification, exhortation and comfort to the whole local church simultaneously. To edify is to build up spiritually, whilst to exhort is to teach and challenge; indeed, the original meaning of the word exhort is ‘a calling near’ (paraklesis). Horton speaks of the ‘balmy words of the Holy Ghost that encouragingly lead us away from the world and its sin and care, and call us near to heaven
Although prophecy does not originate from the human mind, the prophet is only enabled to prophesy according to the measure of faith. This appears to indicate that as a person matures as a Christian, so they should also mature in their use of this gift. It is not that the gift itself has been improved, but that the Holy Spirit takes hold of whatever measure of faith and spiritual experience is present in the individual’s life, so that those who are more spiritually mature are able to sustain a greater degree of inspiration. 11
To have the gift of prophecy does not entitle a person to claim the office of a Prophet, although there are some who have been entrusted with this office by Christ for the benefit of His church. Although they are all gifts of grace, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not exactly the same thing as the ministry gifts of Christ, listed in Ephesians 4. The difference is that whilst any believer may possess and use the gift of prophecy (14:5), a Prophet is himself or herself a gift to the church, ordained by Christ perpetually to that office.
The Gift of Tongues This is a supernatural utterance by the Holy Spirit in a language wholly unknown and unlearned by the speaker. The utterance is never understood by the speaker and generally not by the hearer. It is a manifestation of God by His Spirit speaking through the channel of the human speech organs. In private or personal use, the gift enables the human spirit to pray directly to God without engaging the understanding of the mind (14:14); whereas in public use, these utterances are God speaking to people through human channels in a language not understood by the hearers. It is a miraculous sign (Mark 16:17), but if those present cannot understand what is said then clearly it has no other benefit unless it is accompanied by its companion gift the interpretation of tongues. Hence Paul’s instruction that in public worship, if there is no one present with the gift of interpretation, the
person with the message in tongues should not give it (14:28). There have, of course, been many anecdotal instances of persons being present at the time that a message in tongues was given who understood the language being used. For example; a close friend of mine is a well-known author, and a fluent French speaker. He related how he had scorned the idea of such a gift as tongues being available to believers today until he heard an uneducated young man in his home church in Sheffield speaking in absolutely flawless French; and my friend became even more amazed when the pastor of that church (who was not a French speaker either) gave by way of interpretation a word for word translation of the original message into English. Whilst such an occurrence provides the hearer with a more substantial proof of the gift’s reality; and hence of the reality of the great Source of all gifts; it appears to be the exception rather than the rule.
The Interpretation of Tongues The person using this gift has not understood the message in tongues as originally given. Nor have they been given the supernatural ability to translate. Rather, they have been given by the Spirit the same message (not necessarily the same form of words but the same burden or meaning) that was given to the person who uttered the tongue. The difference being that this time it is given in the speaker's own language. So the interpreter does not translate
what was originally said, but gives the sense and meaning of what was said. When used together, these two gifts are equivalent to the gift of prophecy in their effect on the body of Christ. 12:11. It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things. How diverse these gifts are! Not every believer has them all, nor do all believers have the same ones, for the Holy Spirit gives to each one according to His own will. Yet in this instance His will is not arbitrary; for God gives His gifts to those who seek and ask for them. All of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to the whole body of Christ, and all Christians are encouraged to seek and ask that they might receive and thereby be equipped for their involvement in God's purposes.
Photo © Buckskinman
Our Father in heaven, Holy is Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
The Pentecostal Bible Commentary Series: 1 Corinthians, pbk 316 pages. Available now for £2.80 at the UK Kindle store or $4.41 in the US Kindle store. Paperback available from Amazon (worldwide) and from all good bookstores price US$11.60 (£7.50)
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13
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The Exaltation of Christ. In Psalm 22 Jesus was the lamb of God taking away the sin of the world. In Psalm 24 He is the exalted King, the Lion of Judah.
Psalm 24 by Mathew Bartlett Image Š BCritchley
David asks the question, "Who will ascend the hill of the Lord? And who will stand in his holy place." Perhaps David had in mind the worshippers who went up the hill of Zion to the temple to worship God. Who would God hear and receive? Yet there is a greater meaning here. For when David asks, "Who shall ascend..?", he is actually asking, "Who shall enter into the very presence of God in heaven and remain there, to minister eternally before him?" We are certain that there is only one answer to this question. Only one person in history has ever met these requirements, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; Heb 9:24
1. The Justice of Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation is Just because of his Pre-Existence
It is not unreasonable to suppose that since Christ is the mighty Creator who came from heaven in the first place, it is quite right for him to return there. David begins this Psalm with the words, "The earth is the LORD s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. v1-2 Jesus Christ Himself is credited with the act of Creation. The Scripture insists that Christ is the Son of God who was there in the beginning. Speaking of Jesus, the apostle John says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3 In writing to the Colossians, Paul says: 13
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation [that is, begotten before all creation, meaning He Himself was not created]. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminenc.. Col. 1:15-18 The writer to the Hebrews says: God has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; Heb. 1:2 Jesus often referred to "coming from Heaven" or "Coming from the Father" and of "returning to the Father." e.g. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would
love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. John 8:42 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." John 16:28 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5 It was fitting that Christ who knew the glory of being as one with God his Father in heaven should return to the place where he came from. And it is perfectly fitting that God the son should be so exalted.
Christ's Exaltation is Just because of his Sinless Perfection Jesus Christ is the one person who has never sinned in action- he has clean hands. He is the only one who has never sinned in thought or motive - He has a pure heart. He is the only one who has been faithful to God in all circumstances. Even in the desert where He fasted alone for forty days and nights being tempted by the devil, when the tempter came to Him and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory in a moment of time, saying all these will be yours if you bow down and worship me, Jesus replied "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only." Nor was Christ ever guilty of perjury. He never made a false oath or told any lies whatsoever.
Even when Caiaphas the High Priest had the audacity to put him on oath to the Living God, Christ answered honestly. Caiaphas said "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus replied "I am. And I tell you that henceforth you shall see the son of man sat at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Christ's Exaltation is because of his Obedience
Just
Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him Phil 2:6-9 Jesus Christ always did the will of his Father. The reason he left heaven and was born as a baby in Bethlehem was to accomplish his Father's plan to save sinners. Although Jesus was always perfect with regard to his sinlessness, yet by suffering death and sorrow he has become perfect (all we need) as the author of eternal salvation for all who believe in him. It was God's plan, not Christ's that he should suffer and die on the cross for our sakes. As a man, Christ had a will of his own. But for our sakes, in the garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, he prayed "Father, not my will, but yours be
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done" and he went through with the shame and agony of the cross. It is for this reason that Paul says God has highly exalted him.
Summary This great Christ, who is creator and master of the universe, for our sakes he humbled himself to become a man and lived a life of spotless purity, always doing what pleased his father God in heaven. He suffered all the pain and woes that a human man can suffer, and completed his obedience by dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world, so that we may have eternal life. Little wonder, then that such a mighty Saviour should be in the words of Paul Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11
2. The Triumph of Christ's Exaltation Christ's Exaltation is Triumphant because He has fulfilled the Word of Scripture Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the
Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." Luke 24:44
of God who takes away the sin of the world.
For hundreds of years before Jesus came God had sent prophets with His word, predicting the days when God would send His Son to earth to be our Saviour. They told of His birth to a virgin (Isa. 7.14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5.2). They told of Herod's trying to kill Christ when He was still an infant (Jer. 31.15). They told of His flight to Egypt to escape Herod (Hos. 11.1). They told of His living in Nazareth as a boy (Matt 2.23) and of His moving to Capernaum as a man (Isa9.1). They told of his entering Jerusalem (Zech. 9.9) on a donkey and of his being betrayed by a close friend (Ps 41.9) for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11.13). They told of his unfair trial (Isa 53.8) and of his being handed over to be crucified (Ps 22. 16). They also told of his resurrection (Ps16.10). Christ came as the fulfilment of the words of the Scripture. After all that had been written about Him was fulfilled, we see Him returning to heaven in triumph as heaven's appointed King.
God so loved the WORLD. God is not willing that ANY should perish, that is why Christ has provided the means of salvation for every man and woman and child that has ever been born.
Christ's Exaltation is Triumphant because He has finished the Work of Salvation In Mark we read "When he had spoken these things he ascended to heaven where he sat down at the right hand of God." This speaks not only of taking up his rightful place of authority, but of a work completed. The ascension shows that Christ had by His death and resurrection accomplished all that was necessary for the redemption of all mankind. John Baptist said, behold the Lamb
Just as the resurrection gave God's Amen to the "It is finished of Christ", so the ascension and exaltation of Christ give the Amen to the great commission "to go into all the world and preach the gospel - make this full, free salvation which I have obtained known to everyone. And lo I am with you always."
Christ's Exaltation is Triumphant because His Victory is Unchallenged It was usual in David's time and in history since, for a victorious King to return with his army in triumphant procession with the spoils of victory. In the battle of Calvary, the Lord of glory has fought and won on his own. He has shown that he is strong and mighty in battle. By enduring the shame and agony of the cross, he defeated death, and all the hosts of Satan who - for all their professed wisdom did not know the wisdom of God which had foreordained that Christ should die for our sakes. If they had, says Paul, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. (1 Cor..2:7-8) So now this Psalm pictures Christ returning in triumph to the ivory palaces of heaven, the undefeated and unchallenged victor, leading the 15
souls of the redeemed dead in his procession to the shouts of joy of millions of angels. The everlasting gates of heaven, into the presence of God himself, open to Him of their own accord that He might rightfully enter in.
3. The Blessings of Christ's Exaltation We have already mentioned that the Lord Jesus has not returned to heaven empty handed - he has the spoils of victory. What His death and resurrection have accomplished for us, He is able to bestow from heaven because of His exaltation.
Through His Exaltation Christ gives the Blessings of His Power The exalted Christ has power to give His church the gift of eternal life. Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28 "You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him." John 17:2 By His Power God brings us into a relationship with Himself whereby we share in His own nature and in the divine life. "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" 2 Peter 1:3 By that same power, we are kept eternally:
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation 1 Peter 1:5 This blessed existence will never end, and we shall know God and enjoy fellowship with him forever. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life. 1 John 2:24-25
Through His Exaltation Christ gives the Blessings of His Presence Paul is at great pains to show, in Eph. 4.9-10, (as Peter also explains in 1 Peter 3.19) that Christ when absent from His body for three days, descended into the lowest place, the place of departed spirits, and there proclaimed deliverance for those saints, such as David, who had lived and died in hope of His coming, but who had never seen it. Then in His resurrection and ascension He ascended to the highest place so that He might fill all things. When Christ walked as a man on earth, as a man He could only be in one place at a time. Yet now the exalted Son of God is able to say to His followers I am with you always and everywhere in every situation until the world ends. He is able to say to countless millions of believers all over the world at the same time "wherever two or three gather in my name, I am there in the midst of them." Notice that Christ is not saying "The Holy Spirit will be there." Although I'm sure that He is. He says "I will be there" Christ in His
exalted glory is omnipresent everywhere at the same time, although invisible to us, yet real and tangible in His presence.
Through His Exaltation Christ gives the Blessings of His Promise Jesus taught His disciples about many promises which God had made, but there was one thing so special that he referred to it as "THE promise of the Father." And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-5 Jesus had often spoken publicly about this promise: On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 Peter said "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:32-33 16
Jesus had told His disciples "It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:7 It is because of the exaltation of Christ that we experience the blessings of His promise through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Through His Exaltation Christ gives the Blessings of His Purpose God's purpose for all who trust Christ as Saviour is that they may be conformed into Christ's likeness. In order for this purpose to become an on-going reality in our daily lives, Christ has given certain gifts to every member of His body, so that the church may build itself up in love, every member growing into His likeness until Christ may be seen in and through us. (Eph. 4:7-13) Every member of the church has an important part in the fulfilment of God's purpose. Let us never despise the gifts God has given, however insignificant some might seem. We must use them for his honour and the good of the church of Christ (1 Pet. 4:10). Through his exaltation Christ gives us the blessings of his power, his presence, his Promise and his purpose. May we never fail to lay hold of all these until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ AMEN. Photo Lion Š Sallytaz Lamb, Leetorrens
The Runaway Prophet The Book of Jonah Chapter One A brief Bible study by Derek Williams. Photos this page: Š Jeff Schulz. Bottom Right: Š Fotogeek
The Lord Prepares 1:14 - 17. V14. The "therefore" refers to the fact that in spite of all their efforts the sailors could not prevail against the will of God. So they submit to it and cry upon Jonah's God using His name Yahweh to have mercy on them. They realized that in order for their lives to be saved they would have to sacrifice Jonah. This reminds us of the prophetic words spoken by Caiaphas the high priest concerning Jesus (John 11:49 -52). They ask the Lord to be forgiving for throwing him overboard and that He would not lay this charge against them because they were doing that which was according to the Lord's plan (Psa. 115:3). This again is echoed in the New Testament concerning Pontius Pilate (Matt. 27:24-25).
V15. On throwing Jonah overboard the sea immediately becomes calm, a confirmation that they were doing according to the will of God. This is the same with us when we know what God wants us to do but a battle goes on within us. The moment we yield to the will of God we have that peace and calm within that confirms we are going in the right direction even though we may have doubts and fears later. V16. When the sailors saw the miracle that had happened they became fearful of the power of the God who could do such a thing (Mark 4:41). We are not told what manner of sacrifice they offered or what their vows were. They may have just added Yahweh to their list of other gods or they may have turned from them and accepted Him as the only true God. 17
God was completely in control of the situation: He always is! God was still one step ahead of Jonah. God not only had the great fish in the right place at the right time but He had prepared it to swallow Jonah and to retain him in its stomach for three days and nights without any harm coming to him (without him being digested), also providing him with air to breathe during that time. Whether it was a whale or not makes no difference in fact throughout the scriptures whenever fish is mention their species is not given. This great fish had been especially prepared by God to save Jonah from drowning and to provide him with transport to Nineveh.
Jonah's Prayer 2: 1 - 10. V1. Jonah continued his downward experience until he was brought to the place of repentance where he at last realized that he could run away or hide from God or escape his responsibility. It is from the depths of the fish's belly which had taken him down to the deepest depths of the sea that Jonah cries upon the Lord from the depths of his soul. V2. He is honest with God and confesses that it is because of his affliction that he cries to Him (Psa. 120:1). His testimony is that the Lord was gracious and merciful in hearing and answering his cry. The experience he was going through was that of a living hell where the presence of God was absent but then God heard him!
V6-7. When he was at the end of himself, when he felt that he could take no more, and had humbled himself, the Lord delivered him (1 Cor. 10:13). In his extremity he had forgotten the Lord, or more likely in his suffering's he chose not to, but now he turns his eyes and his soul towards heaven and to the only one who could deliver and save him. Of course we are not like Jonah, are we? V
done for him (Hebrews 13: 15). Jonah also promised that he would fulfill the vows that he had made to the Lord God, that is, he would declare the word of the Lord as he had been asked to do in the first place. Jonah had personally proved and received the salvation of the Lord and knew without any shadow of doubt that it only comes from and belongs to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord (Psa. 3: 8; Acts 4:12).
8. To try and cope without God or to turn to other things for help is to cut ourselves off from our only hope, God's mercy.
V10. If the prophet had found it difficult obeying the voice of God, yet the fish immediately obeys the Lord’s command and delivers Jonah safely on to dry land.
V9. Jonah had learnt his lesson and so he declared that he would offer to God the sacrifice of his lips. That is, he would never cease to praise and give Him thanks for what he had
We are not told exactly the location where the fish spat Jonah out, except that it was clearly no more than three days journey away from the city of Nineveh.
V3. Again he recognized that it is the hand of God that had brought him to this place. It was a place of no escape for he was encompassed round about by the waters and he could not deliver himself, no one else could help him, there was no hope for him except from God. V4. Although he felt the heavens were as brass and that God had turned His back upon him he yet looked towards God in repentance for mercy and deliverance. V5. It was not only his body that was engulfed by water but it was the experience of his soul too until he felt that his whole life was entangled and his mind deranged with doubts and difficulties. All this was brought upon him by his on disobedience ! 18
Our In Depth Study. Revelation 14. By
Derek R. Williams. Photo © Godfer
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Harvest of the Earth. The Lamb and the 144,000 . v1 - 5. 1. "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads." The scene changes dramatically from the vision of the beasts to one of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, which is a reference to heaven itself. With Him are the 144,000 who were sealed in their foreheads with His Name and His Father's, so most translations read (Rev. 7:3). 2. "And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps." John hears a voice from heaven sounding like a great waterfall and like the rumbling of mighty thunder. The voice sounds like the music of harpists accompanying themselves on harps. 3. "They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth." They sang a new song, before the throne of God, the four living creatures and the elders - new possibly meaning that it is sung in a fresh or different way (see Rev. 5:8 - 10) Only the 144,000 redeemed from the earth are able to learn to sing this song.
4. "These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb." John's description of them is a reference to their spiritual character. The saying, "they have not defiled themselves with women and are virgins" is not a reference to their marital status. (This would imply that the 144,000 were all men). They have kept themselves morally pure, free from illicit sexual intercourse and idolatry, from the contamination of a godless world (Col.3:5). They are fully committed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been redeemed by Christ and together with all who have been purchased by the blood of Christ they are a kind of first fruits (James 1:18). 5. "And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God." There is no deceit or falsehood in them for in the sight of God they are blameless, not in themselves, but in Christ. Col. 1:22. The Proclamation of the Three Angels. v6 - 13. 6. "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-"
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Here begins another series of visions about events which actually should precede the events recorded in first five verses. John saw an angel flying in mid heaven announcing the good news of salvation through the atoning death of Christ to put away sin and His resurrection to justify the believer. This is the everlasting Gospel. Yet whilst the Gospel is everlasting in its effects it is limited in its application to the present age of grace. The message is to be made known throughout every tribe and nation (Luke 2:10 - 11). 7. "Saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." The call of the angel is for all men to fear God as creator and to give Him honour and praise for the time of His judgement has come (John 12:31 -32, John 16:8 11). 8. "And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Another angel followed the first to proclaim the fall of Babylon. This is the first time in Revelation that "Babylon" is mentioned. The literal city of Babylon was founded by Nimrod (whose name means "rebel" (Gen. 10:10). It was here that men began to build the tower of Babel (meaning confusion) in direct rebellion against God. Gen. 11:7 - 9. The city was a centre of idolatry and oppression. Peter refers to Babylon in his epistle (1 Pet. 5:13) and it is
generally excepted that it is a synonym for Rome. Babylon is mentioned again as the object of God's wrath in Rev. 16:19, the mother of harlots, Rev. 17:5, its fall, Rev. 18:2, judgement Rev. 18:10, thrown down and found no more in Rev. 18:21. It is the source and centre of godlessness, greed, idolatry, perversion etc. a cesspit of iniquity. It has ensnared and engulfed the whole world in the passions of its harlotry. It may not be a literal revival of the city is meant here, but rather that the fruits of the rebellion against God which it came to symbolise a world system opposed to its maker - is meant. It is of course possible that such a system may be governed from a particular city at the time of these events. However, the age of rebellion and of man's casting off God will come to an abrupt end.
punishment of all those who gave themselves over to worship Anti-Christ and his image.
9-10. "Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
Those who are Christ's and martyred during the reign of Anti-Christ, will enter into the same blessedness of everlasting rest that Christ gives to all His people, who have died in Him throughout the church age. John is recording these words from heaven as being true and faithful. Tatford records that one expositor says: "These Jewish martyrs had not only lost their part in the rapture of the Church, but also in the glory of the Kingdom". However, they enter into that same rest as the Church that had gone before them (Heb. 4:9 10). Their patient endurance will be their testimony."
A third angel cries a warning with a loud voice that anyone who bows to pay homage to the Anti-Christ or his statue or who receives his mark will suffer the fullness of God's wrath and indignation in the same measure as it will be poured out on "Babylon". God will show no more mercy in those days, for all will have been given every possible opportunity to repent, without effect. They shall therefore be tormented with a combination of fire and sulphur before the presence of the angels and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 11. "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." This punishment will be an eternal punishment; it will never cease or for one moment be made more bearable. This will be the everlasting conscious
12. "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." The patience and endurance of the saints on earth will be tested at that time, for they will remain true to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ whilst all others worship the beast. 13. "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them."
Reaping the Earth's Harvest . v4 - 16. 14. "Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle." John sees the Lord Jesus sat on a white cloud wearing a golden crown (the victor's wreath) and having a sharp sickle in His hand (Matt. 24:30 - 31). 15. "And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." An angel comes from the presence of God proclaiming that the time had come 20
for Christ to reap in the harvest of the earth (Joel 3:12 - 13). The measure of the sins of the wicked are now filled up and the time of their destruction has come. 16. "So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped." In response to the angel's call the harvest is cut down and gathered ready for judgement. Reaping the Grapes of Wrath. v17 - 20. 17-18. "Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." A fifth angel comes from the temple in heaven with a sharp sickle in his hand. Another who has power over fire comes from before the altar and shouts to the one who has the sickle to thrust it in and gather the grapes from the vineyard of earth for they are ready (Rev. 6:9-10). 19-20. "So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs." This being done, the harvest is thrown into the winepress of God's wrath (Rev. 19:15). The crushing of this harvest takes place outside Jerusalem where rivers of blood shall flow for a distance of 200 miles as high as a horse's bridal. The AntiChrist, false prophet and all the rulers of the earth will be there and all of them shall be finally overcome. (Joel 3:11 - 14; Rev. 19:17 21) .From The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback ÂŁ6.99)
Praying According to the Word of God “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 This Bible Study has been taken from Chapter VI of Daniel Kolenda’s new book “Your Kingdom Come” and is for those who desire to enter into a divine partnership with God and His purposes by joining the prayer revolution. Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:9-10 “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom COME. Your will be done, on earth as IT IS IN HEAVEN.” Jesus taught us to pray that all the glory of His Father’s Kingdom would break through and be manifested on the earth, bringing the transference of all of Heaven’s purposes and blessings into the earthly arena. Many years ago, I had a most interesting vision. I saw a massive dam. It was holding back a mighty river on one side, but on the other side was thirsty ground, parched and cracked in the sun. I understood that the river represented the glory of God, and the parched ground represented the world. I knew that it was God’s will that the knowledge of His glory cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and so I said, “Lord, how will Your glory breach that massive wall?” Then I saw it. Tiny broken places began to form in the dam,
hairline fractures that seemed so insignificant. But out of those tiny cracks, razor sharp spurts of water began to spray through. The cracking continued and I watched as small chunks of the wall began to fall away. Soon water was gushing in from all sides, and suddenly, in one moment, the mighty dam was swept away and the parched ground was covered. Then the Lord spoke to me and said, “My glory will cover the earth through broken people.” Suddenly, I saw Jesus at the Last Supper breaking the bread of communion, and He said, “…This is my body, which is BROKEN for you…” (1 Corinthians 11:24). When Jesus spoke of His body being broken, He was speaking of the crucifixion. Immediately the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20 came flooding into my spirit: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” What a powerful confession! To be crucified with Christ… this is the brokenness that will result in His life flowing out through ours to the dry and parched world around us. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me….” When we are broken, like Gideon’s clay jars, the light of Christ inside will shine out, and those rivers of living water inside of us will come 21
pouring out as Jesus promised they would. But how can we be crucified with Christ? Should we find a band of Roman soldiers and ask them to nail us to a cross? The reality is that Jesus had laid down His life long before He was nailed to the cross. Hear Him praying in the garden, “…Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). This is true brokenness. It’s where the real crucifixion takes place, and it is in this laying down of our own will and desires that our prayers become truly powerful. Psalm 51:17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” One of the greatest hindrances to the true revelation of the glory of God in the earth is prayer offered by those who have personal agendas that seek to exalt themselves. They pray, “Not thy will, but mine, be done.” God sees absolutely everything. He hears every prayer, but He also looks deep within the heart of the individual who prays the prayer, and clearly understands the motivations of the heart which are behind it! Nothing is ever concealed from His eyes. Prayer of any sort for anything is always going to be subject to His scrutiny. He not only hears what we petition Him to do, but He also sees all – the true reason that the petition is being made. This is what James was referring to when he said:
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, THAT YOU MAY SPEND IT ON YOUR PLEASURES” (James 4:2-3 NKJV). God loves it when we pray the things that are on His heart more than our own. One of the highest purposes of prayer and intercession is to help bring His Kingdom into the earth so that He will be glorified. The truth is clearly illustrated by Jesus when He said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, THAT THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON. If you ask ANYTHING in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14 NKJV). Many people have attempted to use faith and prayer in the name of Jesus as a blank check to get whatever they want for themselves. God has given us wonderful promises about asking, believing, and receiving. That is not in dispute whatsoever, but there is a higher calling in faith and prayer. It is to ask for things, that when given, will be used exclusively to bring glory to our Heavenly Father through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! It’s a type of prayer that is not about us, but it is all about Him and for Him. This is the kind of prayer that God desires. Jesus has promised that if we pray that way and with that motivation, “If you ask ANYTHING in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14 NKJV). In 1 John 5:14-15 NKJV, we find another wonderful promise of scripture. It reads as follows: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,
whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” One of the great secrets of prayer is the discovery of the unlimited power that is available when God’s people begin to intercede for things that God has clearly promised in His written Word. Faith and expectancy in intercession are little more than presumption and delusion if they are not firmly rooted in that which is the expressed will of God to perform. Thank God that because of His great love, mercy, and grace, He doesn’t give us everything we ask for. If He did so, many times disaster would be the result for us as well as the abortion of His purposes and plans! God is absolutely honest. He can never lie. He will never promise things that He is unable or unwilling to deliver. We can have absolute, unwavering confidence that when we go to Him in prayer, seeking those things that we know are His expressed will to give and to do, a revelation of His glory and power will soon come. It will never fail. When we know that we know that we know what the will of God is, we can pray that will with the unwavering assurance that the answer is on the way. When we begin praying for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will break the devil’s back and glorify God, the heavens will begin to leak under the weight of His glory. When we begin to passionately pray that souls be saved and that the name of the Lord Jesus be famous in the nations, we can be absolutely confident that Heaven is beginning to move in response. Jesus has promised that when we pray with the motivation that His Father be glorified, He will 22
respond by doing ANYTHING that we ask Him to do! When we begin to pray, “Not my will, but Thine, be done,” our lives become a crack in the wall that allows the glory of God to flow to the earth. The Scriptures declare that one day the knowledge of this glory will completely cover the earth like the waters cover the sea. There could not be a more thorough saturation. Although this prophetic promise is still unfulfilled, we have seen many glimpses of what happens when God’s people pray. The next great move of God will come as a result of Prayer & Obedience by the body of Christ. Discover how God made us partners with Him for the fulfillment of His purposes in the earth.
Don't miss your opportunity to purchase the first book released by Author and Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.
GET THE BOOK NOW! $12.99 HARDBACK http://bit.ly/A0OmSW Be Blessed,
Daniel Kolenda, Evangelist To find out more, or to support the work of CfaN visit their website: http://us.cfan.org/?lang=en-US Article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.
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