Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 7:4-8
7:4And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
7:5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
7:6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7:7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
7:8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed. They are the core of the heavenly bride.
Nevertheless, the tribe of Dan was not sealed, but replaced by Manasseh.
Genesis 49:17
49:17 Dan shall be a serpentby the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse's heels So that its rider shall fall backward.
The tribe of Dan did not receive the seal of God because they had changed from the descendants of Abram to the ones of viper.
Genesis 48:5
48:5 "And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
1 Chronicles 5:1-2
5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel--he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;
5:2 yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's--
Manasseh was exalted from a grandson to a son.
Actually, Reuben was the firstborn son having the firstborn right. Nevertheless, he fell in adultery, so he lost his firstborn right.
The firstborn right should have been given to Simeon and Levi. Unfortunately, they fell in the sin of evil, hatred, and deceit by killing the innocent Hivites Genesis 34].
According to the genealogy, the firstborn right comes to Judah.
But, according to the grace, it comes to Joseph.
Genesis 41:51
41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house."
Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph, was born in Egypt that belonged to the Gentiles. It means that the Gentiles also get the opportunity to be the firstborn son having the firstborn right from God.
What is the firstborn right?
We are commemorating the ascension of Jesus to heaven.
After the death of Jesus on the cross, He rose and showed Himself to the disciples. After that, He ascended to heaven. He becomes the High Priest and the King of all kings who sits at the right side of the throne of Father God.
Why does Jesus have to ascend to heaven?
Commemorating the Ascension to give us the firstborn right, we must prepare ourselves to welcome His second coming on the glorious clouds. We must try hard to be the firstborn son of God who deserves to receive the firstborn right.
The facts found in being the firstborn son are as follows.
God blesses you.
Revelation 7:4-8
7:4And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
7:5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
7:6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7:7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
7:8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed. They are the core of the heavenly bride.
Nevertheless, the tribe of Dan was not sealed, but replaced by Manasseh.
Genesis 49:17
49:17 Dan shall be a serpentby the way, A viper by the path, That bites the horse's heels So that its rider shall fall backward.
The tribe of Dan did not receive the seal of God because they had changed from the descendants of Abram to the ones of viper.
Genesis 48:5
48:5 "And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine.
1 Chronicles 5:1-2
5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel--he was indeed the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;
5:2 yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's--
Manasseh was exalted from a grandson to a son.
Actually, Reuben was the firstborn son having the firstborn right. Nevertheless, he fell in adultery, so he lost his firstborn right.
The firstborn right should have been given to Simeon and Levi. Unfortunately, they fell in the sin of evil, hatred, and deceit by killing the innocent Hivites Genesis 34].
According to the genealogy, the firstborn right comes to Judah.
But, according to the grace, it comes to Joseph.
Genesis 41:51
41:51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house."
Manasseh, the firstborn son of Joseph, was born in Egypt that belonged to the Gentiles. It means that the Gentiles also get the opportunity to be the firstborn son having the firstborn right from God.
What is the firstborn right?
- The right to get married. It refers to the spiritual marriage.
- The right to inherit the heavenly kingdom.
We are commemorating the ascension of Jesus to heaven.
After the death of Jesus on the cross, He rose and showed Himself to the disciples. After that, He ascended to heaven. He becomes the High Priest and the King of all kings who sits at the right side of the throne of Father God.
Why does Jesus have to ascend to heaven?
- To prepare the place for us at the throne of the heavenly kingdom. After that, He will come a second time to lift us up to the heavenly kingdom. So, wherever He is, there we will be. We are not separated from Him forever.
John 14:1-3
14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. - To pour out Holy Spirit to us, the man of flesh and blood who is full of weaknesses and sins in the midst of difficulties and curses in the world up to the everlasting perdition.
Acts 1:8-9
1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
The Lord pours out Holy Spirit to give us extra power to help us, so we can be as perfect as Jesus and become the heavenly bride who is ready to welcome His second coming.
Commemorating the Ascension to give us the firstborn right, we must prepare ourselves to welcome His second coming on the glorious clouds. We must try hard to be the firstborn son of God who deserves to receive the firstborn right.
The facts found in being the firstborn son are as follows.
- Being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb or Jesus who dies on the cross.
Exodus 13:13
13:13"But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
Judges 15:16
15:16 Then Samson said: "With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!"
The Gentiles must undergo the sanctification by the blood of Jesus so that the neck is not broken or they do not perish forever.
Exodus 13:16
13:16 "It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt."
The redemption for the Gentiles must be the sign on the forehead that refers to the inward man and the hand that refers to the outward man.
It means that the Gentiles must be redeemed or set free from the seven sins which control the outward and inward man or the body, soul, and spirit.
Proverbs 6:16-19
6:16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
6:17 (1)A proud look, (2)A lying tongue, (3)Hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18 (4)A heart that devises wicked plans, (5)Feet that are swift in running to evil,
6:19 (6)A false witness who speaks lies, And (7)one who sows discord among brethren.- Proud look refers to the sight which is only towards the physical things.
- Lying tongue or double tongue. It means easily changing in words and teachings.
- Hands that shed innocent blood refer to evil deeds.
- Heart that devises wicked plans
- Feet that are swift in running to evil.
- A false witness who speaks lies.
- Self-truth which causes quarrel.
Being redeemed from the seven sins, there will be these things.- We can live in righteousness like a burning lamp to pass through the darkness on the last days.
It is especially the darkness in the marriage as follows.- The darkness of basket, namely the problems in economy and the sins concerning eating-drinking such as smoking, getting drunk, and drugs abuse.
- The darkness of bed, namely the sins concerning marrying-being given in marriage, fornication, or sexuality sin with all of its kinds and wrong marriage.
- The darkness of basket, namely the problems in economy and the sins concerning eating-drinking such as smoking, getting drunk, and drugs abuse.
- We are surrounded as with a shield with the favor and blessings of God.
Psalm 5:12
5:12For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Job 5:19-27
5:19He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.
5:20 In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.
5:21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
5:22 You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
5:23 For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
5:24 You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.
5:25 You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth.
5:26 You shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.
5:27 Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself."
As a result, condemnation cannot come to us.
We are saved and blessed up to our descendants and we become blessings for others.
- Proud look refers to the sight which is only towards the physical things.
- The servants of God who prioritize the service and ministry to God more than anything in the world.
Exodus 4:22-23
4:22 "Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel is My son, My firstborn.
4:23 "So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn." ' "
We do not want to and cannot be hindered by anything.
One who deliberately looks for the hindrance so that he does not go to the church will lose the sign of the blood of redemption. Consequently, he loses the firstborn son. It means losing something he is proud of.
Be careful because there are the true service to God and the false one.
Romans 12:1
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Only by the grace of God we can distinguish between the true teachings and the false ones and between all things which are true and the others which are false.
The signs of the true service to God are as follows.- Returning the tithes and offerings which belong to God.
- Offering the time, energy, thought, money, and so on for God.
- Presenting our body a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God.
- The living body means being ruled over by Holy Spirit. We get it through the perseverance in doing General Service.
John 6:63
6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
The proof is that we become the faithful and true servant of God. - The holy body means being controlled by the true teaching Word. We get it through the perseverance in doing Bible Study Service with Holy Communion. The proof is living in holiness.
- The body which is acceptable to God refers to being ruled over by the love of God. We get it through the perseverance in doing Prayer Service.
- The living body means being ruled over by Holy Spirit. We get it through the perseverance in doing General Service.
In the shepherding, we are surrounded as with a shield by the holiness. It means that we get the continual sanctification.
John 21:15-18
21:15So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
21:16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
21:17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
21:18 "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
We undergo the continual sanctification until getting the meek heart. It refers to the spiritual maturity. It means as follows.- We can realize our sins.
- We can stretch out our hands and surrender our whole life to God to glorify Him.
- We get the heavenly wisdom.
James 3:13-17
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first (1)pure, then (2)peaceable,(3)gentle, (4)willing to yield, (5)full of mercy and good fruits, (6)without partiality and (7)without hypocrisy.
Proverbs 9:1-2
9:1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
9:2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.
We are used in the revival to edify the body of Christ at the latter rain. It begins from the marriage, shepherding, inter-shepherding, up to the perfect body of Christ.
- Returning the tithes and offerings which belong to God.
- The servant of God who experiences the power of creation and renewal by the true teaching Word.
James 1:18
1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8
6:4 " Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6:6 " And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
6:7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
6:8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
The proof is talking about the Word and testifying more.
Ephesians 4:21-32; 5:1-2
4:21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.
4:26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
4:27 nor give place to the devil.
4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. [p-0pp
What must be renewed?- Putting away lying.
- Getting angry with love and the purpose to help, not with emotion which causes the strife and destruction.
- Do not give place to the devil that makes us fall.
- Do not steal, especially the possession of God. We must give.
- Do not say corrupt and meaningless words which make our faith fall. We must have the words of faith.
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
- Being obedient until the flesh does not speak. We only cry out "Abba, Father".
Romans 8:15
8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
2 Kings 6:15-17
6:15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"
6:16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The fence of the fire of Holy Spirit will surround us. The results are as follows.- The power of sanctification.
Romans 15:16
15:16that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:11
12:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
Being holy, faithful, and fervent in spirit is the same as being the apple of God's eye. It means that there is the power of preservation from God in the midst of difficulties in the world until the time when the antichrist reigns over the world. - The power of protection from God, so we feel peaceful. All things become easy and light.
- The power of help from all impossible problems.
- The power of lifting up.
2 Kings 2:9-11
2:9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
2:10 So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Holy Spirit is able to lift us up to heaven. He renews our life, beginning from our mouth saying "yes" if "yes" and "no" if "no". As long as we are honest, Holy Spirit is able to help us until we are changed to be as perfect as Jesus is. We do not stumble in words. We are lifted up to the glorious clouds.
- Putting away lying.
God blesses you.