Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1: 17-18
1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feetas dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
1:18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am aliveforevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Johnfell at His feetmeans that he worshiped with a contrite heart, so he experienced the touching of God’s right hand and received theses three things.
We are still learning 'I AM HE WHO WAS DEAD, AND AM ALIVE'.
'I am he who was dead' refers to Jesus who died on the cross.
'I am alive' refers to Jesus who has resurrected.
Thus, Jesus has died and resurrected to defeat the death. I have the keys of Hades and of Deathmeans that He closesthe door of the Hades for us, so that we will not perish. Moreover, He opensthe door of heavenly kingdom for us because He has the key, so that we receive the eternal life.
This morning we commemorate the Ascension Day. After Jesus died, He was risen and ascended to heaven in order to close the door of Hades and open the door of heavenly kingdom for us.
We learn about the KEYthis morning.
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.
'I go'means that Jesus ascends to heaven to open the door of heavenly kingdom and prepare a place for us. Moreover, He gives the key of heavenly kingdom to us.
Matthew 16: 19
16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Afterwards, He will come a second time to lift us up on the glorious clouds, so we can enter the eternal heavenly kingdom together with Him forever ('that where I am, there you may be also').
Thus, the Revelation 1: 17-18has relationship with the Ascension or RECEIVING THE KEY OF HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
The facts found in having the key of heavenly kingdom are related to the three kinds of door in Tabernacle that can be opened with the keys.
God blesses you.
Revelation 1: 17-18
1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feetas dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
1:18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am aliveforevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Johnfell at His feetmeans that he worshiped with a contrite heart, so he experienced the touching of God’s right hand and received theses three things.
- 'Do not be afraid!' means there is no fear anymore(it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, May 11, 2014).
- 'I am the First and the Last' (it has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, May 19,2014).
“The first” refers to the first love.
“The last” refers to the love of the bridegroom or the peak of love.Thus,“'I am the First and the Last” means that we receive the love of God. - [verse 18] 'I am He who was dead, and am alive' means receiving the victory power over the death (it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, May 25, 2014).
We are still learning 'I AM HE WHO WAS DEAD, AND AM ALIVE'.
'I am he who was dead' refers to Jesus who died on the cross.
'I am alive' refers to Jesus who has resurrected.
Thus, Jesus has died and resurrected to defeat the death. I have the keys of Hades and of Deathmeans that He closesthe door of the Hades for us, so that we will not perish. Moreover, He opensthe door of heavenly kingdom for us because He has the key, so that we receive the eternal life.
This morning we commemorate the Ascension Day. After Jesus died, He was risen and ascended to heaven in order to close the door of Hades and open the door of heavenly kingdom for us.
We learn about the KEYthis morning.
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.
'I go'means that Jesus ascends to heaven to open the door of heavenly kingdom and prepare a place for us. Moreover, He gives the key of heavenly kingdom to us.
Matthew 16: 19
16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Afterwards, He will come a second time to lift us up on the glorious clouds, so we can enter the eternal heavenly kingdom together with Him forever ('that where I am, there you may be also').
Thus, the Revelation 1: 17-18has relationship with the Ascension or RECEIVING THE KEY OF HEAVENLY KINGDOM.
The facts found in having the key of heavenly kingdom are related to the three kinds of door in Tabernacle that can be opened with the keys.
- Opening or entering the Gate of Tabernacle.
John 14: 6
14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus is the onlyway or door to enter heavenly kingdom. We can enter it through having faith or believingin Jesus.
Thus, the key of heavenly kigdom is THE FAITH KEY.
Romans 10: 17
10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Where does the faith come from?
It comes by hearing the Word in the anointing of Holy Spirit.
The anointing of Holy Spirit cannot be limitedby experience, age, time, diploma, and anything.
There are two things that must be heeded about the faith, so that we can enter the Gate as follows.- Psalm 118: 19-21
118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD.
118:20 This is the gate of the LORD, Through which the righteous shall enter.
118:21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.
'Open to me the gates of righteousness'means a longing because the gate is still closed.
The gate can be opened with the faith that comes by the revelation of the Word of God in the anointing of Holy Spirit.
It is the duty of a pastor.
The congregationmust give thanks because of the revelation, although the Word of God is hard and sharp and the door of heavenly kingdom will be opened.
Do not murmur!Murmuring, rejecting, getting bored and sleepy, the door of heavenly kingdom will be closed. - 2 Corinthians 6: 11-13
6:11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openlyto you, our heart is wide open.
6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
6:13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
'spoken openly'means the opened mouth.
A servant of Godmust have the opened heart and mouth.
It means preaching the Word of God openly without any fear.
On the contrary, if the servant of God is afraid, the door of heavenly kingdom will be closed although there is the revelation of God’s Word. Moreover, if a pastor does not speak openly, but hides something, especially sins, the door of heavenly kingdom will also be closed for the congregation and they will be disadvantage and disaster.
2 Corinthians 6: 12
6:12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
The congregation must open the heart widelyto receive the revelation of the Word although it is hard, sharp, and long. If our heart is opened, our mouth can be openedto confess the hidden sins in our inner life. After being forgiven, do not sin anymore. It means that we repent and the gate of heavenly kingdom is opened for usand the doors in the world can be opened also.
2 Corinthians 6: 14-17
6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
6:15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
There is firm separationbetween the righteousness and lawlessnessas we know that the Court of Tabernacle is surrounded by linen or separated from the wilderness. We have no relationship anymore with the world after entering the Gate.
The two kinds of separation start from these things.- 2 Corinthians 6: 14
6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
'And what communion has light with darkness' is about marriage. We must keep the righteousness and holinessof the marriage.
The marriages will return to the ones in the days of Noah and Lot if they are outside the fence of heavenly kingdom, including the marriage of the servant of God like Hophni and Phinehas.
There is no revelation of the Word of God means that one is outside the Gatebecause entering the Gate must be through the Word.
We must keep the righteousness and holiness of the marriage as follows.- The beginning.
- Do hot have mixed marriage or different faith in the marriage.
- It must be righteous and in line to the Word, namely being permitted by the parents, government (being recorded in civil office), and God.
The requirement to get the permission from God is righteousness and holiness or they must not fall in sin of adultery before getting married, so that they can get the affirmation and blessing of the pastor.
- Do hot have mixed marriage or different faith in the marriage.
- During the marriagemust be without any violence, sexual affairs, divorce, remarrying, and marrying-being given in marriage.
- Until reaching the perfect marriage.
- The beginning.
- 2 Corinthians 6: 16-17
6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."
6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
The second one is about the service and ministry to God, namely the separation between the temple of God and idols or the holy and the unclean. It means that we must keep the righteousness and holiness in our consecration or ministry.
Both the marriage as well as the service and ministry to God cannot be separated one another and they must be righteous and holy according to the Bible and without any sin.
Isaiah 52: 11
52:11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the LORD.
'the vessels of the LORD' means tabernacle that was brought by bearing itu, even the Ark of the Covenant. If we minister to God in the right and holy ministry, we will be trusted to bear the Ark of the Covenant, namely to testify or preach the Bride Tidings or the tidings of perfection in the revival of Holy Spirit at the latter rain for building the perfect body of Christ. Although there are many hindrances, even the biggest one that is River Jordan, there will be a new wayas the waters of the river were divided when the feet of the bearers of the Ark of the Covenant entered it and they could walk in the midst of it.
If there is the firm separation between us and the world to enter the gate of heavenly kingdom and we have the right and holy marriage, friendship, and ministry, there will always be the opened new way of Godalthough it is impossible for human. The functions are as follows.- Preserving our life in the abundanceof milk and honey until we can give thanks to God.
- Giving us way outof all problems. The impossible one can be made possible.
- Preserving our life in the abundanceof milk and honey until we can give thanks to God.
- Psalm 118: 19-21
- Opening or entering the Door of Tabernacle.
The Door means the infillimg or anointing of Holy Spirit.
What is the duty of Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit anoints and fills us up or rules us, so that our flesh does not speakanymore because it is limited.
The proof of entering the Dooror being anointed and filled up by Holy Spirit is entering the Holy Place, in which there are three kinds of equipment that refer to the perseverance in doing three main services to Godas follows.- Golden Candlestick or perseverance in doing General Service to have fellowship with Holy Spirit God in His gifts.
- Table of Showbread or perseverance in doing Bible Study Service with Holy Communion to have fellowship with the Son of God in the Teaching Word and Christ’s sacrifice.
- Golden Altar of Incense or perseverance in doing Prayer Service to have fellowship with Father God in His love.
Thus, the key of heavenly kingdom is THE KEY OF PERSEVERANCEor the key of shepherding.
Psalm 92: 12-15
92:12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedarin Lebanon.
92:13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORDShall flourishin the courts of our God.
92:14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
92:15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Why do the main services to God have to be three kinds?
Because our body, soul, and spirit need to attach to the Trinity of God, so that there is no opportunity for Satan to touch us.
'rock' means Jesus as the Shepherd.
One who perseveres in doing the three main services to God is planted in the house of the Lordand he will bear the fruitfor sure. He only needs to wait for the time.
The results are as follows.- 'like a cedar' means being strong to endure, not being disappointed or hopeless or leaving God in facing all things. We can always give thanks to God and our flesh is not rebellious anymore.
- 'like a palm tree' means sweetness.
The world is bitter more and more and becomes a wilderness that is hotter, but we can feel the sweetness in the shepherding. - 'flourish' (as the rod of Aaron which was a dead wood but it could have root and flower) means that we have the gifts of Holy Spirit and ministry, so that we can be used for building the perfect body of Christ. Our life becomes beautiful.
- 'bear fruit' means there is life renewal up to the fruit of perfection as King David said 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want' that means the perfection.
It means as follows.- 'in old age' refers to Jesus with His white hair as the crown who sits on the throne. It means that we can bear the fruits up to our descendants or until we are old and we can be blessings for others. Finally, we have the fruit of perfection and receive the crown of the bride.
- Testifying that the Lord or Great Shepherd never fools us.
- 'in old age' refers to Jesus with His white hair as the crown who sits on the throne. It means that we can bear the fruits up to our descendants or until we are old and we can be blessings for others. Finally, we have the fruit of perfection and receive the crown of the bride.
- Golden Candlestick or perseverance in doing General Service to have fellowship with Holy Spirit God in His gifts.
- Opening or entering the Veil.
Matthew 27: 50-51
27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in twofrom top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
Jesus was obedient to the point of death on the cross as His last surrendering until the Veil was torn or opened.
It means the tearing or crucifixion to the flesh, so that we can be obedientuntil our flesh does not speak anymore.
Thus, the key of heavenly kingdom is THE KEY OF OBEDIENCE.
Jesus can get a name that is above every name or the powerful one because of His obedience to the point of death on the cross or the Veil is torn.
Philippians 2: 8-11
2:8 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.
2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
2:10 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,
2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
'of those in heaven'= Satan.
'of those on earth' = false prophets.
'of those under the earth'= antichrist.
The Holy Communion is the proof that Jesus has been obedient to the point of death, so there is the power of Jesus’ namein it.
Thus, if we are obedient until our flesh does not speak anymore, we will experience the power of Jesus’ name, especially through the Holy Communion.
We only need to cry the name of Jesusin any circumstances we face.
The results are as follows.- Victory power over the trinity of Satan.
Philippians 2: 10
2:10 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,
'bow' means defeating the trinity of Satan as follows.- The source of sin or death. If is has been defeated, we will be able to live in righteousness and holiness.
If there is sin and the peak, namely sins concerning eating-drinking and marrying-being given in marriage, that pursue us, we have to cry “Jesus, save me!” - The source of impossible problem.
Cry the name of Jesus “Jesus, save me!” and Satan is defeated. All problems, even the impossible ones, can be solved. - The source of tears or sorrows.
If Satan is defeated, we will feel the joy of heavenin facing all problems in economy or youth that make us sorrowful. Just cry the name of Jesus and do not be hopeless.
- The source of sin or death. If is has been defeated, we will be able to live in righteousness and holiness.
- Lifting up power.
Philippians 2: 9
2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Himand given Him the name which is above every name,
It means as follows.- Psalm 135: 3
135:3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
'for it is pleasant' means that all things are lifted up to become beautiful right in His time.
Maybe other people want to cause us to go down or trample us, but there is nothing impossible when God lifts us up. - John 5: 8, 11
5:8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."
5:11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’"
The power of lifting up from paralysis on the bed. It means as follows.- Destruction in marriage and children. God is able to restore them.
David who has been evil and unclean by taking the wife (Bathsheba) of other man and killing him could get the help and lifting up still as long as the heart and mouth were opened.
Nathan preached a very hard Word of God and David could ask His forgiveness and He helped him.
On the contrary, King Uziah was rebuked about the incense, but he got angry and there was the leprosy in him.
There is a lifting up where there is the revelation of the Word. - Something that is not right.
Jesus cried “It is finished!” on the cross. God is able to finish the wrong thingsin our marriage or finance with His lifting up power.
- Destruction in marriage and children. God is able to restore them.
- The Lord lifted up Peter who sank.
Let us cry to Jesus to get the help when we face a decrease.
- Psalm 135: 3
- Philippians 2: 11
2:11 and that every tongueshould confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The power of renewal, namely life renewal from the fleshy men to the spiritual ones as Jesus is. It begins from our tongue as follows.- Our tongue is honestto confess our sins.
It determines whether we are lifted up or drowned. Sinning and not confessing the sin, but blaming others, one will sink more. - The tongue speaks honestly, beginning from about teachings and all things. We say “yes” if yes and “no” if no.
- Someday, the tongue does not stumble in word(James 3: 2).
We are renewed to be as perfect as Jesus is when He comes a second time. Our tongue does not stumble in word (James3: 2), but only cries 'Jesus, Alleluia!'
We will be lifted up on the glorious clouds.
- Our tongue is honestto confess our sins.
- Victory power over the trinity of Satan.
God blesses you.