Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2-3
According to Tabernacle teaching, it refers to the seven sprinklings of blood in front of the Ark of the Covenantor the seven epistles for the seven churches of the Gentiles or the last sanctificationin the Most Holy Place done by God to the seven churches of the Gentilesto make them as perfect as Jesus is.
The first epistle is written to the church in EPHESUS(Revelation 2:1-7) (it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
Revelation 2: 4
2:4. "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
God admits that the work and ministry of the church of Ephesus are so good. Nevertheless, all things are useless when there is a reproach because it cannot please Godand one cannot be perfect. He is left behind and perishes forever when Jesus comes a second time.
Therefore, God does the last sanctification for the church of Ephesus because they have LOST THE FIRST LOVEor the love of God/agape in Christ's sacrifice.
Tonight, we learn about the consequence of losing the first love, namely the lampstand is removed from the placeor the darkness happens.
Revelation 2: 5
2:5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
The one equipment to illuminate the Holy Place is the golden candlestick. If it is taken away, one will live in the darkness.
Exodus 10: 21-23
10:21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt."
10:22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
10:23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Formerly, there was the darkness in Egypt for three dayswhen the house of Israel would go out of it. It is a prophecy that the world, including the congregation, will live in the darknesswhen the church is going out of the world to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds.
There are manysons and servants of God who live in the darkness. It is so terrible and we must be careful now.
The facts found in living in the darkness or without the first love are as follows.
Thus, the sons or servants of God who lose the first love are in the darkness, without the sun, moon, and stars. The condition is the same as the ship in which Paul was that was hit by a tempest. It means being drowned and perishing.
Acts 27: 18-20
27:18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
27:19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.
27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appearedfor many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
The windrefers to false teachingsthat cause many problems or tempest in all aspects of life physically and spiritually, even one is drowned and destroyed forever because of it.
There are three kinds of the wind as follows.
Acts 27: 21-22
27:21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
27:22 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
'you should have listened to me'= we will not get the disaster if we obey the true teaching Word. Although we are mocked by others now, someday we will confess the advantage of our obedience.
The solution in facing the tempestuous wind is as follows.
Thus, the true teaching Word and the Holy Communionare the stretching of Good Shepherd's handsthat are full of mercy and grace for us to make us keep on being strong and of good courage and worshiping God. Worshiping God means that we stretch out our two hands of faith to Him.
The faith added with the mercy will create miracle. "not a hair will fall from the head of any of you"in the middle of the waves.
A hairrefers to something that is not precious or worthy, even it is powerless in the midst of the waves, but it will not fallif it is inside the hand of the Good Shepherd. It means as follows.
God blesses you.
Revelation 2-3
According to Tabernacle teaching, it refers to the seven sprinklings of blood in front of the Ark of the Covenantor the seven epistles for the seven churches of the Gentiles or the last sanctificationin the Most Holy Place done by God to the seven churches of the Gentilesto make them as perfect as Jesus is.
The first epistle is written to the church in EPHESUS(Revelation 2:1-7) (it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
Revelation 2: 4
2:4. "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
God admits that the work and ministry of the church of Ephesus are so good. Nevertheless, all things are useless when there is a reproach because it cannot please Godand one cannot be perfect. He is left behind and perishes forever when Jesus comes a second time.
Therefore, God does the last sanctification for the church of Ephesus because they have LOST THE FIRST LOVEor the love of God/agape in Christ's sacrifice.
Tonight, we learn about the consequence of losing the first love, namely the lampstand is removed from the placeor the darkness happens.
Revelation 2: 5
2:5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
The one equipment to illuminate the Holy Place is the golden candlestick. If it is taken away, one will live in the darkness.
Exodus 10: 21-23
10:21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt."
10:22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
10:23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Formerly, there was the darkness in Egypt for three dayswhen the house of Israel would go out of it. It is a prophecy that the world, including the congregation, will live in the darknesswhen the church is going out of the world to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds.
There are manysons and servants of God who live in the darkness. It is so terrible and we must be careful now.
The facts found in living in the darkness or without the first love are as follows.
- Not seeing one another as follows.
- Others in the marriage. For example, a husband cannot see his wife.
It means an egoism or self-interest. One cannot visit or give to other peoplewho need. In such condition, there is no love of God or the SUN.
Egoistic people do not want to enter the right building of the perfect body of Christ. They do not want to enter the right marriage, shepherding, and inter-shepherding fellowship.
Therefore, we must pay attention to other people who are in need, beginning from the marriage. For example, we must love our parents. - Others in the shepherding. For example, we pay attention to others who are in sorrow. Moreover, we pay attention to others in inter-shepherding fellowship service.
It begins from dislike feelings. If it not finished, it will be the hatred without any cause and there is no sun. - Others in the marriage. For example, a husband cannot see his wife.
- Not rising from the place.
Exodus 10: 23
10:23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his placefor three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
It spiritually means as follows.- Not experiencing spiritual revival, but keeping on falling and rising in sin up to the peak.
The sin peaks are as follows.- Sins concerning eating-drinking such as smoking, getting drunk, drugs abuse, and gambling.
- Sins concerning marrying-being given in marriage or sexuality sin with all its kinds such as sexual deviation, homosexuality, lesbianism, sexuality to oneself, wrong marriage, marrying-being given in marriage, and free sex.
- Spiritual lamenessthat happens at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful.
Acts 3: 1-2
3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's wombwas carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
It means unfaithfulnesseven leaving the service, ministry, and the gifts of Holy Spiritthat have been trusted by God to His servant. Consequently, there is no beauty in his life.
The things that determine the beauty of our life are the ministry and gifts of Holy Spirit or Joseph's tunic of many colors, not our diploma, salary, many members of the congregation, and so on.
Therefore, we must keep our ministry and gifts of Holy Spirit, except when God moves us to other place. If the movement comes from God, our ministry will increase for sure.
There is no beauty means being without the STARS or the anointing of Holy Spirit.
- Not experiencing spiritual revival, but keeping on falling and rising in sin up to the peak.
Thus, the sons or servants of God who lose the first love are in the darkness, without the sun, moon, and stars. The condition is the same as the ship in which Paul was that was hit by a tempest. It means being drowned and perishing.
Acts 27: 18-20
27:18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
27:19 On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.
27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appearedfor many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
The windrefers to false teachingsthat cause many problems or tempest in all aspects of life physically and spiritually, even one is drowned and destroyed forever because of it.
There are three kinds of the wind as follows.
- The south wind that blows softly.
Acts 27: 13
27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
Actually, at that time Paul had advised them not to sail, but the ship's captain said that they had to sail. Consequently, they were tempest-tossed.
We must take a lesson from it. We must belive in Paul or the pastor that is used by God in the revelation of the Word although he was not an expert of navigation. Paul also did not get married, but he could teach about the marriage because of the revelationthat directly comes from God.
The wind that blows softly refers to the one that deceives or reversesthe true teaching Word or the Bible.
The facts found in it are as follows.- Interpretingthe Word to fulfill the flesh.
The true Word that is sharp as a sword or the revelation of the Word is rejected because it hurts the flesh.
1 Corinthians 7: 8-9
7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
7:9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
For example, the verse 'For it is better to marry than to burn with passion' is interpreted to fulfill the lust until there are many widows who become widows because of the divorce are allowed to remarry. - The Word is made scientific as knowledge.
It may be logical, but loses the spiritual meaning.
1 Timothy 6: 20-21
6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge--
6:21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
Consequently, one strays concerning the faith or truth. - Adding and taking away the Word of God, so something that actually is forbidden is allowed to do. Consequently, there is nakedness and curse in the life like Eve's, even such people cannot enter the paradise, but perish forever on the last days (Revelation 22: 18-19).
12:55 "And when you see the south windblow, you say, 'There will be hot weather';and there is.
The south wind brings hot weather or spiritual dryness up to the spiritual death and forever perdition. One sign of it is there is no fervency in spirit anymore in doing spiritual things, such as hearing the true teaching Word or confessing sin. Finally, he is drowned in the sea of fire and brimstone. - Interpretingthe Word to fulfill the flesh.
- The winds that are contrary
Acts 27: 4
27:4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
It resists the right building of the body of Christ, even supports the false one.
Philippians 3: 18-19
3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
3:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things.
The base of the building of Christ's body is the cross.
The winds that are contrary refer to the teachings resisting the crossor not willingly suffering in the flesh together with Jesus. Such teachings only make the congregation prioritize physical thingssuch as prosperity and entertainment.
The right service and ministry are in the suffering in the flesh.
One of the teachings of the winds that are contrary is the teachings of Balaam, namely serving and ministering to God to get physical wage. Consequently, one loses the wage of eternal life.
The winds that are contrary also bring people to the darkness or the building of Babylpn, not to the building of the body of Christ. - The tempestuous wind or Euroclydon.
Acts 27: 14
27:14 But not long after, a tempestuous head windarose, called Euroclydon.
It means the teachings of demon.
Revelation 2: 20
2:20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
The facts found in it are as follows.- The teachings of Jezebel.
It is the false teachings that allow women to teach and have authority over men. It does not mean that women cannot minister to God.
1 Timothy 2: 11-14 => is about men and women in the church.
2:11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
2:13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
It is related to the fall of Eve. God commanded "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evilyou shall not eat."
It means that a woman may serve and minister to God in all kinds of ministry except teaching and having authority over men, both in church and household.
The consequence of having the teachings of Jezebel is being reproachedby God or not being perfectbefore Him. It means that our service is not accepted by Him.
1 Corinthians 14: 34-35
14:34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
14:35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
A woman may teach in the Woman and Sunday School Service.
Why does a woman have to keep silent in the service where there is a man?
Because it will place the man as the head or in the right position and Jesus will be The Head over the service and the congregation can become holy.
The marriage will also be holy if Jesus becomes The Head because it is written in 1 Corinthians 13 that Jesus is The Head over man and the man becomes the head over the woman.
If the position is right, the lamp has the right place, namely upon the lampstand.As a result, the service and household are in the light or holiness.
On the contrary, the lampstand is taken and put under the basket and bed, so there is darkness of economyand sins concerning eating-drinking and darkness of marriage, beginning from strife, violence, sexual affairs and marrying-being given in marriage if the woman becomes the head.
Thus, the tempestuous wind brings one towards uncleanness. - The teachings of Satan.
Revelation 2: 24
2:24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.
It means the doctrine about the depths of Satan including his house. There are many people that like it and consider Tabernacle teachings as pornography. They resist against the Tabernacle teachings that actually is about heavenly kingdom.
Do not hear or read other doctrines!
Solomon despised the doctrines of his wives in the beginning, but then he released the true teachings and received the false ones.
Eve, who had received the true teachings for a long time in garden Eden, immediately was lost because of hearing the serpent.
We will release the true teachings and receive the false ones if we are weak when we hear or read false doctrines although it is only once.
The teachings of Satan also mean the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.- The teachings of the Pharisees.
Mark 10: 2, 10-12
10:2 The Phariseescame and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.
10:10 In the house His disciples also asked Him againabout the same matter.
10:11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
10:12 "And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
It allows divorce and remarrying.
'His disciples also asked Him again'= the disciples or apostles did not understand about divorce and remarrying.
Be carefulof asking the advice of the servant of God about marriage. Moreover, do not ask about that to the people of the world. - The teachings of the Sadducees.
It teaches that there is no resurrection after the deathor there is nothing after it.
- The teachings of the Pharisees.
27:20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
The consequence of the tempestuous wind ishopelessness, disappointment, destructions in all aspects of life, sinking, and perdition forever.
Although our condition is like that, there is still the solution from God. - The teachings of Jezebel.
Acts 27: 21-22
27:21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
27:22 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
'you should have listened to me'= we will not get the disaster if we obey the true teaching Word. Although we are mocked by others now, someday we will confess the advantage of our obedience.
The solution in facing the tempestuous wind is as follows.
- There must be the preaching of the true teaching Word in patience.
It means that the true teaching Word is preached repetitively, whose contents are as follows (2 Timothy 4: 2):- Convincing or showing the false things, so that we can realize our sins, regret, and confess it to get forgiveness and we are not condemned.
- Rebuking to make us stop sinning. It is needed because we often repeat the sin after being forgiven.
- Exhortingas follows.
- As the guidance of God's hand to make us keep righteous and holy.
- As the solution from all problems.
Acts 27: 22, 30-31
27:22 "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
27:30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
27:31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." - Convincing or showing the false things, so that we can realize our sins, regret, and confess it to get forgiveness and we are not condemned.
- The Holy Communion or Christ's sacrifice.
Acts 27: 33-36
27:33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth dayyou have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
27:34 "Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."
27:35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
27:36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
the fourteenth day= the lamb of Passover is slaughtered.
Exodus 12: 5-6
12:5 'Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
12:6 'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth dayof the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.
Thus, the true teaching Word and the Holy Communionare the stretching of Good Shepherd's handsthat are full of mercy and grace for us to make us keep on being strong and of good courage and worshiping God. Worshiping God means that we stretch out our two hands of faith to Him.
The faith added with the mercy will create miracle. "not a hair will fall from the head of any of you"in the middle of the waves.
A hairrefers to something that is not precious or worthy, even it is powerless in the midst of the waves, but it will not fallif it is inside the hand of the Good Shepherd. It means as follows.
- The merciful hand of God is ale to preserve our lifein the midst of difficulties and impossibilities although we are powerless.
- The merciful hand of God is able to protect usfrom disasters and accidents, even sins, so that we can keep holy and right. We do not fall until Jesus comes a second time.
- The merciful hand of God is able to use our life in the revival for building the perfect body of Christ or the revival of Holy Spirit at the last rain.
- A piece of hair does not fall or we become the one perfect body of Christ that is without blemish and ready to welcome Jesus' second coming.
- We are ledto the beautiful, successful, joyful future life, even to the desired haven or the future paradise and New Jerusalem.
Psalm 107: 28-30
107:28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.
107:29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
107:30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.
God blesses you.