To Coincide with Upgrading Service for Priests and Priests To Be V
Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are in Revelation 2-3 (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
We are learning Revelation 3: 14-22 about the church of the LAODICEANS. This is the last or the seventh church in the book of Revelation that shows the condition of the church in the last days (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, June 14, 2015).
Revelation 3: 16-19
3:16. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
3:17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
3:18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
THE SPIRITUALITYof the church of the Laodiceans is in LUKEWARMNESS.
It means that they are rich physically and do not lack of anything, but the spirituality is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
Consequently, they are vomited by God. They are useless before God, disgusting, unclean, cursed, and separated from Him until they perish forever.
Therefore, in verse 18-19 God rebukes and advisesthe church of the Laodiceans with the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword to make them or all of us buy the treasure of heaven. If the rebuke and advice are ignored, God will chasten.
There are three kinds of heavenly treasurethat must be bought or possessed by the church of the Laodiceans or all of us as follows.
AD. 2. WHITE GARMENTS, 'that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.'
The white garments refer to the garments of God's mercy and trustas follows.
2 Corinthians 5: 18-19
5:18. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
The sinful and naked men cannot minister to God like Adam and Eve who ran away when God came to garden Eden. Therefore, all of us MUSTbe reconciled firstby the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Our sins are forgiven or our nakedness is covered so that we are trusted with the ministry of reconciliation or the white garments. We are worthy to be consecrated or appointed as the priests and kings(it has been explained from Prayer Service in Surabaya, August 12, 2015)
Ephesians 2: 13-16
2:13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought nearby the blood of Christ.
2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new manfrom the two, thus making peace,
2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
= the peak of the ministry of reconciliation.
'you who once were far off' = the Gentiles.
'have been brought near' = Israelites or God's chosen people.
'to create in Himself one new man' = they can be united as the one perfect body of Christ.
It is done by the ministry of reconciliation until we can be one NEW MAN(Ephesians 2: 15) or heavenly bride who is ready to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds.
It means that we must have the life renewal from carnal men to spiritual or perfect ones like Jesus.
Thus, the proof of being trusted in the ministry for building the body of Christ is the life renewal.
Ezekiel 11: 19-20
11:19. "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spiritwithin them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
11:20 "that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
'they shall be My people, and I will be their God' = We become His bride or possession no one can charge against.
We must have THE RENEWAL TO OUR HEART.
Heart is the source of our spirituality. If it is renewed, our whole life will also be renewed until we are as perfect as Jesus is.
Our heart must be renewed to be obedient.
God always prepares the new men who are obedient to become His forever from age to age as follows.
God blesses you.
Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are in Revelation 2-3 (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, July 27, 2014).
We are learning Revelation 3: 14-22 about the church of the LAODICEANS. This is the last or the seventh church in the book of Revelation that shows the condition of the church in the last days (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, June 14, 2015).
Revelation 3: 16-19
3:16. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
3:17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--
3:18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
THE SPIRITUALITYof the church of the Laodiceans is in LUKEWARMNESS.
It means that they are rich physically and do not lack of anything, but the spirituality is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
Consequently, they are vomited by God. They are useless before God, disgusting, unclean, cursed, and separated from Him until they perish forever.
Therefore, in verse 18-19 God rebukes and advisesthe church of the Laodiceans with the teaching Word that is sharper than any two-edged sword to make them or all of us buy the treasure of heaven. If the rebuke and advice are ignored, God will chasten.
There are three kinds of heavenly treasurethat must be bought or possessed by the church of the Laodiceans or all of us as follows.
- Gold refined in the fire (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, July 12, 2015to Prayer Service in Surabaya, July 15, 2015). It refers to the pure faithor permanent and perfect one that is ready to welcome Jesus' second coming.
- White garments (it has been explained from General Service in Surabaya, July 19, 2015) that refer to the garments of mercy and trust of God.
- Eye salves to anoint the eyes.
AD. 2. WHITE GARMENTS, 'that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.'
The white garments refer to the garments of God's mercy and trustas follows.
- The shepherding garments (it has been explained from Bible Study Service in Surabaya, July 20, 2015to General Service in Surabaya, July 26, 2015).
Being appointed as a pastor is the trust and mercy of God. The proof is the pastor can feed the congregation faithfully and earnestly until the end, namely he passes away or Jesus comes a second time.
The sheep can be shepherded only because of the mercy and trust of God. The proof is consuming the food in the shepherding, namely Shepherding Word to grow up to perfection. Not all sheep can be shepherded. There are many sheep that wander. - Ministry garments (it has been explained from Prayer Service in Surabaya, August 5, 2015).
2 Corinthians 5: 18-19
5:18. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
The sinful and naked men cannot minister to God like Adam and Eve who ran away when God came to garden Eden. Therefore, all of us MUSTbe reconciled firstby the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Our sins are forgiven or our nakedness is covered so that we are trusted with the ministry of reconciliation or the white garments. We are worthy to be consecrated or appointed as the priests and kings(it has been explained from Prayer Service in Surabaya, August 12, 2015)
Ephesians 2: 13-16
2:13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought nearby the blood of Christ.
2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new manfrom the two, thus making peace,
2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
= the peak of the ministry of reconciliation.
'you who once were far off' = the Gentiles.
'have been brought near' = Israelites or God's chosen people.
'to create in Himself one new man' = they can be united as the one perfect body of Christ.
It is done by the ministry of reconciliation until we can be one NEW MAN(Ephesians 2: 15) or heavenly bride who is ready to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds.
It means that we must have the life renewal from carnal men to spiritual or perfect ones like Jesus.
Thus, the proof of being trusted in the ministry for building the body of Christ is the life renewal.
Ezekiel 11: 19-20
11:19. "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spiritwithin them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
11:20 "that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
'they shall be My people, and I will be their God' = We become His bride or possession no one can charge against.
We must have THE RENEWAL TO OUR HEART.
Heart is the source of our spirituality. If it is renewed, our whole life will also be renewed until we are as perfect as Jesus is.
Our heart must be renewed to be obedient.
God always prepares the new men who are obedient to become His forever from age to age as follows.
- The beginning; the age of Father God counted from Adam to Abraham for approximately two thousand years.
The representative is Noah who is a father.
Genesis 6 : 5-8
6:5. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6:6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
6:7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."
6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
The people were disobedient and sinfulup to the peak, namely sins concerning eating-drinking and marrying-being given in marriage.
Consequently, God was grieved. He condemned the people with flood, but Noah found grace in His eyes. Noah got the renewal.
1 Peter 3: 20
3:20. who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
The obedient heart is useful to face these things.- The judgment of God to come to the world.
Formerly the world was condemned with the flood. It will be condemned with the fire from heaven someday. - The sins up to the peak.
Intellingence and riches cannot fight against them.
It means as follows.- Living in righteousness.
Genesis 6: 22, 9
6:22. Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
6:9. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. - 'perfect in his generations'= being honest or sincere, not lying.
We say 'yes' if yes and 'no' if no, not faltering between two opinion.
The honesty starts from about the true teaching Word or godly matters. Afterwards, we can be honest about the consecration, marriage, and finance. - 'Noah walked with God' = serving and ministering to God in the system of Tabernacle or heavenly kingdom.
The ark of Noah is the same as Tabernacle. The proofs are as follows.- The ark of Noah was made according to the will of God and so was Tabernacle.
Genesis 6: 14
6:14. " Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.
Exodus 25: 8
25:8. "And let them makeMe a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. - Tha ark of Noah consisted of three decks and Tabernacle consisted of three rooms, namely the Court, Holy Place, and the Most Holy place.
Genesis 6: 16
6:16. "You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.
The pastor and sheep must be in the shepherding pen, namely the Holy Place in which there are three kinds of equipment. It means that we must have perseverance in doing three main services to God as 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 to have fellowship with the Son of God in the true teaching Word and sacrifice of Christ.
- Golden Altar of Incense or perseverance in doing Prayer Service to have fellowship with Father God in His love.
If a pastor can feed the congregation well with the Shepherding Word coming from God and the congregation can consume it, the body, soul, and spirit can walk with the Trinity of God in the shepherding. As a result, we live in the grace of God('But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD'). - The ark of Noah was made according to the will of God and so was Tabernacle.
The results are as follows.
Genesis 9 : 1
9:1. So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.- Noah was blessed by God up to his descendants with physical blessings, namely the preservation of life in the midst of difficulties in the world as if we live in the midst of flood, and spiritual ones, namely the joy and peace of heaven.
- We are protected and set free from the judgment of God to the world, namely three times seven judgments until the doomsday, and the fire of hell. We have eternal life with God.
- The judgment of God to come to the world.
- The middle age or the one of the Son of God counted from Abraham to the first coming of Jesus for approximately two thousand years.
The representative is the widow of Zarephath who is a mother or widow.
1 Kings 17: 7, 11-13, 15
17:7. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
17:11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."
17:12 So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
17:13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 17:15. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.
Elijah refers to a servant of God or pastor. A pastor must be obedient first and the congregation can be obedient.
Elijah was sent to a widow, not to a rich person, but he could be obedient. As a result, the widow could be obedient.
The widow had to face the famine for three years and a half that refers to the time of the persecution done by the antichrist and the death that refers to impossibilities.
1 Kings 17: 12
17:12. So she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die."
The widow did not have anything, but a handful of flour in a bin. The bin refers to our life or clay pot.
The size of our heart according to medical knowledge is a handful.
Thus, the word 'a handful' refers to our heart.
What is in our hand or heart?
It must be the flour or the true teaching Word that has been faith in our heart.
It will determine our destiny facing the difficulties in the last days and the antichrist.
After we have the faith in our heart, we must obey the Word until it is in our hand.
The proof that the teaching Word has been in our hand or heart is we can prioritize it more than all things in the world, including our self-interest, husband, wife, and children.
Luke 4: 24-26
4:24. Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country.
4:25 "But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land;
4:26 "but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
The widow was a gentile, but God chose her from among many widows in Israel because of her obedience with a handful of flour or the true teaching Word in her hand and heart.
Only few people are obedient!
The widow could get the grace of God because of her obedience.
The results are as follows.- The merciful hand of God is able to protect and preserve us, the Gentiles, until the time when the antichrist reigns over the world for three years and six months.
1 Kings 17: 15
17:15. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household atefor many days.
We are evacuated to the wilderness with the two wings of a great eagle. We are far from the presence of the serpent. The antichrist cannot touch us.
We live by the true teaching Word and Holy Communion in the wilderness every day. - The merciful hand of God has the power of resurrection to remove all impossible thingsand revive the dead.
1 Kings 17: 17, 22
17:17. Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him.
17:22 Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.
The dead son of the widow of Zarephath refers to the destruction in marriage and children. The widow had a handful of flour, so the son could be helped.
The power of resurrection is able to healthe destruction in marriage and children as well as unitethem until we can reach the perfect marriage, namely the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Reaching the true fellowship, beginning from the marriage, is very difficult as if we must revive the dead. Especially when there is no oneness in the true teaching Word between the husband and wife.
Jesus prayed four times to Father God in John 17 to unite us whereas He only prayed once to revive Lazarus who had been dead for four days.
- The merciful hand of God is able to protect and preserve us, the Gentiles, until the time when the antichrist reigns over the world for three years and six months.
- The age of Holy Spirit God that is counted from Jesus' first coming to the second one for approximately two thousand years.
The representative is A YOUNG MAN.
1 Peter 5: 5-6
5:5. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselvesto your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Young people must submit or be obedient until the flesh does not speak anymore. It means LIFTING UP TWO HANDS TO GODto surrender to Him and He will stretch out His merciful hand to exalt or lift us up in due time.
Submission means the worship to God.
The hand of God is able to lift us up in time of need. It means as follows.- Making our life successful and beautiful in time of need.
- Using us in the revival of Holy Spirit at the latter rain or the building of the perfect body of Christ.
It means that we have been exalted by God and we only need to wait for His time patiently. - The hand of God's mercy is able to sanctify and change usuntil there is no lie. Our mouth does not stumble in word or we are perfect.
James 3: 2
3:2. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfectman, able also to bridle the whole body.
We only say 'Aleluia' or the language of heaven (Revelation 19: 1,3-4). Like the worship in heaven with saying 'Aleluia', our worship in the world is done by saying 'Aleluia'.
The people from all over the world will be lifted up on the glorious clouds with one voice only, namely 'Aleluia', to welcome Jesus' second coming on the glorious clouds forever.
- Making our life successful and beautiful in time of need.
God blesses you.