Peace and grace in the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are still in the theme in the Revelation 1: 17-20 (it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, May 11, 2014), but we stil discuss the Revelation 1: 17-18.
Revelation 1: 17-18
1:17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as 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.
John fell at the feet of Jesusmeans worshiping with a contrite heart or confessing all weaknesses that we are only clay until our flesh does not speak anymore. Worshiping as dead means receiving the touching of God’s right hand and John could get these three thingsas the fuctions of worshiping God with the contrite heart as follows.
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive” means that Jesus is dead and raised to do these things.
What is the meaning of the keys of the kingdom of heaven?
It is the cross (Acts 14: 22).
2 Peter 1: 10-11
1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantlyinto the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
'an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly' = the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Thus, the keys of the kingdom of heaven are THE CALL AND ELECTION OF GODor we become the priests and kings that have the ministry.
'be even more diligent' means we always try hardto serve and minister to God faithfullyaccording to the ministry He trusts us after we receive the call and election until the end, namely we die or Jesus comes a second time. As a result, we have the keys of the kingdom of heavenas the full right to enter it because we minister to God fully or completely.
The process of receiving the ministry or being the priests and kings is as follows.
Acts 20: 22-27
20:22 "And see, now I go bound in the spiritto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
20:23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifiesin every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my racewith joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
20:25 "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gonepreaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
20:26 "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
'except that the Holy Spirit testifies'means Paul the Apostle obeyed the will of Godalthough there were chains and tribulation for him. He became the captive of the spirit, not of the flesh.
The meanings of being the captive of the spirit are as follows.
God blesses you.
We are still in the theme in the Revelation 1: 17-20 (it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, May 11, 2014), but we stil discuss the Revelation 1: 17-18.
Revelation 1: 17-18
1:17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as 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.
John fell at the feet of Jesusmeans worshiping with a contrite heart or confessing all weaknesses that we are only clay until our flesh does not speak anymore. Worshiping as dead means receiving the touching of God’s right hand and John could get these three thingsas the fuctions of worshiping God with the contrite heart as follows.
- 'Do not be afraid!' = there is no physical and spiritual fear (it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, May 11, 2014).
The fear is the main killer in the world, both physically and spiritually until there is spiritual dryness and death. There is no more fear if we worship God. - 'I am the First and the Last' (it has been explained in Bible Study Service in Surbaya, May 19, 2014).
“the First” refers to the first love.
“the Last” is 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 was dead, and I am alive' = receiving the power of victory over the death(it has been explained in General Service in Surabaya, May 25, 2014).
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive” means that Jesus is dead and raised to do these things.
- Defeating the death, so He holds the key of Hades and of Death.It means that He shut the door of the Hadesfor us whom His blood has redeemed, so that we will not perish. We defeat the death together with Jesus.
- Matthew 16: 18-19
16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
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."
= Jesus gives the keys of the kingdom of heavento us who have prevailed against the death together with Him.
What is the meaning of the keys of the kingdom of heaven?
It is the cross (Acts 14: 22).
2 Peter 1: 10-11
1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantlyinto the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
'an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly' = the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Thus, the keys of the kingdom of heaven are THE CALL AND ELECTION OF GODor we become the priests and kings that have the ministry.
'be even more diligent' means we always try hardto serve and minister to God faithfullyaccording to the ministry He trusts us after we receive the call and election until the end, namely we die or Jesus comes a second time. As a result, we have the keys of the kingdom of heavenas the full right to enter it because we minister to God fully or completely.
The process of receiving the ministry or being the priests and kings is as follows.
- Receiving the call of God.
Why must we be called?
Because all men have sinned since Adam and Eve sinned. All men have corrupt life and there is no power to return to God. Adam and Eve were naked when they sinned in Garden Eden. God came to them, but they ran away and hid themselves because there was no power to return to Him. God called them. If He had let them, they would have perished.
Therefore, God calls us to JUSTIFYor saveus.
The sinnersare corrupt. God cannot use them because they cannot minister to Him. Therefore, they must be called and justified or fixed first.
The signs of the righteousness and salvation that refer to the Court of Tabernacleare as follows.- The Gateor faithor believing in Jesus through hearing the Word of Christ in the anointing of Holy Spirit.
- The Altar of Burnt Offeringmeans repenting or stopping sinning to return to God.
- The Brazen Laveror the right water baptism.
Romans 6: 2, 4
6:2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sinlive any longer in it?
6:4 Therefore we were buriedwith Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raisedfrom the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The right water baptismhappens when a person who has died to sin or repented is buried in water together with Jesus and raised together with Him to get new life as the heavens are opened. It is the heavenly life that is delivered from sin. In such condition, one hates sin and does not want to sinalthough there is advatange, threat, and risk. For example, Joseph who did not sin although Potiphar’s wife tempted him. As a result, God was with Him although he had to be put in a dungeon.
There are two mistakes that often happen about the water baptism as follows.- One who has died to sin or repented is not buried. He will be rottenfor sure.
- One who has not died yet is forced to be buried.
It often becomes the mistake of the servants of God who force a person to get the water baptism in order to make him as the member of the church, consequently he becomes rebellious. Thus, the water baptism is not a requirement to become the member of a church, but the body of Christ.
- One who has died to sin or repented is not buried. He will be rottenfor sure.
- The Door of Tabernacle or Holy Spirit Baptism.
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.
If we are anointed or filled with Holy Spirit, we will experience the new life or heavenly one, namely the life in righteousness. It means the salvation.
- The Gateor faithor believing in Jesus through hearing the Word of Christ in the anointing of Holy Spirit.
- Receiving the election of God. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Exodus 28: 1
28:1 "Now take Aaron your brother, and his sonswith him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron's sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exodus 29: 1
29:1 "And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish,
Combining the two verses, God chooses us to sanctify us.
In Old Testament, God chose Aaron and his sons through this process.- From among all nations in the world, only one nation was chosen, namely Israel.
- From among the twelve tribes of Israel, only one tribe was chosen, namely the tribe of Levi.
- From the tribe of Levi, only one clan was chosen, namely the clan of Kohath.
- From the clan of Kohath, only one family was chisen, namely the family of Amram.
- From the family of Amram, only one son was chosen, namely Aaron.
God has chosen us to SANCTIFYand LIFT us UPas the priests and kings. The requirement is holiness.
Where can we be sanctified?
In the Holy Place or shepherding pen in which there are three kinds of equipmentthat refer to the perseverance in doing three main services to Godas follows.- Golden Candlestickor perseverance in doing General Service to get the fellowship with Holy Spirit God in the anointing and gifts.
- Table of Showbreador perseverance in doing Bible Study Service with Holy Communion to get the fellowship with the Son of God in the teaching Word and Holy Communion.
- Golden Altar of Incenseor perseverance in doing Prayer Service to get the fellowship with Father God in His love.
- From among all nations in the world, only one nation was chosen, namely Israel.
- Being appointed by God.
Mark 3: 13-14
3:13 And He went up on the mountain and calledto Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.
3:14 Then He appointedtwelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
It means that we are given or EQUIPPEDwith the ministry and the gifts of Holy Spirit.
The gifts of Holy Spirit are more than any diploma, experience, and anything because they are the miraculous ability from Holy Spirit to make us able to minister to God according to the ministry for building the perfect body of Christor heavenly bride.
Ephesians 4: 11-12
4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
4:12 for the equipping of the saintsfor the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Revelation 1: 19
1:19 "Writethe things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
For example, John the Apostle was used by God to write the Revelation from Him, so that we can understand the things that have not happened yetbut will happen for surein the last days, especially about Jesus’ second coming or the building of the perfect body of Christ.
Acts 20: 22-27
20:22 "And see, now I go bound in the spiritto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
20:23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifiesin every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my racewith joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
20:25 "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gonepreaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
20:26 "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
'except that the Holy Spirit testifies'means Paul the Apostle obeyed the will of Godalthough there were chains and tribulation for him. He became the captive of the spirit, not of the flesh.
The meanings of being the captive of the spirit are as follows.
- Acts 20: 22-23
20:22 "And see, now I go bound in the spiritto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
20:23 "except that the Holy Spirit testifiesin every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
The first meaning is we minister to God only to do or obeyHis will regardless any risk that will come, especially in the true Teaching Word or Bride Tidings as the house of Israel bringing the Ark of the Covenant. It is a great ministry we have to do seriously, or else there will be Ichabod or no glory of Godlike Hophni and Phinehas experienced.
We must seriously obey the will of God in Bride Tidings.
2 Samuel 6: 1-7
6:1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand.
6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.
6:3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark.
6:5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.
6:6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of Godand took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.
6:7 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.
'set the ark of God on a new cart' is not in line to the will of God that the Ark of the Covenant should have been born on shoulders. Consequently, there is death, namely spiritual death or dryness until there is everlasting perdition.
The signs of the ministry of the flesh or in disobedience are as follows.- Not bearing the Ark of the Covenant.It means as follows.
- Choosing the comfortable things for the flesh, not sacrificing nor being responsible.
- Imitating the ways of the Philistines or the world.
- Choosing the comfortable things for the flesh, not sacrificing nor being responsible.
- When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah put out his hand to make the mercy seat not separate from the ark. It refers to the effort of human to add the Bride Tidings with performance, the sound of the flesh, knowledge, and so on, namely something that is not in line to the Word.
Consequently, the oxen stumbled. It means losing the way and perishing forever. One does not go towards New Jerusalem, but the second death or the sea of fire and brimstone.
2 Samuel 6: 12-17, 23
6:12 Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed–Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed–Edom to the City of David with gladness.
6:13 And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.
6:14 Then David dancedbefore the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.
6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
6:16 Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
6:17 So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
David obeyed the Word already, but he still danced. It means that the flesh still has authority. The consequencesare as follows.- There is no glory of God(there is no shekinah glory inside the tent of David).
- Being stumbling-blockfor others (Michal, David’s wife had no children).
Being barren in spiritual meaning is not reachingRevelation 12: 1(the perfection of the Bride of God who is pregnant with the sun, moon, and stars).
1 Kings 8: 1-6, 10-11
8:1 Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion.
8:2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
8:3 So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
8:4 Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up.
8:5 Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.
8:6 Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim.
8:10And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
8:11 so that the priests could not continue ministeringbecause of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
Solomon brought up the Ark of the Covenant by bearing it according to the will of God. He stood. It means that the flesh does not speak anymore. Holy Spirit ruled over Solomon, so His service was in the anointing of Holy Spiritas follows.- Fully honoring Jesus, The King and Heavenly Bridegroom.
- Being in order and regularity.
- With heavenly joy as the cloud or the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
Revelation 11: 19
11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seenin His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 12: 1
12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a womanclothed with the sun, with the moonunder her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
Thus, the cloud of the glory of God works until our life becomes perfect.
John the Apostle fell down to worship God as dead who was powerless, only saying “it is up to you, Lord”. - Not bearing the Ark of the Covenant.It means as follows.
- Acts 20: 24
20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finishmy race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
The second meaning is we must minister to God faithfully and responsiblyuntil the end, namely we die or Jesus comes a second time.
The ministry is described as a race in the epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. It must reach the end line, or else one falls and his name is deleted from the Book of Life.
Acts 1: 16-18, 20
1:16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
1:17 "for he was numbered with usand obtained a part in this ministry."
1:18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’;and, ‘Let another take his office.’
For example, Judas Iscariot. 'for he was numbered with us' means that he was not counted anymore, but perished forever because of unfaithfulness, irresponsibility, and leaving the ministry due to money or something in the world. Consequently, the name was deleted, he was replaced by Matthias.
The faithful and responsible minister that endures until the end will keep on being countedby God and the name is written in the Book of Life, even a hair of the head is counted still. We are nothing before the sight of others, but we are still counted by God. It means that He always preserves, remembers, and helps us until we become His possession. - Acts 20: 28-30
20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
20:29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
The third meaning is we minister to God in shepherding systemthrough paying attention to these things.- Perseverancein the shepherding pen to do the three main services to God, so that we become as a tree planted by the waterto yield fruits.
- Acts 20: 32
20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
The word of God’s graceis the shepherding Word derived directly from God.
The function is for buildingour spirituality from the righteousness, holiness, and perfection. It is preached continually in order.
What must be sanctified?
Acts 20: 33, 35
20:33 "I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
20:35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
We are sanctified from the lustsas follows.- Evil lusts.
- The lust of money(being bound by or attaching to money, so one cannot attach to the True Vine.
It makes one stingyor cannot give, and greedyor seizes the right of God and others. - Willingness to hear other teachings.
- The lust of money(being bound by or attaching to money, so one cannot attach to the True Vine.
- Unclean lustsor sins concerning eating-drinkingsuch as smoking, getting drunk, and drugs abuse and marrying-being given in marriage,namely sexuality sin with all its kinds and wrong marriage.
- Evil lusts.
We can feel it is more blessed to give than to receive.
We can give our whole life to Godand love Him more than anything regardless any risk that will come as John the Apostle who leaned on Jesus’ bosom. We are in the embrace of God’s merciful hand. There is relationship of the bride and the bridegroom that the bride must give her whole life to the bridegroom.
Through the Holy Communion, Jesus as the Heavenly Bridgroom has given all things for us. We have to give our whole life to Him.
John 13: 23
13:23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosomone of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 21: 20-22
21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
21:21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
21:22 Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Our life and death are in the hand of Godas follows.- He determines our life and death.
- He determines the preservation of our life.
- He determines our future life.
- He determines our marriage and household.
- He determines our ministry.
- He determines the solution of our problems.
- He determines the perfectionof our life.
1 Corinthians 2: 9
2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him." - Perseverancein the shepherding pen to do the three main services to God, so that we become as a tree planted by the waterto yield fruits.
God blesses you.