Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:4b-6
12:4b. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devourher Child as soon as it was born.
12:5. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Revelation 12: 3-18 is about the clear and complete appearance of Satan or dragon with his activities as follows:
ad. 2. Devouring.
A male Child is the deliverer.
'a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron' means that He is a Shepherd.
There are three deliverers or shepherds in the bible who are shown as male child as follows:
We must be the sheep that are shepherded well and correctly, so we are not devoured by the dragon.
That is why the church of God must increase from the gospel word to the shepherding, teaching, or perfection.
John 10:27
10:27. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
The sheep that are shepherded well and truly are Jesus', namely the ones that hear and obey the voice of the Shepherd. It is the same as eating the shepherding word.
The shepherding word is the true teaching one which is entrusted by God to a shepherd to be preached to the congregation faithfully, regularly, continually, and repetitively to become the food for them.
Our attitude to the shepherding word is as follows:
The shepherding word is the same as the shepherd's staff.
Zechariah 11:7
11:7. So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.
Be careful! There is false shepherding. The sheep are not given food, but the shepherd just takes advantages from them, so the shepherding becomes the den of thieves.
There are two shepherd's staffs as follows:
Our position is still the same as the sheep for the slaughter even though we have had the two staffs, namely beauty and bonds.
That is why, the staffs of beauty and bonds are the stretched hands of God's mercy as the Chief Shepherd.
If we are shepherded well and correctly, and used in the building of the perfect body of Christ, we will place Jesus as the Head, so He remembers, cares, and struggles for us. He stretches out His merciful hands for all of us.
Isaiah 40:11
40:11. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
The results are as follows:
God blesses us.
Revelation 12:4b-6
12:4b. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devourher Child as soon as it was born.
12:5. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
12:6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Revelation 12: 3-18 is about the clear and complete appearance of Satan or dragon with his activities as follows:
- [Revelation 12:4a] His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven.
- [Revelation 12:4b] Devouring.
- [Revelation 12:7] Fighting.
- [Revelation 12:13] Persecuting or catching up fast.
- [Revelation 12:15] Causing the woman or the church of God to be carried away by the flood.
- [Revelation 12:17] Making war or persecuting.
ad. 2. Devouring.
A male Child is the deliverer.
'a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron' means that He is a Shepherd.
There are three deliverers or shepherds in the bible who are shown as male child as follows:
- Moses.
Exodus 2:2
2:2. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.
Moses was a male child who delivered the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, and he was also a shepherd.
Exodus 3:1
3:1. Now Moses was tending the flockof Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. - Jesus.
Matthew 1:21
1:21. "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
Jesus was a male Child who delivered the believers from the sins, and He was also a Shepherd.
Matthew 2:6
2:6. 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherdMy people Israel.'" - [Revelation 12:4b-6] A male Child is the deliverer of the church of God or the heavenly bride on the last days, and He is also a Shepherd.
We must be the sheep that are shepherded well and correctly, so we are not devoured by the dragon.
That is why the church of God must increase from the gospel word to the shepherding, teaching, or perfection.
John 10:27
10:27. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
The sheep that are shepherded well and truly are Jesus', namely the ones that hear and obey the voice of the Shepherd. It is the same as eating the shepherding word.
The shepherding word is the true teaching one which is entrusted by God to a shepherd to be preached to the congregation faithfully, regularly, continually, and repetitively to become the food for them.
Our attitude to the shepherding word is as follows:
- Starting from a shepherd, namely he must have the positive attitude to the shepherding word.
Romans 2:21-22
2:21. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
2:22. You who say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
First, the shepherd must practice the shepherding word that he receives from God. The word becomes his life experience, and then he preaches it to the congregation, so it has the mark of the blood of Jesus that cannot be charged against by anyone even Satan.
The word does not need to be discussed but be believed and practiced.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
2:7. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
2:8. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
The shepherd willingly and affectionately longs for preaching the shepherding word to the congregation like a mother breast-feeds her baby. - As for the sheep or congregation.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
2:13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
The congregation receives the shepherding word as the word of God, not the one of men.
The word of God is the one whose secret is revealed through one verse that explains the other verses in the Holy Bible. It is the same as the true teaching word.
As a result, the congregation believes in the shepherding word. There is no doubt at all even by false teaching. Believing, there will be the submission.
Hebrews 13:17
13:17. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
If we fully believe and hear the shepherding word, we will not be driven and tossed by false teaching, the voice of the flesh, and the lust of the flesh, so we can become obedient until the flesh does not speak anymore.
As a result, the intercession prayer of a shepherd ascends into the presence of God, and we experience the curtains of protection of God.
But, if we do not obey God, the heart of the shepherd will become grieved. Consequently, the curtain will move or fall, so Satan has the activity there.
The shepherding word is the same as the shepherd's staff.
Zechariah 11:7
11:7. So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bonds; and I fed the flock.
Be careful! There is false shepherding. The sheep are not given food, but the shepherd just takes advantages from them, so the shepherding becomes the den of thieves.
There are two shepherd's staffs as follows:
- The staff of beauty.
Matthew 15:24,26
15:24. But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
15:26. But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."
Actually the sheep of God are the Israelites. The Gentiles just cost a dog before God.
But a part of the Israelites becomes the lost sheep because of breaking the Law.
How does God find the lost sheep?
John 10:11
10:11. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
Jesus as the good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep of the Israelites. He dies on the cross with four major injuries (two on hands and two on feet) for seeking and finding the lost sheep of the Israelites.
If all the lost sheep of the Israelites receive Jesus, His work will be finished. But a part of them keeps rejecting Him, so they keep becoming the lost sheep, and there are opportunity and mercy for the Gentiles who are like dog and swine to become God's sheep through the fifth injury that is the biggest and the deepest one, of which blood and water come out
John 19:34
19:34. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
It is God's mercy for the Gentiles. That is why the Gentiles must receive the blood and water signs which come out from Jesus' side, so we can become His sheep.
The blood sign refers to the Altar of Burnt Offerings. It means believing in Jesus and repenting or stopping sinning and returning to God.
1 Peter 2:1
2:1. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
Repenting means that we are set free from the five sins by the blood which comes out from the fifth wound.
The water sign refers to the true water baptism, namely one who has died to sin or repented must be buried in the water with Jesus and come out or rise from water with Him to receive new life or heavenly one like newborn babes. We do not sin, but live in righteousness.
1 Peter 2:2
2:2. as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
The newborn babes or God's sheep always desire the pure milk of the word, namely the pure shepherding word in the anointing of Holy Spirit.
The result is that we are saved, calm, and full no matter the thing that is happening to us.
We are free from the punishment of God or perdition.
But the staff can be cut in two, so the covenant with God is broken.
Zechariah11:10
11:10. And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples.
Be watchful! If we do not live in righteousness, the covenant will be broken, so we keep becoming dog and swine that are not saved but destroyed forever.
Not living in righteousness is the same as sinning, or being unable to practice the shepherding word, but rejecting it.
John 10:16
10:16. "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
By the shepherding word, the Israelites and the Gentiles can become one flock with Jesus as the Head.
Ezekiel 20:37
20:37. "I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
The shepherd's rod or the shepherding word brings us into the sheepfold or the Holy Place. It refers to the perseverance in three kinds of main service to God as follows:- The Golden Candlestick refers to the perseverance in committing the General Service. We have fellowship with Holy Spirit God in His anointing and gifts.
- The Table of Showbread refers to the perseverance in committing the Bible Study Service with Holy Communion. We have fellowship with the Son of God in the teaching Word and the sacrifice of Christ.
- The Golden Altar of Incense refers to the perseverance in committing the Prayer Service. We have fellowship with Father God in His love.
- The Golden Candlestick refers to the perseverance in committing the General Service. We have fellowship with Holy Spirit God in His anointing and gifts.
- The staff of bonds.
Ephesians 4:15-16
4:15. but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
4:16. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The staff of bonds of the shepherding word is able to bind the Israelites and Gentiles to become one body with Jesus as the Head.
It means that we are used in the revival of the building of the perfect body of Christ according to the ministry that God gives to us.
The building of the perfect body of Christ starts from marriage, shepherding, and inter-shepherding until the Israelites and Gentiles become one perfect body of Christ that is worthy to greet Jesus when He comes a second time on the glorious clouds.
The requirements are as follows:- We must minister to God faithfully, fervently, and correctly.
- We minister like doulos, namely not demanding anything. We just want to minister not be ministered.
- We must willingly sacrifice anything, namely time, power, mind, feeling, money, et cetera, except the true teaching word or the Head.
- We must minister to God faithfully, fervently, and correctly.
Our position is still the same as the sheep for the slaughter even though we have had the two staffs, namely beauty and bonds.
That is why, the staffs of beauty and bonds are the stretched hands of God's mercy as the Chief Shepherd.
If we are shepherded well and correctly, and used in the building of the perfect body of Christ, we will place Jesus as the Head, so He remembers, cares, and struggles for us. He stretches out His merciful hands for all of us.
Isaiah 40:11
40:11. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
The results are as follows:
- God's merciful hands gather us.
Romans 15:5-6
15:5. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
15:6. that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The marriage has one heart which is filled by one true teaching word, one ordination, one mouth, or one true worship.
As a result, we will experience the harmony and unity.
Psalm 133:1-3
133:1. <<A Song of Ascents. Of David.>> Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
133:2. It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
133:3. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--Life forevermore.
If we have the unity, God will command the blessing which cannot be blocked and imitated by anyone.
All things become good and fragrant. We can become God's witnesses.
Isaiah 40:11
40:11. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. - God's merciful hands carry us. He bears all of our weariness, heavy burdens, and labor, so we experience peace and all things become easy and light.
God's merciful hands are able to finish all of impossible problems for us. - God leads us to the New Jerusalem, the last shepherding pen.
We experience the renewal of life from fleshly men to spiritual ones like Jesus.
There is no more sea or doubtful heart. There is no more death or lie.
Revelation 21:1
21:1. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
James 1:6
1:6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Revelation 21:4
21:4. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Isaiah 28:15
28:15. Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves."
Mark 9:23-24
9:23. Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
9:24. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
We often doubt when facing the epilepsy, namely the physical disease and problem that cannot be healed including the destruction in marriage and children.
Let's come to Jesus with honesty and trust no matter the destruction we have. God will help us. He heals and restores all.
A widow of Zarephath was honest and obedient, so she was taken care of for three and a half years.
1 Kings 17:12-14
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.
17:14. "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'"
It continues until Jesus comes a second time that we are changed to become as perfect as He is. We are worthy to greet His coming on the glorious clouds.
God blesses us.