Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:1-8 can be divided into three parts as follows:
As a result, we can enter the New Jerusalem.
We learn about the new atmosphere, namely the fourth.
ad.d. The atmosphere of the truth, holiness, and perfection.
Revelation 21:8
21:8 "But the cowardly(1), unbelieving(2), abominable(3), murderers(4), sexually immoral(5), sorcerers(6), idolaters(7), and all liars(8)shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
The eight sins which drown men to the hell are as follows:
(1) the cowardly,(2) unbelieving--> are resisting against the truth.
(3) abominable, (4) murderers, (5) sexually immoral, (6) sorcerers, (7) idolaters--> are resisting against the holiness.
(8) liars--> is resisting against the perfection.
We are learning the sixth, namely the sorcerers.
Exodus 7:10-12
7:10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
7:11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
7:12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
When the Israelites would go out of the slavery of Egypt, the sorcerers appeared to resist against the rod of Aaron.
Likewise, on the last days when the Church will go out of the world to meet Jesus on the glorious clouds, the sorcerers will also appear, namely the false prophets who teach the false teachings resisting against the cross of Christ.
Matthew 16:21-23
16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
It has happened to Peter, a great servant of God. He followed Jesus by using his logic or fleshly mind of man. It may seem logical, but has not spiritual value. It is not of faith, so it rejects the cross of Christ.
The consequences are as follows:
Therefore, we must hear and obey the true teaching Word until having the firm faith and we can receive the cross of the Lord.
The facts found in receiving the cross of the Lord are as follows:
God blesses you.
Revelation 21:1-8 can be divided into three parts as follows:
- [verse 1] The new heaven and earth.
- [verse 2-3] The new man.
- [verse 4-8] The new atmosphere.
- [verse 4] The atmosphere without death.
- [verse 5-6] The atmosphere of heavenly satisfaction.
- [verse 7] The atmosphere of victory.
- [verse 8] The atmosphere of the truth, holiness, and perfection.
- [verse 4] The atmosphere without death.
As a result, we can enter the New Jerusalem.
We learn about the new atmosphere, namely the fourth.
ad.d. The atmosphere of the truth, holiness, and perfection.
Revelation 21:8
21:8 "But the cowardly(1), unbelieving(2), abominable(3), murderers(4), sexually immoral(5), sorcerers(6), idolaters(7), and all liars(8)shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
The eight sins which drown men to the hell are as follows:
(1) the cowardly,(2) unbelieving--> are resisting against the truth.
(3) abominable, (4) murderers, (5) sexually immoral, (6) sorcerers, (7) idolaters--> are resisting against the holiness.
(8) liars--> is resisting against the perfection.
We are learning the sixth, namely the sorcerers.
Exodus 7:10-12
7:10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
7:11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
7:12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
When the Israelites would go out of the slavery of Egypt, the sorcerers appeared to resist against the rod of Aaron.
Likewise, on the last days when the Church will go out of the world to meet Jesus on the glorious clouds, the sorcerers will also appear, namely the false prophets who teach the false teachings resisting against the cross of Christ.
Matthew 16:21-23
16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
It has happened to Peter, a great servant of God. He followed Jesus by using his logic or fleshly mind of man. It may seem logical, but has not spiritual value. It is not of faith, so it rejects the cross of Christ.
The consequences are as follows:
- Being the stumbling-block.
Matthew 18:6
18:6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
It means easily stumbling or getting angry and being the stumbling-block for others.
The millstone are hung around the neck. It means that there is no ability to worship God. The life is weary, heavy-laden, sorrowful, in tears, and not beautiful.
Revelation 18:21
18:21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstoneand threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylonshall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.
He is used in the edification of Babylon. His life cannot be holy, but becomes the false Church is perfect in evil and uncleanness. His life decreases until drowns in the lake of fire and brimstone or perishes forever in the hell. - Being the same as the devil who cannot repent or change. He keeps on lying and hating until perishing.
Therefore, we must hear and obey the true teaching Word until having the firm faith and we can receive the cross of the Lord.
The facts found in receiving the cross of the Lord are as follows:
- We must always see or appreciate the cross of Christ.
Exodus 15:23-25
15:23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
15:24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
15:25 So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,
It is especially in facing the bitterness or sorrow of life in the wilderness of the world, especially the problems about marriage and children.
Appreciating the cross means as follows:- Not murmuring in facing all things. We do not blame at others and God.
- Not lying.
- We always do the introspection in our life by the sharpness of the sword of the Word. Finding sin, we finish it by confessing and forgiving one another. Finding no sin, we keep silent and do not plead ourselves, but submit all things to God.
- We always give thanks to God.
- Not murmuring in facing all things. We do not blame at others and God.
- We must always lift up the rod. It means holding and exalting the cross.
Exodus 14:16
14:16 "But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
It is especially in facing the impossibilities. In front, there was the Red Sea. Behind, there was the army of Pharaoh. There was wilderness at the right and left side.
Releasing the rod, it will become serpent. It means that releasing the cross, not holding it, but looking for the comfortable things for the flesh until resisting against God will cause the serpent or Satan to come for destroying.
Holding and exalting the cross means that we stretch out our hands to God or fully surrender and obey Him although it is not in line to our logic, regardless of any risk we must take. We only use our faith, and it can make all things happen or remove impossibilities; and bring the salvation.
Following the voice of the serpent, although it is logical, one is resisting against or disobeying God's voice. It is the same as stretching out the hands to Satan who will destroy him.
Exodus 14:21
14:21 Then Moses stretched out his handover the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
Stretching our hands to God, Holy Spirit will be poured out to us. As a result, the Red Sea could be divided. It means that all impossible problems are solved by the Spirit of Helper. All things become successful and beautiful in due time. We are used in the revival of Holy Spirit at the latter rain or the edification of the perfect body of Christ. It starts from the marriage, shepherding, inter-shepherding , and so on. It is the same as placing Jesus as the Head who is responsible for our death and life. - Bearing the cross with Jesus.
1 Peter 4:12-14
4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of gloryand of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
It is especially in facing the test. We willingly suffer in the flesh because of Jesus or without sin and because of the true teaching Word, the service and ministry to God, worship, being slandered, and so on.
As a result, we receive shekinah glory or the Spirit of Glory, so we get the greatest miracle that is the renewal of life from the fleshly men to the spiritual ones, namely being strong and of good courage. We are not disappointed and hopeless or we do not leave God in facing all things. We keep on ministering to God, believing, and hoping or worshiping Him.
Joshua 1:9
1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
God is always with us. He always remembers, pays attention to, cares for, and struggles for us in every step of our life.
Isaiah 49:14-16
49:14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me."
49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
49:16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
As a result, we become like a powerless baby in the embrace of God's merciful hands that cannot be limited and never change. He is able to protect and preserve us in the midst of the difficulties in the world spiritually and spiritually. We are peaceful. All things become easy and light.
1 Chronicles 28:20
28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
We are used in the edification of Christ's body until the end line or perfection.
God blesses you.