General Service in Malang, July 19, 2020 (Sunday Morning)

Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 11:15-19 is about the sound of the seventh trumpet or the last one.

Revelation 11:15-17
11:15. Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lordand of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
11:16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,
11:17 saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

Verse 15-17= the seventh trumpet shows Jesus who comes a second time on the glorious clouds in the glory as the King of all kings and the Heavenly Bridegroom for establishing the heavenly kingdom on earth. That is the One-Thousand-Year Kingdom of Peace (upcoming Paradise) until we truly enter the heavenly kingdom or the New Jerusalem forever.

We look at the longing of God for establishing the heavenly kingdom on earth through the prayer, whose emphasis is 'On earth as it is in heaven'.

Matthew 6:9-10
6:9. "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

We must also long that on earth as it is in heaven. It is the same as longing for the heavenly kingdom on earth. We live in the world, but we feel like we are in heaven, until we enter the One-Thousand-Year Kingdom of Peace (upcoming Paradise) and the heavenly kingdom forever.

Therefore, we must also pray much more like the prayer which has been taught by Jesus and do what we have prayed in our daily life.
What we have prayed should not be different from what we do.
For example, one who prays for being patient must do it by learning to be patient.

'Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.' = we must be in the will of God so that we experience the heavenly kingdom on earth. It is the same as living according to God's will. We must pray for and do it.
If we live in the will of God although it is painful for our flesh and not in line to our will, all of our physical and spiritual needs will be God's until we truly enter the Paradise and the eternal heavenly kingdom.

If we have the guarantee from God, there will be no anxiety anymore. Not worrying is one of God's wills.

Matthew 6:25,31-34
6:25. "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
6:32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

On the contrary, living according to one's own will which may seem better than God's, he will live in anxiety and fear. He will only be busy for looking for what he needs in the world like the Gentiles who do not know God. The consequence is the perdition with the world.
For example, Peter and his friends were ordered by God to be the fishers of men. Nevertheless, after the death of Jesus, Peter wanted to be a fisherman. It is true according to the logic, but it is not in line with God's will. Many people are deceived now. Consequently, Peter got naked, failed, and went to destruction.

Thus, the will of God is that on earth as it is in heaven or there is no anxiety. We will feel the paradise if there is no worry and we are in His will.

The meanings of the anxiety are as follows:

1. Fear, worry, or discomfort for something which has not happened yet.
   Therefore, we must hear the prophetic Word in every service to God.
   
   The prophetic Word refers to the one whose secret is revealed and it reveals all things which have not happened yet but will happen for sure, especially Jesus' second coming.
   
   
2. Living without faith or Word.
   

There are some kinds of anxiety as follows:

1. About the daily life or the food, drink, and clothes.
   Matthew 6:31
   6:31. "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
   
   
   
2. About the future.
   Matthew 6:34
   6:34. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
   
   
   
3. In the marriage or household. It begins from the friendship of the youth.
   1 Corinthians 7:29-32
   7:29. But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
   7:30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
   7:31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
   7:32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord.
   
   
   
4. About facing the suffering as the sons of God or because of Jesus.
   Matthew 10:19-20
   10:19. "But when they deliver you up, do not worryabout how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
   10:20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
   
   Many people will deny Jesus because of the anxiety.
   For example, when Jesus would be crucified, Peter followed Him from a far because of the fear or anxiety. Finally, he denied Jesus.
   
   
5. About not being saved or not entering the heavenly kingdom.
   John 14:1-2
   14:1. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
   14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I goto prepare a place for you.
   
   God has guaranteed. Do not be anxious!
   'I go' = Jesus has died, risen, and ascended to heaven. This is the guarantee that we can feel the heavenly kingdom on earth until we enter the future Paradise and the New Jerusalem.
   There is no guarantee outside the sacrifice of Christ.
   
   Therefore, we must appreciate the sacrifice of Christ in every step of our life so that there is no worry in us.
   
   Appreciating the sacrifice of Christ means that we repent or stop sinning.
   As long as we repent, there has been the guarantee for entering the heavenly kingdom. Moreover, there is guarantee for our life in the world now.
   

The five wounds of Jesus bear the five worries above so that we can fully surrender to God.

The anxiety attacks the two groups of men in the world as follows:

1. The nations in the world which do not know God.
   Luke 21:25-26
   21:25. "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
   21:26 "men's hearts failing them from fearand the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
   
   
   
2. The sons and servants of God in His house.
   Luke 10:40-41
   10:40. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
   10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worriedand troubled about many things.
   
   Our life is the house of God. Our household where we serve to God now is also His house.
   

The consequences of the anxiety are as follows:

1. Returning to the characteristics of the Gentiles as follows:
   
   
   • Unfaithfulness in the service and ministry to God, the marriage, and all things.
     
   • Unrighteousness.
     
     
     1. Only saying the meaningless words, lies, and gossips like a dog licking the vomit.
        One who is unfaithful will also be unrighteous for sure. One who is unrighteous will also be unfaithful for sure.
        Faithfulness and righteousness are one. They cannot be separated each other.
        
        
     2. Only committing sins up to the peak like a pig which has been washed, but then returns to the wallowing in the mire.
        
        
2. Being spiritually bent over like a woman who was bent over eighteen years in the synagogue.
   Proverbs 12:25
   12:25. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
   
   2 Timothy 3:1-5
   3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
   3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves⁽¹⁾, lovers of money⁽²⁾, boasters⁽³⁾, proud⁽⁴⁾, blasphemers⁽⁵⁾, disobedient to parents⁽⁶⁾, unthankful⁽⁷⁾, unholy⁽⁸⁾,
   3:3 unloving⁽⁹⁾, unforgiving⁽¹⁰⁾, slanderers⁽¹¹⁾, without self-control⁽¹²⁾, brutal⁽¹³⁾, despisers of good⁽¹⁴⁾,
   3:4 traitors⁽¹⁵⁾, headstrong⁽¹⁶⁾, haughty⁽¹⁷⁾, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God⁽¹⁸⁾,
   3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
   
   'unholy' = mixing the religions.
   'lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God' = disobedience.
   
   One may serve to God, but there is no life renewal. It means that he keeps the eighteen characteristics of the flesh that begin from egoism up to disobedience or not loving God. Being outside the will of God is the same as not having the love.
   Consequently, one becomes like the woman who was bent over for eighteen years. He cannot stand uprightly. It means not being able to glorify God, but making Him ashamed and grieved. He also makes the heart of parents and pastor sorrowful.
   
   Why? It is because of rejecting the power of godliness or the true teaching Word and the cross.
   The consequence is being stamped with the triple six and the same as the Antichrist.
   Only the sword and the cross are able to change us.
   
   
3. Being dead spiritually and physically.
   Luke 21:25-26
   21:25. "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
   21:26 "men's hearts failing them from fearand the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
   
   The anxiety becomes the main killer.
   Being dead spiritually means that there is no fervency in doing the spiritual matters; even one commits sins and perishes forever.
   

Why can God's servant be anxious? We learn from Martha.
Luke 10:40
10:40. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

She wanted Mary to become her helper although according to the book of Genesis, a wife was the helper of the husband. At that time, the spiritual husband was Jesus.

Genesis 2:18
2:18. And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helpercomparable to him."

Thus, Martha wanted to place herself as the head or she took away the position of Jesus as the Head.
It happens much, so the anxiety attacks the church.

If Jesus does not become the head, men will be the head; even the foxes and birds or the will of Satan will become the head.

Such ministry does not place Jesus as the head as follows:

• Only blaming at others and God, as well as belittling and humbling others.
  
• Only murdering like Saul.
  

Not placing Jesus as the Head, there will be fear, destruction, and perdition only.

Therefore, we must make effort to place Jesus or the true teaching Word as the Head.
It means that we always live according to God's will although it is painful for the flesh. We prioritize the true teaching Word more than anything.
As a result, we live in serenity.

The facts found in placing Jesus as the Head are as follows:

1. Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. It means prioritizing the service and ministry to God more than anything.
   Matthew 6:33
   6:33. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
   
   We must study and work seriously, but also serve and minister to God.
   We must serve and minister to Him faithfully and righteously. It is the same as wearing the belt.
   
   Isaiah 11:5
   11:5. Righteousnessshall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulnessthe belt of His waist.
   
   Luke 17:8-10
   17:8. "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve metill I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'?
   17:9 "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
   17:10 "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"
   
   Being faithful and righteous, we will not insist anything but only do our obligation.
   Faithfulness and righteousness refer to the ministry of the bride. We become doulos. It means that we do not insist anything, but only do our duty. We do not feel meritorious. We feel unprofitable.
   
   This is the servant of God who can glorify and satisfy Him.
   The results are as follows:
   
   
   • We feel the heavenly satisfaction.
     
   • All things are added to us.
     Matthew 6:33
     6:33. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
     
     We are blessed abundantly. We only give thanks and are able to return the tithes and special offerings to God as well as give to others who are in need.
     
     
   • We can be the witness of God for winning the church of the Laodiceans who only magnify the physical things without the sanctification.
     Revelation 3:14-16
     3:14. "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
     3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
     3:16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
     
     The important things are faithfulness and righteousness, so we can be the witness.
     
     
   • We are used in the revival of the white horse for edifying the perfect body of Christ.
     Revelation 19:11
     19:11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
     
     We are used in the marriage, shepherding, inter-shepherding, until Israel and Gentiles become one perfect body of Christ.
     Being used by God, our life is being made tidy and arranged to be beautiful. We are given the adornment of the bride.
     
     
2. Being shepherded well and correctly.
   Luke 12:31-32
   12:31. "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
   12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
   
   We always dwell in the sheepfold or have the perseverance in doing the three main services to God, namely the General Service, the Bible Study Service, and the Prayer Service.
   
   In the sheepfold, we get the sanctification continually until we confess that we are only the little flock or the sheep for the slaughter that cannot do anything; even there is only a step between us and the death. We only surrender fully to God. We worship Him with a broken heart. We confess our weakness and infirmities. We stretch out our hands to Him and He will also stretch out His merciful hands to us. The Lord pays attention to, cares and struggles for, as well as gives His soul to 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:
   
   
   
   • The merciful hands of God embrace us. It means the miraculous protection and preservation of God for us who are powerless in the midst of the difficulties in the world until the time when the Antichrist reigns over the world.
     
     
   • He gives warmth, unites, and saves us with our family.
     
   • The merciful hands of God carry us. He bears all of our weariness and heavy burdens, so all things become easy and light. All problems and heavy burdens as well as sins are finished in time of need.
     
     
   • The merciful hands of God lead us to the New Jerusalem or the last sheepfold.
     It means that He sanctifies and renews us.
     The renewal towards the New Jerusalem is the honesty and obedience. We will get the atmosphere of Paradise. We have the beautiful and successful future life until we are changed to be as perfect as He is and we can enter the heavenly kingdom forever.
     

God blesses you.