General Service in Surabaya, May 04, 2014 (Sunday Evening)

Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Good evening, let us hear the Word of God. Let the peace, grace, and joy of God be in the midst of us abundantly.

Revelation 1: 13-16 = the appearance of Jesus Himself in four real manifestations (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, February 03, 2014):

1. Revelation 1: 13= Jesus appears in His glory as The High Priest, being clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, February 3, 2014).


   
   
2. Revelation 1: 14= Jesus appears in His glory as The King of all kings, whose head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, February 23, 2014).


   
   
3. Revelation 1: 15= Jesus appears in His glory as The Just Judge, whose feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters (It has been explained since Bible Study Service in Surabaya, March 17, 2014).


   
   
4. Revelation 1: 16= Jesus appears in His glory as The Heavenly Bridegroom, the peak. We will never be separated from Him, but we are with Him forever. (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, March 30, 2014).
   The husband = the head = the Heavenly bridegroom.
   The wife = the body = the Heavenly bride.
   The head and the body will be united and cannot be separated anymore. If we know Jesus as the Good Father, there is still a lost son. If we know Jesus as the Physician, we will not need Him anymore when we are healthy. If we know Jesus as the one who blesses us, we will not need Him after we are blessed. If we know Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom or the Head, we, as the body, will always need Him forever.
   
   Our relationship with God must increase until we know Him as the Head (the Heavenly bridegroom). We, as the perfect body of Christ (the Heavenly bride), will not be separated from Him anymore. When Jesus comes for a second time, we will be lifted up on the glorious clouds (it has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, March 30, 2014).
   

Tonight, we still discuss the fourth part, namely JESUS APPEARS IN HIS GLORY AS THE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM.

Revelation 1: 16
1: 16. He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance waslike the sun shining in its strength.

The signs of Jesus as the Heavenly Bridegroom are as follows.

1. He had in His right hand seven stars (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, March 30, 2014),
   
2. Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword (It has been explained since General Service in Surabaya, April 06, 2014),
   
3. His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength (It has been explained since Passover Service in Surabaya, April 20, 2014).
   

Tonight, we still discuss the third sign, that is His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength.
“the sun shining in its strength” = the light of glory. His countenance is like the sun shining in its strength means illuminating the light of glory.

On the high mountain, Jesus invited Peter, James, and John. Jesus transfigured before them and His countenance was shining as the sun. It is as seen by John the apostle in Patmos Island. It refers to worship prayer. In a true worship prayer, we can see the countenance of Jesus that illuminates the light of glory, so we experience life renewalfrom flesh man to become the spiritual one as Jesus. It is started from the countenance (five senses).

We have learned about renewal of the ears, eyes, and mouthinGeneral Service in Surabaya, April 27, 2014. Tonight, we still continue about renewal of the countenance (five senses), that is renewal of the skin(the touch sense).

Renewal of the skin (the touch sense) means being anointed with Holy Spirit, so the feeling of the flesh does not exist anymore.The example of the feeling of the flesh is easily being irritated, et cetera.

Yesterday we have heard that if the earsare renewed, we will only hear the Word.
If the eyesare renewed, we will see the field of God.
If the mouthis renewed, we will be able to say right words.
If the flesh holds the power, the mouth will lie, the eyes will see bad things, et cetera.

The daily practices of the skin (the touch sense) that is anointed by Holy Spirit are as follows.

1. 1 John 2: 27
   2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you;but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
   
   = about the antichrist.
   “the anointing” = the anointing of Holy Spirit.
   “you do not need that anyone teach you” = it does not mean that we do not need to be taught by a pastor. It is about the antichrist. If our skin has been anointed by Holy Spirit, we will be sensitive about the antichrist (false teaching).
   
   The first practice of the skin has been anointed by Holy Spirit is being sensitive to differ the true teaching Word with the false one, so that we do not need to be taught by the others about false teaching.
   
   If it is not according to the Bible, it is a false teaching. There must be a pastor who is responsible to feed the congregation (it must not be a guest who feeds the congregation).
   
   1 Timothy 4: 1-2
   4:1. Now the Spirit expresslysays that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spiritsand doctrines of demons,
   4:2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience searedwith a hot iron,
   
   The false teaching can come from anyone, especially as follows.
   
   
   • Our closest person. For examplethrough our husband, wife, or children (as Solomon received false teaching through his wife). Solomon kept the true teaching Word or the sword since his youth. But during his old age, his wife gave him other teaching. At the end, Solomon threw the true teaching and received the one from his wife. The consequence was his downfall.
     
     
   • The person who has position.
     The example in the Bible is Peter. After the death of Jesus, Peter returned to become fisherman (“I am going fishing”), and he was followed by the other disciples (“we are going with you also”). Peter was followed by the other because he has position as the senior disciple (although he had false teaching but he was still followed).
     
     
   False teaching sears the conscience ('their own conscience seared'), so one will doubtthe true teaching Word. The consequenceis the faith fails, and it will be difficult for him to return to the true teaching Word.
   
   If the skin (the touch sense) is anointed by Holy Spirit, the results are as follows.
   
   
   
   • We are sensitive to and expressly REJECT THE FALSE TEACHING(the leaven).
     A little leaven leavens and destroys the whole lump.
     
     There are writings about the leaven in the Bible as follows.
     
     
     1. The leaven of the Pharisees is the teaching about polygamy(one man with many wives).
        It also refers to the leaven of marrying-divorcing. It happens when one who has married before God divorces, and then he marries the other before God again.
        
        Be careful with the leaven of marrying-divorcing, because it is written “what God has joined together, let not man separate”.
        
        
     2. The leaven of Babylon= the teaching of Babylon, that is the teaching about prosperity and entertainment for the flesh.
        
        The things taught in the church are only blessings and entertainment for the flesh. There are no morespiritual matters either sanctification. The consequenceis the church is led to the Babylon or the great harlot.
        It is also marked with being unfaithful(the harlot represents unfaithful life).
        
        In Revelation 17: 5, there is the bride of Satan who is perfect in evil and uncleanness while we become the perfect bride of God. The bride of Satan is marked with uncleanness (there is no holiness, but only carnal blessing and entertainment) and unfaithfulness.
        A harlot isunfaithful, especially refers to a pastor who serves according to his own will.
        A pastor must be faithful and give examples to the sheep. If a pastor is unfaithful, the direction will be to the Babylon.
        
        
   • We are sensitive and expressto HOLD FAST AND OBEY THE TRUE TEACHING WORD.
     
     The true teaching Word means as follows.
     
     
     1. It is written in the Bible.
        When facing Satan, Jesus always says, “It is written”, meaning returning to the Bible. If the Word is written in the Bible, Satan will be beaten(Satan cannot touch us).
        
        If one does not want to read the Bible at home or church, he will become the target of Satan. If it is difficult to read the Bible at home, we must read it more at church.
        
     2. The Word that is said by Jesus Himself.
        In John 15: 3, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spokento you”.
        
        The Word that is said by Jesus means the Word whose secret is revealed by God through a verse explains the other verses (it is not a verse that is explained by joke).
        
        A verse is the saying of Jesus. If it is explained by the other verse, it will become the saying of Jesus. Thus, the whole Word is the saying of Jesus. It will sanctify our life.
        
        1 Peter 1: 22
        1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truththrough the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren,love one another fervently with a pure heart,
        
        If we are obedient, we will be sanctified.
        “the truth” = the true teaching Word.
        
        When we are sensitive and express to hold fast to the true teaching Word and obey it, the resultis we will live in holiness and have a sincere love to the others (we can love one another).
        
        If husband and wife have a good feeling (being anointed by Holy Spirit), and hold fast the true teaching Word and practice it, the resultis they will live in holiness and love one another sincerely. There will be no fight or divorce but happiness.
        
        When children and parents hold fast the true teaching Word and practice it, they will live in holiness, love one another sincerely, and there will be no fight. All will live in happiness. It is the same case within the congregation.
        
        Young people must pay attention that love comes from holiness. Love without holiness is “fake”. Frequently during the courtship, young people ask for unclean things for proofing the love. It is a “fake” love.
        
        Young people must watch over the beginning of marriage (the courtship period) in holiness, so they can love one another sincerely. When we love one another sincerely, we will become one unity.
        
        
        
        • Marriage becomes one and happy.
          
        • Shepherding becomes one and happy.
          
        • Inter-shepherding or inter-church becomes one.
          
        • Until we become one perfect body of Christ.
          
          
        Love that comes from holiness is sincere love (love without reward).
        
        
2. Luke 9: 44-45
   9:44 “Let these words sink downinto your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
   9:45 But they did not understand this saying,and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
   
   “Let these words sink downinto your ears” = the deepest feeling.
   “the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men"= Jesus will be crucified.
   
   The title of Luke 9: 44-45is “Jesus again predicts His death”. It refers to the cross.
   
   Verse 45 = the disciple did not understand since they had the feeling of the flesh. Thus, they rejected the cross.
   
   The second practice of the skin being anointed with Holy Spirit is being able to understand the cross (the sacrifice of Christ), although it is a suffering for the flesh.
   
   The examples of the cross are as follows.
   
   
   
   • We can take a rest on Sunday, but we come to the church.
     
   • Tomorrow there will be Bible Study Service. Many of you come from far place and must come again tomorrow.
     
     
   All things that we do are meaninglesscompared with the sacrifice of Christ. If we understand His sacrifice, we will not be doubtful to sacrifice for Him(to experience flesh suffering for Him), because His sacrifice is too great for us.
   
   We must not be disappointed and desperate!The suffering experienced by God is greater than what we experience now.
   
   If the feeling has not been renewed, many people will reject the cross (become the enemies of the cross).
   Philippians 3: 17-19
   3:17. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
   3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they arethe enemies of the cross of Christ:
   3:19 whose end isdestruction, whose god is theirbelly, and whoseglory isin their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
   
   The fact now is there are many servants or children of God who do not want to understand the cross. They reject the cross and become the enemy of the cross. It is as the disciples that did not understand in Luke 9: 45. The disciples represent the servants of God.
   
   Why does one not understand the cross even reject it and become the enemy of the cross?It is because they set their mind of earthly things. It means sacrificing the spiritual things to get the earthly ones. They follow God but their mind is on earthly things. They become the servant of God not by His calling, but to look for flesh matters. It is dangerous.
   
   The examplesof sacrificing spiritual things to get the earthly ones are as follows.
   
   
   • Doing corruption to become rich. They think that is better than following the Word.
     
   • Cheating during the test to get good grade.
     
     
   If our touch sense or skin is being anointed by Holy Spirit, we will be sensitive and expressto UNDERSTAND AND HOLD FAST THE CROSS OF CHRIST. It is as Moses who holds the rod. If the rod or the cross is released, serpent will come. If we come to the church only to please the flesh, serpent will come.
   
   We must minister God with the sign of flesh suffering (the cross). That is the right one. If there is the cross, there will be no serpent.
   The daily practicesof being sensitive and express to understand and hold fast the cross of Christ are as follows.
   
   
   • Repenting.
     1 Peter 4: 1-2
     4:1. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
     4:2 that he no longer should live the rest of histime in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
     
     Repentance isflesh suffering to stop sinning to return to God and live according the Word of God (living in righteousness).
     
     Repentance is a flesh suffering. For example, one who used to do corruption will suffer to stop doing it. Or one who used to cheat will suffer to stop cheating.
     On the contrary, when one keeps sinning although he cannot eat, it is not a flesh suffering.
     
     
   • Being willing to sacrifice everything for God, either time, energy, thought, or money, et cetera. It is as Jesus who is willing to sacrifice His soul for us.
     
     If we still count what we have sacrificed for God, we have not held the cross yet.
     We have aggred that wherever we go, we pay by ourselves, including me. We sacrifice so we hold the cross.
     
     
   • Reconciling one another.
     
     
     1. The false one confesses his sins to God (vertical) and the others (horizontal). If he is forgiven, he must not repeat the sins anymore.
        
        We do not see whether we are in a higher or lower position when we confess our sins. The false one must confess.
        For examplesare husband can confess to his wife, wife can confess to her husband, children can confess to the parents, parents can confess to their children, a pastor can confess to the congregation, and the congregation can confess to the pastor.
        
        
     2. The right one forgives the others’ sin and forgets it.
        
        
     If we do not want to hold the cross, it will be difficult to confess our sins.
     
     If we have reconciled one another, Jesus’ blood erases and sanctifies our life from sins. The result iswe have peacefulheart.
     
     A peaceful heart is not decided by richness, but whether there is sin or not! As long as the sin is preserved (the others’ sin or our own sin), there will be no peace within our heart.
     
     When we have peace, everything will be easy and light. Thus, if we are willing to bear the cross, our life will even be easy and light.
     If there is no peace (there is no cross), the serpent will come and the heart will always be shaken. If we have peaceful heart, the serpent cannot enter.
     

The conclusionis when our touch sense is anointed by Holy Spirit, we will have sensitivity and firmnessto:

1. hold fast the true teaching Wordand obey it,
   
2. hold fast the cross of Christ.
   

If we hold fast the true teaching Word and the cross, we will not be deceived but we will enter the building of the perfect body of Christ (the building of the spiritual house of God).

Ephesians 2: 19-20
2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

THE FOUNDATIONSof the building of the perfect body of Christ (the Heavenly bride) are as follows.

1. 'the apostles and prophets'.
   “the apostles” = the New Testament. “the prophets” = the Old Testament.
   The New Testament + the Old Testament = the Bible (the true teaching Word).
   Thus, the foundation of the building of the perfect body of Christ is the true teaching Word.
   
   If all of us return to the Bible, we will become one.
   
   Do not add or take away any words from the Bible.
   
   
2. 'Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone' = the sacrifice of Christ(the cross of Christ).
   1 Peter 2: 6-8a
   2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
   2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He isprecious; but to those who are disobedient,“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
   2:8a and“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
   
   “A chief cornerstone, elect, precious” = Jesus.
   “The stone which the builders rejected” = Jesus who has been crucified.
   
   Thus, the foundation of the building of the perfect body of Christ is “the chief cornerstone”, that is Jesus who has been crucifed, or the sacrifice of Christ.
   

These are the two foundations obtained from our feeling. We must reject the false teaching and hold fast to the cross.
If we have these two foundations, we will enter the building of the perfect body of Christ. We become the Heavenly bride of God who is ready to welcome His second coming.
If we read the book of Genesis, the Bible is started with physical marriage (of Adam and Eve) that was broken. But fortunately, the Bible is closed with spiritual marriage.

After the foundation, there is the EXECUTIONof the building (on the foundation) up to the finishing.

Building on the foundation means we must be faithful and fervent in spiritin serving God according tothe ministry and gifts of Holy Spirit that God has given to us. For examplea pastor must feed the congregation, the one who serves music must play the instruments, et cetera.

Thus, we must serve according to the ministry.A foot must become a foot; a hand must become a hand. If a foot wants to be a hand, it may be possible but will devastate. Frequently one serves in wrong place, for examplea pastor does not want to feed the congregation, but does something else.

All of us must be active in the building of the body of Christ,so we will not enter the building of Babylon (the bride of Satan with evil and uncleanness).

Now, both the body of Christ and Babylon are being built incessantly. The building of the body of Babylon has been started from the foundation. Many sexual harassments are done to children. Now, the foundation of the building of the body of Christ must be strong (the true teaching Word and the cross must be within our hand). Afterwards, we must continue with the building over it (we must be faithful and fervent in spirit in ministry).

We must choose one!If we are not active in the building of the body of Christ, we will be active in the building of the body of Babylon.
Young people must be careful!

All old and young people, including children, are the target of Babylon.
Therefore we must be active in the building of the body of Christ. Richness means nothing if one is controlled by Babylon.
Babylon cannot be overcome by the power from this world. It can only be tackled with the power of the building of the body of Christ started from the foundation (the true teaching Word and the sacrifice of Christ) and being faithful and fervent in spirit. It is the stronghold to face Babylon.

Ezra 3: 10-11a
3:10 When the builders laid the foundationof the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparelwith trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.
3:11a And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He isgood,
For His mercyenduresforever toward Israel.”

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord” = It was in the building of the physical temple of the Lord during the days of Ezra. Now we learn in spiritual meaning.

“the priests stood in their apparel” = being active in the building of the body of Christ, according tothe ministry.

Verse 11= “His mercy”.

If there is the foundationof the building of the body of Christ(holding fast to the true teaching Word and the sacrifice of Christ) and there is the executionof the building(ministering with being faithful and fervent in spirit according to the ministry), Jesus as the High Priest will present in the midst of us by stretching out His good and merciful hands which are greater than anything. His mercy never ends and is always new every day(“For His mercy endures forever”).

The goodness and mercy of God are THE KEY OF DAVID. David is a shepherd of 2-3 sheep, but he can be a king because of the mercy and goodness of God.
We face many difficulties in the last days. Let us have the foundation of the house of God and be faithful and fervent in spirit. Thus, Jesus will present as the High Priest.

King David says “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life” = every beat of our heart or every step of our life is within the good and merciful hands of God.

God is just. He does not see richness or smartness, but He sees THE FOUNDATION AND FAITHFULNESSin serving Him according to the ministry. If we have those, He will stretch out His good and merciful hands to us.

The results are as follows.

1. Haggai 2: 18-19
   2:18 ‘Consider now from this dayforward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundationof the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it:
   2:19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yetthe vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. Butfrom this dayI will bless you.’”
   
   The first result is the good and merciful hands of God are able to:
   
   
   • bless us= care and protect us, starting from now during the difficult days, up to the days when antichrist will reign in the earth for three years and a half, up to eternal life forever.
     
     
   • “have not yielded fruit”= lift us up from failuresto success, beauty and happiness in His time.
     
   • lift us up from downfall= recover us who have fallen in sins and uncleanness, so we can live in righteousness and holiness (as King David who had fallen in sins with Bathsheba, but he was recovered by the good and merciful hands of God).
     
     
2. Matthew 7: 24-25
   7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
   7:25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
   
   The second result is the good and merciful hands of God give us extra strength,so we can endure in facing temptations from Satan the trinity.
   
   
   • The rainrefers to Satan with evil, unclean, and disobedient spirit. We will endure (not doing sins) and keep living in righteousness.
     
   • The winds= false prophet with false teachings and lying spirit. We must face them with honesty.
     
     Satan can pretend as an angel of light. In Revelation 13, it is written“he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon”. It is the falsity spirit or lying spirit.
     Be careful!False prophet looks good outside, but he is very harsh in saying.
     False prophet will make fake ministry.
     
     
   • The flood= antichrist with the strength of money.
     
     
3. Psalm 136: 1-4
   136:1. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He isgood!
For His mercy enduresforever.
   136:2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy enduresforever.
   136:3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy enduresforever:
   136:4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy enduresforever;
   
   The third result is the goodness and mercy of God are able to do great wondersalone.
   
   Jesus cried out on the cross "Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?". It means 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' Jesus was alone on the cross with His good and merciful hands to do great wonders in our life.
   
   The great wonders are as follows.
   
   
   
   • Life renewal from flesh man to become spiritual one as Jesus = spiritual miracle = the greatest miracle.
     
     Satan can heal the sick. We must not go to the church by only looking for physical miracles.
     
     Life renewal is started from obedience and honesty. In Ephesians 4, life renewal is started from obedience and honesty. If one still lies, he has not been renewed.
     
     
   • If spiritual miracle happens, the physical onewill also happen. God will make possible the impossible things.
     
     When the others do not want to help us, we must not be angry. It is the chance for us to only put our hope in God and He will be able to help us.
     As long as there is the foundation and faithfulness and fervency in spirit, the steps of our life are miraculous steps. Our spiritual life will always be renewed, and our physical life will be helped by God.
     
     
   • The last miracleis when Jesus comes a second time. We will be renewed as glorious as Him. We become the perfect body of Christ, the Heavenly bride who is ready to welcome His second coming on the glorious clouds, “Blessed arethose who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” We are together with Him forever.
     

Whatever our condition is now, there is the mercy and goodness of God. God will help all of us.

God blesses us.