Rev. Jusak Widjaja Hendra - WR Supratman 4 Sby
We will still be learning the epistle of Jude, which in Tabernacle structure refers to the covering of badger skins. The term “covering” signifies the protection and attention of God towards the true church as well as the separation from the false one, just like the wheat were separated from the tares. The wheat (the true church) were gathered into the barn (heaven), but the tares, which although seemed to be greater in growth, were into the fire (hell).
The first sign of Jesus’ second coming is deception (Matthew 24); many
deceivers will come up and many will be deceived. It means: only few will still
hold the true teaching / only few will still be included in the true church.
For that reason, we need the covering of God to keep us on the right way. We
have been learning one of the false churches, namely fleshly church starting
vs. 8. Now we read Jude 1:14-15
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying,
"Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
15 "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them
of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and
of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
Previously we have learned about the seventh from Adam in the spirit descended
from Seth, that is, Enoch lifted up to heaven, and the seventh from Adam in
the flesh descended from Cain, that is, Lamech and his wickedness.
At the time of Jesus’ second coming, there will be manifested two groups of the church of God as follows:
- Jude 1:14
14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
that is, the true church consisting of Christians and pastors who will have been as holy and perfect as Christ is, and worthy to welcome His second coming and live with Him forever. - Jude 1:15
15 "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
that is, the fleshly church consisting of Christians and pastors who are used to live in lusts; they will be separated when Jesus comes the second time.
Here are the practices of the fleshly church:
- ungodly deeds, i.e., deeds contrary to the word of God.
We may not do ungodly deeds, but the works of the faith, which are in line with the word of God. The following are examples of the works of the faith:- James 2:21-22
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
Abraham had waited for a long time to have a child until he was very old. After he had gotten Isaac, however, the Lord willed Isaac to be an offering sacrifice. This seems to be non-sense. Abraham was a rich man; he could have offered a thousand oxen and sheep instead of his son, but he did not do it although he had to sacrifice his concern. Abraham, who represents the Israel, portrays the true church with the work of the faith – even if it is contrary to anyone’s logic.
Genesis 22:1-2
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
There is something special in the place where Abraham offered Isaac. What happened on Mount Moriah?
2 Chronicles 3:1
1 Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Mount Moriah was where Solomon built the house of the Lord. Now it becomes our lesson, that is, the works of the faith are connected with the forming of the house of the Lord (the forming of the Body of Christ).
Thus, what we should do is to give anything that God wants, according to what the word encourages, not men, in form of time, energy, thoughts, feelings, prestige, and anything else but the true doctrine. All that we have should be sacrificed for the forming of the body of Christ, just like the people of Israel did for the forming of the body of Christ in the days of Solomon. Not entering the forming of the body of Christ, one will enter into the forming of the body of Babel because there is no other body.
Everything that we give is never in vain because God never deceives us.
Genesis 22:10-14
10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am."
12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The–LORD–Will–Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided."
It is never useless to sacrifice something for the body of Christ because we will meet Jehovah Jirre, God that provides – this is but only if we give because the word encourages us, not because of a friend or emotional feelings.
I was previously so scared of becoming a pastor because my parent was not a pastor either - so he did not have any church to be inherited to me. So, where would have I gone and what would have I done? Yet now I tell you that if we sacrifice something according to God's will, God never deceives us - even though I was once allowed not to eat and drink, but God then provided it all.
Not only the earthly needs are provided, God also prepares us to become His Bride.
Matthew 22:4
4 "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."
This wedding feast refers to the marriage supper of the Lamb written in Revelation 19, for which we are being prepared. Therefore, we should not hesitate to sacrifice anything, but the true teaching word, according to the will of God. Jehovah Jirre is able to prepare all things to meet our needs as well as to prepare our lives for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
- James 2:25-26
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Rahab hid two spies, who were sent to make a way through Jericho to the land of Canaan. Rahab represents the Gentile, even the sinful Gentile since she was a harlot. She had to bear a risk for what she had done for the two spies. If Abraham had to sacrifice his son, Rahab had to sacrifice her own life if she was caught hiding the two spies. Frequently we serve God by counting the risk and seeking the advantage. If Jesus had done the same, none of us would have been saved. Seeing that, the Gentile may not count the risk, even we are demanded to sacrifice our lives.
Canaan now refers to the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain / the revival of the perfection of the Body of Christ. So, the work of faith of Rahab was to make a way to Canaan, that is, to join in the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain without doubt and fear. If Rahab had been caught hiding the two spies, she and all her household would have died. But Rahab was not afraid. The Gentile cannot be used for the work of the Body of Christ if they remain in worry and fear.
Joshua 2:18-19
18 "unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home.
19 "So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
The scarlet (red) cord in the window refers to the Blood of Jesus/the Cross, because of which the Gentiles have no more worry and fear.
Matthew 6:31-34
31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?
32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
The Gentiles are naturally worried about what they will eat and wear (daily needs) and about tomorrow (future). These worries always haunt them until they madly think about godliness. But now let us learn from Rahab with her work of faith, without worry and fear, even she had to sacrifice her life. Such a Christian will be used in the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain.
In short, this is the work of faith of the Gentiles:
Matthew 6:33
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
that is, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness = to put godliness as number one based on the true consecration. If we do this, God will give bonus / add everything that we worry about, as He had done to the Israelites in the desert; they neither sowed nor harvested, only served the Lord, but they were fed with manna abundantly. Each one was given one omer per day, which is equal to three point six liters. We can imagine man getting three point six liters rice each day. He will surely not eat them all in one day and it means he is cared in abundance. This is an example taken from the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, pastors are the example. We previously worked in the world, but we have stopped working and dedicated ourselves to become the full-time servants of God. In spite of that, we can also eat. It is all because of godliness. Why then do you have to worry and fear? I am not worry and fear about my son’s future because I know God will add my needs if I prioritize godliness in the true consecration.
Not only the full-timers, but also all of us as the Gentiles must be free from worry and fear and prioritize godliness in the true consecration. Everything will surely be added to us since God never deceives us.
Romans 14:17-18
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
These are the signs of godliness in the true consecration:- righteousness: all that we do in the ministry must be according to the word of God, not the words of men. Flowing from that, it is important for pastors and priests to hear the word of God in order to know His will in ministry.
- peace: there is no emotion, ambition, envy, revenge, and bitterness.
- joy in the Holy Spirit: there is only pleasure and there is no force
in the service and ministry. We must enjoy the service and ministry just
as God enjoyed His vineyard – even if it yielded wild grapes still.
Isaiah 5:7
7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.
Provided we prioritize the ministry with the three signs above, God will add everything that we worry about for today and the future.
Matthew 6:33
33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Because Rahab put God as number one and ignored her life, she got the scarlet cord (the Cross) and we will, too. If we prioritize godliness for the revival in the last rain, all that we need will be added and we also get the Cross. Do not hesitate! Jericho, big city of trade, was destroyed. We cannot live by relying on trading but the scarlet cord/the Cross/ Jesus’ sacrifice. Let us prioritize godliness, lest we commit it carelessly because we cannot live without the scarlet cord (the Cross).
Here are the meanings of getting the Cross:- getting salvation for all household.
Do not be egoistic; we are saved so we have to bear witness and remember our family at least by prayers that God also save them.
We are saved from destructions, both spiritually (sexual sins and eating-drinking) and physically (terrorism, disasters, accidents, the third world war threats, etc). - joining in the oneness of the perfect body of Christ / becoming the
Bride of God – because only the Cross is able to unite Abraham/Israel
and Rahab/Gentile.
Ephesians 2:13-16
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
You who once were far off refer to the Gentiles.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one”; both are Israel and Gentiles.
We will be one perfect body of Christ, the Bride of God. Therefore, we have to prioritize godliness by sacrificing anything as Rahab had no worry or fear to sacrifice her life. Because God never deceives us, everything will be added to us.
The term “added” or the Cross contains these three important things:- salvation
- daily-need supply for today and future
- perfection
Romans 8:31-32
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
All things that we need is here, in the Sacrifice of Christ.
God did not spare His own Son; it means God loves men more than Jesus. Because Jesus, who is everything, was given to us, everything that we need today and the coming days must be given, too. Seeing that, we should serve God wholeheartedly until we get the scarlet cord/the Cross. Let us now be encouraged by the word of God, not by emotion to enter into the revival of white horse.
You may pursue education, get a job, or run a business, but you have to put godliness as number one until you can confess that you live not by the world, but the scarlet cord/the Cross. So there will be salvation for all household, perfection of the body of Christ, and guarantee of life in the present day and in the future.
Abraham and Rahab were included in the family tree of the Lord Jesus; it means they might welcome Jesus’ first coming. And now we, the Gentiles, may welcome Jesus‘ second coming if we have the works of faith as Abraham and Rahab had done.
Matthew 1:1, 5
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,
Jesus came the first time as the Savior and the second time as King over kings and the heavenly Groom. Thus, do not become fleshly church, whose fleshly conduct is not in line with the word of God. We should practice doing the works of faith, which is in line with the word of God, so that everything we need is provided, we are saved and perfected when Jesus comes the second time.
- James 2:21-22
- harsh words / insults
The fleshly church is antichrist, the beast coming out of the sea, speaking harsh things in ungodly way. He likes to blame and blaspheme the others, even God.
Revelation 13:5-6
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty–two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
Insults are the words spoken out because of the lusts, just like the words of the beast:- evil utterances
- slanders
Many times, the righteous is said as the wrong and vice versa because of the wealth or greatness. - blasphemies against God and tabernacle teaching
To converse, the true church/the Bride can only speak the true words because her lips are like a strand of scarlet.
Song of Solomon 4:3
3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil Are like a piece of pomegranate.
The lips of the true church is signed with the Blood/the Cross, so that they speak to:- confess sin
- bear witness
- worship God with “Hallelujah”
Perfect body must have mouth saying Hallelujah so it will be lifted up to heaven at the time of Jesus’ second coming as Enoch was lifted up.
Revelation 19:6-7
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
7 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
The great multitude is those who have the scarlet cord/the Cross/the Blood on their lips; they will enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.
In summary, the world (symbolized with Jericho) cannot guarantee our life anymore.
Therefore, we as the Gentiles must have the Cross/the Blood/the Sacrifice of
Christ, on which our life is laid. I always pray for your success in this world,
but we have to always remember that the world will not able to give us life
anymore sometime. Only the Sacrifice of Christ can do. For that reason, we have
to put godliness as number one in our life. No matter what our success or failure
is, we have to pursue the Cross. The world is being destroyed, but there will
be restoration of God as long as we hold the Cross.
God bless you!