Remembering God’s Goodness

 “When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language; Judah was his sanctuary, And Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭114‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬

This psalm sung at Passover is attributed to Moses traditionally sung before the Passover meal.  “Many years ago the Jewish people escaped Egypt’s tyranny, so that Israel, God’s people of praise, would become His holy sanctuary, His kingdom on the earth. The Red Sea waters saw them coming and ran the other way! Then later, the Jordan River too moved aside so that they could all pass through.”  God wanted through Moses for the children of Israel to have a thankful heart of non-stop gratitude.  That’s why He reminded them of His goodness because God is good and His goodness endures to all generations.  Because of His mercy and goodness, God set them free from slavery and took them through the wilderness into the promised land through His power.  But they kept forgetting God’s mercy and goodness and became ungrateful and hard-hearted. They forgot God and were eventually defeated and scattered.  Apart from God, they were nothing.  This is true not only for the children of Israel but for all those who have experienced God’s goodness and power through the Cross of Christ.  He is the giver of all good things that have happened to us.  We remember God’s goodness to us personally and the gates of goodness and His power open for us as we worship Him with gratitude.  Amen!

Living Waters

 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John was revealed, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of Life, flowing with water clear as crystal, continuously pouring out from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. The river was flowing in the middle of the street of the city, and on either side of the river was the Tree of Life, with its twelve kinds of ripe fruit according to each month of the year. The leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations. And every curse will be broken and no longer exist, for the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there in the city. His loving servants will serve him;” This was the river at the creation, flowing from the Land of Delight to water the garden, and it is the living waters that Jesus promised to the Samaritan women at the well and all who believe that Jesus is the Christ, “If you drink from Jacob’s well, you will be thirsty again, but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never be thirsty again. For when you drink the water I give you, it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, flooding you with endless life!”  All who believe and eat of the Tree of Life, are given for the service of the nations, to nurture and care for believers to mature.  Amen!

How Great Is Our God Who Humbled Himself

 “The LORD is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭113‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This psalm sung at Passover is attributed to Moses traditionally sung before the Passover meal.   “For He rules on high over the nations with a glory that outshines even the heavens. No one can be compared to God, enthroned on high! He stoops down to look upon the sky and the earth.”  Passover began when God stooped down and released the slavery of the children of Israel from the nation of Egypt.  God is much bigger than our imagination can conceive and yet He knows everything about every human being from the first to the last!  Yet He humbled Himself to come in the flesh and identify with humanity.  All heaven bows before Him and so will every nation.  As the psalmist said, “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”  Let’s bow in worship to our God and the Lamb upon the Throne.  Amen!

The Highway of Holiness

 “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬ -22 KJV‬‬

As John saw, “The twelve gates are twelve pearls—each gate made of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, clear as crystal.  I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb.”  The city has one street and each of the twelve gates are one giant pearl.  The street is pure gold, pure as glass - it is the highway of holiness, as Isaiah prophesied.  “A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.”  The whole city is the holy temple of God.  This is why Almighty God came in the flesh so that He would dwell with and in His people.  We, who have Christ in us, on this planet earth, are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as we grow in our union with God, we, the redeemed innocent, shall dwell before the Throne of God and of the Lamb, forever.  Hallelujah!

Celebration of Praise to our Lord Jesus Every Moment

 “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭112‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Though unknown, the authorship of this psalm is attributed to David, “Shout in celebration of praise to the Lord! Everyone who loves the Lord and delights in Him will cherish His words and be blessed beyond expectation. Their descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation of the righteous will experience His favour.”  The celebration of praise to the Lord Jesus is not connected to a time in the calendar year, but is at every moment of life.  As Paul the apostle exhorted us to be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let our joy overflow!  We experience every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ, as promised to us, when we spend sacred time with Him, loving, adoring and delighting in Him.  We will be those who prosper and become people of influence and favour, which will overflow into the generations that follow us - our descendants and those that follow them.  We who are in Christ, never doubt God’s mighty power working in us and accomplishing all this. He will achieve infinitely more than our greatest request, our  most unbelievable dream, and exceed our wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes us. That’s why we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen!

Jesus Disarmed Satan through the Cross

 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬

As John was revealed “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent known as the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.”  Satan has been bound since the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We now enforce the judgment that took place on Calvary.  The thousand years is the obvious metaphor of the time in which we live for with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  We are given authority to “overpower the mighty man and tie him up” and plunder his goods.  For Jesus has disarmed principalities and powers and He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  At the end the devil and his angels will be in the lake of fire forever and ever.  Amen!

Celebrating God’s Goodness

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

“Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭111‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The psalm by tradition attributed to David, is a powerful call to praise God for His majestic, faithful, and wondrous deeds, culminating in the wisdom found in fearing the Lord.  “Shout hallelujah to Yahweh! May every one of His devoted lovers hear my passionate praise to Him, even among the council of the holy ones. For God’s mighty miracles astound me! His wonders are so delightfully mysterious that they leave all who seek them astonished.”  Right from Christ’s birth to His resurrection and now His dwelling in us His lovers, by His Holy Spirit, we celebrate God’s goodness and greatness!  God is Spirit, therefore the wonder of God being born on earth, the wisdom of His life on earth, the majesty of His resurrection, the promise of His coming again, are so amazing, that we are in awe at the powerful and miraculous love of our God toward mankind.  It is a mystery that only reveals itself to us as we seek Him with love in our heart towards Him.  Only the wise worship Christ our Lord and King.  Amen!

Jesus Christ - King of kings & Lord of lords

 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING of kings, and LORD of Lords.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John’s revelation, “On His robe and on His thigh He had inscribed a name: King of kings and Lord of lords.”  We can never stop thanking God that He had mercy for mankind, knowing that we humans are helpless and cannot with our own works, deeds, actions or performances, remove our sins or reconcile ourselves to God in any way.  So He humbled Himself and identified completely with mankind by being born and laid in a manger, growing up in simplicity and dying on the Cross as a criminal, so that the sinless Blood sacrifice would redeem all.  That is why God exalted Christ when He raised Him from the dead.  Now every knee bows to Jesus and every tongue confesses JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.  It had already been prophesied by Jacob thousands of years before, “Nations will bring Him tribute And bow in obedience before Him.”  David too was revealed, “Yes, all kings will bow down before Him, All nations will serve Him.”  Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords.  There is no one else.    Amen!

Anointed With the Dew of Christ’s Youth

 “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, In the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭110‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A prophetic psalm of King David, “Your people will be Your love offerings. In the day of Your mighty power You will be exalted, and in the brightness of Your holy ones You will shine as an army arising from the womb of the dawn, anointed with the dew of Your youth! Yahweh has taken a solemn oath and will never back away from it, saying, “You are a Priest for eternity, after the manner of Melchizedek!”  David spoke prophetically of the Messiah and of all God’s chosen people who are in Christ!  These promises are our inheritance as we follow after our High Priest of the order of Melchizedek!  Because we are in Christ, we are anointed with the dew of Christ’s youth, and decay has nothing on us in this eternal life we have in Christ.  The brightness of Christ’s glory is on us, the beauty of His holiness is on us!  Our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand.  He alone is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  That is where we are, all God’s chosen people - redeemed by the Blood, forgiven, baptised, saved and sanctified - at the right hand of our Father.  Hallelujah!

The New Has Come

 “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬

As John saw, “He shouted out with a thunderous voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a demonic dwelling place, a prison for every unclean spirit, unclean bird, and every unclean, detestable beast. All the nations have drunk of the wine of her immoral passion, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and merchants of the earth have grown wealthy because of her power and luxury.”  John was revealed the destruction of this world system personified by Babylon.  The prophet of old had already prophesied it.  “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.”  The LORD says, "I will make a new world-new heavens and a new earth-that will last forever. In the same way, your names and your children will always be with Me.” Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones..” When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!  Hallelujah!

Bless Those Who Curse Us

 “For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭109‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is David’s psalm as he contends with accusations, “Though I love them, they stand accusing me like Satan for what I’ve never done. I will pray until I become prayer itself. They continually repay me with evil when I show them good. They give me hatred when I show them love.”  David in the old covenant had people come against him, hate him, accuse him, betray him.  But he knew Who to turn to.  In the face of accusations and slander, David says, “I become prayer!”  In the new covenant, through the Cross where the risen Lord Jesus conquered accusations and slander, we are to bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.  As Jesus taught us, we are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us.  It is difficult to do all this in our own strength, but thank God for the mighty Holy Spirit, here to help, teach and lead us as we do what David did - to turn to God and become prayer.  Amen!

Is Your Name in the Book of Life?

 “And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The revelation to John in the Spirit, “But the angel said to me, “Why are you so astonished? I will reveal to you the mystery of the woman, and of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. The wild beast you saw once was, now is not, and is destined to ascend out of the deep and go to destruction. All those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be utterly astonished when they see the wild beast because he once was, now is not, and is about to rise.”  The angel who took John in the Spirit revealed to him the destiny of the beast and all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life and who follow the beast.  The beast is embodied through the world system, the carnal-minded life and rebellion against the Living, Almighty and Powerful God.  When the disciples were excited that evil spirits obeyed them in Jesus’s Name, He Himself said, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  Our most important registry is in heaven, that our names are written in the Book of Life, since, through faith in the victory of the Cross, we have passed from death to life.  That’s our destiny.  Let’s do everything to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ and lead the victorious life He gave us freely.  Amen!

Christ Destroyed the Enemy’Accusations

 “God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my washpot; Over Edom will I cast out my shoe; Over Philistia will I triumph. Through God we shall do valiantly: For he it is that shall tread down our enemies.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭108‬:‭7‬-‭9‬, ‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A poetic psalm by king David, “Then I heard the Lord speak in his holy splendor, and from his sanctuary I heard the Lord promise: “In my triumph I will be the one to measure out the portion of my inheritance to my people, and I will secure the land as I promised you. Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh — they are all still mine!” he says. “Judah will continue to produce kings and lawgivers, and Ephraim will produce great warriors. Moab will become my lowly servant. Edom will likewise serve my purposes. I will lift up a shout of victory over the land of Philistia! With God’s help we will prevail with might and power. And with God’s help we’ll trample down our every foe!”  Shechem and Succoth were the two places where Jacob camped in the Land of Promise.  These two places speak of God being the One Who brought them in and portioned out the land for His people.  The King of kings came from the tribe of Judah.  Edom, Moab and Philistia who were against the old covenant, were defeated.  David had such confidence in God in the old covenant!  How much more we in the new covenant, triumph over the enemy whom Jesus destroyed through the Cross.  Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant, Whose Blood of sprinkling speaks victory.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.  Amen!

Have a Personal Relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ

 “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John saw the risen Jesus Christ our Lord, “Behold, I come like a thief! God’s blessing is with the one who remains awake and fully clothed in Me and will not walk about naked, exposed to disgrace.” The demonic spirits assembled the kings together at the place called in Hebrew the “Mount of the Governor.”  Jesus had already warned earlier “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”  When the Lord comes, it will be unexpected for all those who do not have a personal relationship with Him.  Let’s be lovers of the Lord Jesus Christ so we can relate to Him and be ready for Him.  He is surely coming again as He said.  Armageddon is that realm where both good and evil gather together.  The battle on God’s great day includes the war within the hearts of mankind.  The risen Christ has through the finished work of the Cross, made the way for us to be reconciled to God.  If we ignore that, we will be overtaken by evil and will not be prepared for what is certain to happen.  Let’s be ready and prepared for our Lord.  Amen!

Rejoice in Testifying of God’s Goodness to Us

 “He sent his word, and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with rejoicing.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Although no author is mentioned, this psalm is traditionally attributed to King David, “God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed, delivered from death’s door! So lift your hands and give thanks to God for His marvelous kindness and for His miracles of mercy for those He loves! Bring your praise as an offering and your thanks as a sacrifice as you sing your story of miracles with a joyful song.”  God’s Word is the Lord Jesus Christ, Who by His stripes that were lashed on His back, has healed us, delivered us and saved us from our sins.  By faith we believe and receive the finished work of the Cross.  How good is He and to His goodness there is no end.  That is why we bring high praises to Him, Who is always faithful to us!  We bring the sacrifices of thanksgiving testifying to His wonderful works in our life.  Amen!

Conquering Our Self-Life by the Blood of the Lamb

 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭15‬:‭2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John was revealed, “Then I saw what looked like a vast sea of glass blended with fiery flames. Standing beside the sea were those who continually conquer the wild beast, his image and the number of his name. They each held the harps of God and they were singing the song of Moses, God’s servant, and the song of the Lamb: “Mighty and marvelous are Your miracles, Lord Yahweh, God Almighty! Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign King of the ages!”  All those who are one day victorious over the “beast” will learn to sing this eternal song of thanksgiving and praise.  The “beast” is our self-life.  We are called to overcome this  beast through the life of Jesus within us. As we overcome by the power of the Cross and borrow the life of Christ for ourselves, we qualify as overcomers who sing the sacred song of Moses.  All that is of the beast must be laid aside as we take up Christ’s nature and live in His strength.  He can change each of us from a beast to a lamb.  The song of Moses was sung in a victory celebration of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt; the song of the Lamb is sung in a victory celebration of believers who conquered the beast (the nature of man).  Let’s conquer with the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of Christ’s testimony.  Amen!

In Everything We Give God Thanks

 “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can shew forth all his praise?”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭106‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This psalm is attributed to king David when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem.  “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Everyone thank God, for He is good and easy to please. Your tender love for us, Lord, continues on forever. Who could ever fully describe Your glorious miracles? Yahweh, who could ever praise You enough?”  When we look around and think of all that God has done, we find it difficult to tell of His glorious deeds.  The greatest gift God has done is to give His Son Jesus Christ and the greatest gift Jesus has given us is to wipe away our sin, for He made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  That is why in everything we give Him thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.  Right from the air we breathe, for oxygen is free for us, to the ability to think and do good to ourselves and others, we give God thanks with gratitude in our hearts.  Heaven is filled with thanksgiving  as they declare, “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.”  Let’s practice thanksgiving to God at all times. Amen!

Presenting Ourselves to Christ

 “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John the beloved disciple saw, “No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed and who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins, and they join themselves to the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been purchased from humanity and brought forth as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb.”  These virgins are those who like Mary the virgin, are pure, obedient and willing to do the will of God and will bring forth an expression of Christ to the earth.  They are not like the daughters of the harlot of Babylon with its false religious system.  They are the first parts of the harvest of Christ’s life within the believer.  Set apart for God and the Lamb, they become examples for all others to follow.  Paul was given this revelation, “You need to know that God’s passion is burning inside me for you, because, like a loving father, I have pledged your hand in marriage to Christ, your true Bridegroom. I’ve also promised that I would present His fiancée to Him as a pure virgin bride.”  Let’s yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit to be guided into this amazing Truth of preparing ourselves as the bride of Christ.  Amen!

Jesus Christ Is the Same, Yesterday, Today & Forever

 “He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac;”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Part of this psalm  was sung when the ark of glory was brought to Jerusalem.  “For though a thousand generations may pass away, He is still true to His word. He has kept every promise He made to Abraham and to Isaac.”  The twenty four elders in heaven sing, “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.”  God reigns in eternity and forever, the Great I AM, Who is forever and true to His promises.  “I Am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."  God keeps His covenant, because grace and peace is multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these we may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  What an amazing God, the same yesterday, today and forever, keeping His covenant with us who believe in His great Blood sacrifice through the finished work of the Cross.  Amen!

The Image of Christ

 “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭13‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John was given revelation, “This will require wisdom to understand: Let the one with insight interpret the number of the wild beast, for it is humanity’s number —666.”  This is the son of Adam’s number or man’s number.  The beast is equated to the nature of humanity. The number 666 is the number of man; not an incarnation of the devil, but human nature; and man was created on the sixth day.  The wild beast rising out of the ground (which man was made from) is the sin of man that wars against our souls and prevents the image of Christ from emerging in fullness within believers.  The number 666 cannot be literal, for a literal number would need no wisdom to interpret.  Both the mark of the beast and the mark on the foreheads of God’s faithful followers, is a metaphor of the character of the beast revealed by thoughts (foreheads) and by actions (the hands).  As the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to pray that people find their identity in Christ and crucify their fleshly nature and carnal mindedness, allowing the image of Christ to come into its fullness.  Amen!

God of Glory is the God Who Is Light & Love

 “Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty: Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭104‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s psalm, “Everything I am will praise and bless the Lord! O Lord, my God, Your greatness takes my breath away, overwhelming me by Your majesty, beauty, and splendor! You wrap Yourself with a shimmering, glistening light. You wear sunshine like a garment of glory. You stretch out the starry skies like a tapestry.”  This is our God, the One Who created the universe and all that is seen and unseen.  David knew Him personally and had intimate relationship with Him, worshipping Him from the depths of his heart.  Job, many centuries earlier had worshipped the same God with awe, “Then adorn Yourself with majesty and splendor, And array Yourself with glory and beauty.”  God is Light and He is the God of glory, in Him there is no darkness at all.  God is love, and in this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His Only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  Amen!

The Overcoming Power of the Blood of the Lamb

 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is what John saw, “So the great dragon was thrown down once and for all. He was the serpent, the ancient snake called the devil, and satan, who deceives the whole earth. He was cast down into the earth and his angels along with him. Then I heard a triumphant voice in heaven proclaiming: “Now salvation and power are set in place, and the Kingdom reign of our God and the ruling authority of His Anointed One are established. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accused them day and night before our God, has now been defeated—cast out once and for all! They conquered him completely through the Blood of the Lamb and the powerful word of His testimony. They triumphed because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death.”  So the lying slanderer, mankind’s adversary, whose sole mission was to lead the entire inhabited world astray - was cast down to the earth, together with all his cohorts.  This serpent, who was a murderer from the beginning, was stripped of his pseudo authority.  John heard the voice that endorsed the prophetic word spoken from the beginning and now culminated in the realisation of mankind’s salvation.  The Blood of the Lamb brought closure to every possible accusation against the human race.  What a triumph!  Hallelujah!

By Faith We Belong Forever to Our Loving God

 “The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s recognition of God’s mercy and grace, “Lord, You’re so kind and tenderhearted and so patient with people who fail You! Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness. You don’t look at us only to find our faults, just so that You can hold a grudge against us. You may discipline us for our many sins, but never as much as we really deserve. Nor do You get even with us for what we’ve done. Higher than the highest heavens— that’s how high Your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of Your loyal love, towering over all who fear You and bow down before You! Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset— that’s how far You’ve removed our guilt from us.”  The Hebrew word for compassion is the same as for “womb”.  The Lord carries His people like a mother carries a child in her womb.  That’s how God gave revelation to Moses on mount Sinai, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”  Through the Blood Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, God removed all mankind’s sins, iniquities and transgressions, when He punished Jesus for it.  By faith in the finished work of the Cross, we receive God’s mercy, grace and compassion and we are forever His. Amen!

Every Knee Shall Bow & Every Tongue Confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

 “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭8‬, ‭15‬ KJV

As John was revealed, “Their dead bodies will lie on the street of the great city that is symbolically called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified. Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and a loud voice broke forth in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our God and of His Anointed One! He will reign supreme for an eternity of eternities!””  This is the great city of Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified, symbolically called Sodom and represents the spiritually dead and the corrupt religious systems of this world.  The kingdom of this world is the kingdom of finance, culture and government, both religious and secular.  The end of the kingdom of this world is that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father and thus the kingdom of this world shall become the Kingdom of our God and of His Anointed One!  

Hallelujah!

Freed in Christ from the Law of Sin & Death

 “This shall be written for the generation to come: And the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭102‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The psalmist wrote, “Write all this down for the coming generation, so re-created people will read it and praise the Lord! Tell them how Yah looked down from His high and holy place, gazing from His glory to survey the earth. He listened to all the groaning of His people longing to be free, and He set loose the sons of death to experience life.”  By writing this down, the psalmist foresaw those born anew, born again, new creatures in Christ.  Yah is the Name of the God of Power.  It took the God of Power to raise the Son of Man from the dead, with Resurrection Power.  Sin, death and hell were conquered and removed from the equation which the accuser of the brethren used to bring mankind under condemnation.  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.  Hallelujah!

God’s Revelation is Like Honey

 “And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ KJV

As John was told, “I took the little scroll from the hand of the mighty angel and ate it. Indeed, it was sweet as honey to taste, but after I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter. Then they said to me, “You must go back and prophesy again to many peoples, and nations, and languages, and kings!””  Honey is a picture of revelation knowledge as David wrote “The rarest treasures of life are found in His truth. That’s why God’s Word is prized like others prize the finest gold. Sweeter also than honey are His living words— sweet words dripping from the honeycomb!”  The prophet Ezekiel was told the same, to eat the scroll and it would be sweet in the mouth but sour in the stomach.  Givers of good news have it sweet to speak but persecution comes from those who hear and find it unpalatable.  Here, God is giving encouragement to John that he would be freed from his exile on Patmos to yet prophesy to us today through his writings.  It is the fear of persecution that stops many believers from giving the Gospel but let us remember the joy of having Jesus with us always, in every trial and tribulation, and the promise of every spiritual blessing in heavenly places being ours.  Amen!

God’s Mercy & Judgment in Christ

 “I will sing of mercy and judgment: Unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely In a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭101‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David’s poetic praise, “Lord, I will sing about your faithful love for me. My song of praise will have your justice as its theme. I’m trying my best to walk in the way of integrity, especially in my own home. But I need your help! I’m wondering, Lord, when will you appear?”  David understood God’s holiness that mercy and judgment require God’s chosen people to walk in integrity.  This foreshadowed God’s new covenant through Christ’s Cross where mercy triumphed over judgment as Jesus, the Son of Man took the judgment for all mankind’s sin to make us sons and daughters of the Most High God.  What amazing love is this that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Let’s be those who believe in this awesome love, but for those who reject Christ’s sacrifice, judgment will overtake the mercy God showed in Christ.  Amen!

Deep Calls Unto Deep

 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As John saw, “Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that fell from heaven to earth, and he was handed the key to the shaft leading down to the pit of the deep.”  This bottomless pit or the well of the abyss is the same as how Genesis began when the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  Jesus is the One Who holds the keys of death and Hades, for He unlocked both and walked out triumphantly in resurrection power.  Many things are opened in Revelation - heaven, doors, books - with the purpose of releasing new understanding or revelation.  There is a deep place in the human heart, like a pit, that Jesus opens, so that we can see what has been there inside us.  What a privilege we have that through the Cross, the depth of our heart can be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and be filled with the love of God by the mighty Holy Spirit.  Let’s be filled with the fire and passion for our Lord Jesus Christ as He has for each of us who believe in His great sacrifice on our behalf.  Amen!

Rejoicing with Gratitude

 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

By tradition David wrote this psalm and it was very likely used in Temple worship when a "thank offering" was made, which was a voluntary sacrifice of thanksgiving, as it says in Leviticus.   “You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His Presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful Name! For Yahweh is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And He is famous for His faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for He keeps His promises to every generation!”  The only way to know God in Christ and have intimacy with Him is what David said and what Paul said in the new covenant, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it.”  Let’s always be thankful and full of joy.  Amen!

Being Purified

 “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John saw the unimaginable sounds, “Then the angel filled the golden incense burner with coals of fire from the altar and hurled it onto the earth, releasing great peals of thunder, voices, lightning flashes, and an earthquake.”  As our prayers, mixed with th intercession of our High Priest, Jesus, ascend in the Spirit, the very coals of fire from the altar are cast into the earth, which releases mighty power.  The voices carry the Word of the Lord.  The thunder manifests God’s power.  As Job said, “who can understand the thunder of God’s power?”  The lightening strikes divine truth.  As the psalmist said, “His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles.”  A great earthquake shakes the kingdom of men to its foundations.  These are not acts of judgment, but purification.  Jesus Himself said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already ablaze with fiery passion for God!”  Let all believers be ready for Jesus’s coming and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to be purified day by day as His consecrated and set apart chosen people.  Amen!

Jesus - the Name Above Every Name

 “Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: Thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭99‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The psalmist says, “God, the great forgiver, answered their prayers, yet He would punish them when they went astray. Keep exalting the Lord our God facedown before His glory-throne, for He is great and holy!”  Although there is no name for the writer of this psalm, some traditions say it is David.  David knew the power of forgiveness for he said elsewhere of the LORD God that He forgives all our iniquity, and heals all our diseases!  Through the Blood of God’s Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of His overflowing kindness.  Jesus Himself, brought us His  wonderful new agreement; of His sprinkled Blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.  That is why He is worthy to be exalted, worthy to be worshipped, night and day, at all times and in all places.  Jesus alone is the Name to be lifted up for His is the Name above all names.  Amen!