So our church just began a study of the Book of Revelation.
I think it goes without saying this book tends to bother people and can generally stir up feelings of angst. The last book of the Bible’s a doozy by anyone’s standard.
That said, I want to encourage anyone who might feel this way about the book of Revelation; if you will read this book and commit it to prayer the Lord will surely bless you for it.
Did you know that Revelation is the only book in the Bible to promise a blessing to those who read it?
“3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” – Rev 1:3
Certainly we’d be blessed to read any of part of the Bible but isn’t it interesting that this book among all books of the Bible is the only one that states a specific blessing to those who read it? Moreover those who “read ALOUD the words of this prophecy”.
So out loud.
Why did the Lord have John write those words “read ALOUD”?
What is the significance of this?
I’m not sure I know. But I’m guessing there’s a reason for it.
In the final chapter of the book Jesus reiterates this promise of blessing.
Only this time to those who “keep” the words of the prophecy of this book, that is, those who guard the word heard.
“7“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”” – Rev 22:7
The Greek word for “keep” here is the same word Jesus used in John 14
“22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14
So Jesus teaches us that the Holy Spirit who was to come and is now here is the one who will “teach you”, and not just somethings, but “all things…” and as he teaches us if we keep the word heard he promises us we will have his peace.
Earlier in his ministry Jesus also said this of the Holy Spirit:
“37On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” – John 7
So Jesus said this living water, the Holy Spirit, would flow out of our hearts.
Not into, but out of.
What is the Lord saying here?
How might this give meaning to Revelation’s promise to bless those who “read ALOUD” and “keep” the words of the prophecy of this book?
Some final Scripture to chew on as you consider these things:
““The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me;
his word is on my tongue.” – 2 Samuel 23:2
“17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” – Acts 2:17
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” – Rev 22:17
I pray the Lord bless you and keep you this day and that as you abide in his Word you know his perfect peace.
Grace and peace to you all in Jesus’ precious name.
Brothers and sisters, do you ever get really discouraged by your lack of growth in things that really matter? In your sanctification?
You look back on your life and see all the sin that the Lord saved you from and then you look in the mirror and still see more sin.
More anger, more lust, more envy, more pride.
Be encouraged.
He’s not finished with you yet.
Take your eyes off yourself. Set them squarely on the empty cross and the empty grave and rest assured, the one who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light will finish the work that the Father has so purposed to achieve.
You can’t build this house. But Lord can. And the Lord will.
Jesus is mighty to save to the uttermost. His mercies are new every morning. Where sin abounds the grace of God in the face of Jesus Christ aboundeth all the much more.
So take heart.
If you stumble the Lord is able to make you stand and HE will finish this very good work that HE started in you.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
When you see the kings of the earth readying for battle, rest assured the King of kings is on his throne.
When you see scoundrels plotting and scheming, stealing and hurting, rest assured the King sees all.
When you grow weary of the darkness, rest assured the King, the Light, has overcome the darkness.
No matter your circumstance, live like a man who believes Jesus Christ conquered sin by his death on the cross and even death by his glorious resurrection from the grave.
Because he did.
Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of all lords.
Live like it.
That means eat your food, drink your wine, plow your field and love your wife with gladness in your heart and the King’s praise on your lips.
“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin,…”
Galatians 3:22 ESV
If the Scriptures are the good, holy and true testimony of God, and they are; why did they “imprison everything under sin…”??
Because faith in Christ is GIVEN to those who BELIEVE.
“….so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
Galatians 3:22 ESV
And even that faith to believe is the very GIFT of God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
And again, how does faith come??
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 ESV
And how does faith work??
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
Galatians 5:6 ESV
And how is this faith administered to us??
“But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.”
Job 32:8 ESV
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
John 6:63 ESV
So then who has bewitched you church? How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Was it by works of the law, searching the Scriptures for the right answers, or was it by HEARING the voice of the Holy Spirit??
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
Galatians 3:1-9 ESV
And for those hard hearted among you who are reading this and thinking to themselves “He’s downgrading the Scripture he doesn’t believe in the validity or authority of Scripture.”
On the contrary friend.
The Scriptures are the testimony of the Living God and every word, every jot and tittle, is breathed out by Him.
Jesus said clearly, it is not possible to believe the words of the Holy Spirit, that is the rhema of God, if you do not believe Moses’ writings.
Period.
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?””
John 5:39-40, 45-47 ESV
If a man says he hears from God but rejects the Bible, even one jot or tittle, this man is a liar and a deceiver. The Truth is not in him.
“But Kyle, “The authority you use in your argument is the very book you quote saying the book is the authority, how is that not circular logic?!”
Because we receive the book by faith!
And that faith comes by hearing. Hearing the very same voice of the Holy Spirit testifying that these things are so.
The Holy Spirit who is God Almighty. The one and only Authority.
The same Holy Spirit who wrote the book!
Every last word.
So yes we stand on the authority of Scripture, the 66 books of the Bible, I maintain they are God breathed, God’s own testimony concerning himself and his creation, they are good, they are true, they are to be believed…
But they are not the Spirit. They are not life. And THAT is why they imprison everything under sin.
Because it is the Spirit that sets men free. And he does this by the supernatural proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, him crucified and risen for the forgiving of sin.
For a long time I struggled with how I saw and understood God the Father. I viewed Jesus as a kind and forgiving friend, the Holy Spirit as a gentle and encouraging teacher, but the Father… I understood him be a task master, unapproachable.
I knew so little.
After Philip asked the Lord Jesus to “show him the Father” the Lord said the following:
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
John 14:9
If I knew Jesus as kind and forgiving and the Spirit as gentle and encouraging, why did I not see my Father the same way?
I don’t think it was until the Holy Spirit directed me to this passage in Deuteronomy that he finally granted me repentance and a right understanding of my Heavenly Father.
In Deuteronomy 14 the Lord is giving Israel instruction about tithes. And I’ll address that passage below but before I do I need to first say this.
For so many Christians the issue of tithes is so very misunderstood. We see tithes as a obligation or a duty unto God. But in the New Covenant, that which is in the blood of Jesus and administered by the Holy Spirit by grace through faith we are no longer bound by the Mosaic law. We have now come under the Law of Christ.
Now the New Covenant does not nullify the Law of Moses but rather fulfills it and all its demands. Moreover, it superseded the demands of Moses. The demands of Jesus are total and complete. Where Moses was a shadow, Christ was the fulfillment.
“17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-20
So what is this new law, the Law of Christ? And how does this New Covenant help me to see the Father rightly?
In Galatians Paul says:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens. So the Law of Christ is fulfilled in bearing the burdens of others…
Friends, who bore our burden?
What is not Christ the Lord?
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”
Psalm 68:19
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
John 13:15
So we see the Law of Christ exceeds the Law of Moses. Where Moses required giving a first portion, Christ demands all that you have. Not 10% percent, but all that you have belongs to Christ…
even your very life.
Where Moses was a shadow that was compelled by duty, “here’s my 10%”, Christ is the fulfillment that is motivated by love, “Lord all that I have is yours.”
And it was love that drove Christ to the cross.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
1 John 3:16
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:24
But ultimately, who’s love was first at work in Jesus Christ the Lord?
Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was to go to the cross, the Lord Jesus was overwhelmed with grief about what was in store for him.
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
So it was the will of the Father that sent Christ to the cross.
It was the love of a Father that would send his only Son, that which was most precious to him, to bear our sins on a Roman cross.
It was the Father’s love. The Father’s love.
So what does all this have to do with tithes? Well consider how God the Father explains tithes to Israel in Deuteronomy 14:
22“You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. 23And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. 24And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there, 25then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses 26and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
28“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. 29And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.”
Deuteronomy – 14:22-29
Do you hear the love of the Father here? Do you hear how the Father considers the frame, the weakness of his people and then…
bears their burden for them?
Why did the Father set down the Law of Moses and all its demands including tithes?
So that the Law of Christ, that which is administered through the Spirit by faith, which works by love, might one day be fulfilled in his precious Son Jesus.
You see the Father looked upon his people, he knew their frame, the number of the hairs on their heads, the days of their life he had appointed for them and in their weakness he made a way for them. And that way was by the blood of his own Son.
Knowing his great love would send his Son to the cross and the love of the Son would fulfill his purposes by the power and the love of the Holy Spirit, the Father could look at Israel and even under Moses… have mercy on them.
Knowing this love he shared with the Son and the Spirit would fulfill all his purposes; that the demands set forth by the Father through Moses would all be met in Christ by his own great love, he therefore lavished mercy and grace upon them. Upon them and we also, his church.
This is why the Father told them, “if the way is too long for you… spend it on whatever you like, whatever your appetite craves…”
The Father has no need of your tithe but he does want you to know his great love for you.
And it is only in the crosswork of Jesus that we know the Father’s love. The Father I once considered unapproachable, now bids me “come”.
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
And it is this work, the finished work of Jesus, that is now being wrought in his people by the Holy Spirit as they follow the example set forth by the Son.
No longer do they dutifully give their 10% as obligation but rather now being motivated by the Father’s great love for them they give all that they have.
They rend their hearts, the whole of them, moreover their very lives unto him, that by the cross and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings we might know the love of the Father in all its fullness.
Do you hear what the Spirit is saying here? Do you know the love of your Father? If you know the love of Jesus displayed in his cross then you know the love of the Father that called him there.
See Christ and so see his Father. See the Father as he is and he shall be a loving Father unto you as well.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guaranteed of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
The following is a message I shared today with my local body of believers. I believe the Lord would have me share it here with you for your edification:
Brothers and sisters, a word of encouragement I felt compelled to share with you all.
“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”
– 2 John 12
Yesterday wasn’t a real good day for me personally. I saw the news out of KISD and it was incredibly disheartening. It just seems like there is so much ever encroaching darkness all around us, it’s hard not become disheartened.
If I can encourage you all, as much as it is possible, and I know it’s not possible for us all; come to church. Whenever you possibly can, come up to our building and sit with your brothers and sisters face to face.
I don’t fully understand what the Lord was trying to convey to us when he instructed us to meet with one another regularly, or be with one another “face to face” but I do believe there is something there that he wants to bless us with.
We were made for communion. Fellowship with our Father, his Son and the the indwelling Holy Spirit. And more than that. For communion with one another.
I can’t tell you the number of times that I have been really beaten down by the world, disheartened and discouraged and then I’ve gone to church, I’ve seen the smiling faces of my brothers and sisters, we’ve worshipped in song, we’ve poured over the Scriptures with one another, shared and encouraged one another in the goodness and faithfulness of God and the darkness that was so heavy has been eradicated by the light and life of Christ in his body the church.
If you can make it on Sunday morning. Come. Worship with your brothers and sisters. Let the Holy Spirit minister to you and build you up through your brothers and sisters.
If you can make it on Wednesday night. Come. Search the Scriptures with your brothers and sisters. Let the elders among us encourage us and build us up in the nurture and admonition of Christ.
Men I can’t tell you how blessed we are to have the faithful leaders we do. If you would join them and sit under there teaching and know their fellowship you would be greatly encouraged in the Lord as you go about your week. I know I am.
Ladies, I’m sure the Lord will bless your time together as well.
I know it’s not possible for everyone, some of us have burdens that are too great. Please don’t let this be a burden to you, but only a word of encouragement.
If you are one of these people who really just can’t make it because your burden is too great. Would you prayerfully consider letting us come to you, that we might share your burden with you? Not for something long and drawn out but only to see you face to face, if even for a little while. To pray over you and to encourage you in the Scriptures that you too might be built up and encouraged in the Lord.
If you would like me and another brother to come and see you, please feel free to send me a PM. It would bless me to bless you.
Again, there’s no burden there. Only a word of encouragement.
In love, grace and peace to you all in Jesus’ name.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
The love that our Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit shared with another, from the very beginning we were invited to share in this love.
But sin stole into the world and set us against one another. Brother against brother. Flesh against flesh.
But now Christ has come. In the flesh. To put to death the works of the flesh so that again, by the Spirit of God we may again abide in him whom we knew from the very beginning.
And being found in him, by the Spirit, we might again share in this great love…
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:1-5
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1:1-5
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” – Genesis 1:1-3
“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” – 1 John 2:7-14
“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:11-18
“And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” – 1 John 3:23
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” – 1 John 4:16-21
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme… Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:13…17
Look, I know people are angry and I’d say justifiably so. But spewing vulgarities at the whoever sits in the Oval Office is poor form
To be clear, I believe the man who sits there now is a tyrant and he should be held to account for how he has so wantonly and brazenly violated the spirit of our nation’s Constitution, which is the law of the land, the law that his is bound to, subordinate to and tasked to uphold
But God Almighty appoints our governors and whether this governor sits in his office legitimately or by other means he does so by the sovereign hand of Almighty God
Be careful toward whom and how you express your anger, righteous or otherwise
“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’” – Daniel 4:17
I’m not saying not to speak against tyranny. You should,. Loudly, clearly and boldly.
But do it like Daniel did, like Peter did, like the Lord Jesus Christ did…
“Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”” – John 19:11
Prophetic Word of God 