Spiritually bear witness
Our great Shepherd’s betrothal gift to His Bride is the Holy Spirit. He is called
“the earnest of our inheritance”. (Ephesians 1: 14). The thought behind that word
“earnest” is exactly the thought behind the idea of an engagement ring. We are
to display the Holy Spirit before the world to signify that our affections have been
engaged to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead” (Romans 7:4) Wherefore,
my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should
be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring
forth fruit unto God..
* THE SPIRIT SIGNS 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ,
and hath anointed us, is God. The spirit signs Holy Spirit is
poured out on us “Anointed” is our signature of God = security of
authenticity, divine.
* John 1:12 – His gift is GRACIOUS. 12 But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name:
* John 3:34 – His supply is INEXHAUSTIBLE. 34 For he whom God hath sent
speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
* THE SPIRIT SEALS 2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and
given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts..
The ancient world recognized the sealing of goods. This was the
pressing of a signet into soft wax across the opening of a document,
tomb, sealed box and so on.
Holy Spirit “Seals” us = security of divine ownership. He is our precious
possession. The seal assured three things:
* CERTIFIED the contents as authentic.
* SIGNIFIED the presence of the owner.
* VERIFIED the image of the signet was transferred.
* THE SPIRIT SECURES 2 Corinthians 1:22b and given us the Spirit in our
hearts as a guarantee.
* The Holy Spirit is also given to us as a pledge. God delivered us our
engagement ring = security of divine protection
*2nd, Jesus shows His love as HE KNOWS WHERE HIS SERVANTS ARE AT
ALL TIMES V. (4-8) 4 His servants are Directed – which tribe. And I
heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed
an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the
children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed
twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were
sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed
twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed
twelve thousand.
*3rd, Jesus shows His love AS HE WANTS HIS SERVANTS WITH HIM V. 9-10
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and
palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
* DEPICT GLOBALITY OF CHRIST’S REIGN “every”. Do you have a
global perspective?
* Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
* 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:,
* DEFY TOTALITY SATAN’S SECULAR DOMINION. Do you appear “not of
the world”
* Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent,
I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with
one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;, – see the
word “conversation” or ‘conduct” politeuomai. What would this communicate
to these saints?
Citizens of Rome were little fragments of Roman society. They:
1. SPOKE the language
2. WORE the dress
3. OBSERVED the customs
4. BORE the titles
5. KEPT the laws
* Thus, a clear concept came to the mind. Now, they were to use that
concept to know how to live in the World. “Romans were stubbornly
and unalterably Roman – never dreaming of being assimilated into the
people around them.” Acts 16:20-21. 20 And brought them to the magistrates,
saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to
observe, being Romans.”
HOW ARE WE TO ACT AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN?
Shared lives in the world as citizens. What is it?
* OUR LANGUAGE = word of God + prayer It’s different
* OUR DRESS = His righteousness It’s different
* OUR CUSTOM = to love others It’s different
* OUR LAW = God’s word It’s different
Just as the citizens of Rome were never assimilated but remained fragments
wherever they were – so we must be! Let’s do it and find some action items
from Phil 3:20:“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
* CITIZENSHIP — HEAVEN = we’re foreign – Settle that in our minds we are
only temporary squatters here.
* FROM WHERE WE LOOK = we’re waiting – Apekderometha “from down and
out” at Robertson Greek wars – all went, returned “on shield or carrying it”
* WHO SHALL CHANGE = we’re hoping
* Hebrews 11:13-16 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them,
and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out,
they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is
not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
DENY TOTALLY SATAN’S SPIRITUAL DOMINION
* 1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
he might destroy the works of the devil.
* 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
4th Jesus shows His love as HE SEEKS HIS SERVANTS WORSHIP v. 11-12, 15
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders
and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour,
and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night
in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
5th Jesus shows His love AS HE PROMISES HIS SERVANTS FRUITFUL
MINISTRY v. 13-14
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which
are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are
they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
* Predicted Matthew 10:22-23 “22 And ye shall be hated of all men for
my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:
for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities
of Israel, till the Son of man be come..
* Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment
was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded
for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not
worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his
mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and
reigned with Christ a thousand years.
* So, v. 15, Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve
him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them. – Jews in the millennium
6th Jesus shows His love as HE COMFORTS HIS SERVANTS FROM ALL
THEIR TROUBLES v.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
7th,Jesus shows His love AS HE REFRESHES HIS SERVANTS BY HIS
PRESENCE
v17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes.
THE COMFORTING VOICE OF JESUS
It is just like our Lord to speak to us when we need Him the most. His tender
“Fear not!” can calm the storm in our hearts regardless of the circumstances
around us. This is the way He assured
* Abraham (Gen. 15:1) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram
in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great
reward.
* Isaac (Gen. 26:24) And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said,
I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless
thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
* Jacob (Gen. 46:3) And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go
down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:
* Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:15–17) 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and
ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD
unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for
the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;
and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still,
and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not,
nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
* Daniel (Dan. 10:12, 19) 12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from
the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten
thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong,
yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said,
Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
* Mary (Luke 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:
for thou hast found favour with God.
* Peter (Luke 5:10) And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee,
which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from
henceforth thou shalt catch men.
EXPERIENCING THE COMFORT OF GOD’S SON!
The next time you feel alone and defeated, meditate on
* GOD HOLDS OUR HAND: Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not
dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
* GOD KNOWS US BY NAME: Isaiah 43:1-7
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee,
O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not
be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for
thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved
thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee
from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons
from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory,
I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
* JESUS STAYS WITH US: Hebrews 13:5 For He Himself has
said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. “Let your conversation be
without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he
hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
DO YOU WANT THE LOVE OF JESUS Christ REVELATION 7 Part 2 of 2