Tag: testimony of Jesus
Woe on the earth–rejoicing in heaven!
Scripture reading for December 16th: Job 8-11, Revelation 12
Revelation 12: 9-12 “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows his time is short.”
John describes a war in heaven where God’s angels led by Michael fight against the dragon and his angels. This ‘war’ is no contest and the dragon and his angels are cast out from heaven and down to earth. This is the ancient serpent, the one who deceived Adam and beguiled Eve. The announcement of victory in heaven is the declaration that the salvation, power and authority of Christ have come. This is cause for great rejoicing in heaven and all who dwell there. It is a cause of great woe on earth as the devil has come down to torment them. His allotted time, set by God, is short!
Revelation 12:17 “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that those who have the testimony of Jesus and the protection of Jesus’ blood are overcomers. Thank You for setting the times and seasons of Your redemptive plan. Thank You for revealing to Your people these plans, even the man of faith, Job. Use me today to declare Your plan of salvation through Jesus Christ that all might be saved from the coming wrath and out of the present war.
Job 10:11-13 “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has preserved my spirit. Yet these things You hid in Your heart; I know that this was Your purpose.”
Prophesy: The testimony of Jesus Christ
Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 19
Key Scriptures: Revelation 19:9-10 “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.”
John is nearing the culmination of his time in heaven after entering the open door he saw while worshiping on the Isle of Patmos. He was told to write what he saw and is again invited to write down a blessing: “Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This angel had followed the vision John had of the Lord reigning and the announcement of the marriage of the Lamb and the bride being made ready with fine linen. John was so overcome, that he fell down to worship the angel, and was admonished by him not to do that. This angel was a fellow-servant, not God and not to be worshiped! It was Jesus Christ alone Who deserved all worship. His testimony was the spirit of all prophesy that had been presented to John to write down. John must keep his worship for Jesus alone and give a clear prophetic message of Jesus Christ as Lord.
Revelation 19:11-13 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a Name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the Name by which He is called is The Word of God.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, Thank You for this prophesy and revelation of Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me a testimony of Jesus Christ to share with the world and to help me overcome the world system of Babylon, my flesh, and the devil. I ask for continued grace to share my testimony of Jesus and speak prophetically to this lost world that Your will may be done on earth as in heaven! I want to be with Jesus Christ when He returns!
Revelation 19:14-16 “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The spirit of prophesy
Scripture reading for December 25th: Job 31-33, Psalm 102, Revelation 19
Key Scriptures: Revelation 19:9-10 “And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true Words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.”
John was commanded by an angel to write down the “true Words of God” which was a blessing upon those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. This statement caused John to fall down at the angels feet in worship. Then angel then admonished John concerning worship. God is the only One worthy of worship. Angels are simply fellow-servants of God and of those holding the testimony of Jesus. Those believers holding the testimony of Jesus Christ as Lord and faith in the sacrifice the Lamb of God held the true spirit of prophesy. They were destined for the wedding supper and would be eternally blessed!
Psalm 102:27-28 “. . .but You are the same, and Your years have no end. The children of Your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I worship You and thank the Father for the invitation to the wedding supper You will provide for me and all who hold Your testimony. May I declare prophetically Your testimony to the world I live in today.
Job 33:28 “‘He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.'”
Hallelujah!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 19
During the Christmas season, I love to listen to the classic “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah”. This famous piece of classical music is take from the 19th chapter of Revelation. This is the only passage in the New Testament where the Hebrew word “Hallelujah” (Praise the Lord) is used, and four times! It is used by angels, but here mainly by the redeemed saints of Heaven as they witness the final destruction of Babylon!
“And I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.”” “And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne and they cried, “Amen, Hallelujah!”(Revelation 19:1-4)
John heard loud shouting from a great multitude in heaven! This “Pentecostal” style of worship came from saints seeing justice done on their behalf! They were celebrating God’s vengeance on the evil world system that had persecuted and killed them. The smoke of their torment will go up for ever and ever! Even the elders and four living creatures worshiped God with loud cries!
John then heard the multitude shout once again, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready.”. . . .”Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:6-7, 9)
The King of Kings!
Scripture reading for December 28th: Revelation 19:1-21
Following the announcement of Babylon’s sudden fall, John heard the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.” (Revelation 19:1-2) Heaven’s multitudes rejoiced in God’s judgments. These had come out of the tribulation and had remained true to God and now were seeing God’s justice in action. The elders around the throne agreed with this worship and cried, “Amen, Hallelujah!”
Next, John heard a great multitude shouting in response to a command from the throne to praise God, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Revelation 19:6-8) The next event was the wedding of the Lamb and the bride was made ready. The wedding garments of fine linen, were the righteous acts of the saints! The deeds of this great multitude would be their clothing at the event. No one would be allowed at the wedding supper without a proper garment! (Matthew 22:11-14) Those invited to this banquet would be blessed! (Revelation 19:9)
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider was called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on His head are many crowns. He has a name that no one knows but Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. . .On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)
The heavenly Bridegroom comes on a white horse. He is no longer the Lamb, but now is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He will rule the nations and judge those who have not come under His authority. Is He your King?