Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 22:7-17 is about the seven warnings or rebukes and exhortations to the church of God on the last days, so we can become as perfect as Jesus.
Revelation 22:7 is the first warning which is linked with the happiness.
The true and eternal happiness is in reading, hearing, and doing the Word.
Out of the Word, all of joys are the apparent ones that aim at suffering and perdition.
The second warning is about honor and worship.
Revelation 22:8-9
22:8. Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
22:9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
We must not worship the angel, prophet, apostle, parent and so on. We just honor them.
The worship is just for God the Trinity in Jesus.
Colossians 1:18
1:18. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
We worship Jesus as the Head of the body. It means worshiping Jesus as the High Priest and the King of kings. So, we must become the priests and kings.
A priest is the true man, one who has ministry and ministers to God according to the ministry that He gives to him. He stands between God and the congregation for the ministry of reconciliation.
We just see God, so we never stumble in the ministry and we never fall into the sin.
Psalm 20:6,9
20:6. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
20:9. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.
A king is a man who always wins over the enemy, so he is unwilling and unable to be blocked in the ministry. As a result, his prayer is not hindered. He becomes the house of prayer and he is happy.
So, the priest and king refer to one who ministers to God in holiness, peace, and happiness, so he never stumbles. He is never hindered in the ministry. We keep ministering to God faithfully and fervently until the finish line.
Why do we have to become the priest and king who minister to God?
The requirement of becoming the priest and king is holiness.
Leviticus 21:12
21:12. 'nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
We must always be in the Holy Place or the sheepfold, namely the perseverance in committing the three kinds of main service to God, so we can live in holiness. Our body, soul, and spirit attach to the trinity of God like a branch that abides in the true vine. We experience the purification continuously, so we do not profane the holiness. We are always in the anointing of Holy Spirit. Our ministry keeps increasing, so we do not wither spiritually.
The results are as follows:
What must be purified?
Jude 1:11-12
1:11. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
1:12. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Keeping the sin is like the clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, so all things become in vain up to perdition.
Ephesians 4:11-12
4:11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
4:12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
If we are willingly purified from sins, we will be equipped with the ministry and the gift. It means having the tunic of many colors, so we are used in the building of the body of Christ, starting from marriage, shepherding, inter shepherding until the Israelites and Gentiles become one perfect body of Christ. Our life becomes sweet and beautiful.
Who may become the priest and king? The Israelites.
Exodus 19:6
19:6. 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priestsand a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
1 Peter 2:9-10
2:9. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2:10. who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
God gives the opportunity and His mercy for the Gentiles to become the priests and kings, so our ministry costs the sacrifice of Christ.
Do not trample or insult Christ's sacrifice! Do not reject to become the priest and king! Do not stop being the priest and king!
That is why, the Gentiles must minister to God according to His mercy.
The facts are as follows:
God blesses us.
Revelation 22:7-17 is about the seven warnings or rebukes and exhortations to the church of God on the last days, so we can become as perfect as Jesus.
Revelation 22:7 is the first warning which is linked with the happiness.
The true and eternal happiness is in reading, hearing, and doing the Word.
Out of the Word, all of joys are the apparent ones that aim at suffering and perdition.
The second warning is about honor and worship.
Revelation 22:8-9
22:8. Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
22:9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
We must not worship the angel, prophet, apostle, parent and so on. We just honor them.
The worship is just for God the Trinity in Jesus.
Colossians 1:18
1:18. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
We worship Jesus as the Head of the body. It means worshiping Jesus as the High Priest and the King of kings. So, we must become the priests and kings.
A priest is the true man, one who has ministry and ministers to God according to the ministry that He gives to him. He stands between God and the congregation for the ministry of reconciliation.
We just see God, so we never stumble in the ministry and we never fall into the sin.
Psalm 20:6,9
20:6. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
20:9. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.
A king is a man who always wins over the enemy, so he is unwilling and unable to be blocked in the ministry. As a result, his prayer is not hindered. He becomes the house of prayer and he is happy.
So, the priest and king refer to one who ministers to God in holiness, peace, and happiness, so he never stumbles. He is never hindered in the ministry. We keep ministering to God faithfully and fervently until the finish line.
Why do we have to become the priest and king who minister to God?
- There is the difference between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
Malachi 3:18
3:18. Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.
Not ministering to God, one is just like the stubble no matter how great he is. He is useless for himself and others until he is left when Jesus comes a second time, so he will be burnt.
Malachi 4:2-3
4:2. But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
4:3. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.
One who ministers to God with the fear of God, faithfulness, and righteousness is like the calves that grow fat. His life is useful and happy until he is lifted up when Jesus comes a second time. He judges the wicked with God. - The inhabitant of Paradise and the heavenly kingdom is the priests and kings.
Revelation 20:6
20:6. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 22:3,5
22:3. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servantsshall serve Him.
22:5. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reignforever and ever. - There is double promise of God in the ministry for our life now and eternal life.
1 Timothy 4:8-10
4:8. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
4:9. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
4:10. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Exodus 29:1
29:1. "And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish,
The requirement of becoming the priest and king is holiness.
Leviticus 21:12
21:12. 'nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
We must always be in the Holy Place or the sheepfold, namely the perseverance in committing the three kinds of main service to God, so we can live in holiness. Our body, soul, and spirit attach to the trinity of God like a branch that abides in the true vine. We experience the purification continuously, so we do not profane the holiness. We are always in the anointing of Holy Spirit. Our ministry keeps increasing, so we do not wither spiritually.
The results are as follows:
- Bearing sweet fruits sooner or later. It means that we are taken care of miraculously. We become successful and happy.
- We are devoted by God as His own apple of eye.
What must be purified?
Jude 1:11-12
1:11. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
1:12. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
- The spot of Cain, namely the sin of wickedness, so one has envy and hatred without a cause. He is not happy when the others are used or blessed by God.
- The spot of Balaam, namely one ministers to God just for getting the physical things.
2 Peter 2:15
2:15. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; - The spot of Judas Iscariot, namely one ministers to God, but he steals the possession of God, namely the tithe and special offering.
The tithe must be true,namely a tenth of the blessing we have received. It is the confession that we have already been blessed by God.
The special offering is the thanksgiving that we have been blessed by God. It is given according to our willingness.
Judas Iscariot sells Jesus. It means that one mocks and rejects the Word or the true servant of God to get the physical advantages. - The spot of Korah, namely the lawlessness.
Numbers 16:8-11
16:8. Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi:
16:9. "Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them;
16:10. "and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?
16:11. "Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?"
One who seeks the position will be never satisfied, so he grumbles, blames others, gossips, and provokes others to rebel against God.
Consequently, he experiences the decadence up to the bottomless pit, namely the lake of fire and brimstone. - The spot of uncleanness.
1 Samuel 2:22-25
2:22. Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
2:23. So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
2:24. "No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD'S people transgress.
2:25. "If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.
Hophni and Phinehas committed adultery and became disobedient.
Consequently, Ichabod happened. It means there was no the glory of God. They are ashamed and destroyed.
Keeping the sin is like the clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, so all things become in vain up to perdition.
Ephesians 4:11-12
4:11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
4:12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
If we are willingly purified from sins, we will be equipped with the ministry and the gift. It means having the tunic of many colors, so we are used in the building of the body of Christ, starting from marriage, shepherding, inter shepherding until the Israelites and Gentiles become one perfect body of Christ. Our life becomes sweet and beautiful.
Who may become the priest and king? The Israelites.
Exodus 19:6
19:6. 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priestsand a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
1 Peter 2:9-10
2:9. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2:10. who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
God gives the opportunity and His mercy for the Gentiles to become the priests and kings, so our ministry costs the sacrifice of Christ.
Do not trample or insult Christ's sacrifice! Do not reject to become the priest and king! Do not stop being the priest and king!
That is why, the Gentiles must minister to God according to His mercy.
The facts are as follows:
- Enduring in the temptation, sufferings,and poverty.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
8:1. Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:
8:2. that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
8:3. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
8:4. imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
8:5. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
We keep trusting and hoping to God. We love, follow, and minister to Him.
The riches of the liberality means that we can give in willingness to others who are in need.
We can give ourselves in the shepherding. It means obeying the shepherding Word.
We can give ourselves to God. It means becoming obedient and faithful until the finish line, so we become the pillar. - Not losing heart.
2 Corinthians 4:1
4:1. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
We become strong and of good courage. We do not stumble. We do not get disappointed and desperate as well as leave the ministry. We keep ministering to God faithfully and fervently.
We can always give thanks. We are happy in the ministry like Moses' mother who could breastfeed Moses.
Psalm 27:14
27:14. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!
We become strong and of good courage to wait Jesus' second coming.
Matthew 24:28
24:28. "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
It is like the eagles gather together where the carcass is.
Isaiah 40:31
40:31. But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
The carcass refers to the dead body of the disobedient people.
Isaiah 66:24
66:24. "And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
Jesus is crucified between the disobedient people. He is considered as the disobedient man.
So, the carcass refers to Christ's sacrifice on the cross to become the food of the carcass.
Isaiah 40:29-31
40:29. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
40:30. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
40:31. But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
The results are as follows:- Christ's sacrifice is able to bear all of our weariness and heavy burdens. He gives us relief and peace, so all things become easy and light.
- Christ's sacrifice is able to lift us up from the physical falling namely economy, study, and health.
Christ's sacrifice also lifts us up from the spiritual falling, namely the fall into sin, so all things are restored. - Christ's sacrifice is able to give us the new strength to fight against challenge, so we do not get disappointed and desperate. We keep becoming strong and of good courage to wait Jesus' second coming.
- Chris's sacrifice is able to protect and take care of us until not one hair of us shall fall.
27:33. And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
27:34. "Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you."
Exodus 12:5-6
12:5. 'Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.
12:6. 'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth dayof the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.
The food of the fourteenth day is the one of Passover, namely Christ' sacrifice.
God gives the victory. He finishes all of impossible problems. We just wait for the time of God. - Christ's sacrifice is able to bear all of our weariness and heavy burdens. He gives us relief and peace, so all things become easy and light.
God blesses us.