Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 11:1-2
11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
1:2. who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
The measuring rod refers to the one of the shepherd and the true teaching word which is entrusted by God to a shepherd to be preached to the congregation faithfully, regularly, continually, and repetitively to become the food for them, the strength, and the command which rules the things which they can and cannot do. It is also to measure their spirituality until they fulfill the measurement from God, namely the veil is torn or flesh does not sound anymore, so we can be perfected.
There are two things which are measured by the shepherding word as follows:
Ad.1 The temple of God.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
3:17. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Do not defile the temple of God! It is the measurement of the temple of God. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.
Physically, defiling the temple of God means that one smokes, gets drunk, does the drugs abuse, eats something that endangers his life, and commits suicide.
Spiritually, there are three things that defile the temple of God as follows:
God blesses us.
Revelation 11:1-2
11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
1:2. who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
The measuring rod refers to the one of the shepherd and the true teaching word which is entrusted by God to a shepherd to be preached to the congregation faithfully, regularly, continually, and repetitively to become the food for them, the strength, and the command which rules the things which they can and cannot do. It is also to measure their spirituality until they fulfill the measurement from God, namely the veil is torn or flesh does not sound anymore, so we can be perfected.
There are two things which are measured by the shepherding word as follows:
- The temple of God.
- The altar and those who worship there. It is the same as the Golden Altar of Incense.
Our ministry must increase up to the worship.
Ad.1 The temple of God.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
3:17. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Do not defile the temple of God! It is the measurement of the temple of God. If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.
Physically, defiling the temple of God means that one smokes, gets drunk, does the drugs abuse, eats something that endangers his life, and commits suicide.
Spiritually, there are three things that defile the temple of God as follows:
- Forsaking or leaving God.
Psalm 73:27
73:27. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
Hebrews 10:25-27
10:25. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
10:26. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
10:27. but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
It means that one forsakes the assembling of himself together and becomes unfaithful in the ministry even leaves it. He does not want to minister to God.
It is the same as the spiritual adultery and it will result in the physical one or falling into sins.
Not willingly ministering to God is the same as sinning which has two levels as follows:- Habitual sin, namely one does not feel sorry or guilty when he cannot minister to God.
- Intentional sin, namely one does not minister to God willfully although he has a good chance.
Consequently, one will be punished by the fire of the hell.
2 Peter 1:10-11
1:10. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
1:11. for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The true attitude in facing the Day approaching is that we must make effort solemnly to become faithful and fervent, and responsible in the ministry according to the gift and ministry that God gives to us until the finish line.
We exhort one another to minister to God, so we receive an entrance into the eternal kingdom of heaven.
There are many good advices in the world for studying, working, et cetera, but the most important is to become faithful in the ministry to God until the finish line. It determines our life in the world up to eternality. - Habitual sin, namely one does not feel sorry or guilty when he cannot minister to God.
- Hard heart, so one cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ or the true teaching word that is sharper than any two-edged sword of the Bride Tidings.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
4:3. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4:4. whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
He does not want to hear the teaching word or he hears it but does not practice it.
It is the same as rejecting purification.
Why does one reject the teaching word or Bride Tidings? Because of hardening his heart or keeping the sins up to the peak. He enjoys in sins up to perdition forever.
Exodus 32:27-28
32:27. And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.' "
32:28. So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.
The true attitude is putting the sword of the word on our side.
It means as follows:- Hearing the Word solemnly until we understand it.
We can be slow to speak. We keep silent or do the introspection in our life by the sharpness of the sword of the word. - Believing in the word, so it becomes faith in our heart.
The true faith is the brake, so we do not sin anymore.
We can hold fast the true teaching word. We are not driven and tossed by false teachings. - Practicing the word whatever risk may come.
We are purified up to perfection like Jesus.
We also do not agree others' sin although he or she is our husband, wife, or family.
One who puts the sword of the word on his side until he receives the number three thousands (being purified up to perfection) on a point will surely feel that he is left alone. Do not be afraid! God is with us.
This is one who lives in the mercy of God.
Romans 11:3-5
11:3. "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"?
11:4. But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
11:5. Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
The servant of God who is holy, faithful, and fervent is the same as the apple of His eye.
Zechariah 2:7-8
2:7. "Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon."
2:8. For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
We live in the mercy of God. We are free from the sins of Babylon.
The results are as follows:- We are used in the revival of the Holy Spirit in the last rain or the building of the perfect body of Christ.
- We are protected and taken care of by the great mercy of God from now in the difficulty of the world until antichrist reigns over the world for three and a half years.
- Hearing the Word solemnly until we understand it.
- Doubtful heart.
Mark 4:35-40
4:35. On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."
4:36. Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
4:37. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
4:38. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
4:39. Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
4:40. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
Our journey to follow God is like a boat crossing over the world towards the haven of peace, namely Paradise up to the New Jerusalem.
Crossing over means that we have to fight and sacrifice.
When Adam and Eve fell into sin, they were naked. Consequently, they were cast out of Eden to enter into the world.
Actually, we are not worthy to cross over to Paradise, but Jesus has fought and sacrificed to the point of death on the cross to cover the nakedness of the sinners, so we can return to Paradise.
Jesus must sleep and arise. It means that He must die on the cross and rise.
Why must Jesus die and rise?- To defeat Satan as the source of wind and waves in the world.
Hebrews 2:14-15
2:14. Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
2:15. and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
The fact is that we are not afraid of something in the world but have the fear of God. - Jesus becomes the High Priest or Great Shepherd who sits at the right hand of the Father God.
Hebrews 2:16-18
2:16. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
2:17. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
2:18. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
He struggles for us. He stretches out His faithful and merciful hands to finish our sin. If sin is finished, the other problem will be finished too.
Being silent meant that we do the introspection in our life by the sharpness of the sword of the word. Finding sin, we must confess to God and others.
Being calm means that we control ourselves, so we can be shepherded correctly and well, and we are not doubtful.
James 1:6-8
1:6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
1:7. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
1:8. he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
We just believe and hope in God, so we can pray.
Repenting and praying are the same as stretching out our hands to God or worshipping Him.
It means as follows:- Eye to eye. We just see God, so He sees us too.
- Heart to heart. We believe in Jesus, and He will be merciful to us.
- Mouth to mouth. We cry out for asking for help, and He will answer us.
- Hand to hand. We stretch out our hands to God, and He stretches out His hands to us.
2 Kings 4:32-35
4:32. When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed.
4:33. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.
4:34. And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm.
4:35. He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
God is able to restore the problem about marriage and children.
The dead thing becomes alive. Nothing is impossible for God.
Being calm is the same as peace. All things become easy and light.
Psalm 107:28-30
107:28. Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.
107:29. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
107:30. Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.
We are guided to the haven of peace or the New Jerusalem. It is the same as experiencing the renewal of life from fleshly men to spiritual ones like Jesus. It starts from being honest.
Proverbs 12:19
12:19. The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
15:51. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--
15:52. in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
If we lie, we will be destroyed in the twinkling of an eye up to perdition.
If we are honest, the miracle will happen. Our steps of life are the ones of miracle until we are changed in the twinkling of an eye to become as perfect as Jesus and we greet Him when He comes a second time. - To defeat Satan as the source of wind and waves in the world.
God blesses us.