Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 22:7-17 is about the seven warnings and rebukes or advice to the church on the last days to be as perfect as Jesus is.
John heard and saw the true teaching, so he was encouraged to fall down to worship Jesus.
Luke 2:8-11,15-16,20
2:8. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2:9. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
2:10. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
2:11. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
2:15. So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
2:16. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
2:20. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
At the Christmas night, the shepherd watched over to receive the revelation of the Word that becomes the food for the congregation. The shepherd also struggles to lift up the intercession prayer for the salvation of the sheep. It is the main duty of the shepherd.
The shepherding Word is the true teaching Word that can be heard and seen, so it becomes the real form. The process is hearing the Word earnestly, understanding, trusting, and practicing it, so it is ingrained in our life or becomes the real form.
The shepherd hears and sees the shepherding Word, so he can worship Jesus who has been born.
John the apostle heard and saw the shepherding Word, so he fell down to worship Jesus who had died, risen, and ascended to heaven.
On the last days, the church must hear and see the shepherding Word, so we can fall down to worship Jesus who will come a second time.
The theme is that we must go to the pen of Bethlehem.
It means that we must be shepherded well and correctly.
The facts are as follows:
So, we can meet Jesus in the sheepfold until we become as perfect as He is.
The process is as follows:
God blesses us.
Revelation 22:7-17 is about the seven warnings and rebukes or advice to the church on the last days to be as perfect as Jesus is.
- Revelation 22:7 is the warning that is related to the joy.
Do not be mistaken in looking for the joy! There is only one true or eternal joy, namely in hearing and obeying the Word.
All joys which are outside the Word are pseudo. There is suffering up to perdition in it. - The warning that is related to the honor and worship.
Revelation22:8-9
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 angels, prophets, holy people, and parents, or others. We can honor them only, not worship them.
John heard and saw the true teaching, so he was encouraged to fall down to worship Jesus.
Luke 2:8-11,15-16,20
2:8. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2:9. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
2:10. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
2:11. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
2:15. So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
2:16. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
2:20. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
At the Christmas night, the shepherd watched over to receive the revelation of the Word that becomes the food for the congregation. The shepherd also struggles to lift up the intercession prayer for the salvation of the sheep. It is the main duty of the shepherd.
The shepherding Word is the true teaching Word that can be heard and seen, so it becomes the real form. The process is hearing the Word earnestly, understanding, trusting, and practicing it, so it is ingrained in our life or becomes the real form.
The shepherd hears and sees the shepherding Word, so he can worship Jesus who has been born.
John the apostle heard and saw the shepherding Word, so he fell down to worship Jesus who had died, risen, and ascended to heaven.
On the last days, the church must hear and see the shepherding Word, so we can fall down to worship Jesus who will come a second time.
The theme is that we must go to the pen of Bethlehem.
It means that we must be shepherded well and correctly.
The facts are as follows:
- We are always in the sheepfold, namely the perseverance in committing the three kinds of main service to God.
- Enjoying the shepherding Word. It means hearing and obeying the Word, so we can worship God as the Great Shepherd up to perfection.
So, we can meet Jesus in the sheepfold until we become as perfect as He is.
The process is as follows:
- We must go to the place where Jesus is, namely the pen of Bethlehem, the simple and unworthy place.
Matthew 2:1-2, 6
2:1. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2:2. saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
2:6. 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
Isaiah 57:15
57:15. For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
1 Peter 5:5
5:5. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Jesus dwells in heaven, but He is also with those who are lowly in heart and broken-hearted.
So, we must be more lowly in heart in the midst of the world where the people get more arrogant so until they become disobedient and lead to destruction.
As a result, we can always meet Jesus.
Matthew 11:25-30
11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
11:26. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
11:27. "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
11:28. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
11:29. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
11:30. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
That is why we must learn to Jesus on the cross. We experience the process from big to small until we feel that there is nothing of which we can be proud. We feel that we are nobody, so we can become gentle, lowly in heart, and broken-hearted. It is the place where Jesus is born. We find where Jesus is.
Being lowly in heart means that one can confess others' superiority as well as confess his sin to God and others. Do not sin anymore after being forgiven!
Being gentle means that one can receive the hard or sharp Word that shows his sin. He can also forgive others' sin and forget it.
As a result, the heart becomes peaceful. It is the strong base to receive the true teaching Word or Jesus--Jesus is born in our heart.
From big to small is the way of the cross like Jesus who comes from heaven to the world or the Israelites who go to Canaan from Egypt.
We can receive the way of the cross. It is the only way to the place of Jesus.
1 Peter 2:21-25
2:21. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
2:22. "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";
2:23. who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
2:24. who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.
2:25. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
We find Jesus as the Shepherd who oversees our soul and saves us, so we are not destroyed. Jesus heals the disease, exalts us, and makes all things become beautiful and successful in His time.
The failure happens when our heart is filled by self-desire, so we make our own way that looks better than God's. - Seeing Jesus.
Matthew 2:11a
2:11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.....
Romans 1:19-20
1:19. because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
1:20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
John 10:31-32
10:31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.
10:32. Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"
Actually, God is manifest in His creation since the world was created until He is manifest in our heart. He makes all things well in our life.
John 20:20
20:20. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
Seeing Jesus starts from His hands, namely His working.
That is why we must always see Jesus' nail-pierced hand, so His working is manifest in our life.
2 Corinthians 5:15-18
5:15. and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
5:16. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
5:18. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
Jesus has worked earnestly until He dies on the cross to set us free from the sin and perdition. If we can see and appreciate Him, we will be able to see His side, of which blood and water come out. We can repent and be reborn.
We can minister for God's interest, not ours.
[verse 16] The sight is also changed from the fleshly sight to the spiritual one. We can prioritize the ministry more than anything. We minister faithfully and responsibly.
As a result, we experience the atmosphere of Paradise.
It continues until we can see Jesus. For example, Saul becomes Paul.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
1:12. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
1:13. although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1:14. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
1:15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1:16. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
1:17. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Saul who was wicked is changed to become faithful and trustworthy, so he becomes the witness of God. He glorifies God. - Worshiping God.
Matthew 2:11
2:11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
It is the same as presenting the whole life to God. It is signified with the things as follows:- The gold. It refers to the divine nature, namely the fear of God.
Proverbs 8:13
8:13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
It means hating the sin up to perverse mouth, and just speaking honestly. - The myrrh that comes from the sap of myrrh tree. It refers to the blood of Jesus that redeems our sin, so we can be set free from the sin and live in righteousness.
Proverbs 10:2-3
10:2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.
10:3. The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
We are saved and blessed, even we become the blessing for others. - The frankincensewhose color is white. It refers to holiness. We can minister and worship God.
The relationship between the body and the Head is in the neck.
The neck refers to the prayer.
The example is the wise men and Cornelius.
Acts 10:1-4
10:1. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
10:2. a devout man and one who feared Godwith all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
10:3. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
10:4. And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
'a devout man' refers to the frankincense.
'feared God' refers to the gold.
'prayed to God always' refers to the myrrh.
As a result, God remembers and cares to give us the new way, namely the living way.
Matthew 2:11-12
2:11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
2:12. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Hebrews 10:20
10:20. by a new and living waywhich He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
It is the miracle way that cannot be imitated, thought, and blocked.
John 4:46-53
4:46. So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.
4:47. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
4:48. Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."
4:49. The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!"
4:50. Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.
4:51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!"
4:52. Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him."
4:53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And he himself believed, and his whole household.
The son of a Gentile who died could be risen. It means that the destroyed economy can be restored by the preservation power of God in the midst of the difficulties of the world.
The power to take away the impossibilities. All of impossible problems can be finished. The power to give us the beautiful and successful future. The destruction in marriage and children can be restored to become happy. One who dies spiritually and just commits sin can be changed to live in righteousness and holiness.
Luke 23:40-43
23:40. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
23:41. "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."
23:42. Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
23:43. And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
The criminal lives in uncleanness, evil, and bitterness. There is no hope anymore. He is in labor, heavy burden, and tears. But he can remember Jesus and confess his sin. When we remember God, He will remember us too. God gives us the atmosphere of Paradise and the heavenly bliss. He changes us up to being as perfect as He is when He comes a second time.
In the Holy Communion Jesus does not only remember us, but He also becomes one with us until we are with Him forever.
- The gold. It refers to the divine nature, namely the fear of God.
God blesses us.