In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory – Ephesians 1:11-14.
What are the details of this inheritance that Christ has given us? This encompasses all of what Christ did during his time spent here on earth and his death and resurrection.
While here on earth the Son of Man built up a legacy of good works, humility, compassion and ultimately sacrificing his life, giving us the free gift of eternal life. His example is our inheritance. We are called to exemplify all that Christ represents. Accepting Christ and believing, grant us the free gift of salvation. Through the Holy Spirit given to every Believer this inheritance is guaranteed to the praise of his glory. This inheritance is already predestined, only for us to take possession of it. It’s there… just take it! No payment, no probate of will, no stamp duty, no document transfer or transfer fees, no lawyer, no legal fees. No stress. Nada. Nothing! Free!
The revelation in the form of a vision was profound and dramatic, hence the gifted writer of this book of the Bible, apostle John or who may be often referred to as John the Divine was skilful enough to utilize certain symbols representing a special type of writing called an apocalypse. John received four visions which could not be related in any ordinary language for anyone to really understand the magnitude and depth of the situation. John in his writing presents a supernatural and majestic unveiling of God’s eschatological or end time plan. It was a powerful and prophetic revelation to John. The language then had to be powerful, thus he had to find a way to adequately represent the message he wishes to bring across to his audience.
The Greek name of Revelation is Apokalypsis (apocalypse), which means to uncover or reveal; it is the revelation of things known only by God. The word apocalypse is associated with catastrophic disasters and events when the world comes to an end. The Book of Revelation is therefore written in an apocalyptic form or genre, which characterizes the use of symbols, numbers and images in the times of persecution. A part of this is connected to the ancient Roman emperor and Satan as the ultimate evil. This method of writing is also used in parts of the Old Testament; one example is the Book of Daniel.
Revelation 1:19 provides a guideline of the layout of the Book – “Now write what you have seen, what is, and what is to take place after this.” Thus, in chapter 1, Christ in the vision to John tells him, firstly, to write what he has already seen; secondly, to the things that are now happening in John’s time – the letters to the seven churches (chapters 2 to 3); and thirdly, what will come later, (chapters 4 to 22).
John states in his letter that it is a revelation to him by Christ through an angel. He was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day (Sunday) when he heard the voice like a trumpet instructing him to write in a book of what he sees and send it to the seven churches. John turned around when he heard the voice and saw seven golden lampstands, and in the middle he saw someone whom he described as the Son of Man clothed in long robe and a golden sash across his chest. In his right hand he held seven stars, and from his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. When John saw him he fell at his feet. But Jesus placed his hand on him telling him not to be afraid – “I am the first and the last.”
Jesus explained to John the mystery of the seven stars to be the angels of the seven churches, and lampstands are the seven churches. The sharp, two-edged sword coming from His mouth is the word of God. The number seven in the Bible means perfection or completeness.
John conveys a written message to all the believers who need to be in a state of awareness and to be encouraged. The message in each letter for the respective churches was an appraisal of the individual church, telling them where they were falling short in their relationship with Christ. This revelation was presented in the form of a letter to seven Christian churches in the cities of Asia Minor, who were appraised as follows: Ephesus – the loveless church, Smyrna – the persecuted church, Pergamum – the compromising church, Thyatira – the corrupt church, Sardis – the dead church, Philadelphia – the faithful church and Laodicea – the lukewarm church. Asia Minor, now modern day Turkey was a section of the Roman Empire. These Christians suffered persecution at the hands of the Roman authorities, for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so John’s vision provided comfort and encouragement and gave them the assurance that God was in control and the destruction of the Roman Empire, the force of evil, was imminent.
In Revelation the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments are introduced in chapters 6, 8, and 15. There are seven separate events of each judgment causing destruction to the earth and its existence. The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls are linked to each other. The seventh seal establishes the seven trumpets and the seventh trumpet brings in the seven bowls. As each judgment takes place it will be increasingly destructive and disturbing.
The first six seal judgments:
• First seal in verses 1-2: The conqueror
• Second seal in verses 3-4: Conflict on earth
• Third seal in verses 5-6: Scarcity on earth
• Fourth seal of verses 7-8: Widespread death on earth
• Fifth seal of verses 9-11: Persecution and the cry of the martyrs
• Sixth seal of verses 12-17: Cosmic disturbance, including a great earthquake.
The breaking of the seventh seal occurs in Revelation 8 and marks the second wave of judgments, the trumpet judgments: “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them” (Revelation 8:1-2, 6).
The following judgments take place for the first six trumpets:
• First trumpet of verse. 7: One third of vegetation is burned up
• Second trumpet in verses 8-9: One third of the sea and creatures struck
• Third trumpet in verses10-11: One third of the waters struck and became bitter
• Fourth trumpet of verses 12: One third of the sun, moon, and stars darkened
• Fifth trumpet in chapter 9:1-11: Locusts are released to torment people without the seal
• Sixth trumpet of chapter 9:13-19: Plaques are released to kill one third of humankind.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet proclaims Christ’s soon coming and ushers in the last and final series of judgments, the bowl judgments:
• First bowl in chapter 16:2 – Loathsome sores on those with the mark of the beast
• Second bowl 16:3: Sea turns blood and every creature in the sea dies
• Third bowl 16:4-7: Water turns to blood
• Fourth bowl 16:8-9: People scorched with fire and great heat
• Fifth bowl 16:10-11: Pain and darkness on the unrepentant
• Sixth bowl 16:12-16: The Euphrates river dries up ; time for the battle of Armageddon
• Seventh bowl 16:17-21): There will be a great earthquake and cities of nations will fall.
The Great Tribulation
In Revelation 7:4-8 after the sixth seal was opened – “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed…” In verse 9 speaks to the Great Tribulation – “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes…” The faithful saints of Christ will be resurrected and those alive will be taken up into the rapture to heaven before the Great Tribulation takes place – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and Revelation 19:7-9.
After the great tribulation, which lasted for seven years the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands, they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years, along with the 144,000 Jews, who received salvation by accepting Jesus as their Messiah. The 144,000 Jews will play an important role. Their work and witness will serve as an essential part of God’s redemptive plan to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth in the last days. This period is referred to as the millennial kingdom rule, which is literal and not figurative as some persons interpret it to be, based on to 2 Peter 3:8.
The 1000 years is to allow more people to turn to Christ. Revelation 20:1-7, speaks clearly about the millennial kingdom, a 1,000-year period four different times. Additionally, the Bible made mention in many other texts where the Messiah will rule as king in Jerusalem on the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). This reign will take place as a fulfillment of God’s covenant to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), to Israel as a nation (Deuteronomy 20:1-10), and to David (2 Samuel 7:10-13). Satan will be thrown into his Abyss during the period of 1000 years.
At the end of the millennial rule there will be a final rebellion and judgment as mentioned in (Revelation 20:7-15). Satan will be released from his abyss; there will be a short battle and Satan will be defeated along with his human army. They will eventually be thrown into the Lake of Fire. The unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne of judgment and thrown into the eternal Lake of Fire. Heaven and earth will be destroyed and recreated and there will be a new heaven, new earth, and a new Jerusalem will be created where the Lord will dwell with the believers forever (Revelation 21-22).
Imagine no more pain, no more sorrows, suffering, hard life, hunger, sickness. Ow! Wow!
Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.
Why conceal Bible prophecies in Symbols? And Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand” – Luke 8:10. Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.
Animals and their Parts
• Horse = Strength and Power in Battle Job 39:19, Psalms 147:10, Proverbs 21:31
• Dragon = Satan or his agency Isaiah 27:1; 30:6, Psalms 74:13-14, Revelation 12:7-9, Ezekiel 29:3, Jeremiah 51:34
• Beast = Kingdom / government / political power Daniel 7:17, 23
• Lamb = Jesus / sacrifice John 1:29, 1Corinthians 5:7
• Lion = Jesus / Powerful King i.e. Babylon Revelation 5:4-9, Jeremiah 50:43-44, Daniel 7:4, 17, 23
• Bear = Destructive Power / Medo Persia Proverbs 28:15, 2Kings 2:23-24, Daniel 7:5
• Leopard = Greece Daniel 7:6
• Serpent = Satan Revelation 12:9; 20:2
• Tongue = Language / Speech Exodus 4:10
• Wolf = Disguised Enemies Matthew 7:15
• Dove = Holy Spirit Mark 1:10
• Ram = Medo Persia Daniel 8:20
• Goat = Greece Daniel 8:21
• Horn = King or kingdom Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21-22, Zechariah 1:18-19, Revelation 17:12
• Wings = Speed / Protection / Deliverance Deuteronomy 28:49, Matthew 23:37
Colors
• White = Purity Revelation 3:4-5; 7:14; 19:14
• Blue = Law Numbers 15:38-39
• Purple = Royalty Mark 15:17, Judges 8:26
• Red/Scarlet = Sin/corruption Isaiah 1:18, Nahum 2:3, Revelation 17:1-4
Metals, Elements, and Natural Objects
• Gold = Pure Character Precious and Rare Isaiah 13:12
• Silver = Pure Words & Understanding Proverbs 2:4; 3:13-14; 10:20; 25:11, Psalms 12:6
• Brass, Tin, Iron, Lead, Silver dross = Impure Character Ezekiel 22:20-21
• Water = Holy Spirit / Everlasting Life John 7:39; 4:14, Revelation 22:17, Ephesians 5:26
• Waters = Inhabited area/people, nations Revelation 17:15
• Fire = Holy Spirit Luke 3:16
• Tree = Cross; People / Nation Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Psalms 92:12; 37:35
• Seed = Descendents / Jesus Romans 9:8, Galatians 3:16
• Fruit = Works / Actions Galatians 5:22
• Fig Tree = A Nation that should bear fruit Luke 13:6-9
• Vineyard = Church that should bear fruit Luke 20:9-16
• Field = World Matthew 13:38, John 4:35
• Harvest = End of World Matthew 13:39
• Reapers = Angels Matthew 13:39
• Thorns / Thorny Ground = Cares of this life Mark 4:18-19
• Stars=Angels/messengers = Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:4, 7-9, Job 38:7
• Jordan = death Romans 6:4, Deuteronomy 4:22
• Mountains = Political or religio-political powers Isaiah 2:2-3, Jeremiah 17:3; 31:23; 51:24-25, Ezekiel 17:22-23, Daniel 2:35, 44-45
• Rock = Jesus / truth 1Corinthians 10:4, Isaiah 8:13-14, Romans 9:33, Matthew 7:24
• Sun = Jesus / the gospel Psalms 84:11, Malachi 4:2, Matthew 17:2, John 8:12; 9:5
• Winds=Strife / commotion / “winds of war” Jeremiah 25:31-33, 49:36-37; 4:11-13, Zechariah 7:14
Miscellaneous Objects
• Lamp = Word of God Psalms 119:105
• Oil = Holy Spirit Zechariah 4:2-6, Revelation 4:5
• Sword = Word of God Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12
• Bread = Word of God John 6:35, 51-52, 63
• Wine=Blood/covenant / doctrines Luke 5:37
• Honey = happy life Ezekiel 20:6, Deuteronomy 8:8-9
• Clothing = Character Isaiah 64:6, Isaiah 59:6
• Crown = A Glorious Ruler or Rulership Proverbs 16:31, Isaiah 28:5, Isaiah 62:3
• Ring = Authority Genesis 41:42-43, Esther 3:10-11
• Angel = Messenger Daniel 8:16; 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26, Hebrews 1:14
• Babylon = apostasy / confusion / rebellion Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9, Revelation 18:2-3; 17:1-5
• Mark = Sign or seal of approval or disapproval Ezekiel 9:4, Romans 4:11, Revelation 13:17; 14:9-11; 7:2-3
• Seal = Sign or mark of approval or disapproval Romans 4:11, Revelation 7:2-3
• White Robes=Victory / righteousness Revelation 19:8; 3:5; 7:14
• Jar / Vessel=Person Jeremiah 18:1-4, 2Corinthians 4:7
• Time = 360 Day Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25; Daniel 11:13 margin
• Times = 720 Days Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5
• Day = Literal year Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34
• Trumpet = loud warning of God’s approach Exodus 19:16-17, Joshua 6:4-5
Actions, Activities, and Physical States
• Healing = Salvation Luke 5:23-24
• Leprosy / Sickness = Sin Luke 5:23-24
• Famine = Dearth of Truth Amos 8:11
People and Body Parts
• Woman, Pure = True Church Jeremiah 6:2, 2Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23-27
• Woman, Corrupt = Apostate church Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21, Hosea 2:5; 3:1, Revelation 14:4
• Thief = Suddenness of Jesus’ coming 1Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2Peter 3:10
• Hand = Deeds / Works / Actions Ecclesiastes 9:10, Isaiah 59:6
• Forehead = Mind Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Romans 7:25, Ezekiel 3:8-9
• Feet = Your Walk / Direction Genesis 19:2, Psalms 119:105
• Eyes = Spiritual Discernment Matthew 13:10-17, 1John 2:11
• Skin = Christ’s righteousness Exodus 12:5, 1Peter 1:19, Isaiah 1:4-6
• Harlot = Apostate church/religion Isaiah 1:21-27, Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
• Heads = Major powers/rulers/governments Revelation 17:3, 9-10
Bible Numbers
Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And throughout history, men with great minds, like Augustine, Isaac Newton, and Leonardo Di Vinci, showed more than just a passing curiosity regarding the importance of biblical numbers. Once more, Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are numbered” Matthew 10:30. Obviously, Bible numbers should be carefully considered.
1 – represents absolute singleness and unity (Ephesians 4:4-6; John 17:21-22.) (We presume readers need no more than these two citations, as most of the biblical information regarding unity and singleness is common knowledge.)
2 – represents the truth of God’s Word; for example, the law and prophets (John 1:45), two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1), and a sword with two edges (Hebrews 4:12). See Mark 6:7 and Revelation 11:3. It is also used 21 times in the books of Daniel and Revelation.
4 – represents universal truth, as in the four directions (north, south, east, west) and the four winds (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:1; 20:8). In acts 10:11, a sheet with four corners symbolizes the gospel going to all the gentiles.
5 – represents teaching. First, there are the five books of Moses. Second, Jesus taught about the five wise virgins and used five barley loaves used to feed the 5,000.
6 – represents the worship of man, and is the number of man, signifying his rebellion, imperfection, works, and disobedience. It is used 273 times in the Bible, including its derivatives (e.g, sixth) and another 91 times as “threescore” or “60.” Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26, 31). See also Exodus 31:15 and Daniel 3:1.
This number is especially significant in the book Revelation, as “666” identifies the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18).
7 – represents perfection, and is the sign of God, divine worship, completions, obedience, and rest. The “prince” of Bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives (e.g., seventh, sevens). (See Genesis 2:1-4, Psalms 119:164 and Exodus 20:8-11 for just a few of the examples.)
The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in Daniel and Revelation alone. In Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps, seven seals, seven horns, seven eyes, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven thousand slain in a great earthquake, seven heads, seven crowns, seven last plagues, seven golden vials, seven mountains, and seven kings.
10 – represents law and restoration. Of course, this includes the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20. See also Matthew 25:1 (ten virgins); Luke 17:17 (ten lepers); Luke 15:8 (healing, ten silver coins).
12 – represents the church and God’s authority. Jesus had 12 disciples, and there were 12 tribes of Israel. In Revelation 12:1, the 24 elders and 144,000 are multiples of 12. The New Jerusalem city has 12 foundations, 12 gates 12 thousand furlongs, a tree with 12 kinds of fruit 12 times a year eaten by 12 times 12,000 or the 144,000. (See chapter 21.)
40 – represents a generation and times of testing. It rained for 40 days during the flood. Moses spent 40 years in the desert, as did the children of Israel. Jesus fasted for 40 days.
50 – represents power and celebration. The Jubilee came after the 49th year (Leviticus 25:10) and Pentecost occurred 50 days after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2).
70 – represents human leadership and judgment. Moses appointed 70 elders (Exodus 24:1); The Sanhedrin was made up of 70 men. Jesus chose 70 disciples (Luke 10:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive 70 times 7.
Ark of Testimony
Ark of the convent/mercy seat where God dwell
Exodus 25:10-22 (127); Psalm 80:1 (917)
Balaam, doctrine of
Advancing our own interests, compromise, idolatry
Numbers 22:5-25 (259)
Beast
Kingdom, government, political power
Daniel 7:23 (1310)
Binding of Satan
A symbolic chain of circumstances
Isaiah 14:12-20 (1041)
Black
Moral darkness, sin, apostasy
Exodus 10:21-23 (103): Jeremiah 4:20-28 (1112); 8:21 (1120);
Acts 26:18 (1641): John 12:35 (1573): Joel 2:1-10 (1334)
Blood
Life
Leviticus 17:11 (191), Deuteronomy 12:23 (311)
Bottomless pit
Earth in chaos, torn up, dark & empty
Genesis 1:1, 2 (1); cf Jeremiah 4:23-28 (1112); Isaiah 24:1-4, 19 (1822)
Bow
Success in battle against evil
Psalm 7:11-12 (863); Psalm 45: 4,5 (890)
Crowns
Kingship, victory
I Chronicles 20:2 (682), II Kings 11:12 (619), Ezekiel 21:26,27 (1242);
James 1:12 (1774); II Timothy 4:7,8 (1750); I Corinthians 9:25 (1679)
Cup
Meted out suffering and judgments
Psalm 7:11,12 (866); 75:8 (912) Isaiah 51:17,22-23 (1088);
Jeremiah 25:15-17 (1146); 49:12 (1188)
Door
Opportunity
II Corinthians 2:12 (1693); Revelation 3:20 (1804)
Probation
Luke 13:24,25 (1521)
Eating the book
Assimilating the message
Ezekiel 3:1-3 (1211); Jeremiah 15:16 (1131)
Egypt
Symbol of atheism
Exodus 5:2 (93)
Eyesalve
Holy Spirit to help us see truth. Discernment to
understand word; Antidote for spiritual blindness
Ephesians 1:17-19 (1715), Psalm 119:18 (947); I John 2:20,27
(1791); John 16:7-13 (1578)
Faithful witness
Christ
John 18:37 (1583); John 3:11 (1550); Revelation 1:5 (1800);
Revelation 3:14 (1804); 19:11 (1821)
Fornication
Illicit connection between church & world
Ezekiel 16:15,26 (1229); Isaiah 23:17 (1050); James 4:4 (1777);
Revelation 14:4 (1815)
Four Beasts or Living Creatures
Heavenly beings with special responsibilities
Revelation 5:8-10 (1805), 6:1-7 (1806), 14:3 (1815); 15:7 (1816), 19:4 (1821)
In life we take a lot of things for granted, and often fail to recognize the blessings that God has placed in our lives. Most times we tend to only recognize our blessings when it is significant, or when we find someone in an unfortunate situation, then it is that moment that we are able to realize how blessed we are. Our ability to recognize certain life situations as a blessing, depends a lot on our level of spirituality.
Quite often when life has becomes a challenge, unknowing to us, it may be a blessing in the making. Conversely, not because something good and of great significance is happening in our lives, means that this is God’s blessings. This is something we must exercise caution about.
Obtaining wealth through dishonest means is sometimes mistaken as a blessing. This may be unknown to the individual receiving it. You might have been in a challenging economic situation for a while, and at last you are having this windfall. You are happy that your economic situation has taken a turn for the better.
An example could be someone presented with money or other valuables from a family member, who gained it by corrupt or fraudulent means. If the individual accepting it is unaware of this, it may not preclude him or her from criticisms or chastisement. If you honestly feel that something is not right, or it is too good to be true then do your due diligence to protect yourself.
Opportunities sometimes are not genuine as they are purported to be, and they are offered when we are in a serious need, or in a state of vulnerability. We accept these so called opportunities, thinking that God has finally delivered. We then end up in a worse situation than we were originally.
A typical example is paying money to someone in order to secure the kind of job you have been desperately hoping for, and then you realize it was a scam. This is why when we are faced with such situations, it is important to always dig deep into our spirituality, which will always guide us in making the right decisions.
God has a way to bless us in ways that we never expected. No matter how far we may be from him spiritually, he never ceases to shower us with his blessings even when we are not deserving of it. (Ephesians 3:20). When our blessings are of great proportions, it is quickly and easily recognized, and most times we do not hesitate to thank Him, and will go as far to thank Him publicly, through our testimonies or otherwise.
It could have been a situation where you almost lost your life, whether through illness or an accident, or it may be that you are now able to purchase your house, after a really difficult period of finding the down payment, and meeting the requirements.
Now let us look at the blessings that often go unrecognized. We are living our normal lives, and nothing of great significance is happening. Basically everything is fine, and as a result we take our living for granted; but the instant things begin to take a negative turn, it is then that we realize the blessings we were previously enjoying.
We must recognize and give thanks for life, good health, strength, our jobs, and our ability to take care of our daily obligations. Do we take time out to thank God for food and shelter, the fact that we are able to see, talk, walk, hear, able to sleep well, having supportive people around us, having nice neighbors, obedient children, fresh clean water and air around us, and nothing much to complain about? These are all blessings that are often taken for granted, until we discover persons who are just not enjoying one or many of these blessings.
When we are not able to enjoy one or many of these blessings, it may lead to a frustrating and unhappy life for us, especially if we do not find it necessary to give thanks despite our difficulties. But who knows if these challenges could have led to bigger and better situations in life. Often they do, and that is why it is always important to give God thanks no matter what our circumstances are in life, because it could be a test and preparation for an abundance of blessings or greater service.
A typical example could be someone who has lost his or her job. This can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. In this case the individual has the option of being overwhelmed by the situation in a negative way, or grasp the opportunity of starting his or her own business, which may turn out to be one of the best decisions. This could be God’s will and purpose for the individual, and when we are able to accomplish God’s will and purpose in our lives then what other blessings could we ask for.
If you are not employed, and therefore not earning, and you are able to take care of your bills and survive, then you should consider yourself even more blessed than someone who has to go out everyday to earn a living. God is providing, regardless, and he often blesses us through other persons.
We must recognize that life in itself is a blessing, even with the challenges it delivers each day. Most times it is these difficulties that are calling us for a deeper spirituality and a closer relationship with God, or to prepare us for the special calling He has for us (Ephesians 1:3).
Salvation may be defined as freedom from the power of sin. In this way you are saved for eternal life. You are no longer lost to sin. Explaining salvation to a non-believer the main aim would be to assist such an individual to become a believer. It is therefore important to deal with the following:
What is salvation?
How was, and how is salvation received?
Why do you need salvation?
What is salvation?
A non-believer needs to be aware what this very familiar word is all about. Reiterating the definition – Salvation is freedom from the power of sin. One of the most common phrases or terms one often hear is that – only salvation lasts forever. This is implying that nothing else lasts forever. You can think as hard as you can, but you will not be able to think of anything else. Knowing this, what options do you have? What is your choice?
In reference to the definition, the word “sin” is involved. One may explain sin to be acting against what is good and moral. From the definition of salvation it speaks of the “power of sin,” which is saying that sin has power, meaning it has great influence over what is bad and immoral, which inevitably spells trouble. One also sees freedom in the definition. The opposite to all this is bondage, or being restricted. If one means well for him or her self, what would be the better option here? This is naturally a rhetorical question.
How was and how is salvation received?
One might be curious to find out how salvation came about. It came about after Jesus Christ gave His life through the shedding of His blood on the cross. This effectively saved you from all your sins, because He gave His life as a sacrifice for everyone. You therefore have no need to be troubled because the price for all sins has been paid for in this manner. The only thing left for you to do is to claim it.
How do you claim this great thing called salvation? It is claimed by accepting and believing that Christ died to save you from your sins. This requires repentance and baptism, which is participating in the death and resurrection of Christ and is a symbol of cleansing and purification. It is being born again. This involves making the decision to do away with the old and sinful life and take on a new life, which is holy and acceptable to God.
Why do you need salvation?
You may ask why it was necessary for Christ to go through all this suffering for you. It was necessary because you are just not capable of consistently upholding God’s command, in order to meet His requirements for eternal life. This provision was made for you through Christ, the risen one. You are able to seek His forgiveness, through confession, when you fail in obeying His word. This is so because no one is perfect, and you are all born as sinners.
Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.
As a Christian you want to experience spiritual growth, joy, happiness, and God’s blessings overall. All this may not be possible if you do not know how to practice hearing from God. The ability to hear from Him better depends on how much you are willing to take time to listen. There must be total surrender of your thoughts, will and purpose to Him. It also requires a deeper and closer relationship with God. You must diligently seek after His righteousness and lean on the scriptures for guidance.
Taking time to listen
In the same manner that Jesus took time to listen to God’s next plan for Him, and what God requires of Him, we can also follow this example. Generally, as Christians we tend to do a one way communication with God. We do all the talking and we do not give Him a chance to speak to us. We do not practise moments of silence in order to hear what His plan is for us. During our quiet time is an opportune time to restore the two way communication with God. Make your supplication known to him and wait for answers.
His answer may be yes, no or wait. In some of our situations He will answer within a short period, while in other cases you will have to wait on Him. Patience is therefore required in the process. We must always be willing to accept when the answer is not what we are expecting as God knows what is best for us. It is important to note that we sometimes hear from God through situations in our life and from other persons conveying a message to us. Therefore we must be attentive and recognize when this is happening.
Total surrender
Giving up our self-will and allowing God to take full control and direction of our lives, is one of the most difficult part of the Christian life. We always believe that we know what is best for us. The interesting thing about surrendering ourselves to Him is that He tends to take us through a journey combined with the bitter and the sweet. Not many persons are able to persevere in such circumstances. When the bitter part of this journey tests our true abilities and trust in God, some persons end up quitting in the process, and lose out on His blessings.
If we insist on holding on to what we want and not what is God’s will for us, then He will allow us to have our way; but we must accept whatever consequence may follow. It is only through surrendering every aspects of our lives to God that we are better able to hear from Him, and in hearing from Him, act on what He desires of us. We must demonstrate that we are willing, before God is able to use us for His Purpose. One way to help us in the surrendering process is fasting. Making this sacrifice of giving up something, intensifies your focus on Him, and shows that you are serious in allowing Him to fulfil His purpose in you.
Relationship with God
Establishing a growing relationship with God is essential in hearing from Him better. This principle is simple when we compare it with our own personal situation. In your relationship with persons you interact with on a regular basis, it is obvious that the person with whom you have a closer relationship, whether it is your spouse or best friend, this individual is the one you are better able to understand and would be willing to share any experience or information. So is the reciprocal relationship with God. The closer and deeper this relationship is the more you are able to maximize your returns.
Pursue God’s righteousness
It is seeking after God’s righteousness that He will increase His favour towards you; and scripture supports this (Matthew 6:33). We may fall out of grace sometimes, therefore we need to confess our sins regularly and ask for His forgiveness to improve or restore the communication link. He will hear and grant your requests, according to His will for you. The law of living is simple, what you put in is what you get. The more you give the more you get. The more you do His will and seek Him the more He will hear you, and the more He will extend His blessings to you.
Studying His scriptures
The only way we are able to know and understand what He requires of us, and to know how to better hear from Him is through His scriptures. They serve as guidance in your daily living. His words provide wisdom and insight. Familiarity with the scriptures provides a means of meditation and draws us closer to Him
John is the author of the fourth Gospel, the Gospel of John; the three epistles, John 1, 2, and 3; and the Book of Revelation. In total John the apostle is the author of five books in the Bible. The gospel of John is not regarded as one of the synoptic gospels (Synoptic is a Greek word meaning “seeing together”). The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels, which means that they are very similar, while the Gospel of John differs.
John was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman of Galilee and Salome who is said to be the sister of Jesus’ mother, Mary. The apostle John along with his brother, James were two of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Prior to their call into ministry with Jesus, both men and their father Zebedee and apostles Peter and Andrew were all partners in a fishing business. They were on their boat in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called them to be fishers of men.
Jesus defined John, James and Peter as an inner circle of disciples (13:23-24). Added to this, John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (20:2). John and his brother James were given the nickname Boanerges, meaning ‘sons of thunder’, by Jesus because of their rash and aggressive personality. This is evident in Mark 9 when they forbid a man from casting out demons because he was not one of the twelve disciples; and in Luke 9 the brothers calling down fire from heaven to wipe out the Samaritans when they did not welcome Jesus. In both instances they were gently rebuked by Jesus.
Their passion and love for Jesus caused a temporary rift between both brothers and the other disciples due to their ambitions and youthful exuberance to be seated on the right and left hand of Jesus in the kingdom (Matthew 20).
John’s account of his time spent in ministry with Jesus takes a different outlook from the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. One could say that John may have been satisfied that the synoptic accounts were sufficient and so it is best to provide another point of view. Is it not fair for us to get another account and thus a fulsome report of Jesus’ ministry? We appreciate the fact that John took a different approach. We may also take the view that he was inspired by God to give his account in the way he did. Written in 100 CE after the synoptic gospels, the introduction of his book is based on what was taking place in the society at the time. There were the gnostics at the time whose view was that Jesus’ appearance in the flesh was not real; they did not believe in the deity of Jesus, thus John begins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…” John was responding to the controversy, and what some people believed and probably still believe about Jesus. John placed emphasis on the deity of Jesus while the synoptic gospels emphasized Jesus’ humanity.
Additionally, the diversity of first-century Christians – those of the world who chose darkness over light; the Jews in the synagogue who excluded the Johannine Christians; and the Baptists who were John followers and who viewed Jesus as less superior to John, motivated Apostle John’s writing as he did. It was a community struggling to find self, so John’s ultimate responsibility was to declare the truth.
Again, John gave his report on Jesus’ ministry predominantly in Judea as opposed to the synoptic gospels, which mainly covered Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. It therefore argues that most of the events recorded in John’s gospel would be the events of Jesus’ ministry in Judea. Some important facts to note are that only John’s gospel records Jesus washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:4-16) – Jesus’ simple act of servanthood; and the casting out of demons, a major part of Jesus’ ministry in synoptic gospels were never mentioned in John’s gospel. John included the resurrection of Lazarus, the synoptics did not. The Lord’s prayer, Jesus’ sermon on the mount and the parables were not included in John’s gospel.
John’s loyalty to Jesus saw him as the only one of the 12 apostles present at the cross (John 19:26-27). John played an influential role in the early church after Jesus’ resurrection. Paul referred to John James and Peter as the pillars of the church in Jerusalem (Gal 2:9). John is found with Peter going to the temple when Peter healed the crippled man. John suffered beatings when he joined Peter in preaching the gospel in Jerusalem (Acts 5:40-42). John passionately proclaimed the truth; Jesus as the light of the world; and he emphasized Love, and thus called the “Apostle of Love”.
After serving the church in Jerusalem for many years John moved to the church in Ephesus (modern day Turkey) and became the pastor there. While living in Ephesus it is said that Mary the mother of Jesus was with him for a few years. This may be based on Jesus committing the care of his mother, Mary to John.
John is believed to have written his epistles while in Ephesus, where he spent the last twenty five years of his life. The first epistle has no personal references and indicates that it was written in sermonic style to Christians all over Asia Minor. Speculation is that it was a circular letter, similar to the Ephesians. The letter expressed, “I write unto you, little children,” which indicates that, it was an epistle.
The second epistle is written to a lady, an elect lady, who has a Christian household which is threatened by the invasion of false teachers, and she is warned against them.
The third epistle is written to Gaius, a loyal friend of John’s; Gaius is warned not to yield to the false instructions of a certain Diotrephes, who seems to be a pastor or elder of the church who has disobeyed the commands of the apostle and snubbed certain evangelists whom he had sent to minister in that neighborhood.
In Ephesus John developed a special relationship with the other churches in the area based on his letter to the Seven Churches in Asia, in the Book of Revelation. John was exiled to an island called Patmos by order of the Roman emperor Domitian. There is unsubstantiated report that during a persecution in Rome John was thrown into boiling oil but emerged unhurt. In the cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos Jesus presented the text of the sacred Book of Revelation in visions to John, where he recorded the contents in Revelation. After his release from exile in Rome John returned to Ephesus.
Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.
Beyond the Word 