August 2007
This Month's Vew focuses
on the victorious Christian life available
to you. The Holy Spirit is present
in this world to spark a new reality of
Christ's overcoming life. Jesus said, “In
this world you will have tribulation: but
be courageous, I have overcome the world.”
1 He provides us the
ability to overcome the many trials and
sorrows of life.
Greater Is He In You
We become overcomers in
this life by taking hold of the past, present
and future victory of Jesus Christ, obtained
through His death, burial and resurrection.
It is time to turn from our passivity to
the reality of Christ's victory being
ours. "For every child of God defeats
this evil world by trusting Christ to give
the victory. And the ones who win this battle
against the world are the ones who believe
that Jesus is the Son of God." 2
As we mature in Christ,
our victory over sin, self and satan
becomes a greater and greater reality. "You
are of God, little children, and have overcome
them; because greater is He that is in you,
than he that is in the world." 3
We are expected to grow
as Christians from little children, to young
men and even fathers in the faith, taking
hold of satan's defeat. The Apostle John
wrote: “...this world is fading away,
along with everything it craves. But if
you do the will of God, you will live forever."4
The Revelation of Christ
The book of The Revelations of Jesus Christ promises
a blessing to “...the one who reads
this prophecy to the church, and He blesses
all who listen to it and obey what it says.
For the time is near when these things will
happen.” 5 It
is faith in the revelation of Jesus Christ
that gives us the ability in our hearts
and minds to overcome the world, the flesh
and the devil.
The Revelation is from Jesus Christ, and
from the sevenfold Spirit before the throne.
6 The Spirit reveals
how Jesus overcame and overcomes the world
powers, the spirit of anti-christ, giving
us victory over sin, death and the grave.
That is, the power of Jesus Christ and the
sevenfold Spirit is greater than the seven-headed
Dragon [satan], who gives power to the seven-headed
Beast [the world powers], becoming principalities,
powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual
wickedness in high places-- the spirit that
speaks through the False Prophet or the
anti-spirit.
The Apostle records a vision of the glorified
Christ standing in the midst of us --the
church. 7 “He
was wearing a long robe with a gold sash
across His chest. His head and His hair was
white like wool, as white as snow.
And His eyes were bright like flames of
fire. His feet were as bright as bronze
refined in a furnace, and His voice thundered
like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars
[angels] in His right hand, and a sharp
two-edged sword came forth from His mouth.
And His face was as bright as the sun in
it's brilliance.” 8
Jesus Speaking to Us
Jesus says, "Don't be afraid! I am
the First and the Last. I am the living
one who died. Look, I am alive forever and
ever! And I hold the keys of death and the
grave." 9 He
promises to those who overcome the following:
They will eat from the tree of life; 10
they will not be hurt by the second death;
11 they will
eat of the hidden manna, and will receive
a white stone with a new name written on
it; 12 they shall receive
His power over the nations, to rule
with Him and shall receive the morning star; 13
their name shall be confessed before the
Father; 14 they
will be made a pillar in the temple and
be given His new name; 15 they
will sit with Jesus on His throne; 16
they will inherit all things .17
But to the unbeliever, He promises “They
will be judged according to their deeds.
And death and the grave were thrown into
the lake of fire. This is the second death
--the lake of fire. And anyone whose name
was not found in the Book of Life was thrown
into the lake of fire.” 18
“The cowards who turn away from me,
and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers
and the immoral, and those who practice
witchcraft, and idol worshippers and
all liars -- their doom is in the lake that
burns with fire and sulfur. This is the
second death." 19
The Second Death
Recently I was asked about
the second death. My answer was simple.
If your are only born once [that is, physically],
you will die twice [not only physically,
but spiritually], which is the second death.
But if you are born twice [physically and
spiritually],you only die once [physically], unless
Jesus comes in your lifetime. This is why
Jesus told Nicodemus "Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." He went on to say "...a
man must be born of water [physically] and
of the Spirit [Spiritually], or he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God." 20
The Apostle Paul wrote,
"Don't you know that those who do wrong
will have no share in the kingdom of God?
Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge
in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers,
adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals,
thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers,
and swindlers -- none of these will have
a share in the kingdom of God. There was
a time when some of you were just like that,
but now your sins have been washed away,
and you have been set apart for God. You
have been made right with God because of
what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit
of our God has done for you." 21
As an unbeliever, you will
experience the second death unless you confess
and trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your
sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
22 If you reject
the punishment that Jesus took for your
sin on the Cross, you will have to take
the punishment yourself by a second death.
I pray you will be saved by trusting in
Jesus.
A Two-Edged Sword
As you see, the Gospel
of Jesus Christ is not good news for everyone,
but a two-edged sword. The writer of the
book of Hebrews says: "...the word
of God is full of living power. It is sharper
than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into
our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes
us for what we really are. Nothing in all
creation can hide from Him. Everything is
naked and exposed before His eyes.
This is the God to whom we must explain
all that we have done.” 23
The two-edged sword circumcises
the heart of those who receive Christ, 24
but for those who reject Him, the Apostle
John writes of a coming judgment. "From
His mouth came a sharp sword, and with it
He struck down the nations. He ruled them
with an iron rod, and He trod the winepress
of the fierce Almighty God. On His robe
and thigh was written this title: King of
kings and Lord of lords." 25
The book of The Revelation
of Jesus Christ is written to seven churches
of the Apostle John's days, but speak
clearly to us today. To every church, the
promise to overcomers is given to "He
that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.” 26
Whether you are a believer or not, it is
time to listen to the Holy Spirit. He is
the only one who can reveal Jesus Christ
to you in a meaningful way. "And the
Spirit and the bride say, Come, And let
him that hears say, Come. And let him that
thirsts come." And whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely." 27
A Prayer For You...
Heavenly Father, I believe
that Jesus paid the price for my sin with
His blood, and He took my punishment for
sin at the cross. I believe You forgave
me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness
so that I can now stand righteous before
You in Christ without any fear, guilt or
inferiority. I believe in my heart that
You raised Christ from the dead to give
me a new and eternal life. I welcome You
to live in my heart and to live Your life
through me. Amen!
Scripture References:
1. John 16:33
2. 1 John 5:4,5
3. 1 John 4:4
4. 1 John 2:17
5. Rev. 1:3
6. Rev. 1:4
7. Rev. 1:3a
8. Rev. 1:13-16
9. Rev. 1:17,18
10. Rev. 2:7
11. Rev. 2:11
12. Rev. 2:17
13. Rev. 2:26-28
14. Rev. 3:5
15. Rev 3:12
16. Rev. 3:21
17. Rev. 21:7
18. Rev. 20:13b-15
19. Rev 21:8
20. John 3:3,5
21. 1 Cor 6:9-11
22. 1 John 1:9
23. Heb. 4:12,13
24. Rom. 2:29
25. Rev. 19:15,16
26. Rev. ch:2 & 3
27. Rev. 22:17
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