TH E TRU TH IN HD

The Truth In HD
Faith Is
by Brianna Sherman
our belief in the One True King, in His promises - it is then that we lose hope. Losing hope is sometimes the final straw. They tell you that when you are kidnapped, or when you are trapped, or hurt, etc., that you need to hold onto hope - it will keep you alive! Faith and belief in the Lord's goodness and promises is our hope. Faith is our unless. Unless we believe.... Can you imagine what your life would be like if you didnt believe? Faith isSight I love that our church still sings hymns on a regular basis. We even still have actual hymnals in the pews! :) One of my favorite hymns is 'It Is Well With My Soul.' I remember the night my grandpa passed away just singing it over and over to myself as we watched him slowly, ever so slowly, go home to be with our Glorious Father. The last verse starts with "And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight" (emphasis added). I believe that's what David is saying when he says, I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord... He knew that one day his faith would be his reality, his sight, or his eyes as Chris Tomlin puts it: "There's a day that's drawing near / When this darkness breaks to light / When the shadows disappear / And my faith shall be my eyes" (I Will Rise, emphasis added). You see, "those that walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness" (Matthew Henry). After all, "Jesus has overcome / And the grave is overwhelmed / Victory is won..." (I Will Rise). One day we will surely see what we have so earnestly believed. Faith isExpecting This is along the same lines as the

V O LUME 3 , I SSUE 9 S E PT E MBE R 2013

If I were to ask you to define faith, what would you say? Maybe you would say something like, 'belief in the unknown' or 'trust' or 'hope.' Well, faith is all these things and more. So much more. Psalm 27:13-14 13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD. Faith isOur 'Unless' The phrase "I would have despaired" is added in verse 13 in the NASB (the part not in Italics above). Other translations add different things including "I would have fainted," because it seems like the original text wouldn't make sense without some sort of addition. Adam Clarke points out that "there is a remarkable elegance in the original" because "it makes an abrupt breaking off in the midst of a speech." Have you ever heard someone give a testimony or talk about something that made them really emotional? Sometimes sentences are left unfinished because the emotions are so strong. But the thing is, we, as the audience, usually know what they were trying to say. Or maybe they just got so lost in thought, in awe of what they are looking back on, that they forget they are talking to someone and become focused on something we just can't see. I've been there; I've seen these things happen. I'm sure you have too! And I really think that's whats happening here...read this again with those thoughts in mind: Unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.... It makes so much sense that way doesn't it? Unless I had believed... When we lose faith, when we lose

aforementioned 'Unless'. Faith isn't just waiting, faith is expecting. The word 'wait' in the Hebrew is qavah meaning "to wait, look for, hope, expect" (Strong's 6960). The Gesenius' Lexicon specifically says that in this verse qavah should be translated as "to expect." We are not just supposed to wait on the Lord; we are supposed to expect the Lord. A song by John Mayer comes to mind - Waiting on the World to Change. If I'm just waiting on the world to change, my life will go on as normal. I will continue to go about my usual day to day routine and wait. But if I am expecting the world to change, I'm going to be preparing for it, making preparations in order for the change to go well. You see, waiting is passive while expecting is active. Our faith shouldn't just be waiting on the Lord; it should be expecting the Lord to fulfill His promises, to show His goodness. What are you doing to make your faith active instead of passive? Are you waiting on the Lord or are you expecting Him? Faith isDifferent The Expositor's Commentary states it this way: "Faith does not falter, though it is keenly conscious of difficulties. It is not preserved by ignoring facts, but should be by them impelled to clasp God more firmly as its only safety." Just because I have faith and believe in Jesus Christ does not mean that bad things will not come my way. If that were the case, choosing Christ wouldn't actually be much of a choice now would it? And then that kind of gets into the issue of free will. And, well thats for another day. Anyways, faith also doesn't mean that I ignore the bad stuff. Faith simply means that when faced with trials and troubles that we handle them differently than the world. We don't give up; we don't crumble to pieces of nothing. Instead, we hold onto the Lord even tighter than we did before, we learn how to depend on Him instead of the things of this world, we grow. Faith should infect every part of our lives in a visible manner! As stated before, faith isn't passive; it is active...and different enough to be noticed.

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V O LUME 3 , I SSUE 9

The Church You Can Believe In Today: The Battle Rages On! By Bruce Wilson
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:12-13 NIV) God promises in His Word that we will have trouble in this life. Jesus said, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Mat 6:33-34 NIV) But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. (Mat 13:21 NIV) " have told you these things, so that I in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33 NIV) We all go through difficulties in this life, broken relationships, marital issues, financial difficulties, people losing jobs, their homes; some have difficulty paying the bills, confusion in life (i.e., hectic schedules, pushing our kids to be over achievers, some adults living out their fantasies or the lives they wish they would have lived through their children). We see death and destruction on a daily basis on the news around the world. Famine, poverty, sickness, and on and on the list goes. We, as a society, are in, what seems to be a whirlwind in life, like a dog that is trying to catch its tail. In Christian circles there is fighting over right and wrong, people who try as they may to distort the Word of Truth. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. (Isa 5:20 -21 NIV) Dear friends, these are all spiritual battles I am talking about! Recently I read part of an interview by Rick Warren regarding his life and dealing with his wife being diagnosed with cancer and he made these comments: Life is a series of problems: you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness. This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore..Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life..No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems: If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others. Verse 12 says, For our struggle (literally wrestle) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The root of our struggles in life are spiritual. The way we are able to fight the spiritual battles, the way we respond to adversity is based upon our relationship with the Lord and trust that His word and His promises are true. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col 2:6-8 NIV) We are admonished to continue to live in him! Christ. There is an old song that has been sung by many Southern Gospel Quartets called CANAANLAND IS JUST IN SIGHT and the words say:

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Moses led God's childrenforty years he led them, Through the cold and through the night; Tho they said, "Let's turn back", Moses said, "Keep goin', Canaanland is just in sight." And there will be no sorrow there in that tomorrow, We will be there by and by; Milk and honey flowing there is where I'm going, Canaanland is just in sight. Though we walk thru valleys, 'Tho we climb high mountains, We cannot give up the fight; We must be like Moses, we must keep on going; Canaanland is just in sight.

some with material possessions and wealth, and He does, and He has with many of you, He gives it so you and I will give it back into the work of the Kingdom. It is given for us to invest back into Gods Kingdom and His work. The devil, however, tries to deceive us into thinking this life is about us. It is, however, about God and His purpose! And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 NIV) Ultimately, the spiritual battle is in the unseen world. It does spill over into our literal lives, but it starts in the spiritual realm. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:13 ESV) Satan is not interested in seeing lost souls surrendered to Jesus, and he is not interested in seeing Christians grow spiritually and labor effectively for the Kingdom. He is here to devour souls and to keep the church from shining the light of Christ in this dark world. He is pleased when he see those who profess to be Christians that are less than holy, that are still steeped in sin and who are self-centered and their only cares are for themselves. He is also pleased when he sees congregations that are fighting within and that they major on the minors of church life. He does not have to be worried about them making a difference in the Kingdom. Brethren, if we will do Gods work in Gods way at Gods time with Gods power, we shall have Gods blessing and the devils curses. When God opens the windows of

heaven to bless us, the devil will open the door of hell to blast us. Gods smile means the devils frown. (Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries page 40) The Scriptural answer? Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (Eph 6:10 NIV) The war has been won by Jesus on the cross. We will still have to fight the battles of this life and against our adversary to gain the victory in the battles we face. There are up to 6000 promises in the Bible, promises God made to mankind. His promises are true and He is faithful. THE CHURCH YOU CAN BELIEVE IN TODAY stands on Gods promises!

For Christians today, glory land is just in sight! We are victors and God has given us victory through Jesus Christ. We are more than conquerors the Bible tells us. But in this life we will suffer with many kinds of trials. We are also encouraged to know our enemy and to know what our battles are all about. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:12-13 NIV) There are some preachers who are leading many astray because they preach a gospel of lies. Some tell people that God intents for them to be wealthy, healthy and wise and that they should not have problems in life. They are leading innocent people to think that their only goal in life is to have Gods favor on them and their interpretation of that is that everything in life will be great. They are dead wrong! If God indeed blesses

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V O LUME 3 , I SSUE 9

Revival: Escaping Temptation By Henry Scoff

The song reminds us that the very air we breathe for spiritual life is the Lord himself. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). The worship song is expressing this when it says, "You, Jesus are the air we breathe." I am reading A. W. Tozers book, And He Dwelt Among Us. It is teachings from the Gospel of John. Tozer talks about growing up in Western Pennsylvania and living in coal mining areas. He was aware of a safety feature used in the mines. They would place small birds around through the mine in cages. The small birds were far more sensitive to oxygen loss than a man. If the bird passed out, the miners knew they had a few minutes to get out. Tozer posed the thought, "If the bird could detect spiritual air, would he discover any in our churches or our homes?" The startling question is haunting to say the least. What would the spiritual air quality be in our churches? I contend that home and church relate. I cant simply seek God on Sunday morning to be ready to preach. I have to find myself in communion with the Lord throughout the week. For me, each day adds to what the Lord is saying and doing. Maybe on Monday He moves me to focus on some aspect of truth that isnt the preaching text but it is personal preparation to preach. What all of us must understand is that worship isnt the fix-all for everything that went wrong all week, but it is the expression of our faith to fill the spiritual realm with praise and worship that bring glory to God and brings down the work of the enemy. Worship affirms the priority of God in our lives and quickens our walk with the Lord. The Church and home connect because both are built on the spiritual lives of the individual. When we are not breathing very good spiritual air, then both home and church suffer as a result. The purity of our quest for the Lord is our priority. Psalm 115:8, in speaking about idols, tells us, That those who make them become like them, so the opposite of seeking God is seeking the self-made idol made in the image of our desires. In our spiritual life, Bill Clausen stated we will either initiate intimacy with God or we will imitate it. Im afraid that sometimes worship simply becomes a means of imitation instead of expression. We go in and do what everyone else is doing and it isnt really an expression of the heart. That is really why we, as the Body of Christ, need to cry out for revival! We need today more than ever before a move of God that breaks down all those self-made idols and that revitalizes our own walk and truly brings such a fresh infilling of Gods Spirit that wherever Gods people go, they impact those around them. One of the great issues we all face is the whole thing of distraction. What do we do with the distractions of life that are confronted day after day? Another way of looking at this whole issue is how do we understand the circumstances of life? Some people fall victim to every changing circumstance they experience while others seem to stumble a little but then go on. In 1st Corinthians 10, we are reminded of the journey of Israel and how circumstance affected them and how this should be a lesson or example for us. They all passed under the cloud and all passed through the sea, but all didnt find the favor of the Lord while they journeyed through the wilderness. While they all shared in these circumstances and all drank the same spiritual drink, Nevertheless, with most of them God was not wellpleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness (vs. 5). What we understand is this, how they viewed the circumstances was the issue. Some of the spies sent into the land only came back to camp focused on how strong the cities looked and how powerful the people appeared. Joshua and Caleb saw everything the others had seen but they had a different viewpoint. They said, If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to usa land which flows with milk and honey (Numbers 14:8). Hebrews describes this act of Israel as, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me (Heb..3:15). So we understand that when you turn a hard heart toward God, you are overtaken by that which you turn your heart toward. Circumstantial temptation comes to all of us throughout our lives. Its what we decide to do in that time that is the important issue. Our response is everything. We can choose to complain and whine and fall, or we can bear up under the temptation and turn to the Lord in faith. The moment of crisis can become a catalyst to follow Christ and go deeper in our relationship with Him. Have you noticed how often we are confronted with believing the supernatural in Scripture? Just when you feel a bit of ease in your reading, then along comes something like 1st Cor. 10:4, and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Jesus Christ was there providing for all their needs both physical and spiritual, and they got focused on the circumstance. Wait a minute! Do you really get this? The pre-existent Son of God was the leader of Israel according to Beet in his commentary on 1st Corinthians. There is the supernatural, Israel wasnt just a nation of people that were stumbling along like all the other nations of the world. They were under the supernatural leadership of Christ and He was their Rock. Now doesnt that draw to mind Jesus words in Matthew 16:18? I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church: and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. We know that the Rock that Jesus spoke of wasnt Peter, but the faith recognizing that He, Jesus, is the Christ that

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was revealed supernaturally by the Father. Look at the correlation, The Rock revealed to Israel and to the Disciples is Jesus. The revelation comes from the Father and is to be the foundation of all they do. While some of the spies saw only the size of the enemy, Joshua and Caleb saw the size of God. While some people are overcome with their circumstantial temptations, others see the Lord providing a way through. Rex Quick was a WW II vet who experienced hard times. He lived in a modest cabin in northern Michigan up until he wasnt physically able any longer. He had lost his wife, the love of his life, to death earlier and was alone. He had grown children, but they never came around. All he had left were memories. His wife and all they shared and a German P-38. He would talk about life shared with his wife and he would talk about the war. And the P-38 was the memory reminder for him. No one but two friends, I have gained, ever visited and listened to him, and they, in the final move to the assisted living facility, bought the cabin. Rex told Dale that there would be something on the table for him and simply asked that Dale, my friend, would remember. When Dale arrived at the cabin, on the table was a metal box and a key. When he opened the box with the key, inside was the P-38. Dale continued to visit Rex in the home and one day he said to Rex, "Time is getting short." Dale went on to talk with Rex about the Lord and ask if he was saved. Rex said yes. So Dale continued on telling the story of a man who went through trials and heart ache and war, but now is with the Lord. There is no promise that we will miss the trials and temptations of life; there is only the promise that the Lord will be our Rock and that He will be our way through it all. Through all of our lives we must decide if we will be entrapped by our circumstance. Or will we focus on Christ and follow Him? In verse 13 of

1st Corinthians 10, No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man: and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also so that you will be able to endure it. This way of escape needs to be understood from the context of the passage. We are confronted with Christ's presence with us through this teaching for all circumstances we face. When Israel faced the enemies of the land, they were never to look upon them as the final conclusion to the moment. Rather they were to look to their Rock who provided all their needs. Jesus' response to the confused Thomas, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me, reminds us that no-matter what we face, the Way through is always the living Way, Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 43:19, Israel was told I will even make a roadway in the wilderness. The wilderness of life can be devastating and if we are laid low by the circumstantial temptations along the way, then we will fall. Thats what the scripture said to us. Many dont like to talk about that possibility of falling. They just dont want to believe that God would let that happen, but they dont want to face personal responsibility and its consequences. Many did not enter the Promised Land because of their unfaith, while it was Joshua and Caleb who maintained faith through it all. Do we realize that our choice quickens or empowers the decision we make in our life? Those Israelites who only saw the size of the people in the land empowered fear in their lives, while Joshua and Caleb empowered Faith in God in their lives. What we give space to in our lives gains control of us. The context of the message is to remind us to avoid Israels mistakes and to always turn to the Lord in temptation. The only way of getting to that walk is through a real experience of the truth. We are talking about the type of experience that speaks in the

moment of temptation to us, so much so that we dont apologize for being Christian but rather we recognize as a Christian, I have what youre looking for" (p. 26 Tozer). And He dwelt among us. Then with this undeniable experience we face our temptations with the certainty of the Lord who is the Over-comer. Temptations come all the time as we travel this journey of life and faith, and if the Church is going to be Gods light for a lost world, its time we begin to seek His face for Revival that burns the experience of The Lords Spirit in us and sets us free from sin and death to walk in the power of the Spirit to bring great glory to God. Isnt it time to solidify our attachment to the Rock so we have this faith alive in us that looks all circumstance in the face with, My God is In Charge and I will stand on the Rock!? He is the very Air that I breathe and I will rely on Him and His promises to provide the way out because He is the Living Way and there is no other one but the Lord. Revive our hearts, Lord, and burn away all the fleshly attachments that just leave us weak in faith. Be our strength through the Holy Spirit, Baptizing us with fire and cleansing us to stand through all that the World throws at us, so we, your people, will bring great glory to your name because you are the very Air We Breathe!

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V O LUME 3 , I SSUE 9

The Power of the Word

By Josh Wilson

All scripture is God-breathed his power that is at work within and is useful for teaching, reus buking, correcting and training (Ephesians 3:20 NIV) in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly Very truly I tell you, whoever equipped for every good believes in me will do the work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 works I have been doing, and NIV). For the word of God they will do even greater things is living and active. Sharper than these, because I am going than any double-edged sword, to the Father. it penetrates even to dividing (John 14:12 NIV) soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and Do you think about the power attitudes of the of God at work in your heart? heart (Hebrews 4:13). Gods Do you think about the God word is alive. It is not a book, who created all things waiting it is not simply literature, and it for you to open yourself fully is not Gods suggestions for to His Spirits lead? Do you man. The word equips man for believe that the same power all things. The Word of God that raised Christ from the transforms man from one who grave is within your grasp? bears the nature of sin and There is no doubt that God dedeath to one who becomes sires to more and more like His do creator. We have this great Do you believe the same great promise of the word, that things power that raised Christ He gives us everything we through need for life and godliness His from the grave is within as we continue to pursue people knowledge of Him (2 Peyour grasp? - greatter 1:3). Yet I think so er many times we see the things than we can even begin word not as an agent of transto measure with human underformation, but as a tool constanding. How do we live in taining some great motivational this power? We have to truly thoughts. What do you think believe in Him. It sounds simwhen you read words like this? ple. And that fits with the simplicity of the gospel of Christ. I can do all things through But I mean truly believe that him who strengthens me. He is able. Believe that His (Philippians 4:13 ESV) Word is authority. Our soul has to recognize the power conNow to him who is able to do tained just in the wisdom that immeasurably more than all we we gain as we seek Him and ask or imagine, according to apply His word to our hearts.

We apply His word because it transforms and it is power. A.W. Tozer said this: Believing, then, is directing the hearts attention to Jesus. It is lifting the mind to Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives. At first this may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we look steadily at His wondrous person, quietly and without strain. Distractions may hinder, but once the heart is committed to Him, after each brief excursion away from Him, the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window. We have to have a commitment that is from the depths of who we are. It is something that is unwavering even when we are tired or weary. We need a commitment that we seek to fulfill even when we dont have a great emotional experience. It seems that so many things in society are based on how one feels at any given moment. If we dont feel like doing something we dont do it. I just read an article this week about prayer. The title caught my attention: Billy Joel Taught Me How To Pray. Here is a small part of the article, The Piano Man said that every day when he wakes up he goes down to his studio and for one hour sits at his piano. He be-

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gins the hour by playing scales, familiar tunes, or anything that pops into his head really. Sometimes the hour at the piano seems for him like six hours as inspiration just will not come, and its all he can do to make himself sit there rehashing old ideas. At other times, however, something hits, and musical ideas that he didnt even know were there begin to pour forth. Some days that early hour of drudgery will turn into three or four hours of the most amazing musical delight, and the hours will pass like minutes. Now this is what he said that changed me. He said, If I hadnt been there I would have missed it. We pursue God relentlessly no matter what. No matter how you feel you still fix your eyes on Him. Maybe you wont have that emotional experience all the time. But you can be sure that the Spirit still works. You can be sure that when you are in a position where you are bearing a weight that is more than you can handle, His Spirit will empower you and you will see the promises of His Word lived out. Immeasurably moreI can do all things through HimDoing greater things than He did. Seek Him with commitment and dedication. Worship Him and He will lift you up. I dont know about you but Im beginning to change my focus in

worship. We serve a God that cannot be explained by words or even understood by our thoughts. Should our worship not be our greatest expression to Him? Should we not seek to excel in worship? We have to learn more and more to worship in spirit and truth. But the eyes of our heart have to be unrelenting in their gaze upon the Son of God. Joshua said, Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Will you serve Him? Will you fix your eyes on Him? Consider the words of this old hymn. Fill me with Thy Spirit, Lord, Fully save my longing soul; Thru the precious cleansing blood Purify and make me whole. Fill me with Thy holy light, I would have a single eye; Make me perfect in Thy sight, Tis Thy will to sanctify.

Fill me with Thy perfect love, Naught of self would I retain; Losing all Thy love to prove, Lord, I count a happy gain. Fill me with Thy mighty powr, Father, Son and Spirit, come; In my soul the unction pour, Make me ever all Thine own. Fill me with Thy presence now, Lord, Thyself in me reveal; At Thy feet I humbly bow To receive the holy seal. Come, O Spirit, seal me Thine, Come, Thy fullness now bestow; Let Thy glory in me shine, Let Thy fire within me glow. Fill Me with Thy Spirit, Lord -D.S. Warner

Let Thy glory shine in me, Let Thy fire within me glow.

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V O LUME 3 , I SSUE 9

The Reason for Revelation By Nick Wilson

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. -Revelation 1:1-3 Things looked grim for the church. Christians were under constant siege from the pagan government of Rome. With each passing day lives were lost in the coliseums as followers of Christ were fed to wild beasts and forced to fight gladiators. The people of God were beaten, burned, dismembered and starved. With the exception of John, all the apostles who had led the early church out of infancy had met their demise at the hands of those who resisted the work of Jesus, and John had been exiled to the Isle of Patmos in an attempt to silence the words of this mighty preacher. Those early Christians must have felt like they had been left with little direction. Some of the letters of the apostles had been passed from one congregation to the next, but the people would have had little reason for hope; the authorities slaughtered more of them with each hour that passed. Day by day the faithful followers of Christ walked in his truth as the apostles had taught them, but each day the persecution grew. But God would not leave his people without a hope. We can only imagine the excitement the church must have felt on the day that the letter arrived from Patmos. From the obscurity of prison John had been given a vision from God. He had seen a revelation of hope and victory for those who were willing to stand on their faith and bravely face the persecution and tribulation of the day. In the midst of their misery, the church was given a distinct vision of the work of God. They received the testimony of John that bore witness to the promises and power of God. The Apostle was lifted to heavenly places and saw a global view of the work of God; a view that transcended the trials and difficulties faced by the people in those days. John saw a vision that would dispel the discouragement of the early Christians and remind them of the hope they had in the power of heaven. The book of Revelation, like no other canonical text, offers the Christian a cosmic perspective on the implications of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the people of the church in Asia Minor read these visions they were reminded of the promises which they had come to know through the witness and testimony of the apostles. They were given access to the mind of God, and began to understand the plan that was unfolding around them through the circumstances they encountered. The reader was given instruction from the very first line of Johns letter as to what they were receiving from the beleaguered prisoner of Patmos. John explained that what they had was not a typi-

cal letter, but an apocalyptic vision from Jesus Christ. It is not something to be read, but a vision that is to be seen, understood, proclaimed and experienced by the followers of Christ. Revelation Is to Be Seen Through lofty visions of heavenly themes John was shown a vision that paints a picture of Gods work in the minds eye. It is to be envisioned and pursued by the Christian those of Johns day as well as ours. John explained this when he pointed out the nature of Revelation. He began by explaining the symbolic nature of the book. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John... (Revelation 1:1). This verse doesnt seem to show the symbolic nature of Revelation at first glance, but consider the rendering in the New King James Version: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly take place. And he sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John The verb translated show, or signify, is the key to our understanding of Johns visions. The word show (deiknymi) implies that what has been communicated to John is in visible form. He has heard the word, but he has also seen it through the visions given by Jesus. This word carries with it a connotation to the Greek word translated showed (semaino) which means sign. Revelation is given in signs, or symbols. John was given vivid pictures of what

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God was revealing to him during his time on Patmos. These symbols served to reveal to John something more than a simple letter to the church; he witnessed and experienced the plan of God. These symbols shown in Revelation have been the cause of much confusion within the church over the course of history. There are an abundance of views on how they should be interpreted, but we must remain true to Scripture as we work to understand them. Lillie McCutcheon wrote, The interpretation of words can become very confusing. The same word may be used in a number of ways with varied renderings. However, symbols do not change in meaning. We must realize that Revelation is to be seen in light of Scripture. We interpret the symbols of this sixty-sixth book of the Bible in light of the previous sixty-five books. There are many who attempt to fit the rest of the Bible into what they believe Revelation says, but this does not serve to carry out the purpose of the book: to remind us of the promises and hope with which the church should live. If we are going to understand the meaning of what God is revealing to the church we must learn to look beyond what we see on the surface. I grew up in the day of Magic Eye posters and pictures. Some of you may remember those. They were computer generated pictures that contained a 3-D image. On the surface all you could see was the pattern that the computer had made. It was not until you focused your eyes beyond the page, or looked at is as though you were looking beyond, that

you could see the picture. This is how we view Revelation. We cannot read it and assume that someday sea monsters will rise out of the ocean. We look beyond what we initially see, and through the lens of Scripture understand what God is revealing. We use the Word of God, and the visions that were given to his people throughout their history to understand his revelation. It is always consistent with his word, and Revelation continues to reveal its depths to us. It is this desire to look beyond and know the depths of the word that has revived and renewed the church countless times over its history, and a look at the fullness of this vision will draw us to a renewed vision of what God is doing through his church today. It takes work and dedication to mine the depths of the word. It takes meditation and contemplation. Martyn Lloyd-Jones reminds us, The way to test the Christian life is by depth, by true understanding, which is only obtained by meditation, and by thought. And this is a part of the discipline of the Christian life. And you will find that it is invariably present in time of true revival. We cannot simply look at everything on the surface and believe we are seeing all that God has for us as his people. The Revelation given to John is the culmination of all that Scripture reveals to us. We use this as a map that guides us through the Holy Scripture and reminds us of the work that God wants to do through us today. Here the Christian will find a new edge for his sword of the Spirit. Faith becomes strong in the promise of final victory. Love will overcome hate. Light will put out the darkness. Good will overcome evil. Truth will destroy error. Satan will be defeated and Christ, the

Conqueror shall forever reign. This the prophecies proclaim!

Revelation Is to Be Understood God has not given us a vision to see without understanding. We are also to understand what we see in this book. The very title proclaims this truth. The word revelation comes from the Greek word apokalupsis. This literally means disclosure. It is transliterated as appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation. We can go a step further by looking also at the word from which this one derives. Apokalupsis comes from the word apokalupto which means unveiling, or revelation. Even the title tells us that this book was given for the understanding of the church. It is not something that we should be content to read without gaining insight into the mind and will of God. Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that specifically promises a blessing on us for reading, hearing, and keeping whats written in it. We will certainly be blessed for reading and meditating on all of Scripture, but this book specifically spells that out for us when John writes, Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near (Revelation 1:3). There are many who believe that this book is not meant to be understood, but if that is the case we are left to wonder how we can be blessed by something we do not understand. We cannot be blessed by what we do not know, and it is clear that we are blessed by the communication of, and response to this vision. I cannot dispute that there are some who will not understand the

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symbols of this book. Gods word is always accessible to his people, but that does not mean that it is accessible to all people. Paul told the church in Corinth, The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). If we are living in the Spirit there is no reason to believe that God cannot reveal truth to us through these visions. It is for this very purpose John saw them on Patmos. God always speaks for the purpose of revealing himself to man. In fact, that is the only way we know him. The only truths we can ascertain about the divine with any certainty are those facts God chooses to reveal to us. And unsanctified minds cannot comprehend divine realities even though they are clearly written on the pages of Scripture. Many of the errors we see in the church today are the direct result of those who do not know God trying to discern his word without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We have witnessed a hostile takeover of the church in our day. It has been overtaken by the world: its wisdom, logic, ideas, and sinful motives. Jesus could say of them today as he said of the Sadducees, You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God (Matt. 22:29). Jesus said, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth... (John 16:13). Dennis Johnson encourages us to approach the book of Revelation with confidence, knowing that God has something to reveal to us. Our starting point should be confidence that God has given this book not to

confuse, terrify, or divide his people but to give us light, to reveal to us the invisible forces and the secrets of his invincible plan that makes sense of visible events and movements experienced by his church in the world. Though it takes a thorough search of Scripture, prayer, and mediation on the word, Revelation is accessible to Gods people.
Revelation Is to Be Proclaimed Blessed is the one who readsthose who hearand who keep These are all action words. It is not enough to hear, or even understand this book of the Bible any more than it is any other part of Scripture. Many have ceased to proclaim these visions of John today because of all the baggage that comes along with it. Some pastors and teachers do not want to answer the ensuing questions, or take part in the debate about interpretation. We cannot allow the perception of something in Scripture to keep us from teaching it. If we allow fear of perception to drive us we will ultimately have to eliminate what the Bible says about homosexuality, divorce, and a number of other topics. Dennis Kinlaw wrote, We shortchange ourselves if we ignore what God teaches us, simply because we feel uncomfortable with the language that has been used to express it over the years.

Gods blessing acts on us as we act on what is understood from his word. It is as the word is proclaimed and applied to our lives that it becomes an active, living force in the world. It acts through our lives. People see Jesus Christ working as the visions he gave are lived by those who follow him. This is when the word of God becomes a mighty sword that overcomes all opposition. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). Proclaiming the word of God and the revelation of Jesus Christ allows us to experience it in fullness. We will experience the trials that come with it, but also the victory that it brings. We will experience the promises and power of God through his word. This is why we can also say that Revelation is to be experienced. Revelation Is to Be Experienced Jesus Christ gave visions of the church to John so that his life, the lives of the Christians in his day, and our lives would be affected. This book is considered prophecy, but too often we take a narrow view of prophecy. Many consider prophecy the telling of the future. This is certainly an element of prophecy, but it is not all that prophecy can be. Prophecy refers not as much to predictive foretelling as to forthtelling the word of God which demands ethical response. If we are to experience the blessing of prophecy, we must look at it as something that

The truth contained in this book is to be made known. Unlike Daniel, who was told to seal the prophecy given to him, John was given the opposite instruction. Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near (Rev. 22:10). This was sent to the churches in Asia Minor for proclamation among Gods people. How does this book give us hope if we are afraid of it? How can Gods promises of power and his mighty work encourage us if we avoid it?

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brings forth a word from God that is applicable to our lives today. It cannot be limited to something far off in the future. It is imperative that it is considered and applied to our lives today. The experience of prophecy energizes us as we do the work of God. Without this experience it is easy to become complacent in our spiritual walk. The word does not encourage and motivate us when it is something that is unattainable. It must be something that speaks to each generation as the prophets of God boldly proclaim it to the masses. It is the task of the prophet to bring to expression the new realities against the more visible ones of the old order. Energizing is closely linked to hope. We are energized not by that which we already possess but by that which is promised and about to be given. It is through the hope of gods promises seen clearly in the lives of his people that others are drawn to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself (John 12:32). If prophecy is to mean anything to us we must live as the hope of Gods word is a reality. The church of Johns day faced some of the most difficult times any Christian has ever experienced. They stood boldly in the face of intense persecution that threatened their very lives. They were not sustained by their wealth, or their societal status. They were not delivered from this tribulation by an earthly army, or a political revolution. They stood strong because they experienced the revelation of God. They saw Him revealed

through the faith of those with whom they maintained fellowship. They heard His word proclaimed by the His people and saw it in action in the lives of the martyrs. The word of God was a reality to them. It lived and breathed the power of God into the world through them. What is the Word doing through us today? What kind of testimony do we have of the Word? When is the last time we have experienced Gods revelation?

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