The Great Conflict - Part 4

REVELATION 14 v 1-5

What mark will you make?

Chapter 13 was describing the onslaught that there was to come from Satan and his helpers. This chapter is about the hope for the persecuted and the true believers. I also believe it shows us not just where they are going but what they did while on earth fighting for God. The key is they are marked by God. If we are marked by God and we are His children then we should make a mark on the world. I think there are 3 key simple ways we can do this. I don't they are the only ways but here are just 3...

1.  LOVE - Love is key in all that we do for God. Matthew 22 v 37-40 - "³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”" This verse is key in the way we love people. If we just love people that’s ok but what’s at the heart of it? If we just love God then that’s ok but it is very secret. If we love God and people separately that’s ok but still not fully there. But if we love God and love what He loves then we truly love and understand something of God's heart. Do you love what God loves?

2.  SERVING - Jesus washing the disciples feet is the best example I can think of for serving and demonstrating how to serve, John 13 v 1-17 - (key verses) "¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." Jesus modelled how to serve and who to serve - EVERYONE. If God himself is willing to come down to earth and serve the world, then we should follow His example. Jesus was the greatest leader that ever lived and He led through serving. How can you serve God better?
 

3.  PRAYER - Our prayer life shows our desire for God, Philippians 4 v 6-7 - "⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I so thankful I am able to communicate with God in such a way. Someone once said "Pray until something happens", this so true. Prayer strengths our relationship with God. We need prayer because of the spiritual battle we are in. Do you need to increase your desire for God?

The people mentioned in Revelation as the 144,000 were men and women of faith and what they did for God wasn't easy and wasn't always nice. But i believe they would have done these three things because that is what god calls us to do.

How will you make your mark?

The Great Conflict - Part 3

REVELATION 13 v 11-18

How often as Christians are we sucked in by the world?

I don't necessarily happen a lot but sometimes it is just the small things.

The beast from the sea was the anti-Christ and the beast of the earth is the false prophet, the counterfeit Holy Spirit. The beast of the earth gains authority and power from the other beast. The beast of the earth eves sets up an idol to the other beast. King Nebukenezzer set up an idol for himself and 3 people stood out among many. Daniel 3 v 1, 9-12 - "¹ King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon... ⁹ They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! ¹⁰ Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, ¹¹ and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹² But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." They were willing to stand out and be countered for God. How willing are we to stand out for God? How willing are we to go through persecution?

The beast of the earth deceived people by the works he did and the miracles he performed. Romans 3 v 28 - "God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does." Our deeds should be an out pouring of our faith. This beast had no faith and therefore his deeds were worthless. He was doing miracles to capture people’s minds and deceive them in believing lies. We can only do miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John healed the lame man in the temple in Acts 4 they didn't do it to gain attention a d followers for themselves they did it to glorify God. There are people in this world that can do things which seem impossible but are only made possible by a power which is NOT from God. The Devil has some power, just nowhere near as much power as God has. The keys to this are wisdom and discernment. We need to ask God for Wisdom and discernment.

Are we sometimes attracted by what the world has to offer? Is X-Factor more important than God? We seem to make sure every Saturday night (when it is on) to not allow anything to disturb it. This could also be with reading, or games console or doing work or work for church. None of these things are bad but we can teach ourselves a lesson from them that the time we give to those things and that nobody is allowed to disturb them is a great principle. So why don't we apply it to our relationship with God. I think there are two key important things - 1) It is a relationship so we can't just put it in a 1 hour slot a day. 2) We need to set aside time to be in the word, worship and prayer. How can you apply the do not disturb X-Factor principle to your life?

God is the real deal. It says in Revelation 7 v 3 - “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” God puts His seal on us. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood out to be sealed by God, to where the mark of God. God doesn't want anyone to wear the mark of the beast but unfortunately some people probably will. How willing are we to stand out in the crowd for God?

Sometimes we are sucked in and influenced by the world. But I believe we are called to influence the world.

How will you influence the world with the love of God?

The Great Conflict - Part 2

REVELATION 13 v 1-10

What and Who are we chasing after?

The beast of the sea represents the anti-Christ; he was part of an unholy trinity which was out to defeat God. This unholy trinity was made up of the dragon (Satan), the beast of the sea and the beast of the land. The beast was initially identified with Rome because Rome was a place where Christian's were persecuted, encouraged an evil life style and opposed God. 

We see that the beast gathers a following quickly many people chasing after him trying to keep up. Maybe they followed out of fear and being scared. Or was it because they worshiped him or because they always wanted the latest thing. Or is it because there is no stability in society. More and more people followed, they knew he had power but what they didn't know was that his power was limited and actually God was the most powerful and in control of the amount of power the beast had. Who do we chase after? Are you whole heartedly following Jesus or are you just on for the ride while it is convenient?

The anti-Christ (beast of the sea) that we see in Revelation resembles a combination and amalgamation of the beast Daniel saw in a vision in Daniel 7. Daniel and Revelation go hand in hand because unfortunately the world has become like Babylon. Not every part of the world is as evil as Babylon because there are Christian's everywhere, shining out for God. Daniel continued to stay focused on God and didn't go chasing after other people of things. Sometimes the things we chase after aren't necessarily evil. Craig Groschel in his book 'It' talks about an experience where he had lost the It factor in is his life with God because he had made the church a priority over God. What he realised was that the bride already had a husband and he was trying to compete with the husband (Christ). Who and What are you chasing after?

Moses asked these very relevant questions, when we are chasing after someone or something I think we should ask these questions, Exodus 15 v 11 - "Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" What kind compare to such a God as the saviour of the world. How closely are we following and chasing God? How full of God are we? 

The Great Conflict - Part 1

REVELATION 12 v 1-17 How strong is our faith when the dragon is chasing us?
The women represents God's faithful people who have been waiting for the Messiah, the crown of 12 stars represents the 12 tribes. God set apart the Jews for Himself (Romans 9 v 4-5) and from that nation came the Messiah. As soon as Mary had given birth to Jesus, Herod wanted to kill him. Like the dragon waiting for the women to give birth. Herod was motivated by Satan (the red dragon) who didn't want the world’s saviour alive. This heavenly scene shows that Christ's quiet birth had cosmic affects. When the dragon fell and took a third of the stars with him, it represents Satan falling from heaven and taking a third of the angels with him, Hebrew tradition believe a third fell with him.

But as Satan is knocked to the Earth the pursuit begins. As the dragon chases the women God takes her to the desert, the desert represents a place of refuge for God's people. Genesis 21 v 14-21 - "¹⁴ Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set Beersheba^{. 15} When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. ¹⁷ God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸ Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” ¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. ²⁰ God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. ²¹ While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt." Hagar and Ishmael found refuge in the desert. God used the desert as refuge for many others, especially the Israelites who were brought out of Egypt in the desert; they encountered God away they never had before. The desert is a place of true reliance on God. Long term survival in the desert is only possible with the help of God. Are you willing to go to the place of refuge?

We are in a constant battle with the dragon. Ephesians 6 v 10-18, talks about the armour of God. The armour doesn't just protect us but it gives us the opportunity to go on the offensive. The devil is a corrupt being and he wants to corrupt us. Many of God's people / believers have been persecuted and killed but God continued to protect them spiritually. I believe we need to put on the armour of God daily. How do you prepare for the day? How do you see the day? - A bed of roses or a battle field.

The key thing is that Satan is defeated and so the power he has is limited by God. Jesus dying on the cross defeated the choke hold the devil had on the world.

The more we step out of the boat for God the bigger target we become for the dragon but that is why God equips us with armour. Are we going to build our faith and fight the dragon or decrease and just defend?