Twelve believers turned up for the 20 hours marathon (non-stop) reading of the Bible New Testament. The ages ranged from 7 years old (who did not read but sat through with his parents) to over sixty. There was at least one representative from every decade: ranging from below 10, teens, the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and sixties. It was not planned that way. The Spirit of the Lord called and someone passed on this message. The volunteers just turned up.
Eight believers gathered at 8am on Friday morning. They started reading the four gospels chapter by chapter (each reading three or two chapters by turn), book by book at 8.30am. Two had to leave for their work for the morning after reading of the first six chapters. They returned and joined the rest in the afternoon. Despite the small number, the group persisted until 4.30pm. They took eight hours to finish the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By 5pm they were ready to read the book of Acts onward. Another group of four joined them in the evening after work. The group continued without break.
During certain intervals individuals took short break to rest or have some food or drink. One brethren in his thirties fasted and sat through out the reading which took nearly 20 hours. He took nothing but water and did not even rest. The older and younger individuals had to take breaks. However, those who rested lied on the floor inside the same hall and could hear the word of God being read by others clearly.
By nearly 4am the group decided to stand up to read together the last four chapters of the last book, Revelation. It was very powerful in the cool morning air, with nothing but the word of God being read in unison by twelve (less the little boy who was sleeping by then) believers of Jesus Christ, all filled with the Holy Spirit. The room was flooded with heavenly light and everyone was flowing with the living water in each of them.
Then all knelt down and prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. From the prayers it was revealed that each individual had received different revelation from the Lord. For example, ‘Kingdom”, “Throne”, “Sword of the Spirit”, “Light” and the like.
The watchman suggested that they ended with the Lord’s Prayer and they did. In his spirit he was bursting with spiritual words and even songs. But he was just too tired to stay on. He walked home and continued to feel elated. God’s words had done a deep cleansing from within and he could feel the lifting of his soul and spirit. (Alas, he actually took one hour break in the afternoon from 5-6 pm to walk home to feed his two dogs! The dogs were happy and relieved.)
Nothing can compare with the reading of God’s word in one sitting of nearly twenty hours without break! He had never felt so refreshed and rejuvenated before! Later someone asked him about Abraham seeing his descendants as ‘stars’ in heaven.
He recalled the verse from 2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” Indeed that was what happened over the last 20 hours of being led by the Holy Spirit in a marvellous journey in His words.
Revelation 4:2
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
Revelation 4:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Revelation 21:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Revelation 21:5
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:4-6 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Revelation 22:1
[ The River of Life ] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Revelation 22:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Revelation 22:3
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.
Revelation 22:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
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