Align, finish the race, win: God’s winning strategies in Revelation 2-3

“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” I learned and practiced this even when employed in the corporate world. Today a Generation Z asks me why do I bother to write this blog? Why bother with the serious stresses of the world when I can just write fun things and get on with a relaxed life? After all, there are many good Christian blogs out there. What makes one blog special when there are seventy millions blog posts being published on WordPress each month? The answer for me and other Christians is we are each running to complete a race, made more pressing especially in the current uncertainty and anxieties in many hearts. Every Christian is enrolled in a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27); every Christian is engaged in a conflict (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Timothy 2:4, 5).  And the goal set before every Christian is to win the race, be victorious in the conflict. God has made provision for us to say at the end, “I have fought the good fight [‘I have strained every muscle in the good contest’].  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness . . . .” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)

In this context, I am looking at the keys in the seven letters that Jesus has given to the churches/Christian groups in the Book of Revelation (Chapter two and three). Please read on.

What the Christians are not to do: (Not doing the wrong things)

Firstly, do not follow and do what the opponents of God do. How to identify this? Observe and measure their intentions, actions and outcome against God’s plume line (the words of God in the Bible).

Satan (the devil/the enemy/the thief) —the head of the enemies of God has only one goal —rebellion against God through human beings, and one strategy —deceptions. he succeeded through Adam and Eve. Their action resulted the downfall of all mankind, and the takeover of rulership by the devil on earth.

Whilst Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b) and brings His people into the super-abundant life in the Kingdom of God, the thief continues to steal, kill, and destroy mankind (John 10:10). The two “leaders” of rebellion cited in the Book of Revelation—the Nicolaitans and Jezebel originate and take direct order from God’s enemy. Jesus warns of their existence in the midst of Christian community and even Satan-owned synagogues (2:9, 3:9) and commands us to take action against such evil.

Action required of Christians:

1. hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. (2:6, 2:15) Take note that their evil teachings and practices occur in Satan’s city with Satan’s throne. Jesus urges the fallen/compromised church members to repent of their sins or to face destruction together with the Nicolaitans. (2:13-16) The following quote (in Italics) on the Nicolaitans is excerpted from the Quick Reference Dictionary (biblestudytools.com)

Who are the Nicolaitans?

(followers of Nicolas ), a sect mentioned in ( Revelation 2:6 Revelation 2:15 ) whose deeds were strongly condemned. They hold the doctrine of Balaam. They held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication, in opposition to the decree of the Church rendered in ( Acts 15:20 Acts 15:29 ) ( 2 Peter 2:15 ; Jude 1:11 ) They brought the impurities of those feasts into the meetings of the Christian Church…not simply as an indulgence of appetite: but as a part of a system, supported by a “doctrine,” accompanied by the boast of a prophetic illumination, ( 2 Peter 2:1 ) To hate those deeds is a sign of life in a Church that otherwise is weak and faithless. ( Revelation 2:6 ) To tolerate them is well nigh to forfeit the glory of having been faithful under persecution. ( Revelation 2:14 Revelation 2:15 )

The error of Balaam is associated with “reward [profit]” in Jude, and the way of Balaam is associated with the “wages of unrighteousness” in 2 Peter.  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

2. Do not follow the Jezebel spirit —teachings and the evil deeds (2:20-23). She is immoral, leads God’s servants astray, teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols, and leads them to commit adultery with her. Jesus describes this evil teaching in 2:24 as “this false teaching (‘deep truths’, as they call them—depths of Satan, actually).” Jesus warns all the churches that those who do not repent and turn away from immorality will suffer greatly and their offsprings with Jezebel will be killed as well. (2:20-23)

Read the following characteristics about the people with Jezebel’s spirit:

Jezebel’s ultimate goal is always control. The Jezebel spirit causes people to attack, dominate or manipulate, especially against male/legitimate authority, causes fear, flight and discouragement, often insecure and wounded, with pronounced egocentric needs, function subtlety and deceptively, are proud, independent and rebellious. A Jezebel spirit is always in alignment with an ideological totalitarian/dictatorship spirit.

Jesus also warns us not to be/do certain things. Why? Not doing the negative will increase our abilities to overcome the adversities and adversaries. Doing the right things will bring us on the right race course and run to victory as Jesus has done.

1. Do not lose the same fervor of love we have for God when we first accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. God empowers us through love to do the works of God. We shall be victorious over the Nicolaitans. (2:4-7)
2. Do not be afraid of physical persecution and suffering (for Christ) (2:10), e.g. being thrown into prison, poverty, blasphemy, and threat of death. (2:9)
3. Repent from the Nicolaitans’ sins, and turn back to God. (2:6) Repent from the Jezebel sins and turn back to God when there is still TODAY. (2:21)
4. Know that God searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person and gives to each whatever we deserve. (2:23) We are to follow the truth and hold tightly to what we have until Jesus comes.
5. Wake up, strengthen, and stay alive! Repent, turn back to God, return to what we first heard and believed and hold fast to that belief! (3:2-3)
6. Obey God’s words, do not deny Him, persevere, and hold on to what little we have, despite having little strength. (3:8-11)
7. See and acknowledge the lack in ourselves and our churches which sit on the fence, indistinct from the rest of the world (spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked). Do something! Be diligent and turn from our indifference! (3:15-19)

Jesus’ promised abilities, and rewards to these who overcome and finish the race in victory: His believers are able to listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches (all of us who believe). (2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22)

• Hidden manna from heaven.
• The fruit from the tree of life*.
• A new name as in Christ. A name in the Book of Life in heaven.
• Crown of life.
• Authority over all the nations as in Christ (the morning star).
• Friends with Jesus. sit with Him on His throne!

*Revelation 22:2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

Hebrews 3:12-15 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Kainotes, Dec 11, 2020

 

Is it the end time? Some Christians ask today. Answer: Arise and shine!

As a watchman for God I have been watching history being made, just as prophesied. Has the end time started, I have also asked. Yet, I know a lot of souls are not ready for the end time machine to start its engine. Even the younger members in our families all over the world. They are all saved and will go to heaven, but some may not be sufficiently fortified to face the tribulations. Some Christians believe they will be raised first to heaven (rapture) before the tribulations so there is no need to prepare for the hard and terrible times. I too, once believed that this pre-tribulation rapture is for all Christians.

But it does not make sense. (1) If Christians do not have to go through the end time tribulations, then there is no need for the apostle John to have the instruction from Jesus to write the last book of the Bible, the Revelation. (2) What makes Christians so special? We are all saved by faith through grace, a gift from God, not due to any merit on our part. No one is deserving to be saved. (3) What is the purpose of Christians living on earth? We are purposed by God to help those who are unsaved and still have a chance to be saved! Why? Because God loves the whole mankind and does not wish anyone to go to hell and be separated from God forever. What is the point of those Christians who are still alive, living on earth when tribulations start? I believe those Christians who witness the end time will be required to stay behind to take care of the unsaved who still have a chance to be saved.

The Bible clearly states that there is an appointed time for everyone to live and die (Ecclesiastes 3:2). There is 100% chance (either yes or no) that the end can start anytime. A Christian is required to live like it can start any moment, according to Jesus. What happens if it starts and we or some members in our families are not ready? The problem is many members in many families are baby Christians and are not ready for end time. The tribulations require Christians who can walk supernaturally, spiritually and physically, and live divine, with discernment and intelligence and wisdom to rise above all manmade systems and access limitless resources for that time. Many Christians do not know that and cannot do it yet.

So I have been praying to the Lord for redeemed time for the number of Gentile Christians required to do this task to get ready. Otherwise how else can they help others if they themselves need help? I believe God hears prayers and knows the condition we are in. There are remnants to be saved in the tribulations. The Gentile Christians allowed to stay alive at that time in the number planned by God, are expected to help the remnants get through the tribulations and be saved. That is why I am hopeful that the end time machine has not yet started its engine. (Romans 11:25 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.“)

On the other hand, I have observed that the events of the world are forcing their way ahead and trying to accelerate the process heading the end. All observant sober Christians would have noted that too. Some who have escaped oppressions from one realm to another realm now find that they seem to have nowhere to go if the last free realm loses its ground. Some are in despair and some are weeping. Where is the promised land on earth? (Read Matthew 11:12 From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.)

Over a decade ago, I received these words about God’s righteous and just nature. I prayed these verses and meditated and proclaimed them. Lately they have emerged clearly in my spirit. I pray you too, receive revelations at a time like this wherever you are, my dear brethren and friends.

The verses are quoted according to their chapter sequence. I would urge each of you to pray and ask the Lord’s Spirit to reveal to you the correct spiritual sequence and meditate and pray them. Open your Bible and read each verse with its context as well, always bearing in mind that Jesus has fulfilled the righteous requirement for those who believe in Him. Some verses speak of the ungodly hypocrites, and what will happen to them. Jesus spoke of the wheats and the weeds are allowed to grow up together because uprooting one prematurely may uproot the other too. History shows that Christians are similarly adversely affected because we live in their neighborhood, like Abraham’s nephew, Lot’s case. Jesus did not ask God to take Christians out of this world.  We are in the world though not of the world. We really need wisdom and understanding of how to apply the words of God to live the super-abundant powerful kingdom of God lives Jesus has promised, and train our children to be strong and wise and ready anytime.

My brief notes are in brackets at the end of each verse.

Isaiah 1:21 [ The Degenerate City ] How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. (God reprimands the once godly city which has turned against God’s way)

Isaiah 1:26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (God will first restore the righteous and truthful judges and counselors. This is the good news!)

Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. (This is a promise of God for restoration after just and righteous legal and administrative officials are installed)

Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help. (God’s intention for His people is good. But He found evil and oppression in their midst. Read the context to see the lifestyle of those leaders).

Isaiah 16:5 In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (A prophecy about establishing Jesus’ throne of mercy, truth, and righteousness).

Isaiah 28:17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. (A prophecy about Jesus and His power over Satan—the father of all lies, death, and hell).

Isaiah 32:1 [ A Reign of Righteousness ] Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. (This is the kingdom of God, wherein the anointed king and his officials reign in righteousness and justice. How can this happen? Isaiah 31:4-5 promises that the Lord of hosts will come down to fight and defend Jerusalem, deliver and preserve it.)

Isaiah 32:16 [ The Peace of God’s Reign ] Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. (Read 32:15-19, which prophesies the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, that will bring supernatural peace, security, protection, and rest for God’s people, while for those outside God’s protection, “hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths.” This is a serious contrast between the two realms and kingdoms.)

Isaiah 33:5-6 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure. (Continue to worship, honor, and revere God, He will give wisdom and knowledge which are essential for the stability and strength of our times.)

Isaiah 33:10 “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up. (God will take action.)

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Isaiah 33:15-16 (The righteous will be protected and given high and secure places, food and drink. )

Isaiah 56:1 [ Salvation for the Gentiles ] Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this…

Isaiah 58:2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. (This verse singled out the dishonest religious hypocrites elites)

Isaiah 59:9 [ Sin Confessed ] Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! 59:14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter.

(Isaiah 59 describes the blackness and darkness of men who run to evil with thoughts full of inequity and their consequences. e.g. 59:13 “In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off…” and the good news is that God intervenes. Read 59:15-21.)

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

(Where is the Spirit of the Lord? In every born again Christian! 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”)

Amos 5:24 But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

Kainotes, Nov 6, 2020

REVELATIONS 11:11

Revelations 11:11 RESURRECTION

But after three and a half days, by God’s gift the breath of life again entered into them, and they rose up on their feet, and great dread and terror fell on those who watched them. (Revelation 11:11 AMPC)

what should a nation do to be great again?

This is still the watchman’s message to nations who would be great. I posted the original blog on 6/26/2016 after the Brexit vote. The nation was not given the right to choose their anointed leader because one out of two candidates opted to hand over the leadership without further contest as a result of media pressure. The initial prophetic move became stagnated until today.  In the same year there was another election that started a second prophetic move which again was bitterly countered by the media. Just as predicted, the move seemed even more impossible than Brexit. But it has moved and is still moving strong.

Personally, the watchman watches the global economy. When nations are strong and booming in their respective economy, the global economy booms and more people on earth will benefit. When nations are weak in economy and continue to live by debts, donations and social welfare handouts, poverty and related evil grow deep roots and human sufferings increase.

I ask the Lord what to pray when I pray for national leaders. The word I was reminded of is “BOLDNESS”, which was what the disciples prayed for in Acts 4:29. “Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word”.

Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall remember [with profound respect] the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore (solemnly promised) to your fathers, as it is this day.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even while we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.

AAAJ watchman

GOD SPOKE TWICE.
What should a nation do to become great again?
1. I am reminded of the successful examples in the Book of Ezra and Book of Nehemiah.
Rebuild your Temple of God/churches. Rebuild your walls: physically by demarcation and sovereignty over your borders (spiritual defense too).
I pray the Lord’s Spirit be poured out mightily upon you.
When you align with God’s plan and His words you will be great again.
Prosperity and peace.
Booming trades and bountiful harvests.
No one will lack.
You will be the head and not the tail.

2. READ THE BIBLICAL LESSONS ON EXCELLENT EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL LEADERS: FINANCE MINISTER Joseph, PRIME MINISTER Daniel and his friends, COMMANDER prophet Samuel, SPIRITUAL LEADER prophet Elijah, EDUCATIONIST Scribe Ezra, CIVIL GOVERNOR Zerubbabel, Nehemiah and many more.

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healthy aging: brevity of life, longevity factor, ever presence of my God

My dear brethren, when asked once, in his mid-60s, what surprised him most in his old age, Billy Graham answered without hesitation: “the brevity of life.” The brevity of life has caught up with even centenarians. Looking back this watchman too is shocked at the speed of time. After walking with the Lord for a long long time how did Enoch feel? What did he talk to God about? I sometimes ask. 365 years seem a long time to us. But most men lived long before the flood. Adam lived 930 years. Methuselah lived 969 years old. Noah lived 950 years. God talked to them. They talked to God. After the flood, some men lived to over a hundred years though not as long. Abraham 175 (born 1946 years after Adam), Isaac 180.

One thing that stands out is the relationship they had with God. Being able to hear God and talk to God is something that we all need today. Can we? Yes. God has given every born again believer the Holy Spirit who lives in us and talks to us. We are joined to the Lord and one spirit with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 6:17) There are many teachings on how we can hear God today. We can enjoy the longevity of life span on earth and not miss out our daily walk with God engaging in friendly two way conversation with Him, just as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and many others did. God called Abraham His friend.

To live to such old age one needs to be healthy and youthful. God has set man’s life to be one hundred and twenty years. (Genesis 6:3) Moses lived to 120. His eyes were not dimmed nor his natural vigor diminished. (Deuteronomy 34:7) David testified in his psalm that his youth was renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5) Sarah lived until 127 and died. After that Abraham (137 and above) married again and had other sons.

One man that stood out was Caleb. Caleb was known for his strength in his spirit, soul (mind and will) and body wholly. God described Caleb this way, “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” (Numbers 14:24) At 85 Caleb was as strong as he was at forty including his strength for war, going out and coming in, because he wholly followed God and held fast to God’s promises spoken to him through Moses. (Joshua 14:6-14)

When we sum up the lives of all these men of faith in the Bible, we can see that the significance of life is the “quantity in terms of quality”. Quality can only come from their relationship with God. They had lived in the presence of God.

My first spiritual breakthrough after being born again for thirty years was knowing God in the spirit just as Jesus has emphasized that God is Spirit (John 4:24). Since then I have walked with a new passion and assurance in the spiritual reality of God and the truthfulness of His words which are spirit and life (John 6:63). Looking at all the past miracles God has done in my life I too hold fast to the promises and prophecies that the Lord has spoken. I am looking forward to this year with increasingly renewed strength to live in the ever presence of my God. I pray that you too, expect the same with confident hope. Age is no excuse.

Bible verses Joshua 14:6-14
6 Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. 15 And the name of Hebron formerly was Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim).

Then the land had rest from war.