Have the right “mark” (seal) and win the race: God’s winning strategies in Revelation 2-3

The essence of strategies is to choose what to do. This is a really difficult one unless you have been sealed with the right mark on you. What? Do all who profess to be Christians have mark too? Wait. We shall see who has the mark and who does not, according to Jesus.

Firstly, beware of the wrong mark, the mark of the beast, as warned in the Book of Revelation (13:16, 17, 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, 20:4). Those with the evil mark (on their forehead or on their hands) will be tormented (16:2) and eventually cast into the lake of fire (19:20).

Only the saints, those without the mark of the beast, and instead have been sealed with the mark of Christ, can reign with Christ for 1000 years.

Revelation 7:3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.”

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

What is the mark of Christ and how do believers of Jesus receive it? Here are the Scriptures: The seal (mark) is the Holy Spirit and comes from God through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:19-22. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13-14 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

1 John 2:20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 4:13 And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we liv like Jesus here in this world.

From the above verses we see that the believers of Jesus have been sealed with His mark, which is the Holy Spirit. This mark distinguishes us as belonging to Jesus and not to the devil (the beast) who will also brand his followers with a mark on their forehead or hands. The mark of the Holy Spirit in us enables us to live like Jesus in this world, a victorious overcomer.

The outcome of each group is entirely different. The beast and its followers will end up in the lake of fire. The group who belongs to Jesus, marked by Jesus, and follows Him to the end and overcome will reign with Him. What are the keys given to us to overcome the adversaries and adversities? Let us read Revelation 2-3 again to find them.

1. Jesus reiterates the truth that He has overcome the NUMBER ONE FEAR in human, that is, DEATH. Jesus has died and resurrected, and He now holds the keys of death and the grave. And He tells us not to be afraid. The Good News is He is alive forever and ever, and so are His followers. (Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 2:14-15) The key is to “remain faithful to what we have been taught from the beginning”, the apostle John assures us this in 1John 2:24-25, “If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son (Jesus) and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He promised us.”
2. Jesus also reassures that He knows all the things we do and the situations we are in, and what the enemy is doing. (Revelation 2:2-3, 2:9-10, 2:13, 2:19, 2:24, 3:1, 3:4, 3:8, 10, 3:15-16) All we need to do is to listen to the Holy Spirit and understand and act accordingly.
3. Jesus says He loves us. Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 3:9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. 3:19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
4. 1 John 4:4 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

Our application: Make sure we have the right marking, listen to the Holy Spirit, understand what He is saying and act accordingly.

Kainotes, December 12, 2020

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

 

Today’s word of hope: hornet, Holy Spirit, and pattern for victory

What have these in common: hornet, pattern, the Holy Spirit? The watchman asks the Lord for the meaning of the vision he saw on the previous day during a 24 hours fast. In the vision he saw granular compartments in hexagon shape joined together. The word he receives today is “hornet”. Then he realizes that what he saw looks like a hornet nest.

There are two things to note about the hornets. Hornets (like bees) make hexagon cells, incredibly efficient mathematically optimal to divide a surface into compartments of equal area with the least total perimeter. The structure best economizes labor and materials. Hornet stings are very painful to humans because hornet venom contains a large amount (5%) of acetylcholine.

Why and where are hornets important in the Bible? Let us read the following three passages which all give one message from God. In the first two passages the Lord has given assurance to His people, especially the leaders and warriors, that He will send hornets before them to drive out and dispossess the enemies from the land that the Lord has given to His people. In the last passage the Lord recounted to His people the fact that He had actually done it, just as He promised.

What will God’s hornets do?

God’s hornets will cause fear and confusion among all the enemies, so that they will run away in defeat.

Exodus 23:27-28 27 “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. 

God’s hornets will cause the enemies to fear and hide themselves from God’s people, and they will be destroyed.

Deuteronomy 7:17-21 17 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’— 18 you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: 19 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. 21 You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. 

God’s hornets have driven out and destroyed the enemies before the people of God, delivered the promised land to God’s people.

Joshua 24:11-13 11 Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand. 12 I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow. 13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’

Incidents of God’s helping the Israelites in their conquest of the land east of the Jordan and Canaan (from the watchman’s notes) It is obvious that the word “hornets” is a “secret weapon” of God for His people in battles to assure victories for them. Not the usual military weapons (sword and bow). During the Moses’ exodus from Egypt, and victories over two Amorite kings (Deuteronomy 2:31, 3:1-2) and later Joshua’s victorious conquest of the Canaan land, God’s presence is with them. The pillar of glory cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night which signified the Holy Spirit enabled the Israelites to escape safely from Egypt. God sent His Angel before them to drive out the Canaanite (Exodus 32:43, 33:2). God sent a Commander (Jesus) of the Lord’s army whom Joshua met outside the town of Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15). God’s presence with Joshua (in the battles), defeated the enemies and achieved great military success (Joshua 11:6). The presence of the trinity God is invincible. According to Joshua’s testimony below, one man of Joshua’s army (on earth) shall chase a thousand of the enemy’s army. The spiritual military power is a thousand times that of military strength of earth man in terms of warfare.

Joshua’s last words to the Israelites’ new generation of warriors: Joshua 23:9-11

For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. 10 One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. 11 Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God. 14 “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.

Joshua 24:14 14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.

What do I mean by the word “pattern” in this blog’s heading? God uses pattern to guide us. He gave a pattern of the tabernacles and all the related details to Moses. He gave a pattern of the temple to David. And He gives a pattern in the Bible about warfare. Why do I say this confidently? Our position in Christ has enabled every believer to confidently declare that we have the trinity God in us, the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. This is a pattern for victory.

On the power of pattern created and inbuilt by the Creator: “The honeybee’s honeycomb fits neatly into the atlas of mathematically optimal forms found in nature.” “That there could be a way primitive tiny-brained insects could possess the technology and skill to build incredibly efficient combs is simply astonishing.”

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

remember the ten plagues that struck selectively

Today we are reminded that the ten plagues only struck those who chose not to believe and acknowledge the righteous God whom Moses and his people believed, the same God we believe.

Take note the idolatry arrogant heart of Pharaoh caused him to make foolish and self-destructive decisions. He exalted himself above the righteous and holy God. Pharaoh did not fear God because he thought he himself was god. While he comfortably indulged himself in his luxurious palace wining and dining opulently, his people suffered in prolonged incremental fear and torment. He had no love or compassion even for his own people. Why was his heart hardened? He was obsessed with keeping an ample supply of cheap/free labor the miserable enslaved Israelites provided to perpetuate his wealth and related social-political power. He was consumed with jealousy of Moses, a former prince of Egypt, now the formidable great transformer leader championing for the justice, freedom and wellbeing of the Jewish nation.

Moses, on the other hand, after his miraculous encounter with God, was truly supernaturally transformed into a great and courageous leader who at the age of 80 would leave his comfort zone and even stick out his neck for the love of God and God's own people.

What happened in the end? "Exodus 12:⁴⁰ Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt."  The rest is history.


The life of Moses produced good fruit that lasts to eternity. Pharaoh's life? Plagues and burning.

The Ten plagues in charts:

power and authority : treasure in jars of clay

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) (Galatians 1:1 KJV) Paul had been given unique authority from Christ to be his representative and the founder of churches (see Acts 1:21-26). In his letters to the Corinthian Christians he identified himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” His apostolic ministry was clearly evidenced by the authority and the life transforming revealed words and power of the resurrected Christ. As a closing to my notes on a meditative journey in 2 Corinthians I have done the following chart on the subject of power and authority. My notes on the Bible verses are in brackets.

1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. (All authorities on earth will come to an end)

2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed— (God-given authority to men is for constructive and not destructive purposes)

2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction. (same as above)

1:18 [Christ the Power and Wisdom of God] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (The salvation message is the power to save and transform)

1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (The resurrected Christ is the power and wisdom in us)

2:4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (Paul’s speeches are confirmed by deeds of spiritual power which manifests in physical realm)

2:5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (man’s words are powerless; power of God makes things work)

4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (We are so privileged to be chosen for His glory)

4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. (No use to boast about your ministry unless your words can be confirmed by God’s power)

4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (God’s kingdom is about power in deeds that confirm His words)

6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. (God’s power raises the dead; power of God is the only source of life)

a fitting confession for a king to declare

1 Timothy 1:11-13 King James Version (KJV)

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

King James Version (KJV)Public Domain

how God can use any prominent political leader

Most Christians had in the past avoided pursuing political-governmental positions. Some have woken up in recent years and see that this avoidance is increasingly costly… Today we look at Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, c. 605 BC – c. 562 BC, the longest and most powerful reign of any monarch in the Neo-Babylonian empire. He defeated the Egyptians and their allies the Assyrians, subdued Palestine and Syria and, consolidating his power, controlled all trade routes across Mesopotamia from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. He was thus famous for empire expanding military conquests, building great walls, commerce and economic wealth. God actually described him as His servant. When we read his letter (Daniel chapter 4), we realize how God can use any prominent political leader even this presumably ‘hateful and feared’ (to many foreign people under his rule) pagan king to testify God’s reality, greatness and purpose!

Because of his boast of his own might and honor, Nebuchadnezzar went through seven years of forced retreat as prophesied in a strange dream (Daniel 4).  After the seven years, he acknowledged and repented his pride, and gave God honor and praise! He was then restored to kingship. It is plausible that he was completely converted and died a faithful follower of God as he continued to let Daniel remain an influential divine counselor in his government. The Old Testament Bible recorded several important Jewish men and a woman who held high/strategic political/socially influential positions in countries under pagan kings: Joseph, Moses, Queen Esther, Mordecai, Daniel, his three Jewish friends, Nehemiah, and Ezra the scribe. These individuals had played crucial roles in shaping the history of the people of God. Their strategic courageous and positive influences had saved many innocent lives including those who believed in our God and refused to bow down to pagan gods/idols.

Most Christians had in the past avoided pursuing political-governmental positions. Some have woken up in recent years and see that this avoidance is increasingly costly in terms of the erosion of freedom to continue to worship our God and bring up our own children in the godly principles and lifestyle we believe and value.  The worst is that the erosion of power and influence is in the unseen spiritual realm. When Christians lose ground in the physical it means they lose ground in the spiritual realm. The physical manifestation on earth in terms of governments and policies actually reflects the spiritual conditions in the unseen world. It is now the Kairos time for each individual to make the right decision with the opportunity and authority in hand.  (Read and meditate on Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of stewardship of the talent/resources the Lord has given to each individual).

(All Bible verses are quoted from New King James Version)
Jeremiah 27:4-7 God appoints a pagan king to be His servant.
4 And command them to say to their masters, … 6 And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field I have also given him to serve him. 7 So all nations shall serve him and his son and his son’s son, until the time of his land comes; and then many nations and great kings shall make him serve them.

Daniel 4
Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me.

3 How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, …6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men …8 But at last Daniel came before me …
…
18 “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.”

Daniel Explains the Second Dream
19 Then Daniel, …“My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!

20 “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong,…— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth.

23 “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, …till seven times pass over him’; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, …and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.

26 “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Nebuchadnezzar’s Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar… 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, …and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”

33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men …
34 And at the end of the time[b] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:…36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. ..and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

Footnotes:
Daniel 4:16 Possibly seven years, and so in verses 23, 25, and 32
Daniel 4:34 Literally days