In my corporate days, I have taught a useful leadership management topic called, “Begin at the end”. What it means is that when you know your finish line, you will run with focus, boldness, and even ease. How do we know what the finish line of our life is? The Bible is our plume line. When we know what God uses to measure our lives, and what resources and abilities He has richly given us, we know the finish line.
I cannot think of a more essential strategic book to read than the Book of Revelation* in December 2020. In the early 1980s when first baptized in the Spirit and started to feel the hunger pang for God’s words, I was posted by my company to a town with only one evangelical church and the pastor, a fervent missionary, who decided to teach the handful of us the book of Revelation in nightly Bible classes! Imagine suddenly throwing someone who cannot swim overboard into the vast ocean. That was exactly what happened to me that winter. Looking back, I still remember listening and reading the unimaginable words and phrases night after night, with my mouth wide-opened in awe, and it turned out to be one of the best years for a “novice” in Christ. Unlike what many Christians may think, the book of Revelation is not a book of bad news for us. I believe that after one learns to swim proficiently in this vast ocean, there will be great rejoicing reading any other Book of the Bible (including the Leviticus)! For those who are familiar with this Book, it is still good to meditate on it and prepare for the year 2021. Begin at the finish line and you will not go astray.
The Book of Revelation is the finish line for mankind, including believers and none believers of Jesus Christ. There are already many easily accessible good online teachings and free Bible study tools for anyone interested. I would only share some of my notes on a few passages. Today I am led to look at three passages in chapter one: 1:1, 1:3, and 1:10 which speak to me.
What does Jesus mean by telling John in the three passages, highlighting:
“the events that must soon take place”, “for the time is near”, and “write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches”?
1:1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John,
3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
10 It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. 11 It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churchesin the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
The watchman’s notes:
The apostle John was worshiping in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day when he saw and heard Jesus talking to him and revealing to him the future events about mankind. 1:10
John describes the Jesus he saw and what he heard in 1:10-20. he summarized what he understood who Jesus really is in 1:5-7. Briefly, Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. And He is coming again, and every eye will see Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
What are the events that must soon take place? They are all recorded down by John in the Book of Revelation. How soon will they take place? John wrote this book while in exile on the Patmos Island around 95AD. The message of Revelation is about what is to come. John is writing in two spaces: what was happening then and what would happen in the future. The book gives a picture of what will happen as we close the doors on human history as we know it and we look forward with anticipation to Jesus’ second coming.
What does it mean by “must soon take place”? When we read the Bible we can note that there is an emphasis on time, which reminds us that God does things in His time, the right time. From the definition of the word “soon” from Strong’s Greek 5034: Quickness, speed; hastily, immediately, it would appear in God’s view it would not be delayed when that right time comes. With God, a thousand years is like a day. In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself gave some answers to His disciples about the Jesus’ second coming and of the end of the age, and what will be the signs to watch. (Also read Mark 13; Daniel 9:23-27)
There are many teachings on how to interpret Matthew 24. I have noted two clues in 24:7-12, verse 10 for Christians, “Then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” How can this be? Yes, it is happening today, sadly, even among Christians and “believers” of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Verse 9 gives another frightening clue, “you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” Verse 8 concludes what these mean when they happen, “All these are the beginnings of sorrows.”
The development and rise of influencers’ power through media (communication) via the internet and digital technology has accelerated the speed and spread of information and shaping of the mind (attitude, value and belief). It also means that “all nations” can access to big information, including hate speeches/news almost simultaneously.
The above development and clear signs mean that “the time is near“. Revelation 1:3
What shall Christians do when we read, hear, understand these words? Do what John was asked to do. Obey. Spread the words and help others to understand.
Jesus came to this planet with a clear and focused mission, to save mankind from the power of sins and bondages and eternal damnation. And He did His part before He left earth. What did He tell tell His followers to do before He left? Matthew 28:17-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-49; John 21:15-17; Acts 1:7-8.
Take note that 1:10-11 clearly states that the Book of Revelation is for the Christians to read, listen and obey, and the Lord Jesus singles out seven kinds of condition a conglomerate of Christians could be under.
Revelation 22:6 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”
Jesus Is Coming
Revelation 22:7 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Revelation (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
an uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times ( Hebrews 1:1 ) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF GOD .) The Scriptures are not merely the “record” of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate preservation and propagation of the truth.
Revelation and inspiration differ. Revelation is the supernatural communication of truth to the mind; inspiration (q.v.) secures to the teacher or writer infallibility in communicating that truth to others. It renders its subject the spokesman or prophet of God in such a sense that everything he asserts to be true, whether fact or doctrine or moral principle, is true, infallibly true.
Today’s revelation received by the watchman (Nov 22, 2020)
December 18, 520 BC. Haggai 2:18
Message to the priests about holiness, not getting themselves defiled by association with those defiled by sin, and rebuilding the Temple of God
2:10 On December 18 of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord sent this message to the prophet Haggai: 11 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says. Ask the priests this question about the law…
Message to the people of God (the remnants of God’s people) to repent from their sin
2:14 Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin.
The consequences of their sins: economic failure
15 Look at what was happening to you before you began to lay the foundation of the Lord’s Temple. 16 When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty. 17 I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the Lord.
God’s promise: a booming economy
2:18 “Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the Lord’sTemple was laid. Think carefully. 19 I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.”
Promises for Zerubbabel (the anointed ruler) about giving him the authority to rule: God promises to overthrow other contending rulers, foreign power, overturn their military forces and cause confusion within the enemy’s camp so they will kill each other and self-destruct
20 On that same day, December 18, the Lord sent this second message to Haggai: 21 “TellZerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.
23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
God’s promise and encouragement for the discouraged Temple builders: the political and religious leaders (the king and the priests) and the people (the remnant of God’s people): be strong and fearless in building up for God, and He will bring victory over their enemies and physical and spiritual prosperity for His people
4 But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’
6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
Key point of this revelation:
On December 18, 520 BC, the God-anointed political leader (Zerubbabel) and the high priest Jeshua, led the people of God to lay thefoundation of the Lord’sTemple. And that is the day when God reminded the priests of holiness, the people to stay away from sins, and officially recognized Zerubbabel as His designated ruler for His people and their land.
Kainotes, Nov 22, 2020
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jewish history of the Hanukkah celebration and miracle
Friday, December 18, 2020 is the equivalent of 3 Tevet, 5781 Chanukah Day 8
8th Day of Chanukah Miracle (139 BCE)
On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple’s oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple’s menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.
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.”
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? Inevery 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.
Imagine a woman who is healed of cancer in her ovary, uterus, brain, bones, lungs and lymph nodes all within a year? This is her testimony!
Our Lord and Savior Jesus came to this world and achieved two most important human needs: salvation and healing. We pray that you will be healed too as you receive faith through reading the following powerful testimony of a healed sister in Christ. The following is my translation of sister Sue’s (phonic name) testimony (with minor excerpting from a very lengthy detailed testimony in another language). She was found to have cancer in many parts of her body in early 2003 and she was healed of all of them by October the same year! She gave the following testimony in 2016 and continues to enjoy the cancer-free life with her family —an abundant life that Jesus has promised every believer, in spirit, soul and body!
SISTER SUE’S TESTIMONY
Mental (spiritual) preparation
At the beginning of 2003, a day after I attended a three-day seminar in the church, a great change occurred in my heart. Suddenly, memories of many long-forgotten past events appeared vividly… all triggered my deep review and reflection. I sincerely confessed and repented to God of the past mistakes as revealed daily, and felt that my soul is being constantly washed and purified by the Lord. My Christian belief changed from being mere attending lively church activities to being honestly and seriously facing my true situation before God.
Accidentally uncovered cancer
Just a month after my mindset and life changes, my lungs were X-rayed due to asthma , and a small blister was found in my liver. The prudent family doctor arranged for me to have a further ultrasound examination.
During the examination, the examiner accidentally found a huge tumor in my ovary that had extended to the liver, but I was unaware of it. I was immediately arranged for operation by specialist doctor. Two weeks later, the 10×16 cm tumor, the size of a cantaloupe, was removed together with my ovary and uterus. The doctor found malignant cancer cells in the excised tumor, but at that time the doctor judged that the cancer cells might not have spread.
Blessing in disguise
After the operation, one day my husband was driving and listening to a Christian radio. Suddenly he heard a song he had never heard before and the lyrics were quoted from Jeremiah 29:11: “The Lord said:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This song deeply touched his heart, he knew that God was speaking to him. Indeed, this verse has also become a sure strength for his heart when our family goes through perilous situations later. Brothers and sisters in several churches prayed for me urgently. A sister received this for me: “Jehovah blesses you fully.” After I was discharged from the hospital, in the first service at another church the first hymn the pastor announced was, “The end is not yet.” Indeed, the subsequent waves of “blessings” followed one after another….
Metastatic cancer spread to the brain
Less than a month after the abdominal surgery, I was hospitalized again due to persistent vomiting. My husband and daughter found that my conversational response was somewhat abnormal. E.g. when a medical staff asked me questions in English, I answered in Mandarin; when it was time to speak Mandarin, I responded in English. Through the computer tomography scan, the doctor surprisingly discovered a tumor in my brain, which oppressed the Central Nervous System, causing me to vomit and having abnormal speech.
So that night, an emergency operation was performed, and the neurosurgeon removed two tumors of 4 cm and 1 cm in diameter from my brain. The risk of this operation is extremely high, and a slight error may impair future speech and mobility. Thank God for keeping me safe. When my husband came to see me in the recovery room the next morning, I was sitting on the bed eating a sandwich for breakfast, which surprised him. At dusk, I transferred to the general ward. The night of the operation happened to be Good Friday. Two days later on Easter morning, when the warm sunlight shone from the window onto my body, I had a feeling: It is done! I am already healed!
after brain surgery 2003 April
Just after the head surgery. (April 2003)
At the same time, all the worries and burdens that have been accumulated in my life since I was a child seemed to have been cut off along with the malignant tumor on my body. Because I realized that, no matter how much I had worried and planned (for my life), I had never expected that I would suffer from cancer. But the Father God has taken charge of all these, revealing and removing the cancers in ways that I did not expect. This allowed me to return to the innocence of a child, to rest completely in the arms of the Heavenly Father, to enjoy his intimate and sweet love, and to stop worrying about the future. The Bible is like a brand-new book full of surprises, which deeply attracts my eagerness to read. My heart is always filled with praise, love, gratitude, thirst and worship for the Lord.
Receive radiation therapy
After the brain surgery, I received radiotherapy on the head for another two weeks. The doctor frankly told us that the survival rate of patients with brain tumors is generally not high, and there is no big difference between having or not having radiotherapy. But because my brain tumors are more concentrated on one location and I have greater hope of healing, I decided to accept radiotherapy for reinforcement. After the radiotherapy, I started to lose my hair.
During this time, the church has been praying for me. A sister whom I don’t know very well called to comfort my daughter not to worry, because when the church prayed for me, a phrase appeared in her heart: “Woman, you are free from this disease!” I thought to myself: “Lord! Thank you for comforting me through this sister, but can you please tell me again in person?”
Soon, when I was waiting for radiotherapy, I picked up the Bible to read, and suddenly I was prompted in my heart: “Chapter 13!” But there are 66 books in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Which book’s Chapter 13? Unexpectedly, when I opened my Bible, it happened to be Luke chapter 13. When I came to verse 12, it said, “When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free from your sickness!” Thank God, He personally reaffirmed to me His promise of healing.
Metastatic cancer spread to the pelvis
A month later, through CT scan and bone scan, the doctor was surprised to find that there was a tumor with a diameter of 4.8 cm on my pelvis. The attending physician said that ovarian cancer rarely spreads to the bones; a female physician who consulted also said that she had only seen two or three such cases in 25 years of medical practice. This tumor seemed to have existed for a long time. Because it compressed the muscles and nerves around the hip joint, and caused me to have frequent back pain and hip joint pain for many years. So I received a two-week local radiation therapy.
Metastatic cancer spread to the lungs and lymph
Soon, due to my constant coughing, the doctor discovered that the cancer cells had spread to the lungs and lymph nodes, and the swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ears was clearly palpable. So I decided to receive a monthly chemotherapy, a total of six times. Each drop injection took about five hours.
God’s grace and supernatural protection from the unwanted effects of the chemotherapy
Anyone facing chemotherapy will immediately think of many painful side effects such as vomiting, oral ulcers, loss of appetite, weakened immune resistance. But when I was halfway through the first chemotherapy, I felt hungry and asked my husband to buy me a rich lunch. When the nurse came in and saw me eating and drinking with relish while taking the drop injection, she was surprised and asked where my husband had bought the meal. She also wanted to buy one set!
after first chemotherapy 2003 August
After the chemotherapy, I went home and slept. I woke up sweating profusely, my cough disappeared completely, and I felt relax all over after taking a bath. At that instant a church sister who worked in a pharmacy called and asked me cautiously whether I felt alright after the chemotherapy. I said, I feel comfortable all over. When she heard that, she cried loudly on the other end of the phone: “Father! How much I want to thank you. I have never heard a patient say that after chemotherapy, she feels comfortable all over. How you have favored our sister!” She told me that they can recognize any chemotherapy patients in the pharmacy by their haggard look first, and then confirm by their prescription. But I didn’t have any side effects. What a grace of God!
Blood test result AFTER each chemotherapy showed that the number of red blood cells and white blood cells remained the same as BEFORE the chemotherapy.
During the chemotherapy, my appetite and sleep were wonderful; the cough and thigh pain caused by the tumor disappeared, and my walking became more and more vigorous. The body feels refreshed and being reborn.
God really granted the prayer request from brothers and sisters in Christ, “Please let the chemotherapy only kill cancer cells, and not harm any normal cells.”
He also reminded me of His promises: ” 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name…and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”.” (Mark 16:17-18)
The tumor disappeared completely, certified completely healed!
Prior the last chemotherapy at the end of 2003, the doctor performed a computer tomography scan of my whole body and found that all the cancers in my body had disappeared. The shadows on the lungs and trachea are gone, the tumors on the pelvis are gone, and new bones have grown to fill the holes left by the tumors.
My cancer doctor is a very kind old doctor. He was very excited to see the wonderful changes in my body. He said that the treatment effect far exceeded his best expectations. He has practiced medicine for 35 years and diagnosed tens of thousands of cancer patients, but this case shocked him in many ways. He admits that he can no longer rely on the years of experience and professional practices in the past, and must be humble for new learning. I told him that this was because of the intervention of God’s grace—God has answered the prayers of many people.
My attending physician was very happy every time I returned to the clinic for regular check-up. (October 2004)
with the physician 2004 October
Until now (January 2016), my health has been very good. Every time I return to the clinic, the attending physician is very happy. He said he has nothing to do except for the routine checkup. After the last check-up in February 2011, the physician told me that there is no need to return to the clinic anymore.
Prophecy fulfilled after 34 years of accepting Jesus
This experience reminded me of the scriptures that moved and convicted me to accept the Lord Jesus 34 years ago:
” But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;. “(Isaiah 43:1～3a)
The verses are really the best portrayal of what I went through. I am surprised that when I first met Him when I was young, the Lord foretold the miracles that I would experience in 34 years.
Some people think that I must have a strong will to survive, or an extraordinary courage, to overcome the disease, but it’s not at all. I don’t have a trace of courage or strength myself. I just feel that I have never enjoyed such a deep relaxation, comfort and tranquility in my life, as if I was on vacation without feeling sick.
This is like in the third chapter of the book of Daniel in the Bible, the three friends of the prophet Daniel were thrown into the fiery furnace by the king of Babylon. However, because of God’s protection, not only did they not get hurt, they didn’t even smell of fire. The ropes that bound them were all burned up.
This is how God has kept me safe for the nine months of treatment, and at the same time burned all the chains that have bound me for many years. They include doubts about God, unbelief, ungenerous toward others, jealousy, stinginess, criticism, complaints, unforgiveness, and self-conceit, inferiority, self-pity, selfishness… Not only did I regain a healthy body, I regained the opportunity to reconcile and fellowship with relatives and friends. Most importantly: I have regained my relationship with God (knowledge of God) and experienced His wonder, greatness, mercy, loving kindness, acceptance, and holiness… and a completely changed new heart. I have truly experienced “the full Jehovah’s blessings” after all.
Conclusion
Sue with her husband and daughter in 2006
I am infinitely grateful for the many blessings I have received along this journey. I have personally experienced that by simply trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, He can surely open a way out for those who pray for Him regardless how desperate your situation may seem.
The Lord not only healed my body, but also awoke my soul, to see my past ignorance: taking longevity and health for granted, always worrying about all the temporal things, labor and sorrow all day long, not knowing my own Life is so fragile, and that it may leave this world at any time. By then, all the wealth, reputation, status, or honor and disgrace, success or failure, gains and losses, would mean nothing to me. What can protect me and make me face eternity calmly?
He made me understand that my daily life is shaping my future in eternity, and what values in the eternal is being intimately close to the loving heavenly Father, holding his hand tightly, and living each day that he has given me according to his will.
Sister Sue’s invitation to every reader of this testimony:
If you too are willing to accept the salvation and peace of Jesus Christ and become a child of God, please pray to Him now:
“Lord Jesus! Please save me! Help me know you!”
He will answer your prayer because the Bible promises us:
“For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ” (John 1:12) In the future, He will also bring us into His eternal Kingdom of Light.
(The end of the testimony)
Note: I want to give credit to sister Sue for her healed testimony, which I believe would help transform the situations of many who believe. I also thank those who made her testimony available online in its original language.
Any error or omission in the English translation is entirely mine (the translator).
How do you know you are called? How sure are you of your vision and calling? I am led to read how the first disciple of Jesus discovered this “how” factor. And it varies. There are two different scenario described in the first chapter of the Gospel of John.
John records how two disciples of John the Baptist became Jesus’ first disciples. (1:35-42) The two heard John declare that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and decided to follow Jesus to see where He lives. Jesus replied, “Come and see.” They went with Him to where He was staying and remained with Him the rest of the day. There is no mention why they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But what followed that going and staying with Jesus is significant. There were two of them together but only one is mentioned by name, Andrew, the brother of Peter. Andrew went on and told Peter they have found the Messiah (Christ)! (the Bible did not record what happened to the other disciple of John the Baptist. Did he continue to follow Jesus? He is not among the twelve chosen to be apostles by Jesus later. Andrew and Peter became apostles. The unnamed disciple seemed to have missed it.
In a second scenario Jesus took the initiative to go to Galilee to look for disciples. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” And Philip became Jesus’ disciple. After that Philip went and looked for Nathanael and told him that they have found the person Moses and the prophets wrote about, namely Jesus! Both Philip and Nathanael became apostles. (1:43-49)
Let’s look at the similarities of the two apostles (Andrew and Philip):
Both Andrew and Philip are well prepared, full of expectancy and are convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.
They bring people to Jesus. (Andrew: John 1:41-42, 6:8-9, 12:20-26)
They both say, “we have found the Messiah.”
It means that they have been searching, enquiring and looking out for the arrival of the Messiah. When Jesus appears, they recall what they have learned about the Messiah, and are fully convinced and respond to His calling immediately.
They show their faith in action by going to tell someone what they have found and believed. They became eager witnesses for Him naturally.
In summary, they first learned about what Moses and the prophets wrote about the Messiah, and expected Him to really come. When Jesus came and they heard about Him, they believed and responded when He called them. They declared to their close relative and friend, “We have found the Messiah—Jesus is the One!”
The Holy Spirit through John has given great significance to the calling of Andrew and Philip who in turn became the first two evangelists among the disciples. It is also significant to note that both Peter and Nathanael were at first reluctant to follow Jesus! They had to be persuaded. On the other hand, Andrew and Philip were already ready when Jesus showed up!
Knowing and searching come before encountering and calling. When the calling comes they already know.
Many tragedies occurred lately this 2019 Easter and Passover. I now recall reading this, “The big tragedy in the church today is that for the most part Christians major on and build their lives upon truths that are non-foundational or non-essentials.” The Bible teacher continued to state that “from the beginning it’s always been God’s intention that we be stable and well-balanced beings. It is not God’s will that we live unstable and unbalanced lives. This is not the quality of life that Jesus died to give us.” He said.
How may Christians live a balanced and stable quality life? Jesus came to give us truths (words) as our foundation to build our lives upon and not be shaken and fall. What are those word foundations? The teacher taught, “Righteousness by faith (Faith-Righteousness) is the cornerstone (or capstone) of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Why did God call Abraham righteous? Because he believed God. Likewise, we believe in Jesus whom God gave us through sacrificing His life for us and made us righteous before God by grace through faith. The teacher described the foundation truths as the vital signs of a person.
Daily we return to bed knowing how miraculous it has been that a day has passed and we are still alive. This is how many acknowledge these days.
What does Jesus say about living a good life with the right focus on earth? Let us read some of His words lest we forget.
Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)
Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22)
“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Luke 11:36)
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)
[ Teaching about Money and Possessions ] Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Luke 12:22-23,25)
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,” (Luke 21:34)
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. (John 1:4)
For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! ” The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 5:21,39; 6:63)
[ Jesus, the Light of the World ] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ” (John 10:10,11,15,17-18,28)
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:6,20)
