Category: Throne

How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

6/12/2013

A person receives power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise by praying for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven; worship a holy God and crucified Savior continually by giving Him glory, honor and power; and connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Pray for Empowerment By the Holy Spirit
A door in heaven was standing open before John to show him future events. Someone sat on a throne in heaven with the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow like an emerald encircled the throne and 24 other thrones surrounded it. There were 24 elders dressed in white and gold crowns seated on them. Lightning and thunder came from the throne. Before it were seven spirits and what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal (Rev. 4:1-6a). Pray for empowerment by the Holy Spirit knowing Jesus sits on the throne in heaven.

Worship a Holy God Continually
In the center around the throne were four living creatures covered with eyes and six wings each like a lion, ox, face like a man and flying eagle. Day and night they never stopped saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." When the living creatures gave glory, honor and thanks to Him sitting on the throne who lived forever, the 24 elders fell down. They worshiped Him and cast their crowns before the throne saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being (Rev. 4:6b-11). Worship a holy God continually by giving Him glory, honor and power.

When you know that Jesus sits on the throne in heaven, you can give Him glory, honor and power.

Connect with Christ's Death Through His Word
John saw a scroll written on both sides sealed with seven seals in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. No one was worthy to open the scroll and look inside except the the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed. He saw a slain Lamb standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders with seven spirits of God. After He took the scroll, the creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb holding a harp and golden bowls of incense or prayers of the saints. They sang that He was worthy to open the scroll because He was slain and purchased with His blood men for God from every tribe, language, people and nation to be made a kingdom and priests to serve Him and reign on the earth (Rev. 5:1-10). Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word to purchase men everywhere who serve His kingdom and reign on earth.

Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise
John heard the voice of countless angels that encircled the throne, living creatures and elders. They sang that the worthy Lamb was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Every creature sang to Him who sat on the throne and gave praise, honor, glory and power to the Lamb. The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped (Rev. 5:11-14). Receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the crucified Savior through worship.

Connect with Christ's death on the cross through His word and Spirit-empowered prayer to purchase people who serve Him, which reaps power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise from the Crucified Savior.

0 Comments

How to Reign with Christ and Shepherd the Nations (Insights in NT)

6/11/2013

0 Comments

A person reigns with Christ and shepherds the nations by:
1. Walk in Christ's love doing first works
2. Endure suffering, poverty and persecution
3. Obey teaching from whole counsel of God
4. Be pure without compromise or idolatry
5. Walk in Christ's victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence
6. Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God
7. Listen to Jesus' voice for zealous service and fervent prayer

Walk in Christ's Love Doing First Works for Real Living
Christ knew the deeds, hard work and perseverance of the church in Ephesus. It could not tolerate wicked men and tested those who claimed to be apostles that were found false. They did not grow weary enduring hardships for His name. They must repent of forsaking their first love and do the things they did at first. Otherwise, Christ would remove the lampstand from its place if they did not repent. He was pleased they hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. By overcoming, He would give the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:1-7). Walk in Christ's love doing works you did at first for real living.

Endure Suffering, Poverty and Persecution to Receive Crown of Life
Christ considered Smyrna rich in their afflictions and poverty. He knew the slander of a synagogue of Satan who said they were Jews, but were not. Christ told them not to fear suffering as the devil would put some in prison to be tested and persecuted for ten days. He would give them the crown of life if they were faithful, even to death. Those who overcame would not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:8-11). Endure suffering, poverty and persecution to receive the crown of life.

Obey Teaching From Whole Counsel of God to Receive Provision and Blessing
Christ knew Pergamum lived where Satan had his throne, yet remained true to His name without renouncing their faith. They were to repent because some held the teaching of the Nicolaitans and others held to Balaam's teaching who taught Balak to entice Israel to sin by eating foods sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. He would fight against them with the sword of His mouth. Those who overcame would be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who received it (Rev. 2:12-17). Obey teaching from whole counsel of God to receive provision and blessing.

Be Pure Without Compromise and Idolatry for Reigning and Shepherding to Receive Christ as Reward
Christ knew Thyatira's deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. Their later works were greater than those done at first. However, they tolerated Jezebel who misled His servants into sexual immorality and eating foods sacrificed to idols. Because she was unwilling to repent of her immorality, Christ put her on a bed of suffering. Those who committed adultery with her would suffer intensely unless they repented of her ways. Others who did not hold onto her teaching or learned Satan's deep secrets would have no other burden. Those who overcame and did His will to the end would have authority over the nations by ruling with an iron scepter and given the morning star (Rev. 2:18-29). Be pure without compromise or idolatry for reigning with Him and shepherding the nations to receive Christ as your reward.

Walk in Christ's Victory to Overcome Busyness and Over-Confidence for His Acceptance
Christ knew Sardis' deeds and their reputation of being alive, but really dead. He commanded them to wake up and strengthen what remained and near death for their deeds were not found complete in God's sight. They were to obey and repent after remembering what they received and heard. If they did not wake up, He would come like a thief. A few worthy people did not soil their clothes and walked with Him. Overcomers were dressed in white with their names never erased from the book of life. Christ would acknowledge His name before His Father and angels (Rev. 3:1-6). Walk in Christ's victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence for His acceptance.

Embrace Evangelistic Opportunities Relying On God to Gain Stability and Honor
What Jesus opened no one could shut and what He shut no one could open. He placed an open door before them that no one could shut. He knew they had little strength, but they kept His word and did not deny His name. He made those of Satan's synagogue who claimed to be Jews but lied to fall down at their feet and acknowledge God loved them. Because they kept His command to endure patiently, He kept them from the hour of trial to test those on the earth. Because He was coming soon, they were to hold on to what they had so no one would take their crown. He made overcomers a pillar in His temple and wrote on them God's name and the name of the city of His God, the new Jerusalem, which would come down out of heaven from Him. He would write on him His new name (Rev. 3:7-13).
Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God to gain stability and honor from Him.

Listen to Jesus' Voice for Zealous Service and Fervent Prayer to Sit on His Throne
Christ knew that since Laodicea's deeds were neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, He would spit them out of His mouth. By acquiring wealth, they considered themselves rich without needs. Christ said they failed to realize their wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked state. He counseled them to buy from Him gold refined in fire to become rich, white clothes to wear so they could cover their shameful nakedness and eye salve so they could see. Because Christ rebuked and disciplined those He loved, they should be earnest and repent. If anyone heard His voice and opened the door, He would go in and eat with him and he with Him. Overcomes had the right to sit with Christ on His throne like He did with His Father on His throne (Rev. 3:14-22). Listen to Jesus' voice for zealous service and fervent prayer so you can sit on His throne.

Ask God to enable you to reign with Christ and shepherd the nations as you walk in Christ's love, endure suffering, be pure, walk in His victory, embrace evangelistic opportunities and listen to His voice for zealous service and fervent prayer.

0 Comments

Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to be Subject to You (Insights in NT)

3/31/2013

0 Comments

"We must know the power of the Blood if we are to know the power of God. Our knowing experimentally the power of the Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the power of prayer is dependant upon our knowing the power of the Blood of Christ" (R. A. Torrey)

What enables Jesus' death on the cross to cause all of creation to be subject to you? Jesus is heir of all things, Creator, radiance of God's glory, sustainer, purifier of sin, sits on God's righteous throne, signs and miracles, defeated Satan's power of death, apostle, high priest and builder of God's house.

Look to the Son as Heir of All Things
God spoke to forefathers through the prophets but in the last days He spoke by His Son. God appointed Him heir of all things and through the Son made the universe. The Son was the radiance of God's glory, exact representation of His being and sustained all things by His powerful word. After providing purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Heb. 1:1-3). Look to the Son as heir of all things, Creator, radiance of God's glory, sustainer and purifier of sin.

Consider Jesus Who Sits on God's Righteous Throne
Superior to angels, God said Jesus was His Son and God His Father. When God brought His first-born into the world, He said angels should worship the Son and made them His servants flames of fire. Concerning the Son, God's throne lasted forever and righteousness as the scepter of His kingdom. He loved righteousness and hated wickedness and anointed the Son with the oil of joy. God laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens was His work. He remained the same forever but creation perished and wore out like a robe. God said the Son sat at His right hand until He made His enemies a footstool for His feet. Angels were ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherited salvation (Heb. 1:4-14). Consider Jesus who sits on God's righteous throne to defeat His enemies using angels to serve believers.

Do Not Drift Away From the Great Salvation
Paying attention to what they heard prevented drifting away from the binding message spoken by angels. If disobedience received punishment, no one escaped by ignoring a great salvation announced by the Lord and confirmed by those who heard Him. God testified to it by signs, wonders, various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (Heb. 2:1-4). Do not drift away from the great salvation announced by Jesus and confirmed by signs, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to Be Subject to You
The Psalmist testified that God remembered and cared for man by making him a little lower than the angels. He crowned man with glory and honor so everything was subject to him. Because this had not occurred yet, God allowed Jesus to suffer and taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, God the Creator made the author of salvation perfect through suffering. Both men made holy and Jesus were of the same family. Jesus unashamedly called them brothers and children of God by singing and praising His name to them (Heb. 2:5-13). Know that Jesus' death causes all creation to be subject to you.

Trust Jesus' Death for Freedom From Fear and Satan's Power
Jesus shared in humanity by His death that destroyed Satan who held the power of death and freed those enslaved to the fear of death. Because Jesus helped Abraham's descendants, He was made like His brothers in every way as a merciful and faithful high priest to make atonement for sin. Jesus suffered during temptation so He was able to help those who were tempted (Heb. 2:14-18). Trust Jesus' death on the cross for freedom from fear and Satan's power.

Think About Jesus as Your Apostle and High Priest
Those who shared in the heavenly calling fixed their thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest. As the builder of God's house, He was worthy of greater honor than Moses. God was the builder of everything, but Moses was faithful as a servant in His house. Christ was faithful as a son over God's house consisting of believers who boasted in courage and hope (Heb. 3:1-6). Think about Jesus as your apostle and high priest as you boast in courage and hope.

Believe Confidently in a Living God
The Holy Spirit told those who heard His voice not to harden their hearts like Israel's 40 years of testing in the desert. Their hearts went astray so they did not enter God's rest. Instead of a sinful, unbelieving heart that turned away from the living God, encourage one another daily so no one would be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Those who stayed confident and did not harden their heart shared in Christ. Moses led Israel out of Egypt and their sin and disobedience because of unbelief prevented them from entering into God's rest (Heb. 3:7-19). Believe confidently in a living God to enter God's rest.

Which of the following items encourage you the most that cause creation to be subject to you through Jesus' death on the cross:
1. Jesus is heir of all things
2. Jesus as Creator
3. Jesus as radiance of God's glory
4. Jesus as sustainer
5. Jesus as purifier of sin
6. Jesus sits on God's righteous throne
7. Jesus showing signs and miracles
8. Jesus defeated Satan's power of death
9. Jesus as apostle
10. Jesus as high priest
11. Jesus as builder of God's house

0 Comments

God's Promises to Abraham, Moses and David Foundational to Understanding Gospel of Christ (Insights in NT)

3/23/2012

0 Comments

People need more than the Four Spiritual Laws when you preach the gospel to them. Let's take a look at Stephen's preaching when he shared how God worked with Abraham, Moses and David. You're thinking, "I don't want to get stoned like Stephen," but look at the results. Peoples' hearts were convicted and it made a deep impression on Saul who later became the great apostle Paul. God's promises to Abraham, Moses and David are foundational in understanding and responding to the gospel of Christ.

Stephen answered the high priest saying the God of glory appeared to Abraham when lived in Mesopotamia and said to leave his country and relatives and come to the land He would show him. After Abraham's father died in Haran, God brought him to Israel and gave it to him and his offspring as a possession. They would be slaves and mistreated in a foreign land for 400 years. God would judge Egypt and allow them to come out and serve Him. Abraham became the father of Isaac with Jacob his grandson who had 12 sons as patriarchs. Jealousy led the patriarchs to sell Joseph into Egypt. God rescued him from all afflictions and made him governor over Egypt and his household. When famine came in Egypt and Canaan, Joseph made himself to known to his brothers. Joseph invited Jacob his father and 75 relatives when they heard about the grain there. The people multiplied fulfilling God's promise to Abraham before Moses was born (Acts 7:1-19). Abraham received God's promise of possessing land and descendants unconditionally.

The Egyptians educated Moses and he became powerful in words and deeds. After taking vengeance when an Israelite was mistreated, Moses fled to Midian. After 40 years, an angel appeared in a burning bush to tell Moses to rule and deliver the Israelites. He performed wonders and signs in Egypt, Red Sea and wilderness for 40 years. Moses received living oracles on Mt. Sinai that they disobeyed by making a golden calf and worshiping Mooch and Rompha. Moses instructed them on how to build the tabernacle of testimony that Joshua brought while dispossessing the nations until the time of David (Acts 7:20-45). Moses received God's promise concerning unconditional ownership of the land, but enjoyed his relationship with God through obedience.

David asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob, but Solomon built a house for Him even though the Most High does not dwell in houses made by humans since heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool. You men always resist the Holy Spirit and disobey the law like your fathers that killed the prophets who announced the coming of the Righteous One (Acts 7:46-53). David received God's promise of establishing His house, kingdom and throne eternally and unconditionally once he gave up control.

They were convicted by Stephen's preaching and began gnashing their teeth at him. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. They began stoning him and the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of Saul. Stephen called upon the Lord and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" and then died (Acts 7:54-60). Preaching and teaching God's covenants with Abraham, Moses and David convict people of sin and lead to dramatic response.

Do you understand God's covenant to Abraham, Moses and David? If not, study Gen. 12-15; Deut. 28-30; and 2 Sam. 7. What difference does it make in helping you understand the gospel of Christ?

0 Comments

Why We Don't Pray More (Insights in Prophets)

9/13/2011

0 Comments

Why don't we pray more? Here are five reasons why we don't pray:
1. We don't want anything since we live satisfied, complacent lives
2. We don't care enough about others
3. We think small since the world revolves around our daily routine, television, visiting the mall, etc.
4. We don't want to get involved since we pay the pastor to run the church, missionaries to evangelize and government to care for the poor
5. We're afraid God will respond since He may want to use us personally in answering our prayer.
David's comfortable and peaceful life got interrupted when God started speaking to Him through Nathan (2 Sam. 7).

Listen to Revelation of God's Word
In a time of peace, David told Nathan, the prophet, that he (David) dwelt in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelt within tent curtains. The Lord said to Nathan that David shouldn't build God a house since He lived in a tent since Israel left Egypt. God never commanded them to build a house of cedar. David went from pasturing sheep to ruling over His people Israel. God's continual presence would make David's name great and protect Israel from the afflictions of the wicked. The Lord would build a house for David by raising up descendants through him to establish his kingdom. God would build a house for His name and establish the throne of His kingdom forever. He would father His son, David, correct him with the rod of men and continue His lovingkindness. David's house, kingdom and throne would endure forever (2 Sam. 7:1-17). God promises to build His kingdom through your spiritual descendants.

Respond by Praying to God
David humbly acknowledged God's greatness and uniqueness in promising descendants through his line. He marveled that God would redeem Israel out of Egypt and their gods to make a name for Himself. Since the Lord would become Israel's God, David asked that His spoken word magnify His name forever. David's heart to pray was motivated by God's revelation that "I will build you a house." As truth, God's word was a promise to actively bless David and his descendants forever (2 Sam. 7:18-29). Prayer activates God's promise to build His kingdom through your spiritual descendants.

Consider these three challenges to enrich your prayer life:
1. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:19). Nothing like dealing with someone's eternal destiny for you to take prayer seriously.

2. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:36-38). Working in God's harvest field helps you develop a deep care and concern for others when you see your neighbor struggling without a shepherd.

3. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matt. 25:35-36). Getting involved in the lives of needy, hurting people will supercharge your prayer batteries.
When we serve, we love. When we love, then we pray.

0 Comments

How to Receive Power, Wealth, Wisdom, Strength, Honor, Glory and Praise (Insights in NT)

How to Reign with Christ and Shepherd the Nations (Insights in NT)

Know Jesus' Death Causes Creation to be Subject to You (Insights in NT)

God's Promises to Abraham, Moses and David Foundational to Understanding Gospel of Christ (Insights in NT)

Why We Don't Pray More (Insights in Prophets)

Archives

Categories