A. Rev. 1-3, John saw Jesus and heard His last statement concerned the Church sitting on thrones (Rev. 3:21). John next mentions the Father’s Throne (Rev. 4). Scripture speaks of two Thrones,the Father’s Throne and Jesus’ Throne (at His right hand). The two Thrones manifest the one authority of God. The Throne speaks of God’s vast Empire or Kingdom.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne. (Rev. 3:21)
9 "I watched till Thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days (Father) was seated…His Throne was a fiery flame…10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. 11 I watched till the beast (Antichrist) was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame….13 "I was watching …behold, One like the Son of Man (Jesus), coming with the clouds…He came to the Ancient of Days…14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a Kingdom, that all peoples,nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. (Dan. 7:9-14)
B. God’s beauty is seen in His royal court where His Throne is set up. God’s Throne is like the “royal palace” of a king and is synonymous with the heavenly Temple. The Father's Throne shines forth with Jasper (diamond-like), Sardius brightness and flaming fire (Dan. 7:10). Jesus’ Throne is sapphire like the sea is around it (Ezek. 1:26; Ex. 24:10). Both Thrones are under the same emerald rainbow and are surrounded by the sapphire crystal Sea.
6 Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (Ps. 96:6)
C. John sees One called, “Him who sits upon the Throne.” This is a mysterious title for One so eloquent. The great communicator of all the ages hides Himself in obscurity. He only hints about His glory throughout Revelation. He talks so little about Himself in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus. John sees the Father sitting in total confidence and security. None can challenge Him. This Throne has all power and cannot be conquered. He has dominion over all.
D. God’s Throne is good and establishes us in the fullness of joy forever. The glorious dream of happiness and joy will never end. It is the pinnacle of celebration of our intimacy with God.
4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Rev. 21:4)
E. God’s Throne will sustain and unify us forever as it punishes evil and vindicates righteousness.
F. God’s Throne is forever. All that is accomplishes is forever permanent.
44 The God of heaven will set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the Kingdom shall…break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Dan. 2:44)
G. All the people of history will stand before God’s Throne.
11 I saw a great white Throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. 12 I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened…the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:11-15)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
H. We have access to God’s Throne right now by prayer. This is the place that our prayers are received. The greatest expression of our destiny in this age and the age-to-come is manifest as we relate to God’s Throne on the Sea by worship and intercession.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A Throne and One Who Sat on It
I was in the Spirit and behold, a Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne. (Rev. 4:2)
A. John sees God’s Throne which is far more powerful than the throne of the Roman empire that was crushing Israel and the Church. John sees the Throne and the Person who has total authority over Rome and Satan’s kingdom. This revelation brings great confidence to us. A key focus in the Book of Revelation is God's Throne (referred to 40 times).
B. This “set Throne” is set forever. It is not a temporary power like the Roman Empire. God’s Throne guarantees us that all of God’s plans will come to pass. God’s Throne assures us that our destiny cannot be stopped, thus we cannot fail as we relate to Him with faith and obedience. God’s will in our life cannot be stopped by Satan, demons or men.
C. The Throne guarantees the certainty of God’s plans. The Throne of God is referred to 40 times in the book of Revelation. The Throne pictures God as the ruler over everything; the One who conquers everything. Nothing can resist it and overcome it; it's the highest of all. There are seven Throne scenes in Revelation (4:2-6:17; 7:9-17; 11:15-19; 14: 1-5; 15: 2-8; 19:1-8; 21:1-22:9).
D. John sees a real Person on the Throne at the governmental center of the universe. A Person with fiery emotions, a vast intellect and who possesses all power, and is 100% observant as He watches over and cares for us. He is a Person who sees, cares, remembers and feels joy or sadness related to our responses to Him. What happens in our life and heart affects His heart. He feels our pain, sees our value, and plans our welfare. We are not alone; we will live together with Him. There is One who desires meaningful partnership with His inferiors.
A. John sees God’s Throne which is far more powerful than the throne of the Roman empire that was crushing Israel and the Church. John sees the Throne and the Person who has total authority over Rome and Satan’s kingdom. This revelation brings great confidence to us. A key focus in the Book of Revelation is God's Throne (referred to 40 times).
B. This “set Throne” is set forever. It is not a temporary power like the Roman Empire. God’s Throne guarantees us that all of God’s plans will come to pass. God’s Throne assures us that our destiny cannot be stopped, thus we cannot fail as we relate to Him with faith and obedience. God’s will in our life cannot be stopped by Satan, demons or men.
C. The Throne guarantees the certainty of God’s plans. The Throne of God is referred to 40 times in the book of Revelation. The Throne pictures God as the ruler over everything; the One who conquers everything. Nothing can resist it and overcome it; it's the highest of all. There are seven Throne scenes in Revelation (4:2-6:17; 7:9-17; 11:15-19; 14: 1-5; 15: 2-8; 19:1-8; 21:1-22:9).
D. John sees a real Person on the Throne at the governmental center of the universe. A Person with fiery emotions, a vast intellect and who possesses all power, and is 100% observant as He watches over and cares for us. He is a Person who sees, cares, remembers and feels joy or sadness related to our responses to Him. What happens in our life and heart affects His heart. He feels our pain, sees our value, and plans our welfare. We are not alone; we will live together with Him. There is One who desires meaningful partnership with His inferiors.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Need to Encounter God's Beauty
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the House of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. (Ps. 27:4)
A. Why do we need to understand God’s beauty? The Spirit is orchestrating a worldwide prophetic worship and prayer movement that is essential in releasing God’s power to the nations before Jesus’ Second Coming. This movement is fueled by the revelation of Jesus’ beauty. Isaiah prophesied that the revelation of Jesus’ beauty would be revealed in the generation He returns.
B. The subject of God’s beauty is the same as the subject of His holiness and glory. There is a compelling power in the revelation of beauty. It answers an ache in our soul that was put there by God. We cannot live to our fullest spiritually without the revelation of beauty. Beauty is intrinsic to our emotional and spiritual health. It is a vast subject.
C. The pursuit of the deep things of the knowledge of God is the highest and most difficult reality in the Spirit. It is the Mt. Everest of the Kingdom of God. The study of God’s beauty takes time and work. It comes slowly. Do not be impatient, but persevere with a marathon pace as you mine for gold. Our life is a long treasure hunt into God’s beauty.
D. Revelation 4 and 5 give us the highest revelation of God’s beauty in Scripture. They describe the Holy of Holies of the Eternal City. God could have put anything around His Throne that He wanted. What the beautiful God put around Himself expresses His beauty to creation. It is all very purposeful. I call Rev. 4-5, the “beauty realm of God” and the “heavenly symphony.” Here we see that the great Governmental Prayer Center of the universe is fueled by God’s beauty.
E. Rev. 4:1-7, describes the 15 “doorways” into understanding God’s beauty as seen in His governmental center. Here are 15 main aspects that point to God’s beauty.
1. The ultimate reality: God’s life, Throne, and Person (Rev. 4:2)
2. The beauty of God: what He looks like, feels like, and acts like (Rev. 4:3)
3. The beauty of God’s partners: the Church enthroned, robed, and crowned (Rev. 4:4)
4. The beauty of God’s power: manifestations of power (lightning, thunder, sounds (Rev. 4:5a)
5. The beauty of the Spirit’s fire: on the Throne, the seraphim and the saints (Rev. 4:5b-7; 15:2)
1 Behold, a door standing open in heaven….the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet…saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place." 2 I was in the Spirit and…Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne. 3 He…was like a jasper and a sardius stone…there was a rainbow around the Throne…4 Around the Throne were 24 Thrones…I saw 24 elders...in white robes; they had crowns…5 From the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning... 6 Before the Throne there was a sea of glass…around the Throne, were four living creatures… (Rev. 4:1-6)
A. Why do we need to understand God’s beauty? The Spirit is orchestrating a worldwide prophetic worship and prayer movement that is essential in releasing God’s power to the nations before Jesus’ Second Coming. This movement is fueled by the revelation of Jesus’ beauty. Isaiah prophesied that the revelation of Jesus’ beauty would be revealed in the generation He returns.
B. The subject of God’s beauty is the same as the subject of His holiness and glory. There is a compelling power in the revelation of beauty. It answers an ache in our soul that was put there by God. We cannot live to our fullest spiritually without the revelation of beauty. Beauty is intrinsic to our emotional and spiritual health. It is a vast subject.
C. The pursuit of the deep things of the knowledge of God is the highest and most difficult reality in the Spirit. It is the Mt. Everest of the Kingdom of God. The study of God’s beauty takes time and work. It comes slowly. Do not be impatient, but persevere with a marathon pace as you mine for gold. Our life is a long treasure hunt into God’s beauty.
D. Revelation 4 and 5 give us the highest revelation of God’s beauty in Scripture. They describe the Holy of Holies of the Eternal City. God could have put anything around His Throne that He wanted. What the beautiful God put around Himself expresses His beauty to creation. It is all very purposeful. I call Rev. 4-5, the “beauty realm of God” and the “heavenly symphony.” Here we see that the great Governmental Prayer Center of the universe is fueled by God’s beauty.
E. Rev. 4:1-7, describes the 15 “doorways” into understanding God’s beauty as seen in His governmental center. Here are 15 main aspects that point to God’s beauty.
1. The ultimate reality: God’s life, Throne, and Person (Rev. 4:2)
2. The beauty of God: what He looks like, feels like, and acts like (Rev. 4:3)
3. The beauty of God’s partners: the Church enthroned, robed, and crowned (Rev. 4:4)
4. The beauty of God’s power: manifestations of power (lightning, thunder, sounds (Rev. 4:5a)
5. The beauty of the Spirit’s fire: on the Throne, the seraphim and the saints (Rev. 4:5b-7; 15:2)
1 Behold, a door standing open in heaven….the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet…saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place." 2 I was in the Spirit and…Throne set in heaven, and One sat on the Throne. 3 He…was like a jasper and a sardius stone…there was a rainbow around the Throne…4 Around the Throne were 24 Thrones…I saw 24 elders...in white robes; they had crowns…5 From the Throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning... 6 Before the Throne there was a sea of glass…around the Throne, were four living creatures… (Rev. 4:1-6)
Monday, April 5, 2010
End Time Conflict Over Jesus
A. In the End-Times there will be a battle for the truth about Jesus. Some believers will give heed to doctrines that lie about Jesus. The conflict will center on defining who Jesus is and how we love Him. We must love God on His terms. It is expressed with allegiance to the Jesus of the Bible.
B. Allegiance to Jesus is our main issue along with being lovers of His truth (2 Thes. 2:10). Tolerance is the main issue in the counterfeit forerunner movements to the Harlot Babylon. We greatly value the people in different religions. They possess great dignity before God. We are not willing to let them perish in hell by refusing to tell them the truth about Jesus and His salvation.
C. Three truths about Jesus that offend humanists include; first, His deity and thus His right to establish absolute standards for which the nations are accountable to Him. Jesus does NOT accept humanistic views of righteousness and love. Second, the only way of salvation is through Jesus. Third, He possesses the wisdom and love to judge sin for all time and eternity.
D. Anyone who confesses the name of Jesus must stand for His deity and for His way of salvation. If they do not, then they are operating under the spirit of a false prophet. This is true of famous people who work in the White House, host talk shows, fill stadiums with concerts for the poor or lead mega-churches. We must apologize to Jesus for so much man-pleasing preaching with lies.
E. There are counterfeit forerunners who are preparing the nations to embrace the Harlot Babylon. These false forerunners tell lies about Jesus. Some are not yet false prophets but they operate in the same spirit as one. Some of them are still in the balance. The issue is not about being positive or negative but it is about being faithful witnesses to the truth. We are not running for office; however we are His messengers who will give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
F. The End-Time Praying Church is to steward the greatest hope and justice movement in history. We have a far superior hope than any humanistic movements. Forerunners are the greatest hopebringers in history. They will be filled with love (purity and humility), do deeds of compassion while giving a clear witness of the truth. They will magnify Jesus’ love, wisdom and tenderness.
G. We are called to judge people to win them to righteousness so they may be saved. If one confesses to being a follower of Jesus, then one is accountable to the standards of God’s Word.
1 It is reported that there is sexual immorality among you…3 I have already judged him who has so done this deed…5 Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…11 I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. (1 Cor. 5:1-11)
H. We are to only to judge in the way we want to be judged (accurately, patiently, tenderly).
1 Judge not (with false measures), that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Mt. 7:1-2)
B. Allegiance to Jesus is our main issue along with being lovers of His truth (2 Thes. 2:10). Tolerance is the main issue in the counterfeit forerunner movements to the Harlot Babylon. We greatly value the people in different religions. They possess great dignity before God. We are not willing to let them perish in hell by refusing to tell them the truth about Jesus and His salvation.
C. Three truths about Jesus that offend humanists include; first, His deity and thus His right to establish absolute standards for which the nations are accountable to Him. Jesus does NOT accept humanistic views of righteousness and love. Second, the only way of salvation is through Jesus. Third, He possesses the wisdom and love to judge sin for all time and eternity.
D. Anyone who confesses the name of Jesus must stand for His deity and for His way of salvation. If they do not, then they are operating under the spirit of a false prophet. This is true of famous people who work in the White House, host talk shows, fill stadiums with concerts for the poor or lead mega-churches. We must apologize to Jesus for so much man-pleasing preaching with lies.
E. There are counterfeit forerunners who are preparing the nations to embrace the Harlot Babylon. These false forerunners tell lies about Jesus. Some are not yet false prophets but they operate in the same spirit as one. Some of them are still in the balance. The issue is not about being positive or negative but it is about being faithful witnesses to the truth. We are not running for office; however we are His messengers who will give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
F. The End-Time Praying Church is to steward the greatest hope and justice movement in history. We have a far superior hope than any humanistic movements. Forerunners are the greatest hopebringers in history. They will be filled with love (purity and humility), do deeds of compassion while giving a clear witness of the truth. They will magnify Jesus’ love, wisdom and tenderness.
G. We are called to judge people to win them to righteousness so they may be saved. If one confesses to being a follower of Jesus, then one is accountable to the standards of God’s Word.
1 It is reported that there is sexual immorality among you…3 I have already judged him who has so done this deed…5 Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…11 I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. (1 Cor. 5:1-11)
H. We are to only to judge in the way we want to be judged (accurately, patiently, tenderly).
1 Judge not (with false measures), that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Mt. 7:1-2)
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