Jesus Christ's Blessings in Suffering: Hope and Perseverance

There are blessings of suffering for believers in Jesus Christ.

Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.

Suffering is a process of refinement that God brings for our good.

We can rejoice in suffering because it makes us more like Christ.

Music Music Today our title is, There are blessings of suffering for believers in Jesus Christ. In Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, the word declares, But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to him. For whoever would come near to God must necessarily believe that God exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek him out. Our rewarder has conditions placed upon being rewarded, dear church And these conditions are not simply a matter of outward behavior Or observance of the letter of the law The Bible emphasizes inner qualities Including wisdom in living, humility, faithfulness, generosity, and goodness All of these seem to grow by leaps and bounds as we go through trials and hardships if we are doing things God's way. When we speak of Christian suffering, we always want to look at it as related in the Bible perspective. We must know firsthand that Jesus Christ, our Savior, suffered incomprehensible pain and death upon the cross for all those who would love him with all of their hearts and hold fast to him until the end. Suffering for the believer in Jesus Christ is related in the Bible to sanctification and growth in Christian character. In Romans chapter 5, beginning in verse 1, the word tells us, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Verse 3, not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us. Hallelujah! We see this passage in Romans, how Paul catalogs the virtues that suffering produces if we do not lose heart in our personal maturing process in Jesus Christ. Suffering in these scriptures is pictured as a story of increase for the believer in Christ. An example would be Job, who lost all of his family, all of his livestock, only to find all that he lost was restored again, giving twice as much as he had before. Scripture also shows that the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. Other scriptures that are parallel with Romans 5.1 portray suffering as a process of refinement that God brings for our good in that we may share in his holiness. 1 Peter 4, beginning in verse 1, clearly defines how we share in his holiness. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. Verse 3, for we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lewdness, lust, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. Verse 4, in regards to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dispensation, speaking evil of you. they will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Summed up in a nutshell sharing in God's holiness and being clothed in his righteousness is truly a process of refinement and happens only to those who have been trained by it. Whoever has suffered in the flesh for Christ's sake will have or has ceased from willfully sinning. In reading further down in 1 Peter 4, verse 12, we see that Peter is warning the believer not to be surprised that they are suffering as believers in Jesus Christ. Let's read that, 1 Peter 4, beginning in 12. Suffering for God's glory. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery ordeal which is about to try you as though some strange thing has happened to you. Verse 13, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part, he is blasphemed, and on your part, he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Many Christians feel very surprised when other people misunderstand, insult them, or dislike them, or treat them harshly when they seek to carry out God's will in living like a Christian. So Peter reminds them, and us, that this reaction is not a strange thing, but a normal Christian experience. Their persecutions were fiery, burning ordeals in the sense that they were part of God's refining process, and these, dear listener, were very uncomfortable, to say the least. but we come to understand that this was for their own testing improving their faith because God allowed these sufferings James chapter 1 beginning in verse 2 declares my brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience but let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing Dear listener, take heart and know that through your trials, God is doing a perfecting work in your heart and soul. We need to understand as we grow and mature in our Lord Jesus Christ, we can rejoice in these sufferings because when we experience them, we share in Christ's sufferings. we reflect back on what Jesus experienced in his suffering in his time on earth before he went to the cross and hung naked and died upon that cross for the sins of mankind he continued in faithfulness to his father's will God will glorify us one day just as he glorified our dear Savior there's an analogy of our present experience as we suffer for Christ's sake It is similar to a pregnant woman who feels discomfort and pain as she anticipates her due date delivery. And when she gives birth, the joy at the delivery of her child replaces that pain she felt, especially on the onset and the birthing of that child. So this is why we look beyond the moment of suffering, this momentary suffering that we experience at different times in our Christian journey. I like the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4, verses 17 and 18, which describes this so well. Verse 17, are eternal. We may have our moments, dear one, but the hope of our future joy should encourage us to hang on tight to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. If we are insulted and hated or rejected for being followers of Jesus, they may curse us, but their curses have no effect if we are obedient to Christ's commands. Their curses and insults are really blessings from God. Matthew 5, verse 11 declares, Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my name's sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Dear believer, people who curse us actually become a blessing because the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of glory, already lives within us and shields us from the effects of all of these things. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah. God, our loving Father, has provided everything we need for our home going if we remain faithful to him and his commands of holy living. The Israelites enjoyed the presence of God in the fiery pillar even during the wilderness testing. But rejoice, dear one. We enjoy the presence of God in us as we are journeying through our wilderness experiences. Suffering Christians do not have to wait for heaven in order to experience the glory of God. It is through precious Holy Spirit within them that they can enjoy total peace and comfort of God's glory as they journey through this wilderness of life. Can we know, please, that this explains how the martyrs could sing praises to God while bound in the midst of blazing fire? It also explains how persecuted Christians can go to prison and to death without complaining or resisting their captors. This was for the glory of God, dear ones. 1 Peter 4, verse 12 again. are you for the spirit of glory and for God rests upon you on their part he is blasphemed but on your part he is glorified but let none of you suffer as a murderer as a thief an evildoer or as a busybody in other people's matters yet if anyone suffers as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in this matter. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Yes, even though we repeat the scriptures several times, how many know that repetition is good? Amen. Apostle Paul gives us his personal experience on the blessing of suffering for Christ's sake in Philippians chapter 3, beginning in verse 7. He begins by saying, But whatever former things I had that might have been gained to me, I have come to consider as one combined loss for Christ's sake. Yes, furthermore, I count everything as a loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege, the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, the supreme advantage of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding him more fully and clearly. For his sake, I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish, refuge, dregs, in order that I may win, gain Christ the Anointed One, and that I may actually be found and known as in him, not having any self-achieved righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the law's demands, ritualistic uprightness, and supposed right standing with God that's acquired, but possessing that genuine righteousness which comes through faith in Christ the Anointed One, the truly right standing with God which comes from God by saving faith. Verse 10, For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, and I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of his person more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from his resurrection, which it exerts over believers, and that I may so share his sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into his likeness, even to his death in the hope. Verse 11, that if possible, I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead, even while in the body. Not that I have now attained this ideal, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold and grasp and make it my own for that which Christ Jesus the Messiah has laid hold of me and made me his own. Verse 13. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own yet, but one thing I do. It is my one aspiration for getting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Jesus Christ is calling us upward. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord. We see in these scriptures the parallel that while Christ did not consider God likeness to grow or increase to his own advantage, but rather he made nothing of himself. So Paul now tells us that he considers his former gain as a loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. As Jesus Christ was found in human likeness, Paul describes that he is now found in Christ, knowing what it means to be conformed like a slave to his death. These scriptures also show us that Christ's humiliation was followed by God's glorious vindication of him. So present suffering for Christ's sake will be followed by the glory of God in the form of our resurrection. This is what it means to know Christ, and it's to be found in him. To know Christ is to be found in him. You see, by means of conformity to his righteousness, as he was raised up and exalted to the highest place and was seated next to his heavenly father on a throne. All those who remain faithful to the end will also be raised up and be given the opportunity to sit beside our Christ on his throne for the eternity of eternities. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 6 declares, He raised us up together with him and made us sit down together, giving us joint seating with him in the heavenly sphere by virtue of our being in Christ. Hear that, please. In Christ. In Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Also in Revelation chapter 3, verses 20 through 22, the word declares, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears and listens and heeds my voice and opens the door, I will come to him. I will eat with him and he will eat with me. Verse 21. He who overcomes is victorious and I will grant him to sit beside me on my throne as I myself overcame and was victorious and sat down beside my father on his throne. Verse 22, he who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assembly churches. When we talk about the believer in Jesus Christ and the suffering they are assured of in their journey through this life, well, they must know that all suffering of mankind is a consequence of man's original sin in the Garden of Eden. In Romans 5, chapter 12, the word tells us, Therefore sin came into the world through one man, and death as a result of sin. So death spread to all men, no one being able to stop it or to escape its power, because all men sinned. So God in whose word tells us that there are general blessings for all people, believers and unbelievers alike. Matthew chapter 5 verse 45 the Lord said to show that you are children of your father who is in heaven for he makes his son rise on the wicked and on the good and makes the rain fall on the upright and on the wrongdoers. So we see that there are general sufferings shared by believers and unbelievers as well. But we have to make note here that suffering for unbelievers is something that they have to bear by themselves as they journey through this life. Because God Almighty does not share in their sufferings. They stand alone in this place. But God tells us as faithful followers of Jesus that he shares in our sufferings. Hallelujah. How very comforting, dear listener. And we need to understand as well that God may not directly ordain suffering for anyone, but he will use it to turn it into a blessing just as when Christ's suffering became a blessing to mankind. Apostle Paul explains this so well. In Philippians chapter 1, verses 19 through 23. For I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my preservation for the spiritual health and welfare of my own soul and avail towards the saving work of the gospel. This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything but with that utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage now as always hitherto Christ the Messiah will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through by life or through by death. Verse 20. I cannot choose. Verse 23, but I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart, to be free of this world and be with Christ, for that is far, far better. I believe that Apostle Paul and his writings show us two things which comprise God's gift to us as Christians. These things would be to truly believe in Jesus Christ and secondly, to willingly suffer for him. To believe in Christ and to willingly suffer for him. Dear listener, out of these come salvation, which is a gift of our Lord's precious grace. Salvation leads to eternal life and this is forever and ever. Think about this. Paul's desire in which he shared in Philippians 3.10 was to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering being made conformable unto his death. Among all other things that Paul wanted to learn in his relationship with Christ, he mentioned first the power of Christ's resurrection. And it is likely he meant that he wanted to experience his resurrection supernaturally as Jesus Christ had done. He knew that if he died, he would experience such a resurrection. He knew he needed the same power of the Holy Spirit who resurrected his Savior. And he knew that at the same time, power resided within himself because of his union with Christ. In Romans chapter 6, beginning in verse 4, Paul speaks, resurrection by a new life lived for God. Verse 6, we know that our old unrenewed self was nailed to the cross with him in order that our body, which is the instrument of sin, might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be slaves of sin. And also in Colossians chapter 3 beginning in verse 1 and if then you have been raised with Christ to a new life thus sharing his resurrection from the dead aim at and seek the rich eternal treasures that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God and set your minds and keep them set on what is above the higher things not on the things that are on the earth for as far as this world is concerned you've died and your renewed real life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in the splendor of his glory. Dear believer, we see that by what our Lord shares with us regarding his resurrection power, then it involves the fullness of the Holy Spirit's life within us. God wants yours and my life to be a demonstration of the very same power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. For us to know and experience the same power of his resurrection life then we will show our self-denial from the things of the world as a first priority. When we intimately seek Jesus Christ in the book of life and through prayer and meditation, the Holy Spirit is sure to be available to enrich our hungry and thirsty souls with his resurrection power to see to it as we grow in his wisdom and the supernatural revelation of his godliness. we must be willing however to share in his sufferings and to be transformed daily into his likeness dying to sin and the desires and the poles of the world in doing these things you can know that your daily life will be a demonstration of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in your life Romans chapter 8 verse 11 declares and if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal short-lived perishable bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. You see, suffering cannot be a blessing unless one has first partaken of the power of Christ's resurrection. And that means that professing believers must grow in becoming a new creature in Jesus Christ. If anyone thinks that suffering is a curse from God, then they need to truly repent of their sins and turn to God and ask him to forgive them in order to experience his wonderful supernatural resurrection life within their own spirit and soul. before Jesus went to the cross he promised his disciples that they were going to experience tribulation but they would have inner peace as they went through these trials and hardships dear one this is the resurrection power of our savior working within your soul do not be afraid but rather be confident that our savior has surrounded you and the evil forces of the devil cannot harm you because he has conquered the arrows of the devil when he died on the cross and was resurrected and seated next to his heavenly father on his throne. We see in John chapter 16 verse 33, the word declares, I have told you these things so that in me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world that you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration, but be of good cheer, take courage, and be confident, certain, undaunted. For I have overcome the world, I've deprived it of power to harm you, and have conquered it for you. Hallelujah, what a Savior! Jesus told his disciples that they would have trials and tribulation because he wanted them and every believer afterwards to know that they would not be exempt from suffering because of their union and fellowship with him. Apostle Paul suffered greatly and was mistreated at Philippi. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 1 through 4, the word declares, For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming among you was not useless and fruitless. But though we had already suffered and had been outrageously treated at Philippi, You know, yet in the strength of our God, we summon courage to proclaim to you, unfaltering the good news, the gospel, with earnest contention and much conflict and great opposition. for our appealing in preaching does not originate from delusion or error or impure purpose or motive nor fraud or deceit but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with glad tidings the gospel so we speak not to please men but to please God who tests our hearts expecting them to be approved and in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 beginning in verse 1 we read where Paul was suffering an uprising in the church with some of the people. Paul was not exhorting the people who were challenging his rights as an apostle for their material support, but rather he was setting the record straight according to the law. Paul in chapter 9 did not start out by justifying his outright rejection or renouncing his apostolic rights, but by vigorously establishing the fact that he had these rights to their support. Let's read to get the flow of his suffering by those who rose up to challenge and put Paul on trial and cross-examine him like he was a thief in their midst. 1 Corinthians 9, beginning in verse 1. Am I not an apostle, a special messenger? Am I not free and unrestrained? Am I not free and exempt from any obligation? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not the product and the proof of my workmanship in the Lord? Even if I am not considered an apostle, a special messenger by others, at least I am one to you. For you are the seal, the certificate, the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord. Verse 3 This is my real ground of defense, my vindication of myself. To those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me, Have we not the right to our food and drink at the expense of the churches? Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife, as do not other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood in order to go about the work of the ministry? so we see that in 1st Corinthians chapter 9 verses 1 through 20 where Apostle Paul we can read of the flow of his sufferings by those who rose up to challenge and put Paul on trial and cross-examine him like he was a thief in their midst and we can learn as well how Paul in through these verses which I will leave for you as homework to do your reading and studying of them, but how Paul handled it. Not only did our chief apostle suffer the insults and condemnation of the people in the churches that he had established, but he also endured beatings and imprisonment for Christ's sake. Scripture is full of the suffering that the New Testament churches went through and endured for Christ's sake. Apostle Peter told also those who are called to God's eternal kingdom in Jesus Christ that they would suffer just as Paul told Timothy when he said all who live godly lives in Jesus Christ would suffer persecution. We read that in 2 Timothy 3, verses 12-14. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Verse 13, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived, but as far as you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it. The heroes of faith suffered greatly for their faithfulness. Moses prepared to suffer affliction with the people of God as he led them out of Egypt. The prophets also gave supreme examples of suffering because of their allegiance to their great God Jehovah. Dear ones, our concern as believers in Christ Jesus should be to suffer according to the will of God, and that is for well-doing in our journey towards our heavenly home. The fruit of suffering for all believers is to mimic and follow the example of our Master Jesus Christ. Through Christ's suffering, he became perfect. That is, he reached the goal for which he came to this earth to accomplish. We read in Hebrews chapter 2 verse 10, bringing many sons to glory, for it was fitting for him, for whom all things, and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through their suffering. And also Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8, although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, And once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who would obey him. Hmm, interesting. For all who would obey him. That is again parallel to living in Christ. Hallelujah. Through our suffering and trials, we grow in maturity by our obedience and also our faithfulness to do the will of God. Suffering for righteousness' sake will bring many blessings in the end. In 1 Peter 3, beginning in verse 14, the word says, But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you're blessed. Blessed, happy, to be envied. Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed by their oppositions. But in your hearts, set Christ apart as holy, and acknowledge him as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to give account for the hope that is in you. But do it courteously and respectfully. Verse 16. And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear so that when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed of slandering your good lives. Verse 17, for it is better to suffer unjustly for doing right, that it should be God's will, than to suffer justly for doing wrong. Peter said, if we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are blessed. So, if we are blessed, dear church, that means we will have the fruit of our suffering. Jesus told his followers in Matthew chapter 5 verse 10, blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He reminded his disciples in John chapter 15 verse 18 if the world hates you keep in mind that it hated me first. So you may ask what does this really mean for me? What is the fruit of our suffering? Bottom line here is that all who are called to God's eternal glory in Jesus Christ will suffer a while in this earth life, will be perfected enough according to the Lord's will to reach their God-intended goal, and they will be established and strengthened by God. Remember the goal of a Christian is to inherit eternal life. There is no greater goal or gift than this, dear believer. This is forever. Compared to our earth life, which is but for a breath of time, eternity has no end. What a Savior we have. What a Savior, a precious Savior, has given eternal life to us. So, one who suffers as a Christian has reason to glorify God by doing so. scripture tells us that we are worthy to suffer in his name please know that when we suffer in his name our eyes should be fixed upon our suffering lord and savior and remember what he did for us personally first peter 15 says but let none of you who suffer as a murderer or thief or any sort of criminal or mischief maker a meddler in the affairs of others infringing on their rights but if anyone is ill-treated and suffers as a Christian which he is contemptuously called let him not be ashamed but give glory to God that he is deemed worthy to suffer in his name for the time has arrived for the judgment to begin with the household of God and if it begins with us what will be the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news of the gospel of God verse 18 and if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the godless and the wicked? Therefore those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with God's will must do right, commit their souls in charge as a deposit to the one who created them and will never fail them. Let me tell you in addition, judgment is upon the house of the Lord today. The church in this year of 2023 is being exposed for what she is. The visible church is showing herself as the great harvest, and she is being identified and recognized for what great atrocities they are causing to humankind, and the world is guilty as well. There are many so-called leaders who are wolves in sheep's clothing and are leading great numbers of weak people down a wrong path because they lack in God-given discernment and lack the knowledge of what the precious book of life declares in the tried and true path that a Christian must follow. This is truly a time in history where we must arm ourselves with the same mind of Christ, and Paul said it, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Jesus wept because of the presence of sin in people's lives. For their sins and ours, he went willingly to the cross. This was Christ's unique work, and this is why he came to the earth. We cannot redemptively suffer for others in this way because Jesus is the only Savior of the world. but we can have pity for the presence of sin in their lives. We can witness to those who are in error and do not know Christ as their Savior and we can pray for them. Remember, even though Jesus died on the cross for the sins of others he did not choose to enforce his salvation upon them. All people have a choice. They can choose Christ's offer of salvation or they can reject it. Our part as a suffering Christian is to remember our Savior's words when he said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. They know not what they do, dear listener. In the fact that they are bringing torment and suffering upon those who belong to Almighty God, they as well bring the greatest and most horrendous judgment upon themselves as they are thrown into hell forever and this is why we must forgive those who cause trouble for God people And remember even the worst and most horrible king whose name was Manasseh had a good ending He was captured by the enemy and blinded and put into prison. He deeply repented for his evil doing to God's people. And consequently, his life was spared and he returned to his homeland and was buried among his people. Remember for those who are faithful to the end and endure the trials and the hardships that come up on their path, there are many wonderful blessings. Remember, please, the greatest of these blessings is the promise of eternal life. And I finish with a true testimony that describes the finishing work in our hearts and souls as we go through each and every trial in our lives. The testimony goes like this. When in Amsterdam, Holland last summer, says a traveler, I was much interested in a visit we made to a place that was famous for polishing diamonds. We saw men busy about their work. You see, when a diamond is found, it is in the rough and it's dark, like a common pebble. It takes a long time to polish it, and it is very hard work. It is held by a means of a piece of metal close to the surface of a large wheel, which is kept going around and around. Fine diamond dust is put on the wheel, nothing else being hard enough to polish the diamond, and this work can take months, and sometimes several years before it is finished. And if a diamond is intended for a king, the greater time the trouble is spent upon it. Jesus Christ calls his people his jewels he is our king now and forevermore to fit his people for beautifying his crown they must be polished like diamonds and be assured Jesus makes use of all the trouble he sends to each and every one to polish jewels of his crown be strong dear one through every trial and hardship that comes your way Remember as you are in the midst of each one, give praise and honor to your King and thank Him that He's bringing you through and that there is an end to it. Eternity awaits you. Our great God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. What mercy, what love and grace our great God and Father has for all of His people. Hallelujah. The Lord bless your ears to hear and your heart to receive as you listen to God's Holy Word. Apostle John, the beloved of Jesus, was privileged to see many sights, terrible and wonderful, in the book of Revelations as he was taken over by the power of the Holy Spirit and caught up in him to both see and write the things which he was shown for future generations of the church in order that she might know and be warned of the truth given in this most awesome vision inspired by God himself. This vision was intended to be a warning to the church in each generation of time. And John was given the vision and told to write it down and to take it to the seven churches. The letters to the churches, the seven churches called for the Christians to repent of their sins, both individually and collectively as the church. And they were instructed and commanded by Christ himself in the letters to repent, to return to faithfulness. and good deeds and upright living. They were told in these letters to stand firm for Christ against the temptations which would come. And they were encouraged to stand firm in the time of trials and persecutions. They were promised specific rewards to the martyrs who faced death without denying Christ. these faithful people and followers of Jesus Christ carried the testimony of Jesus in their mouths. They did not carry their own testimony. Their testimony was about the one who had died to become eternal life and salvation. And they boldly offer this truth to whoever would choose it in that time. I would like us to start in Revelation 1.1. Look with me, please, in Revelation 1.1. This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, his unveiling of the divine mysteries. God gave it to him to disclose and make known to his bondservants certain things which must shortly and speedily come to pass in their entirety. And he sent and communicated it through his angel messengers to his bondservant John. Verse 2, them to heart, for the time for them to be fulfilled is near. Verse 4, John to the seven assembly churches that are in Asia, may grace, God's unmerited favor, be granted to you, and spiritual peace, the peace of Christ's kingdom from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the sevenfold Holy Spirit before his throne. Verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy witness, the firstborn of the dead, first to be brought back to life, and the prince, the ruler of the kings of the earth, to him who ever loves us, and who once for all loosed and freed us from our sins by his own blood. By his own blood. Verse 6. And formed us into a kingdom, a royal race, priests to his God and Father. To him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen. So it be. Verse 7. Behold, he is coming with the clouds And every eye will see him Even those who pierced him And all the tribes of the earth Shall gaze upon him And beat their breasts And mourn and lament over him Even so, must it be Amen So be it Verse 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega The beginning and the end says the Lord God, he who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, the ruler of all. Verse 9, I, John, your brother and companion, share and participator with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance which are in Christ Jesus, was on the isle called Patmos, banished on account of my witnessing to the word of God and the testimony, the proof, the evidence for Jesus Christ. Verse 10, I was in the spirit, wrapped in by his power on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice like the calling of a war trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. Write it promptly, which you see your vision in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia, to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and Pergamum, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea. In this vision, John gives us many details. but the main points of this vision precious church is that Jesus Christ himself spoke to John and gave him the mandate to take the words given to him by Jesus which were to be read in all the churches for ears to hear both what he saw and heard from the master himself and warn them to repent and turn around lest they lose out on their eternal salvation and promised reward. John carried the word of God, which is God himself, his personal, vital, essential and eternal words brought by his own son, Jesus Christ, who spoke what the Father told him to speak. the testimony of Jesus is the most wonderful and glorious gospel truth given by our most high and great God it is certainly and the only truth which will remain forever and ever and it is the only good news to mankind which will never change and will never be altered to fit any political agenda to accommodate any whim or group or cultural ideas in any given moment. The good news called the gospel is the testimony of Jesus. And it's called the testimony of Jesus because he is the author of it, equally so with the Father. They, the Father, and the Son are in complete agreement. and Jesus is the faithful witness revealing the character, the counsels and the will of God Jesus is the subject of the gospel and the spirit of God testified beforehand in the Old Testament the sufferings of the Christ to come and the glory that followed after that suffering the apostles were the inspired witnesses to report what they had seen. Apostle John was chosen by God to report this awesome revelation for our benefit today. Look with me in Revelation 19.1, please. We have been looking in Revelation 1.1-10 and seeing John's testimony that he indeed was selected and received this vision from Jesus while he was banished to the islands of Patmos because he was a faithful witness of Christ. He testified and vouched for all that he saw in his visions, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. And John in these scriptures testified what he saw and he confirmed it to be true by what he heard because it was the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 19.1 After this, I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven exclaiming, Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory, splendor and majesty and power, dominion and authority belong to our God because his judgments his condemnations and punishments his sentences of doom are true and sound and just and upright and he's judged and convicted and pronounced sentence and doom the great and notorious harlot idolatrous who has corrupted and demoralized and poisoned the earth with her lewdness and adultery her idolatry and he has avenged and visited on her the penalty for the blood of his servants at her hand. Verse 3, and again they shouted, Hallelujah, praise the Lord! The smoke of her burning shall continue to ascend forever and ever through the eternities of eternities. Then the 24 elders of our heavenly Sanhedrin and the four living creatures fell prostrate and worship, paying divine honors to God who sits on the throne saying, Amen. Hallelujah. And from the throne there came a voice saying, Praise our God, all you servants of his, you who reverence him, both small and great. Verse 6, After that I heard what sounded like shouts of a vast throng, like a boom of many pounding waves and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder exclaiming hallelujah praise the Lord for now the Lord our God the omnipotent the all ruler reigns let us shout for joy let us rejoice and let us celebrate and ascribe to him glory and honor for the marriage of the lamb has come his bride has prepared herself. She has been permitted to dress in fine radiant linen, dazzling and white for the fine linen signifies and represents the righteousness, the upright, just and godly living, the deeds and conducts and right standing with God of the saints, God's holy people. Verse 9, And then the angel said to me, Write this down. blessed and happy to be envied are those who are summoned invited and called to the marriage supper of the lamb and he said to me further these are the words the genuine and exact declarations of God verse 10 and then I fell at his feet to worship to pay divine honors to him but he restrained me and he said refrain you must not do that i am only another servant with you and your brothers who have accepted and hold the testimony born by jesus worship god for the substance the essence of truth revealed by jesus is the spirit of all prophecy the vital breath the inspiration of All inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose including both mine and yours. The testimony, precious church. The testimony of Jesus. The truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The spirit of prophecy is the vital breath. The inspiration of the all inspired teaching, all inspired interpretation of the divine will and purpose of God, spoken from God. And since that time by man who are witnesses of Christ, giving testimonies of him. To be a witness then of our Lord Jesus Christ means that we will speak the truth of him. We will speak the truth about him. We will speak and give testimony of Jesus Christ himself. Even the angel who appeared to John would not let the apostle worship him. He declared in verse 10 in chapter 19, When I fell down at his feet to worship him, He said no don't worship me I am a servant of God just like you and your brothers and sisters Who testify about their faith in Jesus Worship God only For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus The angel is making it abundantly clear to John And to the readers in this day as well that we must worship only God and not created beings or things. The scripture we just read says, Worship God for the substance, the essence of truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours. I say, oh please, oh please don't get mad at me for being repetitive. I just long to make a point in this truth today that would be nailed to the walls of your heart so that when you do anything for Jesus, you will always remember that he is what we testify of and give witness to. So many times the church has taken the counterfeit path and given testimony of herself and endeavors to draw people to herself and not to Christ. Not to Jesus Christ who spilled his blood and poured out his life and suffered a horrendous death for his church. The church is in the mode these days of building her own kingdom and not the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the greatest king. His kingdom is eternal, a kingdom with no end. by his own blood and life he has now made it possible for you and me to be a part of his royal kingdom as priests in his household ministering back to him the love that he lavishes upon us Jesus was faithful to fulfill what his father had sent him to do In John in Revelation 1 I remind you says And from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy witness, the firstborn of the dead, first to be brought back to life, and the prince, the ruler of the kings of the earth, to him who ever loves us, and once for all loosed and freed us from our sins by his own blood, and formed us into a kingdom, a royal race, priests to his God and Father, To him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen. So be it. To him that is Christ who by his suffering and sacrifice for us, by his precious blood spilled out and now frees us and looses us from our sins, offering us the right to belong to his royal kingdom as a part of the new race and live and rule with him forever in his kingdom. The church is the body of Christ of which he, Jesus, is the head. Christ is the head of his church and ruler of his most holy kingdom because of what he sacrificed to rule over her. He is a worthy king, worthy to be adored and worshipped. And this is the truth which John speaks of here. The substance or the essence of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy. In other words, prophecy is the divine manifestation of life, which is the vibrant living inspiration of the word of God. The Bible is the inspired word of God to his own children showing the way to their eternal home through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross. It is only by Christ's sacrifice in which any man or woman could ever enter into this eternal royal kingdom of God. The Bible is the divinely inspired word of God from his own mouth and heart, telling of his divine will and purpose for his children to live by. It is God's instruction to his children. The Bible shows us the way to the Father, and this is through his son, Jesus Christ, who was faithful to do what his father asked of him. The word of God is God. God the Father's very own personal, essential and eternal word Was given to us, his own beloved children This eternal word is God's own son His very own son who is Jesus Christ Christ and the word are inseparable The gospel of Jesus Christ who is the testimony of the Christ who was prophesied to come. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the testimony of the Christ who was prophesied to come. Jesus came into the world and testified about himself that he was the Messiah and that he was sent by the Father and was speaking the word given to him by his Father to declare into all the earth. Jesus came into the world and he was not silent. And he was not intimidated by man. And he was not deterred by his enemies. He was God in the flesh. and he was fully man with all the feelings and sensations that flesh would feel. He felt great pain when he suffered. He knew he was going to suffer, dear church, but he was not silent. He was like a lamb, never making a sound or give a struggle as it was being slain. But he did speak what the Father had given him to say. He had a divine mission and love was the driving motive of his mission. Love drove our Savior to the cross. Love drove him. And being full of this undying love, Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to the cross because of his undying love for those who would choose him and even while he hung naked upon the cross all those around him were mocking him and deriding him our precious Lord our holy Jesus and while they were mocking him this pure unceasing immeasurable love was being projected at them as he was asking the Father to forgive them. We were there too. Father Jesus said in the book of Luke, Forgive them for they know not what they are doing. Jesus wasn't excusing them for their beastly actions and great denial of who he was. These were the Pharisees, the teachers of the law, The soldiers who had seen the miracles, the signs and the wonders performed by Jesus. But their hearts were hardened due to the ignorance of their own reason and preference of their own greed and depraved desires. Jesus was showing us a true example of releasing those who hurt us and harm us in our Christian walk and testimony of him and the word of God tells us that God the Father is the great merciful judge and Jesus was sent to offer mankind a way out of the bondage of the spirit of sin and death look with me please in Luke 23 32 Luke 23 32 two other men both criminals were also let out with him to be executed and when they came to the place called the skull there they crucified him along with the other criminals one on his right and the other on his left. Jesus said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching and the rulers even sneered at him and said he saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the chosen one. Verse 36. And the soldiers also came up and mocked him. And they offered him wine and vinegar and said, If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. Verse 38. There was a written notice above him which read, This is the king of the Jews. And one of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him. Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us. But the other criminal rebuked him. Don't you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserved. But this man has done nothing wrong. And then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in paradise. Jesus, the greatest king there will ever be, died alongside two criminals. Because he was mocked and spat upon and even when he spoke kindly and gently yet with authority, one of the thieves hanging next to him recognized him as the Savior who had come into the world. Because he is the author of life himself and the promised Savior he has offered a repentant thief eternal life in his kingdom. This, dear church, is the very reason the Son of God came into the world. He came to offer life, a new way for people in his Father's kingdom to live. Only Jesus can save and set free. Only Jesus can heal and deliver us of the bondages of our sins and sicknesses. the world needs to hear of the testimony and confession of Jesus Christ from our mouths. The world needs to hear that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners from eternal damnation, which is hell's fire. The prophecy of Jesus was declared throughout the Old Testament, testifying of his coming to set the captives free. Look with me, please, in Isaiah 61, verse 1. Isaiah 61, verse 1. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, and he sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and to provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes and the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness. They will be called oaks of righteousness, A planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Hallelujah. We are warned throughout the book of life that time is short and Jesus is coming. You do not know when Jesus comes. Either do I. I do not know when he comes for me. or if I shall live to see him come as John the Apostle saw him coming in the vision in Revelations, coming on his white horse with the armies of heaven. Jesus tells us in the word that he comes like a thief in the night and that we should be ready at all times for his coming. this is a warning for us to be ready at all times and not put off today what we should be doing in preparation for tomorrow. What can we learn in our day from the warnings John took to give the churches in his day? In Revelation 1.17 we read that In 17 when I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead Then he placed his right hand on me And he said do not be afraid I am the first and the last I am the living one I was dead And behold I am alive forever and ever I hold the keys of death and Hades Jesus commanded in the next scripture in verse 19 He commanded John to write what he saw Jesus commanded John to write down what he saw Write therefore what you've seen Now is what will take place later The mysteries of the stars of heaven That you saw in my right hand I would like to preface as we read this in these verses that Revelation 117, that Jesus is making it known that he is the first and the last. He is the living one. He once was dead, now he holds the keys. And he commanded John to write, Write therefore what you've seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand. The golden lampstands is this. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. we are going to see what John was to write and what warnings were given to the church in this time that were spoken by our Lord in Revelation 2 verse 1 to the angel of the church of Ephesus write these are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven gold lampstands verse 2 I know your deeds Your hard work and your perseverance. And I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men. And that you've tested those who claim to be apostles but are not. And have found them false. Verse 3. And you've persevered and have endured many hardships for my name. And you've not grown weary. Verse 4. Yet I hold this against you. You have forsaken your first love Remember the height from which you have fallen Repent and do the things you did at first If you do not repent I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place But you have this in your favor You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans Which I also hate He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches, to him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God. The people, the warning given to them was to have as much zeal that they had for searching out and finding the apostate, The apostles who were false, they were apostate, and they had great zeal to find them out. They did not grow weary from that, but they grew weary in their love. They forgot they needed to keep alive their first love, and this was the warning to them. They forgot their first love. They were to repent and go back to their first love. Verse 8. some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Verse 11, he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. So the warning here to the church of Smyrna was do not cave in under persecution. Stand. Be strong in the Lord. And he would give them the courage to stand and to endure so that they would not lose out on their crown of life. So the warning again is do not cave in under pressure. Stand. Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamon write, these are the words of him who has the sharp double-edged sword. I know where you live because Satan has his throne, and yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city where Satan lives. Verse 14, nevertheless, I have a few things to say against you. You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Verse 15, likewise, you have also have those holding to the teachings of Nicolaitans. Verse 16. Repent, therefore, otherwise I will come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches, to him who overcomes. Now I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. The warning here to the church of Pergamum, they allowed idolatry and apostate teachings mixed with sexual perversion within their doors. Verse 18, the angel of the church of Thyatira, right? These are the words of the son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like British bronze. I know your deeds, your love and your faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20. Nevertheless, I have this against you. You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. And by her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality by the eating of food sacrificed to idols. Verse 21. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, you who do not hold to her teachings and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, I will not impose any other burdens on you. Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and he will dash them to pieces like pottery. Just as I have received authority from my father, verse 28, I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. The warning here is that the people allowed the spirit of Jezebel to control and manipulate the leadership in people with their perverse words and teachings to adulterate the truth and the purity of God's word and ways. Revelation chapter 3 verse 1 To the angel of the church of Sardis write These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars I know your deeds You have a reputation of being alive But you're dead Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Verse 3. Remember therefore what you have received and heard. Obey it and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me dressed in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes will like them be dressed in white And I will never blot out his name from the book of life But will acknowledge his name before my father and his angels Verse 6 He who has an ear Let him hear what the spirit says to the churches The warning here To the Sardis church Is people thought that they were alive But they were in fact dead And they were warned to wake up and strengthen what remains before it was too late. Verse 7. To the angel of the church of Philadelphia write, These are the words of him who is holy and true and holds the key of David. What he opens, no one can shut. And what he shuts, no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door so that no one could shut it. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and you have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews, though they are not, but they are liars, I will make them come and fall at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Verse 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently I will also keep you from the hour of trial That is going to come upon the whole world To test those who live on the earth Verse 11 I am coming soon Hold on to what you have So that no one will take your crown Verse 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God Never again will he leave it. And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God. And I will also write upon him my new name. Verse 13. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The warning here for those who are patiently waiting on the Lord was to continue to wait and be strong and not allow anyone to take their overcomer's crown which is promised to them who wait. Verse 14 To the angel of the church of Laodicea write These are the words of the Amen the faithful and true witness the ruler of God's creation. Verse 15 I know your deeds that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were either one or the other. So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Verse 17. You say I am rich. I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Verse 18, I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness and salve to put on your eyes so you could see. Verse 19, Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Verse 20, Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. And if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne. Just as I overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. Verse 22. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The warning here. To those who are so wrapped up in the world and its economy of making money that they are not aware that they are perishing. They're blind. They're pitiful, poor and naked, yet thinking they are rich and wealthy and have need of nothing. But yet, they absolutely are on their way to hell, perishing. Maybe we all should take a close look at these warnings today. and allow the Spirit of the Lord to probe deep within our hearts and show us where we might need a wake-up call or shaking in our stupor of deceit. But the message I wish to highlight today for us is that this vision of John's is a warning to the church in every generation, including ours. for the church to remain on her toes with her ears inclined to hear what Jesus says to the church today. What Jesus spoke to the church then is what he's speaking to the church today in our modern times. He is saying to the church, wake up and take serious my warnings. And do not believe the lie of those who bring a counterfeit or apostate teaching saying that Jesus is not the only way to heaven. This is apostasy, church. This teaching is moving in the church these days. And you must not be deceived to believe it, no matter whose mouth it comes from. to deny the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ is apostasy Jesus is the only way to heaven and the Bible is clear about this truth and this is the reason why Jesus came he came to offer eternal life to the sick and dying world life himself came into the world 2 Thessalonians 2.1 2 Thessalonians 2.1 But relative to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, in our gathering together to meet him, we beg you, brethren, Apostle Paul speaking, pouring out his heart to the people, verse 2, not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled, or disturbed, or kept excited, or alarmed, whether it be by some pretend revelation of the Spirit, or by word, or by letter alleged to be from us. To the effect that the day of the Lord has already arrived, and it's here. Verse 3. Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy comes first, unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come. And the man of lawlessness, sin, is revealed, who is the son of doom of perdition. 1 Timothy 4.1, please. Let's look at this as well. 1 Timothy 4.1. The Spirit clearly says that in latter times, some will come, Some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Verse 2, such things come through hypocritical liars whose consciousness have been seared as with a hot iron. There are so many warnings, precious church, that I've only given you a few of the warnings to beware, to be warned of the devices of the enemy who would come to steal the truth from you. And from the very testimony of Jesus Christ himself about himself, John, in the book of John, John 10, verse 7, Jesus speaks to us himself, the testimony of himself. In verse 7, therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth I am the gate for the sheep Verse 8 All who ever came before me Were thieves and robbers But the sheep did not listen to them Verse 9 I am the gate Whoever enters through me Will be saved And he will come in and go out And find pasture Verse 10 The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy and I have come that they might have life and have it to the full also please go forward one chapter John 11 verse 25 John 11 25 Jesus said to her I myself am the resurrection and the life And whoever believes in, adheres to, trusts in, and relies on me. Although he may die, yet he shall live. Verse 26 And whoever continues to live and believe in, has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on me, shall never actually die at all. It is vital. for true believers in Jesus Christ to believe in him and to be vitally connected with him not out of fear but out of love for him he died to become your king he died to become my king and any others who would choose him as their king he died for all who choose him and he is to be the testimony of our confession. And if the church is giving testimony of herself rather than the one who died for her, she is a prostitute. She is an adulterous wife spoken of throughout all the scriptures. Jesus is the greatest king who is and will ever be. And the apostle of love, John reports the words of Jesus in his book of John 18, verse 36, where Jesus declares his kingship to the world. as Jesus stood before Pilate. Pilate had asked him a question. Verse 36, Jesus answered, and he says, My kingdom, my kingship, my royal power belongs not to this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my followers would have been fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here, this world It has no such origin or source Verse 37 Pilate said to him, then you are a king? Jesus answered, you say it, you speak cor

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