Helen

On earth we have the Holy Spirit of God, but Jesus has returned to the heart of the Father, and God, Himself always was in Heaven. However Jesus does seem to visit with people on earth and is always present in suffering. He seems also to retain an earthly presence. Once we arrive in Heaven we shall "know also as we are known". We shall be in the presence of God Himself whom no man has ever seen (lest he die!). We shall know God as we could never know Him on this earth. There will be always tears on this earth. Only God in His Heaven, can clear those. Likewise for death, mourning, crying and pain, all of which will pass away there. I love the idea of being present with God. His Holiness and presence deal with all my need, tears, death, pain etc. "Seek ye first....God and His righteousness, and all .... will be added...."

Even Paul did every possible thing lest he be found wanting at the last judgement. My major assurance perhaps is Rev 3:20 "if any man open the door I will come in and sup with him and he with Me" I opened the door and love to "sup" with Jesus daily. I am made for good works and try to walk in them to glorify Him. But good works of the "natural man" are filthy rags. Only the ones Jesus has prepared for me to walk in count with Him. His Blood constantly covers my sin. He loves me and I love Him and His laws.

The scene of judgement is frightening because it's a fact of life and puts the responsibility right square on our shoulders. It is frightening to consider people we love not having their names written in the Book of Life. People resist the idea of final judgement because they don't really know Jesus, and because they prefer to have all the say in their own lives.

Jesus is the ultimate authority for everything relating to this world, whether people know it or not. We look past other authorities to see how they line up with His. They may have been put in place by Him, in which case we are to obey them cheerfully and supportively (even if we do get a ticket sometimes!) But where they require us to depart from His ways, we choose His. His banner over us is love (Solomon), His desires for us are beneficial (at least in the long run,) and His law is wonderful in our eyes (Ps 119). We respond to Him in love and obedience with confidence. My Christian friends and I are one in Jesus, and "Behold how good and wonderful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity." My other friends don't know what they are missing, and it is my mission in life to be to them as Christ in order "to win some".

I am so encouraged that I have the marvellous feast to look forward to, to be part of that praising and worshipping community of the saints, to be in His presence eternally. I am admonished in that I ask myself, "Are my garments continually washed in the Blood of the Lamb? Am I ready with my oil for when He comes?"

This is the old balance that the Pharisees could not get right. They did not understand the priority of love for a brother, responsibility to parents etc. Without love, no amount of sacrifice of any kind has meaning. We are in the world, including the workforce (with its responsibilities) the political state of the nation, and the people around us, including those set over us. We are to adopt a positive and godly attitude, and be a light and salt in all these many areas, at the same time not participating in ungodly attitudes and motives, suggestive dress etc. Seeking God daily helps us get it right, remembering first love, counting our blessings, hating sin and that which separates us from God, not grieving the HolySpirit, but pleasing and delighting our Lord (as distinct from fellow man) and doing it all passionately, for our God is passionate about His children.

These songs describe God with some excitement, noting His eternity, holiness, worthiness of blessing, honour, glory, power, wisdom, right judgement, having an awesome respect for God's anger and its consequences, and rejoicing in His rewards to the faithful. Contemporary songs might include Worthy is the lamb, Blessing and honour, glory and power... Salvation belongs to our God. Oddly enough our contemporary songs say nothing about God's righteous judgement and anger. Have we gone too soft on these attributes of God? Perhaps we dont want to know about that! They are definitely part of the picture!

We hate to think of people we know suffering such punishment. It is a consequence of choices made during life on earth. We can receive the Christ, or we can reject Him. He is Truth, Love, everything one could want or long for. He is the Ultimate. We all long for the perfect partner in life, and Jesus is that!

1. No defilement with sexual or pagan habits. 2. Rollow the Lamb wherever He leads. 3. No deceit or guile. 4. One's life is a Blood-sealed song of worship because of Redemption. 5. Firstfruits = unblemished = holy.

The Beast with ten horns, each with a crown, is the man of lawlessness. He is given power by the dragon (satan). Eventually the people worship satan and the lawless one because no-one can see their way to come (stand) against him unless their names are written in the book of Life. This man of lawlessness speaks blasphemies, and is given authority to continue making war for 42 months. During this war he overcomes saints and every tribe, tongue and nation. He adopts the place of God in the temple. This lawlessness has been restrained until the right time. The saints believe that he who kills by the sword dies by the sword. The 2nd beast has authority from the 1st beast and causes all the world to worship him (1st beast). He performs signs (eg comparable with the fire of Elijah) by which he deceives men. He has an image made of the first beast and has power to give breath to the image, (could this be a clone?). The image killed those who would not worship. He has a mark placed on every man on the right hand of the forehead, through which they may trade.

Satan is the accuser, &"our brethren" = John's brethren = us (disciples of Jesus). Humanity (or that part of it called "brethren") experience victorious, powerful, joyful living by entering into the new Covenant with God, that is ratified by the shedding of Jesus' Blood on the Cross. They will have their own personal story of victory and joy to share and they will not be shy to do this as their part of the Covenant. They would not go back to their old lives even in the face of death. Thus satan is overcome. If we die in the process we are victorious, as satan has not won us over to his death squad, and we have eternal Life in Jesus to celebrate! Since Adam's sin, blood has been spilt to "cover up". God killed a goat to clothe them. Adam's son Cain killed his brother Abel, and Abel's blood cried out to God from the grave (God knew about it and suffered most terribly). Most early societies understand the idea of blood sacrifice to appease a "higher power" - even though they get it horribly wrong! Blood covenants (or blood brotherhood) are also well understood. Blood is the life of man and satan is blood-thirsty. Jesus won His victory by allowing the spilling of His blood by man under the control of satan, and by rising above death to total, unassailable Life. This Life He gives to those who value it enough to overcome satanic interference in their own lives. We have to attach ourselves to His victory or "blood covering" (cf blood on the lintel in Exodus). That murdering, thieving father of lies did his worst to Jesus (with Jesus' complete cooperation - he even had to pick up the Roman soldiers who could not stand up when He responded "I Am"!) But satan failed entirely to contain Him! Our life is in Jesus. When we invite Jesus to be Lord, He gives us a brand new life. However, if we cling to the old one, or parts thereof, we defeat His purpose. We need to seek His ascendancy ("He must increase and I must decrease") wholeheartedly and absolutely.

The cosmic battle is being fought between satan + 1/3 of the angels of Heaven who fell with him, and Michael + 2/3 angels. Satan majored on attempts to defeat the Son, (eg Herod killing the children, or the people trying to throw Jesus over the cliff when He preached in Nazareth, and of course, the Cross!) but got neither Him nor His mother (Israel?) This angered satan, and war broke out between the two sides, satan and his angels being ejected from Heaven, (Jesus Himself saw this event, Luke 10:18. Could He have seen it while the seventy disciples were out excitedly dispensing with demons in the Name of Jesus?). The woman (Israel?) remained safely in the desert (not at home in Jerusalem after the dispersion of the Jews?), and the Son before God on His throne. The serpent spewed at the woman like a flood (possibly anti-semitism, eg Hitler and the holocaust, and extreme Islam?) but the earth (other nations?) helped and those goals are not achieved. Heaven (perhaps God's true church living on a Heavenly level, and taking the Gospel to every nation?) confirmed the victory in a strong voice, referring to the blood of the Lamb. Obviously Christians helped throughout this battle, declaring the Blood of the Lamb and their bold witness, with willingness to die for Christ. Another word for angels is "messengers", and Christians can come into that category. We disciples can take comfort that the battle is won - it's up to each person to decide for which side he will employ his faith,and is willing to die!

Positive characteristics might include Unique clothing: not emulating current (sexy) culture, or maybe the garments of righteousness look like sackcloth and ashes to the world. Prophecy: we are to aspire to prophecy, 1Cor 14:1. Fire from the mouth may equal scripture. For example when satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and was demolished by Jesus' use of Scripture. We are to know and use the Scriptures. We are to give testimony, no matter what the cost. We are to remain in our first love. If we do this, signs will follow. Revelation 2:4,5 refer to first love and works (miracles etc). Rewards Resurrection (the breath of Life from God) Taken to Heaven

BITTER: The red horse taking peace from the earth. The black horse taking fair play from the earth. The pale horse ridden by Death with hell following, with power to kill with the sword and with hunger, with death and the beasts of the earth. Martyrdom and the season of waiting, and the expectation of further martyrs. The great shakeup of heavens and earth that terrifies both high and low born. The prospect of the four winds. The results of the sounding of the trumpets one by one by the seven angels, including the five months tormenting of men by locusts, so that men should seek, but not find, death. The lack of repentance of men, even in the face of all that devastation, ie the hardness of hearts. The little book in the belly of John. SWEET: Jesus, conquering, upon the white horse. The protected souls of the martyrs The protection of the saved through the marking of the forehead on the saints, in each tribe, 12000. Multitudes robed in white, waving palms, praising God, and the Lamb, with the angels responding in like manner. Victory of those in white who serve God before His throne, day and night. No more hunger and thirst, and the constant presence of the Lamb. The golden censor filled with incense and the prayers of the saints. The finishing/completion of the mystery of God at the end of time. The taste of the little book in John's mouth. Maybe we tend to reject what we cannot understand because we feel out of control and helpless. However the scripture says "When I am weak, You are strong."

The multitude consisted of people of every race and nation, and language. They came through the great tribulation, ie they have all overcome, stayed the course, completed the race. They have excluded sinfulness from their lifestyles (cleansed in the blood of the lamb, and constantly "footwashed" in communion, remaining humble, repentant and seeking righteousness in life). They have been hungry for truth, righteousness, justice, love, faithfulness, and thirsty for the living water, (the Holy Spirit?). They have been burned in the fires of testing, and have known sorrow in the world. The spirit in them causes them to cry with a loud voice, "Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb", no doubt exuberantly waving their palms with their hands. The angels responded with a similar cry of thanksgiving. There are those who are saved, or found - eg those who came through the great tribulation - and there are those who are lost, who did not make it through. Thank you Lord for your great mercy and sweet lovingkindness, that through the shed blood of Jesus, the only Son of Almighty God, we may come into the Great Blessing of salvation.

God is in command of all that happens. There is a plan and everything will occur in its correct time and order. God watches over each of those who are His, protectively. They are clearly identified - in this case by the seal on their foreheads. The seal marks out those Israelites, 144,000 in number, consisting of 12,000 from each tribe, who (have the mind of Christ?) weep in the spirit for the sins of the land, the abominable behaviour of mankind. These, then, will not be hurt when the rest of the people are slain for their ungodliness.

Christians are identified for the world by speaking the word of God and by their testimony. This can be a very costly experience. Real Christians are not weaklings! These souls of martyrs are under the altar in Heaven. Altars are places where blood is poured out in covenant relationship. These souls have given life and blood for Jesus. They have not flinched at the price! This fact is respected in Heaven by their placement under the altar (not on top because their sacrifice has already been made) They were killed for the Word of God and their testimony. Just as The Lord said that Abel's blood cried out to the Him, He is never ignorant of anything, and blood spilt in innocence speaks loud and clear to Him. In the likeness of Jesus, Christians long for righteousness on the earth. They love justice - seeing the hungry fed, clean business dealings - in Australian terms "a fair go" or "a level playing field". We are encouraged to build one another up in these terms, and maybe even save a weakening brother. It is right to seek justice for the afflicted in court rooms and parliaments. However it is right to leave vengeance to the Lord (Who is so very much more aware of injustice than we are) and not exact it ourselves. Therefore it is right to bring situations to Him, to ask for a just outcome. We know that God sees and hates injustice. He also knows much more about each situation than we know and is in better position to deal out justice, (often tempered with mercy upon repentance!). It is one of the spiritual laws on which this world was founded - What you sow is what you reap. Justice will always come through! The white clothing is the righteousness of Christ. God has a plan in which completion will occur with meticulous timing. Justice and mercy will be total and complete, and God's word (right from creation) will have achieved what it set out to do. Everyone will find perfect satisfaction, and patience is just a tiny piece of THE ULTIMATE JIGSAW Isn't it exciting, watching it all happen, and having a part to play in it too!

Jesus through His victorious life and death,has earned the right to open the seven seals which initiate the avenging destruction. Ezekiel 14:21 speaks of severe judgements againt Jerusalem. Justice must finally be done with all who have not honoured the Lord. Rev 6:15 says Kings and slaves - all manner of men - will suffer God's wrath, and prefer to hide in caves and rocks - even an avalanche would be preferable to facing a wrathful God. Martyrs have suffered violence (4th seal). God has suffered idolatry. Men have constantly done violence to one another (and thus to God) and God hates violence which He calls treachery (Habukkuk 2:10, 14, 15, 16). He calls it "profaning God's covenant," (OT or NT), which produces treachery (defficiency in loving?) against God and our fellow man. We can include ourselves in this covenant, since, through Jesus, we are the true children of Abraham (of faith). Therefore Father God has every reason, once the Gospel has gone out through all the world, to hold each man accountable for his response to Truth. Accountability is just. God's wrath is righteous. His Holy Spirit is offended.

God gave to Jesus all authority in Heaven and on earth (which, incidentally He shares with us through His blood and the use of His Name!). Although Jesus was begotten (not made), He is given all status (a bit like Joseph was in Egypt?) in His special role as the one who took on human flesh and became the complete sacrifice for men, He is to be worshipped as God. This is evidenced by the statement "I and My Father are One", and "I do what I see my Father doing". Their relationship to one another is indivisible for they are one. What we do to one we do to the other! Fortunately Jesus' prayer in John 17 is that we should be joined into that unity of Jesus Christ and God the Father. We can be ever thankful for this amazing benefit, ever mindful and ever watchful of it.

We can reign with Him because as believers we have become part of the ruling family! Our minds are re-created in the likeness of Jesus and we are given His all-authoritative Name to use against all principalities and powers. Therefore we can prepare to reign in triumph and victory under Him. Priests serve in the House of God to bring the people before Him, to represent the people to Him. Jesus is our high priest, identifying Himself with us before God the Father and presenting the sacrifice for our sins. We serve as priests in bringing other people into the presence of God. Like Jesus, we are to be a living sacrifice, prefering the needs of others before our own, in order to win some. We are a kingdom in that we enthrone Jesus as King on the Throne of our praise and worship, because we see Him as worthy of all honour and glory. We do it without compulsion and with unity together. Thus is created a Kingdom without division, powerful indeed, undergirded by His great love for us all!

Jesus is worthy of opening the scroll, and of all praise and glory, because against all His humanity (note the blood, sweat and tears in Gethsemane,) He submitted to the soldiers (who all fell on their faces impotent when He acknowledged His Name as Jesus, saying "I AM" which is the Name of God, and who had to be given time to get up and arrest Him! In so doing He sowed His own life in order to bring many sons into the Kingdom of His Father. He brought to the Father His own blood, and multitudes of sons and daughters for the Family of God. He is the only one who could give up His life in sacrifice and take it up again! No human could. No angel could. God's plan is perfected in Him!

Around the throne of God a band of glorious angels always stand.. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, Heaven and earth shall praise thy Name in earth and sky and sea. ....cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and grace... ...Worthy to receive honour, and power, and riches and glory... By you all things were created.... He's the Lion of the tribe of Judah,.... Worthy the Lamb ...Ten thousand thousand are their songs and all their joys are one. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world...

Praise is for labour, works, love, serice faith, patience, perseverance, intolerance of evil doers, testing claims to giftings, holding fast to the Name of Jesus, and holding the faith in the face of death, and overcoming for which many rewards are promised. Criticism concerns leaving your first love and its works (miracles?) sexual immorality and eating idolatrous food, permitting false prophets of the Jezebel kind. Instructionon topics of 1. Not fearing the testing, even to death. 2. Repent of all sin 3. He will give us according to our works, 4. Hold fast what you have till I come. 5. To him who overcomes - no second death, hidden manna to eat, power over the nations. The 21st Century Church must Be intolerant of evil within its ranks, Expect and know how to deal with persecution. Exibit love, service, faith, patience, perseverance Test claimants to spiritual gifts Hold fast the name of Jesus Not fear death. Accept no compromise on sexual behaviour, and be alert for current forms of seduction into idolatry Preach repentance and overcoming Remember our first love and its works (miracles?).

Leadership is vital in the church. If the pastor does not "see" what is really going on, how will the people deal with it? Israel did well under King David who ruled from a position of great daily, and moment by moment intimacy with God. Solomon began well but lost the plot. One or two other kings brought Israel back to God, peace and safety for short periods. Although there were always a faithful remnant, Israel as a whole struggled when kings compromised. Churches struggle when leadership compromises or won't face up to issues, even though they contain wonderful godly people. I am currently wonderfully blessed by being in a church where humble leadership spends hours daily with God, seeking His face. Pastor rightly insists that this is his role, rather than heading up lots of services. He actively and advisedly encourages people to step into their giftings. This provides what the church needs. He squares up to people with any critical or divisive spirit, and won't put up with it. (No, he is not creating a cult. He checks and accounts for everything with his elders and prayerpartners). He maintains a wide circle of Christian mentors through whom he can account for himself. Our job is to pray constantly for our pastors, and in every way support and encourage their biblical behaviour. Seeking the face of God is the only way. If extreme sports are exciting, try total trust and obedience to God. There is nothing remotely comparable. Get hooked onto this one! One more thing to remember is that John the Baptist prepared a highway for Jesus called REPENTANCE. Where things are not right there is always sin involved at some level, personal no doubt, but often something the church has to make its business to discover, as in the story of the defeat of Ai and the sin of Achan, Joshua 7. New Testament parallels are the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. In the great revivals there has always been much prayer and the routing out of sin. "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Compromise in guilds is introduced little by little, so that the ultimate purpose of the guilds was not revealed until much further down the track. The small compromises, for example, of secrecy- not discussing with one's wife, safeguarded the activities from astute assessment in terms of family values. ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE KEPT SECRET IS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! Nothing that is right has to be done in secret. This compromise seems attractive and seems a small price to pay for being able to do business in the local town or area. The alternative seemed to be that one was locked out of the business community by the all invasive guild! Peer pressure was also brought to bear. However, this compromise already busted family trust and unity, and constituted a compulsion to extend one's greatest loyalty to the guild, (money making fraternity). God and the family are firmly fixed in second place! Mammon continues to be in charge of the world today. Twentyfirst century Christians struggle also with all invasive forces such as media presentation of values - motivated of course by paying advertisers/sellers. Media revolve around outright materialism promoted with powerful sexual innuendo, directed increasingly towards feeding the young into the voracious mammon machine. Sexual malpractice, witchcraft (including new age and humanism) and the academically elevated and approved ability to criticise everything and everyone, are made to seem fun, funny and desirable in the interests of impressing other people. However, impressing other people only amounts to being moulded into the same unthinking, mindless roleplaying which suits the purpose of big business. We have to be interceding watchmen on the wall, accountable over all our daily practices - reading, TV and computer use, values exhibited to children, clothing, body language, attitudes to spouse selection and marriage maintenance. We need to seek and block any avenues that may give satan and his demons any advantage. If things are not working for us, we need to seek for an area requiring repentance, because sin is inhibiting what God can do with us. The answer to absolutely everything is JESUS, JESUS, JESUS! and the presence of his Holy Spirit.