Great and Marvelous are God’s Ways! – Ark Channel 241220 Thu Revelation 15
…Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. (v.3)
The seven signs of the end times are the most scary!
1. Always remember that our God is a God of action. From heaven to hades, from the cross onto the throne.
2. He paces between the lamps, walks amongst the nations, and in disaster, His kingdom, and in patience He walks with us!
* The seven spirits in front of God’s throne are always in action!
Behold, the Lamb of God! Ark Channel 231220 Wed Rev 14
Look to heaven – focus on the worship before the throne (14:1-3) !
1. I looked and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mt.Zion and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.
2. They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders!
* The time of regeneration and judgment is not far (14:6-13). Let us develop a life of worship, following only the Lamb and declaring God’s victory!
* Erich Sauer is recognised as a wise German theologian and his books are recommended. Sauer authored a number of books on God’s eternal plan and work: The Dawn of World Redemption《世界救贖的曙光》， The Triumph of the Crucified《十字架上的勝利》，The King of the Earth《地球之王》. All available for purchase on line.
And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority. (v2)
Antichrist Is The Embodiment Of Satan:
1. The Antichrist is swift and skilled at destroying and devouring.
2. Rampant rule by force comes from the devil Satan
* In the end times, persecution accelerates, mounting pressure leaves people breathless (Rev 13), but in the next chapter, there’s a change of scene and a new heaven (Rev 14). Why despair?
* Every yearend, we read Revelation per our Bible reading schedule. There are many different talks on this subject on the internet that we must discern carefully. Dr. Timothy Wu’s/ 吳獻章老師 messages on Revelation is worth listening: Christ In Troubled Times
Receiving Special Protection! Ark Channel 211220 Mon Rev 12
Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for 1,260 days. (v6)
Protected Under Great Persecution!
1. God cares for those who belong to Him and miraculously prepare for their deliverance from evil.
2. There is a time limit for tribulation as God promises those enduring to the end will be saved.
* Today the devil can act violently (v9-11) but he will soon meet his doom! (Rev ch19-20)
* God’s presence in 9 hours – I discovered a 5cm tumour in my brain and entrusted to the Lord in prayer. My surgery took 9 hrs. The Lord promised me: weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning! My first words after waking was to invite the two doctors to accept the Lord. My wife told me when I was in ICU, I said to her, “Thank the Lord, glory to God.” (I subsequently forgot). In ICU, I prayed in tears through the night and preached the gospel to the nurses. My wife and I was given permission to have the Lord’s table to remember our Lord in ICU. May we spend the remainder of our days focusing on the Lord’s work! ~ Chi Bun/之彬 (HK)
The Earth Was Tremendously Shaken! Sunday Hope 201220 Revelation 11
… In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. (v13)
Who can stop God from revealing His wrath?!
1. In the end times God will shake both the earth and the heaven. All that can be shaken will be removed.
2. Cities built by man’s hands, and works built by us will be demolished. Only the unshakable nation will remain!
< 天父知道> (Heavenly Father Knows), a Mandarin worship song on God’s blueprint of heaven and earth. Heart touching Christian music production by Amazing Grace Worship.
Seal What the Seven Thunders Uttered! – Ark Channel 19/12/2020 Sat Revelation 10
… I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” (v.4)
God and the Lamb will not disclose the full contents of their wrath!
1. Some revelations are personal and should not be retold to others.
2. Trust God for what He keeps us from knowing, be it blessing or woe.
* Speculating too much about the future gives rise to heresy!
* Each family has its positive and negative emotional climate. How can we deal with it properly? Listen to the talk by Charles Yu /余德淳 家庭情緒基本功 (Basics of Handling Family Emotions)
Awing at the Awesome Future! – Ark Channel 181220 Fri Revelation 9
…Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. (v.14)
The four evil angels bound at the great river Euphrates were reserved for the tribulation at the sixth trumpet:
1. God can use Satan and its messengers to accomplish His will
2. Look carefully at the situation of the world; when the four angels are released, 1/3 of the population will die!
* Peter Chan, a pastor in Sweden, spoke last Sunday on “A church built on the joy of the Lord”. This was the churches of Stockholm, Helsinki and Gothenberg. Both the young and the old were present to witness Christ’s salvation and protection. During the gathering, we touched on building together a church that is present together, walks in the truth, preaches the gospel, delights in sharing! Please pray for Peter and his family, and for the revival of the northern European church!
The Lord is knocking on the door! – Ark Channel 171220 Thu Revelation 8
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (v.5)
When evil fills the world, the wrath of Heaven is even mightier!
1. The saints pray for God to mete out justice, and God had acted!
2. Judgment is with God; the Kingdom will arrive, and we need not wait too long!
Worshiped God Before The Throne! Ark Channel 161220 Wed Rev 7
…the number of those who were sealed: 144,000… (v4)
During Tribulation, Israelites Who Obey God Will Be Sealed & Protected:
1. In all generations, God reserves a batch of people who have not bowed to idols.
2. 144,000 (12 x 12,000) means complete. God knows all the souls who belong to Him!
* With the development of human civilisation, changes in dynasties, you can read about the wonderful journey of the church in the last 2,000 years 《見證的火炬》(English version:The Torch of the Testimony by John W. Kennedy)
Who Is Able To Stand! Ark Channel 151220 Tue Rev 6
…behold, a black horse, and the one who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. (v5)
Scarcity During Famine Calls For Scales To Weigh:
1. Behold, the war in the 2nd seal brought about the famine in the 3rd seal and also plague!
2. Don’t you know that the devastated world leaves people and all things hoping for the new heaven and new earth!
* Prof. Wen Yinkann / 溫英幹教授 speaks on Educating A Godly Next Generation Prof. Wen worked as a senior economist at the World Bank. He and his household all served the Lord.
Incense Are The Prayers Of Saints! Ark Channel 141220 Mon Rev 5
…Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. (v9)
Singing, Praising, Worshipping!
1. Revelation is full of sounds in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea… Today what sound touches us the most? What sound changes our destiny today and in the future?
2. Are we willing to listen attentively to heaven’s triumph song? And also listen quietly to the worship of all creation?
* Voice of the Shepherd: I have been serving full time in the church for some time, joyful in seeing the flock grow. While serving, I learned two things: One is to stay healthy with more exercise, in hope of serving the Lord for a longer time, and to help the next generation. Another is to learn to work with everyone, broaden one’s mind, work with church leaders, different organisations to brainstorm and pool resources to do more with less. God’s grace is infinite! Let’s strive together – Chi Kong/ 志剛 (HK)
God Worthy of Glory and Honour and Power! – Sunday Hope 131220 Revelation 4
The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. (v7)
The four living creatures before God – manifestation of the attributes of Christ:
1. The Four Gospels in the Bible depict the attributes of Christ – like a lion (kingship in Matthew), like an ox (servanthood in Mark), a man (perfect human nature in Luke), like an eagle (God’s transcendence in John)
2. Christians should act like a lion against the Enemy, like an ox towards God, human towards people, like a flying eagle in face of all situations!
* Are we faced with oppositions on all sides? We have the bountiful provisions from Christ in heaven!
讓平安降臨人間 (Let Peace Descend on Earth)
* Listen to the Mandarin singing of Children from Malaysia, who prayed for peace of their nation and people in the world
The Morning Star in Sight! Ark Channel 121220 Sat Revelation 3
The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, … (v21)
“The Throne” is mentioned 47 times in the Book of Revelation:
1. The Bible depicts the end time turmoil, the end to humanity – visions in heaven, chaos on earth!
2. The world appears to be out of order? Why lose heart – the throne in heaven is forever sovereign, God the ultimate judge!
The Lord says: Be faithful to the end!
1. The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the resurrected Lord, knows the afflictions that we are going through!
2. 10 days represents complete testing, but can also mean a short tribulation.
* Gospel Tea Time – “https://youtu.be/96ppHOlgq34” by Bro. Raymond Chin/錢衞民. In Hokkien and Cantonese (because of technical difficulties, the video starts at the 10th minute)
The faithful witness! – Ark Channel 101220 Thu Revelation 1
…and the ruler of the kings of the earth… (v.5)
Remember: The Lord is near!
1. When Christ returns He will be full of glory; He will eliminate his opponents, and build a kingdom on earth!
2. Persevere! We who suffer with Him will gain the same glory!
Offer to God great thanks as a sacrifice for the many blessings and grace all along the way from beginning of year to end.
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* He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse…. (Malachi 4:6a)
Malachi 1-4: The prophet ended with ‘curse’, pointing out a solemn warning to man or creature that is set apart to be destroyed.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’t or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (v.4)
City in the Sky
The tent where God dwells — Where the glory of God resides, the tears we are so familiar with in this life will all pass.(v.4)
The universe’s Most Holy Place — The Holy City is a perfect construction, an expansion of the Most Holy Place, the place where God resides.(v.16)
* When vocal training teacher Ruth Zeng/曾路得 found out that she had both breast and liver cancer at the same time, her pastor prayed with her, and God have her a song, “Still”, which saw her through until the medical check-up report came out. Miraculously, the liver cancer cells disappeared, and she only had to go through breast cancer chemotherapy. During this time, her newly hired domestic helper from Indonesia turned out to be a Christ-loving believer, who wrote her Bible verses, and often reminded her, “You do know that God is always accompanying you!” 5 years have passed, and all this while she has faithfully turned to the Lord on all things, relying on the God who does miraculous things, living out a good testimony, to bring hope to those who have lost it.
Still/安靜 (Worship Song, Mandarin Chinese)
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* “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. (Zechariah 13:1)
Zechariah 12-14:This is a prophecy of the Messiah’s 2nd coming, the important point is not military intervention, but that God’s people will be revived in spirit!
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; … (v6a)
Kingdom in the Millennium
1. The First Resurrection — The Millennium is unveiled with the resurrection of the martyrs, taking them to reign with Christ for a thousand years. (v6)
2. The Second Death — Death in our body is not the ultimate death. All who are dead have to stand before the great white throne, recounting their life and be judged by their works. (v12)
* Ruth CHEN/曾路得 a singing teacher, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Before chemotherapy, an ultra sound scan uncovered cancer cells in the liver, calling for a PET scan (Positron emission tomography/正電子掃描) to determine condition of the spread. While waiting for the scan, she felt great agony at heart out of claustrophobia/幽閉恐懼症 meaning she could not stand being alone in the dark. Coupled with fear and frustration in how to deal with cancer in the breast and the liver, she could only come before God and admitted, “I really cannot deal with it!…” — to be continued
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* … behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9b)
Zechariah 9-11: This is the prophecy on the First Coming of the Messiah! The Jews were disappointed to hear that the salvation by righteousness is humble and hidden in the Son of Man.
Those who trust in the LORD need not be afraid, those who hope in Him will not be put to shame.
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* “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 7:13)
Zechariah 5-8: The interaction between us and God is dynamic; His response to our prayers entirely depends on how we use our actions to respond to Him.
…Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues: (v4b)
A Mournful Song Over Babylon
1. Warning to the City in Danger — “Come Out” – a demand on children of God, though living in the world, stay vigilant of the danger and keep distance from the world. (v4)
2. Song of the End Times – Kingdom ruled by money can collapse at a brief moment, leaving nothing behind. Worldly wealth takes but one moment to become null. (v9-19)
* Martin FLETCHER , a famous journalist who works in Israel for a long time, traveling far and wide on this land of wonder. His book “Walking Israel : A Personal Search For the Soul of a Nation”/ 聖地心旅depicts the true face of Israel today. Summary and feature report (text/video)
* And I am very sore displeased with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. (Zechariah 1:15)
Zechariah 1-4: God is not angry for long, He still sends His angels to watch over all lands, taking full charge of the world, protecting His children.
These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; … (v14a)
Vision in the Wilderness
1. True face of the big city — the 3 great sins in the evil empire: falling morals, wasteful extravaganza, brutal destruction. (v1-5)
2. Companions of the Lamb — the Army of the Lamb are the faithful ones being called and chosen. It is the Lamb who fights, it is the army that follows. (v14)
* Those Who Follow Christ/跟從耶穌的人 (video) Suffering is the seal that marks Christ. All who follow the Lord are making the choice of being blessed, and they have to be ready to pay a price.
* Consider, I pray you, from this day and backward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, …. from this day will I bless you ‘ (Haggai 2:18-19)
Haggai 1-2: The day when saints willed to rebuild the temple is the day they turn a new leaf in building a new relationship with God. From then onwards, we can partake the presence and blessing of God once again.
(Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walked naked, and they see his shame.) (v15)
God Who Intervenes History
1. A thief who boasts about his theft — The Lord’s second coming is like that of a thief. No one will be there to welcome Him, nor expecting Him. What man should do is to wait with vigilance, not speculating future. (v15)
2. God who burns with fury – The 7 bowls are not about revenge. It is about justification. It is the righteous God’s ultimate disposal of the evil. (v17)
… standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God …And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb… (v2-3)
Choir on the Sea of Glass
1. The Red Sea in Heaven — Substance of true victory is not surviving in shame. True victory is confronting Pharaoh bravely and being faithful to the point of forsaking one’s life. (v2)
2. The Song of the Victor — Meaning of true victory is not in slaying the enemies. True victory calls for one to sacrifice even as a martyr, bringing all nations to come worship before God. (v4)
* …punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ (Zephaniah 1:12b)
Zephaniah 1-3: Those who are cold in spirit thinks that God is indifferent about man and that God will not intervene with human history. Their faith as such is pointless.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on… (v13)
Bitterness of Life, Blessedness of Death
1. The Unending Nightmare — In eternity, the unfair scales of this world will be balanced, the beast’s worshippers will suffer forever, unable to find rest. (v11)
2. The Never-ending Joy — The loyal souls who have spent their lives, died, and ceased their toil, their work will find praise in eternity. (v13)
* During Christmas, I will be taking an 18-hour train ride to train 100 ministers, please intercede in prayer for this. – Bro. James（HK)
* Churches in the Mountain Areas of China – On the 24th-25th of December, we will be having 4 consecutive Gospel meetings, please intercede in prayer for us – Ah Qiao
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* Jehovah Draws Near to the Sorrowed Ones /Worship Song When helpless and down, and mired in darkness and pain, God will personally come to comfort us and save us from suffering and trials; because He is Jehovah our God.
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* The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights… (Habakkuk 3:19)
Habakkuk 1-3: Man’s existence depends on the One from whom life flows; when we face difficult times, He injects life!
If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. (v10)
War Between the Strong & the Weak
1. Book of Life Held by the Lamb – A holy paradox! The Lamb who was deprived of his life holds the book of life. (v8)
2. Sword of the Saints – When faced with the beast, the faithful followers of the Lamb fought with all surpassing endurance and faithfulness in God. (v10)
* Bro. NG Chak/吳澤, father-in-law of Sam Kong/father of Wai Kwan, Jennifer rests in peace of the Lord afternoon of Dec/22 (Thu). Please remember in our prayers that the Lord comforts mother-in-law YC CHIU/趙燕珍 and her whole house, tens of them to revive in their encounter with the Lord!
* A true, faithful living is a process, a means to attain the goal, not the goal itself. Repentance and belief in the Lord is just the beginning to this process and there are no pauses in between. We will have to walk with the Lord the rest of our life on earth. Whoever standing firm in His ways, obeying His will are bound to obtain the crown of glory God prepares for those who deserve it. Our journey on earth is tough and rough, but it is also full of splendid wonders. Whoever finishing the whole journey will find it most worthwhile. (Dr. AW TOZER)/ 陶恕)
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love
their lives so much as to shrink from death. (v.11)
A Special Version of Christ’s Story
1. Christ’s Birth and Death — Christ’s birth and rising covers His ministry: birth, suffering, death and resurrection to Heaven.(v5)
2. The Church’s Path to Victory — What the church must do is to follow Christ’s footsteps, to defeat Satan through suffering, bloodshed and death.(v11)
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