Saturday Motivation! Wake -up Winners! The time is near!
April 11th 2020
Saturday Motivation! Wake -up Winners! The time is near!
Text: Revelation 1 v 3; The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants- things which must shortly take place, and He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the word of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it, for the time is near.
Introduction
What time is it and what season are we in?
The worst thing that can happen to a man is for him not to understand or know the times and seasons.
When a man does not know the times and seasons, he is unable to plan ahead because in his myopic mind, he would think that there is still a lot of time and he would continue to procrastinate saying I will do this tomorrow, I will do that tomorrow. I will complete this task on day this, I will repent soon, there is still time for me; at least I am not the only sinner living.
The Lord says I should inform such people to wake-up from their slumber and do the needful now before it is too late because very soon, there will be no more time. Time is running out.
It is quite understandable for a lay-man not to understand the times and seasons. But it is a palatial error and very sad when those that ought to understand the times and seasons for instance those in authority, do not understand the times and seasons.
I am baffled by the interpretation that some church leaders are giving the present pandemic and I wonder why they are comparing it to the Spanish Flu. The era of the Spanish Flu is a different era from what we are experiencing now and we must not compare it at all. I repeat do not turn to a scientist and begin to research into the Spanish Flu when what we are experiencing is totally different.
I have a feeling that some of these people in authority are looking for calm in the midst of this storm and in order to reassure their members, they are telling them that this is similar to the Spanish Flu and that they need not worry because Christ is not at the door.
Wake-up people our salvation is now nearer than when we first believed.
The Lord is sounding a note of warning to all the churches;
To the Loveless Church in Revelation 2 v 2-4: The Lord says; I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil and you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars, and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name`s sake and have not become weary, nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
The loveless church started well out of love and devotion to the Lord. Their love for the Lord was exemplified in the way they worshipped the Lord but their love later ran out and became cold. They stopped loving the Lord and replaced Him with something else. They also replaced His teachings with a different type of teaching. The Lord is warning this church to love the Lord and one another and to remain devoted to the Lord.
The Lord is calling on this church to remember where they have fallen, to repent and do the first works which they did fervently and which the Lord was pleased with. This church must teach God` s truth in love.
To the Persecuted Church in Revelation 2 v 9-10: The Lord says; I know your works, tribulation and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer, indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.
This church is a church that remains faithful amidst persecution. However the Lord reminds them to be strong no matter what may come their way, as the tribulation will be short compared to the promise of eternal life.
To the Compromising Church in Revelation 2 v 12- 14; The Lord says; I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan throne is. And you hold fast to my name and did not deny My faith even in the days which Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was killed amongst you where satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.
The Lord is calling this church to repent and not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewal of their minds in accordance with God`s Word.
The Corrupt Church in Revelation 2 v 19 – 21: This is what the Lord says to this church; I know your works, love service and faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality but she did not repent.
The downfall of this church was as a result of its devotion to a false prophet that led some members to commit idolatry and immorality. The false prophet remained unrepentant but the Lord is warning the church to repent by turning away from the ways of this prophet.
The Lord reminds us in this revelation that He will repay us according to our deeds as the reward for sin is death. However, those who persevere in faith will receive authority over all nations and triumph over death. In order to share in Christ`s victory, we are to avoid the deep secrets of satan and hold firm to Christ`s teaching!
The Dead Church in Revelation 3 v 1-4: The Lord says; I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
The Lord faults this church for maintaining an outward appearance of being alive while it is spiritually dead. The Lord is warning this church to wake-up and repent lest he comes like a thief to execute judgment. Those who heed the warning will be dressed in white, which is a symbol of purity and victory and will be acknowledge in heavens book of life.
As winners, we should not fall into a trap that ensnared this church. We must continually feed our spirit while practicing our faith. This we can achieve through bible-study, prayer and fellowship with one another.
The Faithful Church in Revelation 3 v 8-12: The Lord says: I know your works. I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, and have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those of the synagogue of satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie –indeed I will make them come and worship at your feet and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
The above is a church that patiently endured despite its weaknesses. The message to this church is one of hope in the midst of challenges. It promises the church blessings that will come when they maintain their faith despite life`s tribulations. The Lord promised that those who stand strong to the end would be like pillars in heaven.
The Lukewarm Church Revelation 3 v 15-16: The Lord says to this church; I know your works that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold or hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
The Lord scolds this church for allowing its financial prosperity to cause its spiritual bankruptcy and reveals that despite its economic wealth, He alone can provide spiritual wealth. He encourages the church to open their doors to the Messiah.
The Lord encourages all the churches not to be complacent in their faith during times of abundance. He encourages us not to be Lukewarm but to keep seeking the Lord`s face even after He has blessed us with riches or finances.
Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Shalom