of Jesus Christ

 
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Our Daily Bread Topical  Revelation Introduction The source of the revelation The salutation The voice and the vision The Messages to the seven churches The message to Ephesus The message to Smyrna The message to Pergamum The message to Thyatira The message to Sardis The message to Philadelphia The message to Laodicea The things that shall be The heavenly worship Prelude to the seven seals: the scroll opened and the Lamb adored The vision of the seven seals The first seal: the white horse The second seal: the red horse The third seal: the black horse The fourth seal: the ashen horse The fifth seal: the martyrs The sixth seal: signs in the heavens Interlude The sealing of God's servants The white-robed tribulation saints The seventh seal: making ready the seven trumpets The seven trumpets The first trumpet hail, fire, and blood The second trumpet: the sea becomes blood The third trumpet: the falling star The fourth trumpet: the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars The fifth trumpet: the opening of the bottomless pit The sixth trumpet: the four angels released The second interlude John eats the scroll The two witnesses The seventh trumpet: the comsummation The seven mystic figures The woman with child The dragon The male child The angel Michael The beast from the sea The beast from the earth The Lamb on Mount Zion Interlude: the angelic messages The seven bowls of wrath Preliminary vision in heaven The first bowl: sores on men The second bowl: the sea becomes like blood The third bowl: rivers and fountains become blood The fourth bowl: fierce heat of the sun The fifth bowl: darkness The sixth bowl: the foul spirits prepare for Armageddon The seventh bowl: the earthquake The judgment of Babylon The great harlot The mystery of the harlot and the beast explained The doom of Babylon announced The call to come out of Babylon The lament of the world over Babylon Heaven's rejoicing over Babylon's fall Babylon's doom symbolically portrayed Praise to God for judgment: the marriage supper of the Lamb The defeat of the beast and the false prophet The binding of Satan The millennial reign of Christ The loosing of Satan The great white throne judgment The new heaven and the new earth The new Jerusalem The city The city's measurements The city's lights The city's blessings Epilogue Testimony to the truth of the revelation The distinction drawn The invitation given The benediction		Practical Christionics Faith-empty This is a follow on to the last discussion, "Control Freaks" in Heaven. We hinted loudly in that discussion at the interference that materialism runs against FAITH. When we put our trust in "things" instead of trusting the Lord, we run a real risk of losing our FAITH. This loss may be so great that we could become FAITH-EMPTY physically and spiritually. While Jesus was on earth, he talked about FAITH in degrees: "little FAITH" (Matthew 6:25-30-34),  "FAITH like a mustard seed" (Matthew 17:14-20-21), and  "have FAITH" (Matthew 21:18-21-22) for example. Physically, when we are faced with what we think are huge problems, we instinctively turn to God and use words like "only God can solve this" or "God will have to provide food, water or whatever". We have FAITH that God can provide.   Spiritually, we are little aware of the Satanic influences trying to take away our FAITH. When Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Jesus (Luke 22:31-32), Jesus said “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you apostles for himself. He wants to separate you from me as a farmer separates wheat from husks. Then Jesus adds, "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your FAITH will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.” Is Jesus saying, a disciple (or believers) can become FAITH-EMPTY? Apparently, when you become FAITH-EMPTY, you become separated from Jesus and God the Father. Satan uses "things" to reduce a person's FAITH in God until the man becomes completely separated from Jesus and God. When all of mankind thinks they have become self-sufficient, the whole earth becomes FAITH-EMPTY. Perhaps this is what Jesus was alluding to in a curious parable in Luke 18:1-8 which actually asked the question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find FAITH on earth?” Now we don't know exactly which "when the Son of Man comes" Jesus is referring to. Is it when He came to earth and became the Son of Man, or perhaps He is referring to our key verse (Revelation 19:11) in the right column: the rider of the white horse is named FAITHFUL(L) and with integrity, he JUDGES and wages war. It is clear that Jesus is FAITHFUL(L). And we that are called and chosen as believers also must be FAITHFUL(L) So the real question becomes: Where are you in your FAITH? If you are totally dedicated to Jesus Christ, you should be FAITHFUL(L) too. The alternative, as in chapters 17 and 18, is destruction by fire (Revelation 18:8). A sidenote: throughout the scripture references above, there is a constant reference to PRAYER; consider your prayer life. It gives a clue whether you are FAITHFUL(L) or FAITH-EMPTY.		11I saw heaven standing open. There was a white horse, and its rider is named Faithful and True. With integrity he judges and wages war.        Revelation 19:11 (God's WordTM)
Practical Christionics Archives Where do you live? When the harlot comes knocking Slamming the door in the Harlot's face Politics in near future Demons in the house. Demons in the water. Good Water Shaking the earth (and water) Easter, Revelation-style "Control Freaks" in Heaven? Faith-empty		Please take a moment to pray for the many unemployed people around the world, and don't forget to practice believer economics (Matthew 25:31-46).		photo by Robert Berube Your comments to ne1@ne1.com always are welcome, and we pray that you have been blessed (Revelation 1:3) by this study.   Rod and Linda Schmuland