於2017-12-13發佈


將我們的財寶投資在天上─啟示錄 

在過去幾週,我們聚焦在能使神的百姓勝過末日事件的能力─就是將展開之異象的一連串事件,此能力更能勝過生命中的一切。許多人最糟的末日戰場將會以意外或其他悲劇與災難形式臨到。我們在這裡所研讀的原則可以應用在生命中的一切,而不單是啟示錄所陳述的事件

第二件事我們提到那些能勝過的,是因羔羊的血,還有自己所見證的道』(參考啟示錄12:11。我們的見證要如何幫助我們得勝呢?正如耶穌所說:心裡所充滿的,口裡就說出來』(參考馬太福音12:34。倘若我們的心充滿對神兒子與十架大能的信心,我們就會宣告出來,而這樣的宣告是帶著能力的。

這些見證是否造成許多人成為殉道者呢?是的,這引至他們何以能勝過的第三個因素,在啟示錄十二章11節說:他們雖至於死,也不愛惜性命。屬地的想法是:死亡是終極失敗,但對那些在基督裡的人而言,死亡是畢業,進入我們的獎賞,而殉道是臨到我們最尊榮的獎賞。

毫無疑問,死亡是一個敵人,它將被擺脫,但在這一世代,死亡是真實的老師。生命是一個終極禮物,那些證實的人會願意為其冒險,或為福音的緣故付上生命,他們在天上將成為偉大的英雄,在主眼中極為寶貴。

我們要如何才能達到一個境界,讓我們願意為福音冒上我們的生命或歡喜為殉道受苦而不是否認主?就是我們將我們的財寶投資在天上,在永恆裡。因為我們的財寶在哪裡,我們的心也在那裡。倘若我們『尋求從上頭而來的事』,並與基督同坐在天上,我們便樂意為著基督永恆的目的在這一生犧牲。所以一個重要的問題是:我們到底是連於天還是連於地,這取決於我們所敬拜與獻上的是誰。在啟示錄十二章12節所說的就是這樣的獻上:

所以,諸天和住在其中的,你們都快樂吧!只是地與海有禍了!因為魔鬼知道自己的時候不多,就氣忿忿的下到你們那裡去了。

當控告者被摔在地上,我們會根據我們現在住在哪裡而有不同的經歷。當魔鬼被摔在地上,他非常憤怒,盡他所能來奪取一切。在此時此刻,地上唯一安全的地方就是連於基督並行祂的旨意。 

魔鬼無法再次擊打基督,但基督可以擊打魔鬼並摧毀他的工作。倘若主不允許,魔鬼無法將他的憤怒釋放在地上,但主會短暫允許。這也與主的終極目的有關,藉此呈現跟隨魔鬼與跟隨主之間的清楚對比。在地上的這段歷史完成之後,所有的受造物與每個層面,都將知道不在凡事上順服主,單單敬拜祂是何等大的錯誤。 

 (摘自喬納 word for the week,Week44, 2017)

 

 
Investing Our Treasure in Heaven—The Book of Revelation
Week 44, 2017
Rick Joyner

         In the last few weeks, we have focused on the power that enables God’s people to not only overcome the events of the last days— the events in this unfolding vision—but in all of life. Many people’s worst Armageddon will come in the form of an accident or other tragedies and disasters. The principles we’re studying here apply to all of life, not just the events outlined in Revelation.

         The next thing said about those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb is that they added to this “the word of their testimony” (see Revelation12:11). How does the word of our testimony help us to overcome? As Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (see Matthew12:34 NKJV). If our heart is filled with faith in the Son of God and the power of His cross, then we will proclaim it. There is power in that proclamation.

         Are these testimonies that have caused many to be martyrs? Yes. That leads us to the third factor of why they overcame in Revelation 12:11: “and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” To the earthly minded, death is the ultimate defeat, but to those in Christ, death is graduation into our reward, and martyrdom is the most honorable way it can come.

         Without question, death is an enemy and it will be done away with, but in this age it is a teacher of reality. Life is the ultimate gift, and those who prove willing to risk it, or give it, for the sake of the Gospel will be great heroes in heaven and carry great weight with the Lord.

         How do we get to the place where we are willing to risk our life for the Gospel, or gladly suffer martyrdom rather than deny the Lord? We invest our treasure in heaven, in eternity. Where our treasure is there will our hearts be also. If we have been “seeking the things that are above” and are seated with Christ in the heavenly places, then we will gladly sacrifice anything in this life for the eternal purposes of Christ. So an important question is whether we are earth bound or heaven bound, and this is determined by that which has our devotion and worship. Such a devotion is helped by what is stated in Revelation 12:12:

"For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time."

         From the point when the accuser is cast down to the earth, the experience is going to be different depending on where we are dwelling. When the devil is cast down, he comes with great wrath and will take it out on all that he can. At this time, the only safe place on earth will be abiding in Christ and doing His will.

         The devil cannot strike Christ again, but Christ can strike the devil and destroy any of His works at any time. The devil would not be able to release his wrath on the earth if the Lord did not allow it, and He will for a short time. This too is working toward the ultimate purpose of the Lord to show the clear contrast between following the devil and his ways or following the Lord. After this history of the earth has been completed, all of creation, in every realm, will know what a huge mistake it is to not obey the Lord in all things, and worship Him alone.