August 2007

This Month's Vew focuses on the victorious Christian life available to you. The Holy Spirit is present in this world to spark a new reality of Christ's overcoming life. Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation: but be courageous, I have overcome the world.” 1 He provides us the ability to overcome the many trials and sorrows of life.

Greater Is He In You

We become overcomers in this life by taking hold of the past, present and future victory of Jesus Christ, obtained through His death, burial and resurrection. It is time to turn from our passivity to the reality of Christ's victory being ours. "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." 2

As we mature in Christ, our victory over sin, self and satan becomes a greater and greater reality. "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 3

We are expected to grow as Christians from little children, to young men and even fathers in the faith, taking hold of satan's defeat. The Apostle John wrote: “...this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever."4

The Revelation of Christ

The book of The Revelations of Jesus Christ promises a blessing to “...the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen.” 5 It is faith in the revelation of Jesus Christ that gives us the ability in our hearts and minds to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.

The Revelation is from Jesus Christ, and from the sevenfold Spirit before the throne. 6 The Spirit reveals how Jesus overcame and overcomes the world powers, the spirit of anti-christ, giving us victory over sin, death and the grave. That is, the power of Jesus Christ and the sevenfold Spirit is greater than the seven-headed Dragon [satan], who gives power to the seven-headed Beast [the world powers], becoming principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places-- the spirit that speaks through the False Prophet or the anti-spirit.

The Apostle records a vision of the glorified Christ standing in the midst of us --the church. 7 “He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across His chest. His head and His hair was white like wool, as white as snow. And His eyes were bright like flames of fire. His feet were as bright as bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars [angels] in His right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came forth from His mouth. And His face was as bright as the sun in it's brilliance.” 8

Jesus Speaking to Us

Jesus says, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave." 9 He promises to those who overcome the following: They will eat from the tree of life; 10 they will not be hurt by the second death; 11 they will eat of the hidden manna, and will receive a white stone with a new name written on it; 12 they shall receive His power over the nations, to rule with Him and shall receive the morning star; 13 their name shall be confessed before the Father; 14 they will be made a pillar in the temple and be given His new name; 15 they will sit with Jesus on His throne; 16 they will inherit all things .17

But to the unbeliever, He promises “They will be judged according to their deeds. And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death --the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” 18 “The cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshippers and all liars -- their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." 19

The Second Death

Recently I was asked about the second death. My answer was simple. If your are only born once [that is, physically], you will die twice [not only physically, but spiritually], which is the second death. But if you are born twice [physically and spiritually],you only die once [physically], unless Jesus comes in your lifetime. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." He went on to say "...a man must be born of water [physically] and of the Spirit [Spiritually], or he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." 20

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't you know that those who do wrong will have no share in the kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers -- none of these will have a share in the kingdom of God. There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God has done for you." 21

As an unbeliever, you will experience the second death unless you confess and trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.22 If you reject the punishment that Jesus took for your sin on the Cross, you will have to take the punishment yourself by a second death. I pray you will be saved by trusting in Jesus.

A Two-Edged Sword

As you see, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not good news for everyone, but a two-edged sword. The writer of the book of Hebrews says: "...the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.” 23

The two-edged sword circumcises the heart of those who receive Christ, 24 but for those who reject Him, the Apostle John writes of a coming judgment. "From His mouth came a sharp sword, and with it He struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and He trod the winepress of the fierce Almighty God. On His robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords." 25

The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ is written to seven churches of the Apostle John's days, but speak clearly to us today. To every church, the promise to overcomers is given to "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 26 Whether you are a believer or not, it is time to listen to the Holy Spirit. He is the only one who can reveal Jesus Christ to you in a meaningful way. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that thirsts come." And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." 27

A Prayer For You...

Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus paid the price for my sin with His blood, and He took my punishment for sin at the cross. I believe You forgave me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness so that I can now stand righteous before You in Christ without any fear, guilt or inferiority. I believe in my heart that You raised Christ from the dead to give me a new and eternal life. I welcome You to live in my heart and to live Your life through me. Amen!

Scripture References:

1. John 16:33
2. 1 John 5:4,5 
3. 1 John 4:4
4. 1 John 2:17 
5. Rev. 1:3
6. Rev. 1:4 
7. Rev. 1:3a
8. Rev. 1:13-16
9. Rev. 1:17,18 
10. Rev. 2:7
11. Rev. 2:11 
12. Rev. 2:17
13. Rev. 2:26-28
14. Rev. 3:5
15. Rev 3:12 
16. Rev. 3:21
17. Rev. 21:7 
18. Rev. 20:13b-15
19. Rev 21:8 
20. John 3:3,5
21. 1 Cor 6:9-11 
22. 1 John 1:9
23. Heb. 4:12,13
24. Rom. 2:29 
25. Rev. 19:15,16
26. Rev. ch:2 & 3
27. Rev. 22:17