3K
Downloads
207
Episodes
Jairus means "God gives light" or "Receiving light". In Mark Chapter 5, Jesus heals his daughter. Jesus told him "Do not be afraid -- only believe." What an encouragement! Jairus Bible World Ministry is birthed in the heart of God to heal the sick and share the pain of the world and preach Gospel of Jesus to the lost and share the light in the Word of God to help Christians to grow in life as well.
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus—2 Peter 1-1
The Epistles of Peter Are His Reflection on the Lord’s Transfiguration
Peter was the first apostle chosen by the Lord, and he was also one of Jesus’ inner circle of followers. Peter, James, and John were the only ones who were allowed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and to be near him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter’s spiritual journey was full of dramatic change as Jesus taught him and dealt with his weaknesses. Peter wrote two epistles that record these spiritual experiences, but many believers do not seem to have a firm grasp on Peter’s life. Believers study Paul’s writings and experiences, yet seem to neglect Peter’s. As I have studied Peter’s epistles with fellow brothers and sisters, I received some inspiration which I hope to share here. These inspirations are not original to me, but they are important for a deeper understanding of the Bible.
George Campbell Morgan, known as the "Prince of Expositors,” commented that the epistles of Peter are an extended reflection on his experience of the Transfiguration.[1] Do you agree with this statement? I thought the same thing while reading the Scripture, even before reading Morgan’s statement. I couldn’t agree with him more. I hope to be able to explain in detail why both of Peter's letters are his reflections on Jesus' transfiguration.
Peter had many deep spiritual experiences which he wrote about in his epistles. But many people ignore or fail to understand Peter's spiritual experiences as expressed in his two epistles. I hope that by explaining his epistles, I can help more readers understand God’s work in Peter’s life. I hope that our study of Peter’s experiences will help us grow in faith and capacity like Peter did, so we can grow into Christ, who is the Head.
The Significance of the Transfiguration
What is the significance of the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus? The divine glory of Jesus Christ had been restricted by His physical body, but He temporarily transcended the limitations of the flesh and fully expressed His eternal glory. Let’s use an example to illustrate this idea. An acorn contains the future glory of a towering oak tree. But all that glory is hidden while it is a seed. In the same way, Jesus’ glory was hidden within his earthly body. In addition, we as Christians have the seed of God's life in our hearts, and we have the potential to grow into a glorious tree. Colossians 3 says, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:3-4). Peter, John, and James were given a taste of Christ’s glory at the transfiguration. But when Christ returns, we will see the full manifestation of His glory. Today, our lives are hidden with Christ in God. But one day, we will appear with Him in glory. At that time, His full glory—and ours—will be revealed. This is the full expression of the kingdom. Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain is a shadow of the coming kingdom, as we Christians are also a shadow of the future kingdom. The purpose of our lives is to allow the life of Christ to continue to expand and grow within us, like an acorn growing into a towering tree, so we can bring the full expression of Christ’s kingdom to the earth. This is God’s ultimate will, as well as Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:23, “which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
The words "seed,” "growth,” and "full-grown tree" sum up the three stages of expressing the reality of God’s kingdom here on earth. "Seed" is the starting point, "growth" is the process, and "big tree" is the final goal. Going through these three stages takes time. But in the Transfiguration, Jesus transcended time and allowed Peter, James, and John to skip the "growth" stage and preview the glory of the "full-grown tree.” When he saw it, Peter was completely overwhelmed, even dazzled. When he went down the mountain with James and John, he was met with the harsh reality that he would still need to go through the growing process. He faced the fact that he and the other disciples were not even able to cast out the demon at the foot of the mountain. After Jesus cast out the demon, he rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus was able to cast them out, however, because he already experienced the reality of the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). In the kingdom of God, there is no place for evil spirits and demons, so wherever the kingdom of God is, demons are not allowed to exist. But the disciples were not filled with the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God. In other words, they could not drive out this demon because they still allowed space for enemies and evil spirits.
After seeing the glory of the kingdom, and then experiencing the harsh reality that he could not cast out the demon, Peter must have thought about the process of growing from a "seed" to a "full-grown tree.” Peter’s epistles describe his newfound understanding that believers must go through a growth process so that the “seed” of the life of the kingdom of Christ can grow into a towering "tree.” Peter's Epistles are a handbook for the disciples he shepherds so they can better understand and experience this growth process. Then the reality of the kingdom will be manifested in them and in the world.
2 Peter 1 Starts with a Seed
The kingdom of God and our faith in God’s kingdom are often referred to in the Bible as a "seed.” The Lord Jesus used this metaphor many times. For example, Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how" (Mark 4:26-27). The coming of the kingdom of God begins with the word of God or the seed of the Gospel. When people hear the Word, their hearts are like different types of soil. If the seed falls on good soil, it will yield 30, 60, or even 100 times as much grain as was sown. But if it lands on bad soil that is thorny or compacted, the seed cannot grow well or will be eaten by birds (Matthew 13:3-8). The Lord Jesus also compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed (Mark 4:30-31). In other words, Peter is very familiar with the idea that God’s word is like a seed, and he also knows that the Lord Jesus often used seed as a metaphor for the kingdom of God.
In this passage, Peter also uses seed as a metaphor for the word of God. He states, "You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). We'll come back to 1 Peter later since we're dealing with 2 Peter here. 2 Peter also begins with seed. But the seed he mentions here does not refer to the "word of God" but to "faith" (2 Peter 1:1).
Let's see what Peter says in the first sentence of 2 Peter: "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Note that I bolded the words "faith of equal standing.” Those of us who are familiar with the stories of the Old Testament know that after the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they each obtained a piece of land to cultivate. Here Peter is using a metaphor to say that the inheritance of faith that God has given us is like the beautiful land of Canaan. Just like the Israelites obtained a piece of land after entering the Promised Land, we can obtain a portion of faith to cultivate. In other words, our faith is our seed, and it will grow gradually into something just as beautiful as the Promised Land. Paul said something similar. He mentioned the “riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:18). Just as the land of Canaan was God's inheritance to the Old Testament Israelites, we as New Testament believers, receive a spiritual inheritance through faith in Christ. We are born again through the Word of God, which is compared to a seed. Jesus Christ, through whom we were born again, is also called an indestructible seed. And our inheritance is the seed.
This seed of faith, by which we are reconciled to God, is only the first step. The next step is to continue to grow in our spiritual lives so that the kingdom of God is fully manifested in us. "More than that … we have now received reconciliation" (Romans 5:10-11). These are the words of Paul, and Peter teaches the same thing. Like Paul, Peter deeply understood that our regeneration by the Word of God, the incorruptible seed of God, was only the first step. When he glimpsed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on the mountain, he saw his ultimate goal. But when he descended the mountain and was unable to cast out the evil spirit, he realized he would need to take many incremental steps to reach that goal. He did not yet possess the glory of Jesus Christ, nor could he cast out demons—yet the glory of Jesus Christ was his promised hope. To get there, he would need to be conformed to the death and resurrection of Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then would he reach the mountaintop and become the powerful leader of the book of Acts, who could heal the lame, raise the dead, and lead three thousand to salvation. Before he could become mature, Peter had to experience countless spiritual lessons, including:
- Denying the Lord three times
- Being restored by Jesus as he asked him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21)
- Experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, recorded in the beginning of Acts.
Jesus Christ is the only perfect person in the Bible, but there are many people who have undergone great transformations, including Jacob in the Old Testament and Peter in the New Testament. Peter’s transformation is not only recorded in the Gospels but also reflected in 1 and 2 Peter. We hope that in the future we will have the opportunity to revisit all of Peter's experiences in the Gospels to see how he was transformed. However, today we are only focusing on Peter's reflections on his life in 2 Peter.
The Power of God Reserved in the Seed
As a vegetable gardener, I understand the importance of high-quality seeds. I usually buy organic seeds and then choose the plumpest seeds to plant. Because I chose good seeds, I am confident they will germinate. Why? Because in the mystery of life, God has placed the power of reproduction in the seed. If I plant the right seed, it will produce new life. Peter understands this concept well. After he speaks of the "seed of faith" in the first chapter of 2 Peter, he continues, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2). Note that I have bolded "grace and peace" and "multiply" in this sentence. Just like the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5, “grace and peace” are the fruits that grow from the seed of faith. The word "multiply" shows that Peter is confident God’s seeds will multiply and germinate.
Peter then begins to speak about the power of God contained in the seed. We need to take a good look at 2 Peter 1:3-4. These two verses contain so much truth about the profound mysteries of the kingdom of God. Let's preview these two verses and then break them down in detail.
2 Peter 1: 3 says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” This verse refers to the power of God hidden in the seed God gives us. As we’ve mentioned, an acorn contains the genetic material to create an entire oak tree. Just like the seed contains the power of life, God has given us "divine power" contained in the seed of His Word. God's "glory" is the full-grown tree, and His "excellence" is the "seed.” Glory is the glory of the kingdom of God, which is the full-grown tree—our hope for the future. Excellence is the genetic material or embryo which manifests the excellence of God contained in Jesus Christ. The excellence of God expressed in Jesus Christ provides us with spiritual life and power in every way. This seed contains power and potential for growth. Glory and Excellence both call us to go through the process of growth.
When Peter refers to "all things that pertain to life and godliness,” he echoes Paul’s words in Ephesians 1: "… the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places " (Ephesians 1:3). This spiritual blessing has two aspects. On the one hand, these blessings have already been accomplished in the spiritual realm. On the other hand, we need to go through the process of growth to access it. All the genetic material for the oak tree is already present in the acorn. But it takes many years for the acorn to grow into a towering oak tree. In the same way, we have already been given everything that pertains to life and godliness. We have been given all spiritual gifts the moment we were saved. They are present in our spirit like the embryo within the seed. What a mysterious truth! The seed takes so much time to develop and mature. This is a continually unfolding mystery. Colossians 3:3-4 says that when Jesus Christ appears in glory, we will also appear with Him in glory.
2 Peter 1:4 says, "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” These "precious and very great promises" point to the “full-grown tree.” Our goal is to grow into a full-grown tree. This reality is not only a "precious and very great promise”; it is also a present reality. Right now, we can "become partakers of the divine nature.” The destiny of the church is to become a type of Jesus Christ, full of the divine nature. This "precious and very great promise" may also include the final manifestation of glory in heaven, as well as the different stages in between.
Verse 4 has profound meaning. It mentions two gifts given to apostles and prophets, which work together to lay the foundation of the church. Why do I say that? I will explain this concept in more detail in this article and upcoming articles.
What is the ministry of an apostle? To teach the church about God’s character. The word “glory” refers to the ministry of the apostles, because apostles help believers to learn about God’s character and partake in the glory of God.
What is the ministry of the prophets? To provide timely guidance to people so that they can understand God’s goals for their lives and walk on the right path. The word “excellence” refers to the prophets’ ministry. Spiritual excellence is like a signpost, providing onlookers with ability and direction. Because Jesus Christ is the firstborn Son, we are also sons of God, and we must be conformed to the image of the Firstborn Son. The ministry of prophets is also implied in the words "precious and very great promises." God’s guidance to us through the prophets is often manifested as promises. Of course, “excellence” also implies the ministry of apostles because many Biblical promises were written by the hands of the apostles. The teachings of the apostles help us understand the character and laws of God, while the promises of the prophets give us direction.
When we follow the teachings of the apostles and prophets, we will gradually understand God’s character and guidance. As a result, we will be gradually set free from the corruption of the lustful world. By continuously partaking in these promises, we will become partakers of the divine nature. In other words, as we partake in the divine nature, we grow closer and closer to our goal of reaching the full height of Christ’s stature (Ephesians 4:13), just like an oak seedling growing closer and closer to its goal of being a great oak tree. The life of the oak tree is contained in the acorn, and the life of God is contained in believers.
How can Christians grow spiritually? Through the apostles’ ministry, Christ’s followers can recognize their identity in Christ so His nature can grow freely in their spirits.
How can Christians follow God's guidance without going in the wrong direction? Through the prophets’ ministry, believers can learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Prophets continuously encourage believers with God’s promises so they do not grow weary. Although God’s word through the apostles reveals many principles that help us understand God’s character, we all know that we often get discouraged and weak. That’s why we need the prophets to encourage us when we grow weary and feel down. Prophets help believers reach the finish line and enter into the fullness of God’s life.
All these ideas are implied in Peter's epistles, although Peter does not explicitly say that we are "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone," like Paul does (Ephesians 2:20). This does not mean Peter does not have the same spiritual insight as Paul. Perhaps Peter just could not express these concepts as clearly as Paul, who was more well-learned.
Unfortunately, many people underestimate Peter’s spiritual insight. Peter says that in Paul’s letters, “there are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). However, Peter does not say he does not understand Paul's words. There is no proof that Peter’s spiritual experience was lower caliber than Paul’s.
Peter knows very well that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, so the apostles’ ministry is very needed to help the saints learn about God’s character and partake in the glory of God. The apostles help us learn about God’s character, as shown in Christ’s virtues. The virtues of God in Christ are our signposts. When we first believe in Christ, one person may be particularly attracted to a certain virtue of Jesus Christ, such as his love. Another may be attracted to Jesus’ patience. The first is attracted to Jesus’ love because he lacks love; the second lacks patience. A third person may be attracted first by one virtue, and later by another. These virtues attract us, transform us, strengthen us, and eventually conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. God’s guidance for everyone is different, and the different virtues of Jesus Christ are the signposts that guide us on the path to the image of Christ.
Conclusion
Peter is well aware of the need for believers to "grow” from an "acorn" into an "oak tree.” During this growth process, believers will encounter many challenges. The seed of faith may be snatched away by birds, trampled on the road, or choked by weeds. Only those seeds that fall in well-watered, good soil will grow into towering trees that touch the sky. This growth journey is described in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Christians encounter many trials and tribulations as they journey toward heaven.
As we journey, we need the help of the apostles and prophets. The apostles help believers understand God's laws, like Moses did (Psalm 103:7). To know God's law is to know His character. As Paul says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Peter writes about the same truth: "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19-21). The Bible contains laws that reveal God’s character, promises, and guidance. The character, promises, and guidance of God overlap in some way, yet are distinctive. The ministries of the apostles and prophets also overlap. Many believers are gifted as both apostles and prophets, such as Moses and Paul. Moses certainly acted as both an apostle and a prophet. Although the Bible doesn't mention Paul as a prophet, he certainly prophesied. The reason we make the distinction between apostles and prophets is to help us understand the different ministries related to these two gifts. Before we move on to Peter's spiritual experience as revealed in 2 Peter, we'll take a moment to talk about the character and guidance of God and the corresponding ministries of apostles and prophets.
[1] See https://www.jgospel.net/c/2/26845/283/3986/%E6%91%A9%E6%A0%B9%E8%A7%A3%E7%BB%8F%E4%B8%9B%E4%B9%A6-%E9%A9%AC%E5%A4%AA%E7%A6%8F%E9%9F%B3-(%E7%99%BB%E5%B1%B1%E5%8F%98%E5%83%8F).aspx “This passage records the story of the Transfiguration of our Lord. We should pay special attention to the place of transfiguration in the ministry of our Lord as King. The most important question for us now is, what significance did the king's transfiguration have to the three disciples who were allowed to witness it? It is natural to then ask, what significance did this have for the other disciples who heard this? It would not be too much to say that the glory of the Mount of Transfiguration is all collected in the two epistles written by Peter. As he wrote, he heard the voice and saw the glory on the ‘holy mountain.’ Although he did not understand the significance of this at the time, in the years that followed, he gradually understood its value. When he looked back from the mysterious cross and resurrection to the Mount of Transfiguration, he called it ‘the Holy Mountain.’ The two levels of impressions he received on the mountain constitute the content of 1 Peter. He describes these two impressions as the coming and power of Jesus Christ, or more accurately, the presence and power of Jesus Christ.” (Original texts are in Chinese and the translation is mine.)
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Bible Study With Jairus - Genesis 49 (Part 1) - Jacob’s Prophecies about His Twelve Sons
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus – Genesis 49 (part 1)
Jacob’s Prophecies about His Twelve Sons
At first glance, Jacob's prophecies about his twelve sons seem very mysterious (Genesis 49). They bring up many unanswered questions.
First, how does Jacob know the future of his twelve sons? Jacob’s grandfather Abraham was described as a prophet, but the Bible never calls Jacob a prophet. Yet both Isaac and Jacob can predict the future and give prophetic blessings to their sons. Their ability to prophesy is based on their intimate fellowship with God, just like Abraham’s was. Although Jacob does not have the title of prophet, his actions prove he is one.
Second, how should we understand Jacob’s prophecies about his twelve sons? The Holy Spirit has given me a series of inspirations that help me understand Jacob’s prophecies. I believe that God works persistently, like ocean waves, to accomplish his will. Like ocean waves that continually hit the rocky shoreline, over and over, until they erode the rock or knock them into the sea, God continues to work in repetitive waves. When humans resist him, like solid stone, God continues to work until his will is accomplished.
God’s purpose was to continue the lineage of Christ through Jacob's twelve sons. When Jacob’s firstborn Reuben failed, God began to work through Simeon and Levi. When Simeon and Levi failed, God worked through Judah. And even though Judah also failed, the lineage of Christ continued through the cunning plans of Judah’s daughter-in-law. Satan's work was to destroy people one by one, first Reuben, then Simeon, then Levi and Judah. Satan’s plan was to stop God from producing the genealogy of Christ by destroying God’s people. But God's work never stopped. When one person failed or resisted God, God turned to the next person. Like the ocean waves, God continued to work on people, and Christ’s genealogy continued through Judah and Tamar. Tamar was the only one who was willing to be used by God to produce the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
In the same way, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit continues to work in waves, turning sinners into sons of God, preparing us for the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem. Although Jacob's prophecies about the twelve sons speak about their future, their outcome reflects the different stages of the Holy Spirit's work in the church, culminating in the New Jerusalem.
The Progress of God’s Revelation
God’s revelation in the Bible is progressive. He continues to reveal more and more of his plan, and one revelation builds on another. In the beginning, God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the stars in heaven and the sand on the seashore, his descendants would possess the gates of the enemy, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed by the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 22:17–18). We do not know whether God told him the identity of this descendent who would bless all the nations of the earth. However, we know that Paul later received a revelation that names this descendent: "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). Paul also says, "So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spiritthrough faith" (Galatians 3:14). In other words, Jesus Christ blesses not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. Through Him, we all can receive the Holy Spirit and be born again as children of God. Such revelation is progressive.
I believe that Abraham received considerable revelation and knew God's will. In Hebrews, it says, "By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God" (11:9-10). Jacob received the same promise from Abraham. In a dream, the Lord said to Jacob, “‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed’" (Genesis 28:13–14).
From reading the words of Paul, we know that the descendant who would bless the nations would be Christ. But the Bible does not say from which tribe Christ would be born. Even when the Gentile prophet Balaam prophesied, "A star shall come out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17), he did not mention from which tribe Christ would come. It is not until the Book of Micah later in the Old Testament that God revealed, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2). This verse specifies the tribe and location where Christ would be born. This prophecy later helped the astrologers follow Christ’s star to Jerusalem at His birth. Jacob's prophecy about Judah in Genesis 49 may point to Jesus Christ. The verse reads, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be”" (KJV, 49:10). "Shiloh" means "the one who brings peace" and this term is often interpreted as pointing to Christ. But when Jacob gave this prophecy, he may not have understood what it was referring to. Perhaps Jacob understood this vision, but his sons, especially the firstborn Reuben, did not.
My personal belief is that God did not have a precise plan for which tribe Jesus would come from. Although God promised Abraham and Jacob that Christ would come from their descendants, God may not have ordained the exact tribe Jesus would come from. Reuben was the firstborn son, and I believe God gave him the opportunity to carry on Christ’s lineage. But he failed, and he lost his birthright and the blessing of being the Messiah’s ancestor. In destroying Reuben, Satan must have thought that the line of the Messiah would be destroyed as well.
However, God's work cannot be stopped. Reuben failed, and both Simeon and Levi failed by falling into Satan’s temptation. Finally, Judah failed as well. But Tamar fulfilled God’s will. Satan's destructions came in waves, but God's work also came in waves, and God’s will was ultimately accomplished. If we, as individuals, are willing to actively cooperate with God's work, we will become like Tamar, Christ’s life will be manifested in our lives. But if we obey our enemy instead of God, we will be like Reuben. He not only lost God's blessings, but also hindered God's work.
Let me repeat this again. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi all had the opportunity to be used by God to produce the genealogy of Jesus Christ. But their failure made them lose this blessing. Judah also sinned and fell into lust, and he would have lost this blessing too if it were not for Tamar. Her perseverance and faith changed everything.
The Failure of Reuben
What is the reason for Reuben’s failure? First, he did not receive God’s revelation. He did not see the vision that Jacob saw. Just as a child growing up in a pastor's family does not automatically receive the same calling as his parents or experience the same spiritual experience as they do, Reuben did not hear the voice of God as Jacob did. Jacob had learned to know God and understand his will through many hardships and many revelations along the way. He had learned not to take his birthright lightly like his brother Esau did. But Reuben was different. He did not long for God like Jacob did. If we long for God, He will reveal His will to us. Jesus says, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." (John 14:21). God did not show himself to Reuben because Reuben did not love God nor long for Him.
God did care about Reuben; he never said he hated him like he hated Esau (Malachi 1:2–3). Jacob blessed Reuben with words of respect: "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power" (Genesis 49:3). He obviously expected that Reuben would be honored. Yet he also said of Reuben, "Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch" (49:4). The lust of the flesh caused Reuben to sin and lose the blessings of God and his father. But the root of the problem was that Reuben had no desire for God.
The Deeper Reason for Reuben’s Failure
In Genesis 35, we learn that Reuben slept with his father's concubine, Bilhah, when Jacob was grieving the death of his favorite wife, Rachel. Jacob loved Rachel dearly, and Jacob must have been deeply sad at this time. In the midst of such emotion, Reuben slept with Rachel's handmaid Bilhah and threw Jacob into even deeper depression. Why would Reuben do such a terrible thing? In addition to being “unstable as water”, there may have been a more profound reason: Reuben’s animosity toward Rachel and even toward his father. As the eldest son, Reuben must have noticed the way his father treated his mother Leah, as well as the rivalry between Leah and Rachel. When Rachel was unable to bear children, she gave Jacob her handmaid as a concubine. The handmaid gave birth to Dan, whose name means "to do justice," and Rachel said, "God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son." (30:6). When Bilhah gave birth to a second son, Naphtali, Rachel said, “‘With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.’ So she called his name Naphtali" (30:8). "Naphtali" means "my wrestling."
Later, the Bible records a story that further illuminates Reuben’s attitude toward Rachel. Reuben went out to the field to look for mandrakes, a fertility drug. Rachel wanted some, but Leah refused to give her any. Finally, Rachel agreed to let Jacob sleep with Leah in exchange for some mandrakes. Perhaps Jacob had not slept with Leah for a long time. Leah was neglected, and her sons may have been, as well. This may have negatively impacted Reuben. I personally speculate that Reuben’s lust and hatred were used by Satan to deceive him, in order to prevent the continuation of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Reuben’s failure should teach us a profound lesson. We must never harbor hatred toward anyone. We must forgive people as Christ commanded so that we will not be used by Satan to hinder God's work. If we do, we will miss out on God's blessing to us. Reuben was a spiritually blind man. He saw no visions, he did not love God, and he did not receive spiritual manifestations. As a result, he did not become the ancestor of Christ.
Reuben did not sleep with his own mother's handmaid, Zilpah, but with Rachel's handmaid, Bilhah. Zilpah may have seemed like family to Reuben because she was Leah's handmaid. Bilhah may also have been neglected by Jacob, because he loved only Rachel. The emotions caused by this neglect and jealousy may have been used by Satan to lure them into sin, so they would miss out on the blessing of the birthright. They were disqualified from carrying on the genealogy of Christ. What an ignorant person Reuben was! What a blessing he missed out on!
All Sinners Are Like Reuben
Jacob's prophecies about the twelve sons represent not only the twelve waves of God's work in the Old Testament but also the twelve waves of God's work in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God’s work was to choose Israel from among the nations, make them a kingdom of priests as a witness to all nations; and create the lineage of Jesus Christ, who would be a blessing to all nations.
We are all sinners like Reuben until we are saved. One preacher has said that if you could go back in time and identify every ancestor in your genealogy, it probably wouldn't take many generations to find someone who committed adultery. God has revealed to me through a series of dreams that I am a descendant of Jews who came to China in ancient times. In one of these dreams, God said to me through my deceased grandmother that among her ancestors, there was a Jewish woman who committed adultery with a Chinese man and gave birth to one of our ancestors. I was born of sexual immorality, and we are all born of sexual immorality, as David says in the Psalms, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). Some hypothesize that David's mother may have been a concubine of his father Jesse, or that his mother was a prostitute. They speculate this because David, as the youngest brother, was not favored by his older brothers. If they had been born of the same father and mother, the older brothers likely would have adored their youngest brother. We don't know for sure. But we do know that David's great-grandmother Rahab was indeed a prostitute who became the ancestor of Jesus Christ by choosing to follow God. Tamar also did unethical things and deceived her father-in-law Judah. But when Judah found out about it, he said that Tamar was more righteous than he was because he had refused to follow God’s command to give his youngest son to Tamar as a husband so that she might have descendants (Genesis 38:26). In short, we are all sinners, but our greatest sin is forsaking God. Tamar longed to be in the lineage of the Messiah, so her firstborn son was blessed by God to become the ancestor of Christ.
It is no accident that Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah all failed. This was the result of Satan’s attacks as he battled with God over mankind’s future. Satan wanted to prevent the birth of Jesus Christ, but God wanted to bring Jesus Christ into the world through Jacob's descendants to be a blessing to all nations. The ultimate cause of sin and failure is not only lust and hatred, but ignorance of God's will. If we see this, we will begin to understand the true meaning of Jacob’s prophecies about his twelve sons. In other words, many people who were in Christ’s lineage still sinned in some way. Rahab sinned, Tamar sinned, and David sinned. Yet they all became the ancestors of Christ. What was the difference? Why were they included in Christ’s ancestry? Because they repented, loved God, longed for God, and knew God's will. A person who does not know God's will rejects God’s blessings, which leads them to commit the greatest sin: betraying and forsaking God. If we don’t know God’s will and He is not showing himself to us, it is because we do not love Him nor desire His appearance.
From Sinners to Salvation to Being Built into the New Jerusalem
As the firstborn, Reuben was a sinner who had lost God's blessing. Benjamin, as the youngest son, received the following blessing: "The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders" (Deuteronomy 33:12). Although this is Moses' prophecy about Benjamin, it reveals that Benjamin’s future would be blessed by God. Jerusalem and God’s temple are both located in the territory of Benjamin. Jerusalem later became the city of the great kings, the city of the temple, and the place where God was present. Benjamin foreshadowed the victory of Jesus Christ, who was the ultimate Temple where God would dwell among men. The name Benjamin means, "son of the right hand," and this reminds us that we who believe in Him will be built together into a holy temple. We will be stones in the New Jerusalem as we participate in the victorious experience of Jesus Christ's resurrection.
The blessings given to the middle ten sons also represent the different stages of renewal and transformation on the way to being built into a dwelling place of God. In another study, we will examine each one of these prophecies in detail and discover the profound spiritual meaning they contain.
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
God’s Call for me to Fight for the Independence of China
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
God’s Call for me to Fight for the Independence of China
Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate their independence from the tyranny of the British Monarchy. On July 4, 2023, I was co-hosting a show named “Fringe” on the Himalaya Global Alliance Farm’s GETTR account. The Himalaya Global Alliance is a temporary structure to manage the branches (also called Farms) of the New Federal State of China, which was co-founded by Chinese billionaire Miles Guo and American right-wing leader Steven K. Bannon on June 4, 2020. On the show, I shared the story of Peter Muhlenberg, a pastor who became a soldier to fight for the independence of America. When I first heard his story, I was studying for my Doctor of Ministry degree at the United Theological Seminary (UTS) and had no plans to join any political movement. But through this story, told by Dutch Sheets on his “Give Him Fifteen” program, God called me to stand up to fight for the independence of China. I want to help free China from the tyranny of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Though it is not a foreign tyranny, it is surely the worst tyranny in human history. Peter Muhlenberg’s famous line was inspired by Ecclesiastes 3: “There is a time to preach and a time to fight. Now is the time to fight.” This quote gave me great encouragement. Previously, I had only been planning to preach. But now God was calling me to fight against social injustice and tyranny and free the Chinese people from modern slavery. The gospel will play an essential role in the success of this venture. I was called by God to not only join the political movement (The Chinese Whistleblowing Movement) but also to preach using the media platform it created. Like the Israelites in Nehemiah’s day who were rebuilding Jerusalem, I was holding a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. In this article, I will share how I was encouraged by the story of Peter Muhlenberg.
Hearing Peter Muhlenberg’s story on “Give Him Fifteen”
If you read my post published on the Elijah List website, you know that I heard Dutch Sheets preach in January 2016 at the Elijah List Conference. Since then, I have been regularly following him on his podcast “Give Him Fifteen.” One day, Dutch shared a story about Peter Muhlenberg which I had never heard before.
At the time of America’s War of Independence, about one-third of Americans were loyal to the British Monarchy. One-third were indifferent and still another one-third were passionate about independence. As a pastor of an Anglican church, Peter’s church may have contained the same demographics. It may not have been politically correct for him to join the Continental Army and fight against the British. However, he overcame all those obstacles and followed the path he had chosen. One day, he walked up to the pulpit wearing a military uniform under his pastor’s robe. He then shared this sermon based on the following passage.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear, a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Peter Muhlenberg then explained, “There is a time to preach and a time to fight.” He believed God’s divine calling and providence were directing him and his fellow parishioners to fight for American independence. He believed God was doing something new and America would become a nation on the hill and a light to the nations. Then he suddenly threw off his priestly robes, revealing his military uniform hidden underneath.
Peter had received an invitation from George Washington to start an infantry and join the fight. He was calling his fellow church members to join him. This heroic act is portrayed in a painting that is displayed in a museum in Washington DC. His statue is also displayed in his hometown of Woodstock, Virginia.
I had never heard this story before, but it was the right time for me to hear it. I was completing my seminary training and was planning to start my life as a minister. I had no plans of joining any political movement. However, God began to speak to me via prophetic dreams, telling me that the Chinese Whistleblowing Movement led by Miles Guo was of Him. The goal of this movement is to create a Chinese democratic country. The movement’s online presence also offers Christians a platform to preach the gospel to millions of Chinese people online. As the gospel changes the hearts of the Chinese people, democracy will take root in China.
Miles Guo is a controversial person, so some Chinese people avoid associating with him. I also felt hesitant to join ranks with him. I knew that many Chinese Christians had already joined this movement and that I could help them bring great changes to China. But I could still not overcome my fear of standing up against CCP. The main reason was that I still had family members in China and I was afraid that I might not be able to go back to see them again. However, God’s prophetic revelations showed me that I would need to work with him, and I began to overcome my prejudice toward him.
As I heard Dutch telling the story of Peter Muhlenberg, I was touched by the high price the American patriots paid to obtain the freedom we enjoy today. I felt God calling me to pay the price to free the Chinese people from the tyranny of the CCP. As I did, I began to earnestly pray. “What shall I do while I am facing the pressure?” I asked. “I love my mom and I really want to go back to see her one day. But she is aging, and I may not see her again if I cannot go back to China until the CCP is abolished.” Eventually, I felt God was asking me, “What if you have to become a martyr? Are you willing?” My answer was yes. I knew I could not deny the Lord, even if I had to be martyred. His next question was, “Isn’t this price much easier than being a martyr?” I could not deny this, and I finally overcame my fear. This was a much smaller price to pay, and I was willing to pay it.
Comparing and Contrasting the Story of Peter Muhlenberg with Ancient China
The story of Peter Muhlenberg reminded me of a story of an ancient Chinese scribe who threw away his pen (Chinese brush) to join the military and fight for more territories in China. His name was Ban Chao. He was a scribe in the Han Dynasty (78 AD) and was a very famous man in China. He was not satisfied to be just a scribe; he was willing to fight for the great honor of his country. He carried out great exploits as he conquered the small kingdoms in the Northwest region of China and made them subordinates of the Han Dynasty of China. When I was young, he was my role model.
However, this kind of heroic nationalism does not line up with the modern notion of the sovereignty of small states. It was a form of imperialism. The story of Peter Muhlenberg was not about imperialism, but about creating a country that would be a city on a hill to promote the Kingdom of God. Imperialism flows in the blood of the Chinese people, and many long to rekindle it. Even after China was humiliated and conquered by Japanese and Western imperialism, many still long to conquer more territories. The evil Chinese Communist Party promised to reincarnate this spirit of imperialism. With this promise, they were able to take power. Even today, they still promote this dream, promising to restore China to the imperialistic glory of the Han dynasty or Tang dynasty. These were the periods when China received the greatest glory and respect from surrounding nations. The CCP’s imperialistic intention is clearly seen in China’s One Belt One Road initiative. To fulfill her dream, China must defeat the most powerful country in the world: America.
China realized that America was difficult to defeat militarily, so they devised a plan called “Unrestricted Warfare.” Through this plan, they intended to infiltrate America with their “Three F plan.” The Three Fs were: “ferment weakness, ferment chaos, ferment destruction” in America. This plan was unknown to the common people until Miles Guo blew the whistle. The CCP planned to support the drug cartels in Mexico, helping them send Fentanyl to the US in order to weaken American families and ferment weakness. This was an act of revenge for the British import of opium to China in the 1900s, which brought disaster and humiliation through two opium wars. You may say, “America was not part of that sin!” But the CCP does not differentiate between America and Britain, since they consider Westerners and White people as one and the same.
The CCP has also implemented a “BGY” plan to infiltrate American elites. “BGY” stands for “Blue, Gold, Yellow” which respectively represent “cyber-attack,” “bribery” and “sexual kidnapping.” American elites were gathered into the CCP’s database through computer hacking and then invited to China to do business. There, they were offered bribes. Some were bribed with sex, which was videotaped. The CCP then took them hostage. Many American elites fell into the trap. This “BGY” plan is a top secret of the CCP, but Miles Guo made this known to the public for the first time.
America Will Be Independent Again
In the Fringe program I mentioned at the beginning of this article, my co-host chose the topic of independence. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit that America is not a free and independent nation, even now. The media is controlled by globalists and the government is overreaching its power and taking control of the American people. Citizens are censored on social media and canceled if they dare to stand up for what is right. The judicial system and government agencies such as the FBI and IRS are weaponized to suppress the opposite parties and American citizens. You hear horrible reports on these topics every day.
The fundamental problem in the US is the degradation of her faith and her rebellion against God. As a result, God has handed her over to her enemies. This reflects an unchanging principle in the Old Testament about how God deals with nations who are in sin. In the Old Testament, whenever Israel fell into idol worship, God would hand her over to her enemies. If she repented and called for God’s help, God would deliver her from the hands of her enemies and even punish her enemies. We can relate this Bible principle to our current affairs. This is exactly what is happening right now. God has handed us over to our enemies, whether domestic or foreign. The CCP is obviously the biggest foreign enemy.
I believe America will one day be set free from the infiltration and unrestricted warfare of the CCP. I believe the solution is the same for us as it was for Israel. We need to repent and call for God’s help. Then God will deliver us from the hands of our enemies and will punish them as well. I call this strategy “killing two birds with one stone.”
God has given me many revelations about China’s great revival and China’s future as a democratic country. God will awaken America and bring a massive awakening to China as well. God will use the CCP to chastise America for a season. When America repents, God will punish the CCP and overthrow its regime. Then a massive revival will come to China. For more information and revelations on this topic, please check out the other prophetic revelations I wrote earlier.
“We Will Sign a Thousand-Year Peace Treaty with the West”
Miles Guo famously said, “The New Federal State of China will sign a thousand-year peace treaty with the West.” The new China will never wage a war against the West—unlike the CCP, whose plan is to “extinguish the White.” This is another top secret of the CCP which was revealed by Miles Guo. The CCP’s evil plan is to use all colored people and their hatred toward White people to extinguish all White people. The CCP actively promotes hatred toward “White Supremacy” and memories of White oppression. They also use other Marxist ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory, to stir up hatred from colored people toward Whites. The CCP gave specific instructions to their internet spies to “utilize the case of George Perry Floyd to take the most advantage of this case to ferment conflicts in the US.” This intel was revealed by the Chinese Whistleblowers Movement through insiders in the CCP. It was verified by leaked Chinese official documents. In addition, it is easy to see the CCP’s strategy to invade America’s southern borders. Some American people are cooperating with these strategies. They are not necessarily receiving instructions from the CCP, but they—like the CCP—are receiving orders from Satan himself.
God has a great plan for America and China. These two countries will work together in the next few centuries to lead many nations in the West and the East to Christ. They will help bring many tribes and nations to the Gospel. Then God’s kingdom will advance on earth. I believe the next battle will be in the Middle East. Through many prophetic dreams and visions, God showed me that the great Chinese revival would spread to North Korea, Japan, the Middle East, and even Israel. But I believe God first must change the political climate in America and China to provide the right environment for the Gospel and revival to burst forth. The upheavals that we see in the physical realms are the outward signs of Satan’s resistance to the great revival that is about to come to China, America, and the whole world. God’s plan is to revive America in order to advance His gospel work in all Western nations. On the other hand, China’s great transformation will advance God’s kingdom in Japan, North Korea, and the Middle East. Satan’s plan is to destroy America and turn China into a great weapon of destruction to bring harm to the world. But God will intervene and turn China into a Christian nation instead. China will have a great future! Just like the pandemic began in China and had a negative impact on the world, the Chinese revival will begin in China and have a great impact on all nations. The former is from Satan, but the latter is from God. God always prevails. I saw in a prophetic dream that the Chinese revival would arrive like a tsunami. I can’t help but get excited about this!
Conclusion
To summarize, God has called me again to join the fight for Chinese independence and become part of the movement to bring the New Federal State of China to fruition. In my ignorance and prejudice, I had not been planning to join any political movement. But God hijacked my plans through several prophetic revelations about Miles Guo, the Chinese Whistleblowers Movement, and China’s Great Revival. I was shown that many Chinese CCP members would receive the gospel and that China would go through a peaceful, bloodless transition to the New Federal State of China. When I was struggling with fear, God strengthened me through the story of Peter Muhlenberg. I want to thank Dutch Sheets for telling this story. I also want to thank all the American patriots who paid the highest price to gain the freedom we enjoy today. It is our turn to sacrifice for the great cause of regaining America’s independence and freeing Chinese people from slavery! Just as the co-founder of the New Federal State of China Steve K. Bannon famously said, “Until the Laobaixing (Chinese people) is free, the world is not free!”
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - Revelation 12 The Body of Christ Matures
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - Revelation 12
The Body of Christ Matures
Revelation 12 depicts a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, being crowned with twelve stars (12:1). This represents the body of Christ, the mature bride. This woman is the wife of the Lamb and represents the New Jerusalem (21:9-10).
When the Bible depicts God in anthropomorphic terms, it mentions that heaven is his throne, and earth is his footstool (Isaiah 66:1). This is a description of God's greatness and His magnificent stature. In Revelation 12, the body of Christ (the bride) has grown into “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13 ESV) and is mature enough to open heaven, enter God’s heavenly temple, usher in the exaltation of the heavenly ark, and bring about the judgment of God (Revelation 11:19). In chapter 12, the body of Christ (represented by the woman) gives birth to a male child (overcoming believers) who will further judge Satan and evil spirits on behalf of the church. Chapter 12 thus becomes an important turning point in the book of Revelation.
This chapter is important for several reasons. First, Satan is so angry that he tries to devour the boy and persecute the rest of the woman's children, which ushers in the apocalypse of the last three and a half years of Revelation. Second, as the bride continues to mature, the labor pains of the rebirth of the universe continue to intensify, birthing the first fruits (the male child). This means the creation and construction of God's new universe (new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem) will soon be complete, and Satan's ultimate failure will soon come to pass. Just as the Israelites exterminated and judged the Amorites after their sinfulness reached its full measure, the church will judge Satan on God’s behalf once his sins reach their full measure. Just as the body of Christ grows into Christ who is the Head, Satan and his followers will grow into their full measure of sin.
The great red dragon mentioned in this chapter is the ancient serpent who constantly drinks the blood of the saints. Riding the red dragon is the great prostitute, also known as Babylon the Great, who is also drunk on the blood of the saints and of Jesus' witnesses. Babylon the great is the mother of prostitutes and earth’s abominations (17:5-6), while the mother of the saints is the heavenly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26), and this new Jerusalem is the wife of the Lamb (Revelation 21:9). Satan is the father of sinners (John 8:44), and God is our heavenly Father. The union between sinners and evil spirits, who take Satan as their life, produces Babylon the Great, who becomes the mother of earth’s abominations. On the other hand, the union between God and men who take the life of Christ produces the body of Christ and the bride, who becomes the spiritual mother of all new creation.
After a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, the pupa no longer exists and the cocoon loses its value. In the same way, the whole creation awaits the manifestation of God's sons (Romans 8:19) so it can be freed from its bondage to corruption and obtain the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:20). Once these birth pains are over (Matthew 24:8) and a new creation is born, the old creation shall pass away. This new creation consists of:
- Christ being the head and the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15)
- Christ's church being the bride and His body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:23)
- All things reaching freedom and unity with Christ who is the Head.
- God being all in all. "When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28). “… one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6).
The Iniquity of the Amorites Mirrors Satan’s Iniquity
The story of the Israelites leaving Egypt and conquering the Canaanites in the Promised Land can help us understand the Book of Revelation. God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would live in slavery in Egypt for 400 years (Genesis 15). Why? Even though God had promised to give Abraham the land of Canaan, there were a few reasons why they could not yet occupy it. First, God explicitly told Abraham that “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Genesis 15:16). God was giving the Amorites an opportunity to repent. Second, God was giving the Israelites the opportunity to multiply in Egypt so that they could grow in strength, maturity, productivity, and rest. When Simeon and Levi killed the people of Shechem, Jacob said that they were outnumbered and that they would be exterminated by the Canaanites. It seems they were not yet strong enough to destroy the Canaanites. When Abraham’s family moved to Egypt, there were only seventy Israelites. But in Egypt, they grew in number and in strength. By the time they left Egypt, the population of Israelites has grown to three million.
Although God gave the Amorites opportunities to repent, God knew that Satan would not repent, even when given time. Yet God still allowed Satan’s iniquity to reach its full measure before he was punished. For Satan, the evil spirits, and the sinners who follow them, a time will come when their iniquities reach full measure.
Satan is full of sin and bloodshed. The Lord Jesus says that Satan is a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44) and that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). Satan's hands are stained with the blood of saints and mankind. The same goes for the evil spirits and sinners who follow Him. At the end of Revelation 14, angels harvest grapes with sickles and throw them into the great winepress of God's wrath, and blood actually flows from the winepress, as high as the horses’ bridles for 300 kilometers (Revelation 14:19-20). This indicates how many they have killed. Babylon the Great is also filled with the blood of the saints (Revelation 17:6). These passages prove Satan’s wickedness.
Just as God uses the Israelites to judge the seven tribes of Canaan, God will use us to judge evil spirits. Strictly speaking, we are not the judge. God is the judge, and we just carry out the judgment. In order to carry out God's judgment, we must be mature enough, just as the Israelites had to grow in strength before they could carry out God's judgment on the Canaanites. Christ’s body must mature in order to ultimately carry out God's judgment on Satan and the evil spirits.
But is today’s church mature enough to carry out the final judgment on Satan and evil spirits? Can we even cast out the demons that live among believers? Or are we like the seven sons of the Jewish priest Sceva? When they tried to cast out demons, the demons said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" (Acts 19:15) The demons then attacked and wounded the sons of Sceva. Many modern-day churches cannot drive out demons because they are possessed by them. Many people in the world are possessed by demons, yet the church is powerless to help.
In the Bible, Jesus’ disciples tried to cast out a mute spirit, but they couldn’t. When they asked Jesus why it was so difficult, he said that this type of demon could not be cast out except through fasting and prayer. Only mature believers can cast out evil spirits. If the church today can't even cast out demons, how can we be mature enough to judge Satan and evil spirits? The church’s judgment on Satan and the evil spirits will be a large-scale exorcism. This means the church must increase in spiritual authority as we grow into Christ who is the Head. Only then will we be able to carry out God’s judgment.
We must learn from the Israelites' experience in Egypt and the wilderness. This will not only help us grow and multiply, but also help us learn the lessons of faith. Like Israel in Egypt, we must grow and multiply through suffering as we become firmly rooted in Christ. Like Israel in the wilderness, we must receive spiritual provision (manna) and draw near to the presence of God (the Ark of the Covenant). Just like the Israelites needed to break free from Egyptian influences and stop yearning for chives, garlic, green onions, cucumbers and watermelons, and fish, we must break free from past influences. In addition, we need to learn the lessons of faith. The first generation of Israelites was destroyed in the wilderness for their disbelief and disobedience, but the second generation entered the land of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership and defeated the enemy. In the same way, the church today must overcome sin (foreshadowed by Egypt), and the world (foreshadowed by the wilderness), so it can enter the triumph of the spiritual life (foreshadowed by the conquest of the land of Canaan). As it goes through this three-step process, it will mature enough to judge Satan, angels, and demons.
Satan often tries to incite us to do things we are not yet prepared for. Satan will provoke us to come fight him when it is not yet time. This was the case with Moses. God did call Moses to be the leader of the Israelites and to save them from slavery. But he fell for Satan’s tricks and took action before it was God’s time. He acted prematurely and killed an Egyptian in his flesh. Because of this, Moses was forced to flee to the wilderness, where he herded sheep for 40 years. It was while shepherding in the wilderness that he encountered the burning bush, which was the manifestation of God’s presence. God’s presence took root in his life.
We must learn from Israel’s 400 years in Egypt and Moses’ 40 years in the desert. During these times of exile, we must take the opportunity to root ourselves deeply in Christ, draw from his strength and nourishment, grow into the temple of the Lord, and grow into Christ who is the Head. The church must mature in grace, power, life, and authority so it can finally carry out God’s judgment on Satan.
In summary, we are waiting for the Lord to come back. But Jesus is also waiting for our lives to mature so he can return.
A Woman Clothed with the Sun, With the Moon Under Her Feet, and on Her Head a Crown of Twelve Stars
Who is this woman? Some say it is Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus. Some say that it is the bride of Christ (Revelation 19) and the wife of the Lamb (Revelation 21). First, let us examine the idea that the woman is Mary and the male child she gives birth to is Christ. This explanation seems to make sense. The passage seems to portray what was happening in the spiritual world when Jesus Christ was born. But there are some flaws with this explanation. After the boy is born, he is caught up to the throne of God (12:5). But the woman flees to the wilderness, where she is fed for 1,260 days, or three and a half years. The concept of three and a half years is a prophetic period of time mentioned throughout Revelation and Daniel.
- Revelation 13 mentions that the first beast is allowed to do whatever he pleases for forty-two months (13:5), or three and a half years.
- Revelation 11 says the outside court would be trampled by Gentiles for 42 months (11:2).
- The two witnesses prophesy for 1260 days, which is three and a half years.
- Daniel mentions seventy sevens: “Know therefore and understand thatfrom the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again…" (Daniel 9:25)
- "And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shallbe cut off…" (9:26)
- Daniel speaks of the Antichrist and says, "And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering." (9:27).
In other words, these passages all mention three and a half years, which are the first half of the last seven years prophesied by Daniel, while the three mentioned earlier are the latter half. So the three and a half years that this woman is in the wilderness must refer to the end times. If this woman refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the wilderness she flees to refers to Egypt, then why does it reference the three and a half years, which are part of the last seven years during the end times of human history? Besides, if the boy is Christ, how can we explain that the woman flees into the wilderness after the boy is caught up to the throne of God (Revelation 12:4)? Although the dragon's attempt to devour the child can be interpreted as Satan seeking to kill the infant Christ, Joseph and Mary didn’t flee to Egypt after Jesus ascended to God’s throne after his resurrection. They fled when he was an infant.
The Bible talks about three stages of Satan’s rebellion. First, he and one-third of his rebellious followers were driven out of heaven by God. They went from the third heaven to the second heaven. Second, Lord Jesus speaks of Satan falling like lightning (Luke 10:18). Again, the Scripture says that Satan’s “tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth…" (12:4). It also says that " the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it" (12:4). "Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus…" (12:17). If the woman is Mary, then the dragon should be fighting with James and Jacob, the brothers of the Lord Jesus. But that is not the case. The rest of the woman's children are those who keep God's commandments and the testimony of Jesus. This indicates that the male child also keeps God's commandments and testimony of Jesus, which means he is not Jesus himself. Perhaps the boy represents the overcomers, martyrs, or raptured saints. In any case, they are the first fruits of overcomers.
Our Mother, the Heavenly Jerusalem
In any case, I believe the woman in the passage is not Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, but a spiritual mother who gives birth to many children. Paul makes it clear that our mother is the heavenly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26). Paul compares the heavenly Jerusalem to Abraham’s wife Sarah and believers to Isaac. But he compares the earthly Jerusalem to Hagar, who "is in slavery with her children" (Galatians 4:25). Paul compares these two women to the Old and New Testaments. Hagar represents the Old Testament and the law that enslaves humankind. We as believers must go through the process of maturing. The law was a guardian for underage children (Galatians 3:24) who were guarded by the law because the gospel of faith had not yet come (Galatians 4:25). When God’s people were children, they were not yet free. Paul says, "The heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything" (Galatians 4:1). But God sent Christ to "… send the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God" (Galatians 4:6–7). God wants the church to mature into the glorious freedom of Jesus Christ, so that the glory of God's sons may be revealed. Then the entire creation will be set free (Romans 8:21). It is a process of being born again, growing up, and maturing.
Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” The Bible uses four Greek words for God’s “children” that depict different levels of spiritual maturity.
- The first one is "Nepios,” which depicts an infant. The infant child of a king cannot take the throne immediately; he must first grow up to maturity.
- The second word is "paidion," which means a young child or a toddler. Toddlers also need to grow up.
- The third one is “teknon,” which is used in Romans 8:17 for “children”. It means “teenager or a young adult.”
- The last one is “huios,” which is the word “sons” in Romans 8:14. This verse says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
These four Greek words show the growth curve of children of God from infants (Nepios) to toddlers (paidion) to young adults (teknon) to fully mature sons (huios). God desires the body of Christ to grow to its full maturity so all creation can be liberated from its bondage. This is exactly what is happening in Revelation 12.
Revelation 12 is the turning point in the book of Revelation. Before long, God will do away with the old creation and welcome a new heaven and a new earth. I don’t believe this passage is talking about Christ being born, but about God’s sons being glorified. The birth, death, and resurrection of Christ are complete, but His body, the church, is still going through the process of maturing. Their birth, suffering, and rebirth mirror Christ’s suffering and usher in the rebirth of the universe that Jesus refers to in Matthew 24. And the bride of Christ, the heavenly Jerusalem, will be the mother of the new creation.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Spiritual Warfare Behind GTV Closedown
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
The Spiritual Warfare Behind the Closedown of GTV
“What? Are you crazy?” I replied with anger and puzzlement when my wife told me she wanted to “invest” a large amount of money in the GTV Group and other entities. This happened one night in early 2021 or late 2020. The GTV Group and other entities were promoted by Miles Guo and the Whistleblower Movement he started in 2017.
“Isn’t it obvious it’s a scam?” I said in my heart. Later, I asked my wife the same question. In my mind, there were many reasons not to pursue this investment. First, I had encountered many financial scams in China that claimed a large and quick return on investment but later turned out to be scams. My parents and one of my aunts were personally affected by these scams. Second, as a journalist, I had reported on many stories of scams and frauds. Third, I was busy with my Doctor of Ministry studies at United Theological Seminary, where I was preparing myself for the ministry God had called me to. God had revealed to me through many prophetic dreams[1] that a great revival was coming to China, and he had called me to be a part of this greatest revival on earth.[2] I didn’t want to be a part of any political movements or controversial movements that might hinder me from traveling freely back to China to participate in this movement.
But even though I saw many reasons to avoid this investment, my wife was adamant that we should move ahead. She even threatened to do it on her own if I refused. Through years of experience in marriage, I knew if she wanted to do something, I should pay attention. It may be something very important. I am a naturally stubborn person, but I had learned that God often speaks to us through people in our lives—our friends, our neighbors, and especially our wives. While I was taking my Christian Prophetic Certification Program (CPCP) at Global Awakening, a ministry founded by Randy Clark, one of the prophetic teachers emphasized this very point. He jokingly said that he had read a book titled, I Heard the Holy Spirit, But it Sounded like My Wife. So I had learned the importance of listening to my wife. From experience, I realized that God often stirred my wife’s heart to do something I did not yet understand.
So now, as I contemplated investing in GTV, I decided to ask God directly. As a “humble” servant of God, I asked God, “Am I wrong? Or is she deceived by Mile Guo and his movement?” My wife had been following Miles Guo’s movement for some months, but I had not been paying any attention to the movement. Guo is a controversial person and I had heard rumors about him. I’d heard that his live interview at VOA was shut down in 2017, as well as other rumors. But I paid very little attention to him, even though God gave me two prophetic dreams about Miles Guo in 2017 and 2019. In the first dream in 2017, I was a reporter who was reporting on a news story related to him. In the second dream in 2019, God gave me a book with Miles Guo’s picture on the cover. I wrote these prophetic dreams in my journal but never paid attention to these dreams.
God’s Providence For My Calling in Gospel
My argument with my wife grew even more intense. She was so adamant and refused to change. When I brought the question to God, I knelt to pray for God’s leading. “Am I wrong or is she deceived?” I asked. That night, or soon after, I had this prophetic dream.
I was taken to Miles Guo’s library, and I was led to read a comic book telling about how people will get to heaven. It was a vivid comic book with details about different individuals arriving in heaven. As I scanned through it, I heard a voice saying, “Your wife has read some pages of this book and you haven’t read it.”
In another dream, I was riding an airplane with Miles Guo to beautiful gold mines. In a different dream, I was conversing with this mystery man and realized God was writing a book with Miles Guo’s picture on the cover, as I mentioned earlier. In this dream, I clearly saw the name of this book, Heaven’s Quest (天问). I had the strong impression that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit had decided to write a new book about China.
After praying over these dreams, I finally got it. God was telling me He was behind this political movement and that this political movement would give Christians a platform for preaching the gospel to China. Gospel preaching would then produce better citizens in China, which would eventually help this political movement establish a democracy in China. At last, I decided to join this movement. I started to utilize the platforms this movement provided to preach the gospel to these democracy-loving people inside and outside of China.
God Revealed to Me that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) Is Coming Down
In March 2020, I was given another vision. This was the most vivid, three-dimensional vision I had ever had. In it, I saw a great revival taking place in China. The revival was bursting out everywhere! People were dancing, celebrating, and worshiping God all over the streets of China.
In the next scene, I was brought into a heavenly meeting where many saints in glory, including Chinese and Westerners, were meeting. There was a Chinese lady who gave me a tour of the place and she specifically told me that this revival was something she had never seen when she was on Earth.
In the end, the angels bound an evil political spirit. I realized that after the great revival, a great political change would come to China. China would become a democratic nation and they would worship God.
In that dream, I was so surprised to see the evil political spirit bound. I asked the angel in great surprise, “Is this the CCP?” The angel told me, “Yes.” Now, I don’t quite know when this will happen in the present physical world, but I believe it is a reality in the spiritual realm. I’ve talked to a friend who believes that the CCP will be taken down very soon. However, in this dream, I first saw a great revival bursting forth with people dancing on the street. Only then was the evil spirit bound.
God’s Revival vs. Satan’s Plan to Stop It
Even though I didn’t know many details about GTV Group and how it was run, I agreed to invest in it since God had revealed to me that this movement was of Him and could become a platform for me to preach the Gospel. So I uploaded all my preaching and sermons onto this platform. But soon afterward, GTV was suddenly closed down. I didn’t know why it was shut down and continued hoping that a new version of GTV would be released shortly. But it never was. As a result, I gradually moved my preaching onto the Gettr platform. I began to preach and volunteer on other shows including News Talk.
In the meantime, one of my close friends at church showed genuine concern that I had joined the Whistleblower Movement (New Federal State of China). He asked me to pray more and consider whether I had been misled. So I once again asked for God’s confirmation. As I prayed, God gave me another prophetic dream. In this dream, I was clearly shown that many Chinese officials will be converted via our broadcasts. In the dream, these officials held a large tent meeting to celebrate their conversion and show appreciation to Jesus Christ who saved them. As I walked into various tents, I marveled at the size of these tents and the number of people inside them. They were all like the tax collector Matthew in the Bible, full of gratitude for their salvation!
Through countless prophetic encounters with God, I became convinced that the Whistleblower Movement is of God and that platforms such as GTV exist for the purpose of taking down the CCP and spreading the gospel. So I believe there is a spiritual battle behind the closedown of GTV. Outwardly, it may involve compliance with regulations, but spiritually it is about the regime change and the revival coming to China. Satan is trying to utilize some Americans who do not understand this to stop the revival coming to China. I urge the Christian brothers and sisters in America to pray and ask God for guidance on this. I urge them to help the Chinese people to receive the Gospel. In the past, missionaries from the West traveled all the way to China to reach people with the good news of the gospel. But now God has raised up a generation of Chinese Christians that he is using to turn China upside down. Like any movement in history, it may be controversial. But God clearly showed me he is behind this. People in this movement may not be perfect, but God will use imperfect people and even non-believers to carry out His perfect plan.
Please check out my website jbwm.org for more stories on God’s revelation to me regarding the revival of China. Feel free to reach out to me at info@jbwm.org. I urge you to help us to awaken the American people for the right cause!
Your dear brother,
Sean Song
[1] Please check my testimonies and prophetic dreams at www.jbwm.org.
[2] Please see my prophetic dream, https://jbwm.org/dreams-about-china/.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus – Revelation 10
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus – Revelation 10
The Mighty Angel Strengthens Churches that Go Through Birth Pangs
After the sixth seal judgment, God sends an encouraging vision to those who have endured the six seal judgments. The encouraging vision helps them see the positive things God is doing in the spiritual world, including the mass salvation of the Jews and Gentiles. Similarly, God sent an encouraging vision after the sixth trumpet judgment, before the seventh judgment. Again, the vision helped people see the positive things God was doing in the world. This vision included a mighty angel that gave John a little scroll, which he ate. Since the judgments and trials were extremely harsh, God mercifully gave John two encouraging visions to share with others.
The number seven is a number of completion, foreshadowing God's complete plans. God created the world in six days, and on the seventh, he rested. When six days are over, the seventh brings in a new phase of peace. In the West, Sunday is the first day of the week. Jewish people observed the seventh day, Saturday, as their day of rest. Similarly, the seventh seal and the seventh trumpet each ushered in a new stage of God’s work. After the seventh seal, God's judgment of the church was complete, and He pivoted to judging the world with the seven trumpets. With the seventh trumpet, God completed his judgment of the world and began to judge evil spirits. God accomplished the phases of his plan one at a time, leading to the finale, the birth of a new heaven and a new earth.
The vision right before the seventh trumpet reveals an important proclamation from the angel: “…there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets” (10:7). What is God’s mystery? It is to unite the Jews and Gentiles into a unified bride of Christ. Revelation 19 clearly states that Christ and His bride will have a wedding feast. Revelation 12 tells how the bride gives birth to a newborn male child who eventually will judge evil spirits.
The angel “swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it” (10:6). This verse proves that the purpose of the seventh trumpet is to judge the world and everything in it. When the seventh trumpet judgment arrives, the focus of God's judgment at this time will turn to the evil spirits. He will judge them through the bowl judgments. Now that the bride has been created and her male child has been born, they will judge the angels (1 Cor. 6:3). The judges must take their places. This is why God gives John the little scroll to eat, so he can “prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” He is calling the bride of Christ to take her place so that the male child may be born and the evil spirits may be judged. God's judgment on the church (as revealed in the seven letters to the churches and the seven seals) and on the world (as revealed in the seven trumpets) will usher in God's judgment on the evil spirits (as revealed in the seven bowl judgments). Then the dragon will appear in Revelation 12, and the beast in Chapter 13. They will deceive people to continue rebelling against God. However, this is their last struggle. God will judge all evil spirits, including them.
The Holy Spirit Judges the Church, the World, and the Evil Spirits.
As I have said before, it’s important to look at the overarching ideas in Revelation, not just the details. For example, in Revelation 10, many people pay attention to the details: the mighty angel, the seven thunders, and the mysteries that the seven thunders utter. God tells John not to record the words of the seven thunders, but to seal them. This makes people even more curious. In addition, scholars have different interpretations of the seven thunders. What exactly are they? Some say they are the sounds of God's wrath; some say they are the voice of God that sounds like thunders; some people say the seven thunders are angels. We don't know. We have no clue what the seven thunders are or what they sounded like. But that's not the point here. The point is that God's judgment on the world is almost complete, and the next stage is about to begin. The next stage will usher in the birth of the male child. This child, who represents the overcomers birthed by Christ’s bride, will judge the evil spirits.
God’s judgment starts with the house of God. The letters to the seven churches are God’s judgment on His church. When the judgment is over, heaven opens and God starts to take action from His throne, revealing the seven seals. The seven seals continue to cleanse the church as well as the world. These judgments intertwine with one another, and their target is the church. The vision that takes place after the sixth seal describes the Jews being sealed and the Gentiles being saved. After the seven seals, the seven trumpets come along, continuing the judgment on the church. At the same time, the evil spirits (and the beast from the bottomless pit) show up to kill prophets (Revelation 11). The main target of the seven trumpets is the world. A massive wave of evil spirits comes out in Revelation 12 when the male child is about to be born. A great dragon (12:3), a beast (13:1), and another beast (13:11) come into the picture one by one. The male child by this time has been born and caught up to God and His throne (12:5). A war breaks out and the great dragon is thrown down (12:9). Why is the dragon not thrown down after the child is caught up, and not at another time? Because the overcomers are judging Satan. The church will judge the evil spirits, and the angels will carry out the judgments. Satan becomes even angrier when he is thrown to the ground, and he persecutes the woman and the rest of her children (12:17). This event begins a three-and-a-half-year tribulation.
All these events are allowed by God, for God specifically says that the outer court “is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months” (11:2). Instead of measuring this court, John is asked to “measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there” (11:1). This reveals the three stages of God's judgment that we have just mentioned. The three stages of God's judgment target the church, the world, and the evil spirits. In the same way, the measurement of the temple has three stages: first the temple and altar of God, and then those who worship in the temple. When John measures the temple, he most likely measures the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place (or sanctuary). But the Outer Court is not to be measured yet, because it has been given to the Gentiles. Measurement represents judgment and sanctification; God's judgment brings sanctification. The church is judged first, just as the temple is to be measured first. Next comes the judgment on the world, during which time some people in the world are saved. The evil spirits are the last to be judged, and more people repent and are sanctified during this time. But those who follow evil spirits and refuse to repent will be judged in the same way as the rebellious evil spirits. Finally, heaven and earth are cleansed, which is symbolized by the cleansing of the last courtyard.
The same principle applies to our personal spiritual experience. God first sanctifies and regenerates our spirits (John 3:16). He continues to renew our hearts and change our minds throughout our whole life (Romans 12:1). In the end our bodies are sanctified as well (Romans 8:23). This spiritual principle is clearly present in the structure of the book of Revelation. God's judgment begins with the house of God. Then comes the cleansing of the world, which includes heaven, earth, and the people in it. Finally, the evil spirits are judged, along with the old heaven and earth. Yet throughout the process, people are being saved because God shows His mercy at every step.
The Mystery of God Will No Longer Be Delayed
If we are clear about the structure above, it will be very easy to understand the vision in Revelation 10 and 11. The mighty angel in chapter 10, “wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire” (10:1), “had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land” (10:2). He then “called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring” (10:3). I was taught that this mighty angel was Jesus. But I’ve recently rethought what I’ve been taught. The Bible never says this angel is Jesus Christ. I personally believe this is just an angel whose job is to deliver a message announcing God's judgment and work!
God's judgment of the world has yielded considerable results. Just like a little chick pecking through its eggshell, the judgments have prepared the world for birth. The man-child will soon be born, and the universe will be reborn. Labor pains have been going on for some time, and as birth becomes imminent, the labor pains intensify. So the mighty angel comes to strengthen the church during such a difficult time. Angels appeared to Jesus several times during his earthly ministry, such as during his temptation in the wilderness and during his painful struggle in Gethsemane. “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43). Similarly, this mighty angel has come to strengthen and encourage the church that is about to go through the most difficult labor pains of childbirth. When my wife gave birth to my daughter, she was in a lot of pain. I stood next to her and held her hand tightly. I constantly encouraged her and provided moral support. Similarly, this angel appears at just the right moment to encourage the church. He roars at the enemy like a lion. The church, Christ’s bride, will soon experience the fiercest attack of all (the three-and-a-half-year tribulation) so God sends a mighty angel to strengthen His church.
The seven thunders speak, but God does not allow John to write down their words. We can only speculate about what the seven thunders are saying. My guess is that the seven thunders are more disasters that will follow the seven trumpets and the seven bowls. However, it is not yet God’s time to send these seven thunder judgments. The man-child must first be born so God can judge evil spirits and cleanse the entire universe. After the seventh trumpet is blown, God’s wrath falls on the earth (Revelation 11:18). As the heavenly temple opens, the ark of the covenant appears, and there are earthquakes, thunder, and hail (11:19). Perhaps the thunder in this chapter is related to the seven thunders. But of course, this is just my speculation.
John is not allowed to record the words of the seven thunders, but he does record what the mighty angel says. The angel swears “by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay” (10:6). This oath is very interesting, especially because it is made between the sixth and seventh trumpet, when the labor pains and childbirth are about to begin. The entire universe is waiting in expectation for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19). It’s as if the universe is expecting a baby! The church has matured to a stage where its birth can no longer be delayed. The mighty angel comes to support the bride in her pain, and he reports to God that the birth process is moving along productively. In addition, the mighty angel reports the good news to humans: “In the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets” (10:7). After reporting the good news to God, the angel speaks words of encouragement to people.
John Eats the Scroll, Prophesies, and Summons the Bride to Judge Evil Spirits
Prophecies are words of encouragement. Paul says, “The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3). John also writes down the words of another angel: “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). The spirit of prophecy is to bear witness for Jesus. In John’s vision, in addition to strengthening the church through the mighty angel, God Himself speaks words of comfort and encouragement.
John hears a voice from heaven that asks him to take the little scroll from the angel who is standing on the earth and the sea. John does so. The angel said, “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey”. Why would the scroll be sweet in the mouth but bitter in the stomach? While people have different interpretations of this passage, my understanding is that prophetic words are sweet because they come from God's good will. But the process of fulfilling the prophecies is difficult because it involves birth pain and spiritual battles.
Let me give an example from my own life. In January 2016, I received a prophecy telling me that I would have a child that year. I had been praying for a child for ten years before I received this prophecy. When I returned to China in February, I told my family about this prophecy. Everyone laughed at me. After getting back to the United States, the struggle continued. On May 12, God again told me in a dream that I would conceive my child within the next month. After I told my wife and other friends about it, I was strongly attacked by Satan. My wife argued with me and refused to speak with me for two weeks. On May 28, my wife found out that she was miraculously pregnant, and we finally reconciled. The beautiful prophecies I received were sweet, but the birth difficulties and labor pains brought misery.
This is exactly what is happening in Revelation 10. The promises are sweet, but the process is difficult. The birth pangs that Christ's body will experience are much greater than what I went through. This is why the book in John's mouth was as sweet as honey, but it turned bitter in his stomach. The visual imagery describes the sweetness of hope and the bitterness of waiting for that hope to come to fruition.
This chapter concludes by saying, “And I was told, ‘You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings’” (10:11). Who gave John this message? Was it an angel? Once before, an angel has been said to speak from heaven. If the voice from heaven is the voice of the angel, then this interpretation is acceptable. But if the voice from heaven is the voice of God, then God and this mighty angel were the ones who gave John the message.
In any case, the point here is that John is going to prophesy. Just as Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones and they became a great army, John would prophesy to God's chosen people, especially the overcomers. His prophecy would call forth two great prophets (11:3-12), as well as other believers who would glorify God after the seven thousand deaths in the earthquake (11:13). When the seventh angel officially blows the trumpet, all heaven declares, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (11:15). This prophecy will directly prompt the birth of the male child in Revelation 12, which is a major turning point in the book of Revelation.
God's judgment in the world has produced positive results. The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of Christ. The next step is for the bride and the overcomer to judge evil spirits on behalf of the church. Then God will cleanse the entire universe.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study With Jairus - Revelation 11
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus – Revelation 11
The Maturity of the Church Opens up the Heavenly Temple and the Ark of the Covenant
Revelation 11 talks about John measuring the temple, the altar, and the worshipers. He does not measure the outer court, because it has been given to the Gentiles to trample for three-and-a-half years. The chapter also mentions two witnesses prophesying for three-and-a-half years. Are these two facts related? The three-and-a-half years in which the Gentiles trample the outer court are the last three-and-a-half years of the seven-year tribulation mentioned by Daniel in his vision. However, the three-and-a-half years when the two witnesses prophesy may be the first three-and-a-half years of the tribulation. What is the purpose of the first three-and-a-half years? To prepare for the disasters that will come during the last three-and-a-half years. The last three-and-a-half years of the tribulation are the ultimate judgment of mankind. They are the final labor pains of the universe before it gives birth to a new creation. The birth of the male child in Revelation 12 represents this new creation and initiates one of the greatest transitions in Revelation. When the bride of Christ gave birth to a baby boy (representing the overcomers mentioned throughout the book of Revelation), Satan and his evil angels recognize that these overcomers will judge the evil spirits. Satan and the evil spirits are so furious that they begin to destroy the world. Their anger lasts three-and-a-half years. They persecute the world and resist God's judgment on themselves, which will be carried out through the church. However, their fate cannot be changed. At the end of the book of Revelation, the evil spirits are judged, and Satan and his followers are thrown into the lake of fire.
As we studied last time, God’s judgment falls onto the house of God first, then on the world, and finally on the evil spirits. The house of God was judged through the admonitions in the letters to the seven churches, and through the seven seal judgments. The world is judged during the seven trumpet judgments. After the seventh trumpet, the focus of God's judgment turns to evil spirits.
We can see the positive outcome of God’s judgment on the world by looking at the encouraging vision inserted between the sixth and seventh trumpets: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). The kingdom of God was born long ago in the hearts of his children; the Morning Star rose in the hearts of his followers (2 Peter 1:19). This internal experience mirrors the experience of worshipers in the Holy of Holies. But the kingdom of God has continued to manifest itself outwardly until the outward, earthly kingdom has also become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ. God’s presence has moved outward to the Holy Place.
Finally, after the seventh trumpet sounds, God reclaims the outer court. Although the outer court is temporarily trampled by the Gentiles (the Gentiles are the tools used by evil spirits) for three-and-a-half years, God purges and purifies all of creation and brings in a new heaven and new earth. God’s presence moves from an inward kingdom that regenerates people’s souls (John 3:16) to an outward kingdom that transforms people’s lives (Romans 12:1) to eventually a victorious kingdom that redeems all of creation (Romans 8:23). As the church matures and becomes victorious, God’s victory spreads to all of creation, and the temple of God and the Ark of the Covenant are opened.
The Significance of John’s Measurement
Why is John given a reed (NKJV) to measure the temple? Perhaps the reed is a living tool that is used to measure the living temple of God built out of living stones (believers). Measurement represents judgment and sanctification. Things that are measured by God have been judged and sanctified by Him. As we mentioned above, John measures the temple, altar, and worshipers, but not the outer court. This shows that God's judgment starts first with the house of God. The temple and the church (the worshipers) will be judged and sanctified first. Secondly, God judges the world, including people who have come to faith but are still deeply trapped in the world. God's judgment on the world will free these people from the domination of the world. Finally, God judges evil spirits. This judgment allows repentant people to be liberated from the domination of evil spirits so they can receive salvation. Those who refuse to repent are thrown into the lake of fire along with the evil spirits. These are God's three steps of judgment and sanctification.
The three courts of the temple also remind us of God’s salvation of the soul. God first cleanses the Holy of Holies, which represents the inner sanctuary of our spirits which have been saved by God. He then cleanses the Holy Place, which reminds us of the renewal of our souls. Finally, he cleanses the outer court, which reminds us of the redemption of our bodies.
In this phase, John only measures the temple, the altar, and the worshipers because the time of final redemption of all creation has not yet arrived. At this point, the outer court has been given to the Gentiles to be trampled on for 42 months. These 42 months are the last three-and-a-half years of the seven-year tribulation that Daniel speaks about, also mentioned in Revelation. During this time, the Antichrist will break the covenant and ruin the worship of God (Daniel 9:27). But God will eventually judge all evil spirits and unrepentant sinners.
Perhaps the measurements are also intended to preserve and protect. Perhaps those who have already been judged and sanctified will be protected in the coming tribulation. Although there is much debate in the church about whether Christians will be raptured before or after the tribulation, the Lord Jesus tells overcoming believers in Philadelphia, "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). It is clear that some overcoming believers will be protected from suffering. Additionally, in the fifth trumpet judgment, the locust can only harm “those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads" (9:4). From these passages, it is evident that God protects those who have marks on their foreheads. At every step of God's judgment, some people will be shielded from suffering. Some Christians live their lives in the Spirit, while others are trapped in the world, and still others are deeply drowning in the flesh and sin. At each stage of the tribulation, some will repent and be saved. I believe that when God judges the outer court, some Christians who are deeply involved in the realm of evil spirits (the outer court) will be judged severely so they can repent and be saved. But other Christians may be protected by God from these calamities.
The Significance of the Two Witnesses Who Prophesy for Three-and-a-half Years
While there is debate about whether Christians go through the Great Tribulation, many agree on this fact: Even during the final judgment, God will graciously provide opportunities for people to repent. The appearance of these two prophets is the proof of this fact. Although there are different understandings of who these two prophets are, we know that they will prophesy and testify for God and for Jesus. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). The purpose of their testimony is to bring people to repentance.
These two witnesses, dressed in linen, prophesy for 1260 days. Linen represents righteous deeds. Revelation 19 says that the Lamb’s Bride “clothe[s] herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (19:8). The two prophets are dressed in righteous deeds. They are the first-fruits and manifestation of the Bride of Christ. They prophesy and testify for three-and-a-half years, encouraging people to repent before the last three-and-a-half years of the Great Tribulation. In symbolic terms, they are the olive trees, lampstands, and oil of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
These two men have the authority to stop rain from falling from the sky, turn water into blood, and strike the earth with plagues (11:6). But in the end, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit will kill them (11:7). People who dwell on the earth will celebrate the death of the two prophets because they have been a torment (11:10). How hardened people’s hearts have become! They refuse to repent. Later, God raises the prophets from the dead. There is an earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapses, killing 7,000 people (11:12-13). Only then do people repent. The Bible says, "The rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven” (11:13).
Sometimes, God allows people to die in order to bring others to Himself. God did not hesitate to put Jesus Christ on the cross in order to save his lost sheep. Throughout the ages, God has allowed countless martyrs to bear witness for the Lord, all in order to save sinners. The two prophets here are also martyrs, and the story of their death and resurrection will bring many people to repentance and salvation.
The Seventh Trumpet Brings the Transformation of the Era
The visions inserted between the sixth and seventh trumpets give us a glimpse of God's work in the spiritual world. There seems to have been some sort of delay in God's work before the seventh trumpet is sounded, because Revelation 10:6 specifically mentions that "there would be no more delay but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets" (10:7). Sure enough, "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever’" (11:15). This was a major turning point.
At least four times, the Bible mentions the twenty-four elders who worshiped before God's throne. The first mention is when the church is being judged. John sees a vision of heaven being opened. He sees twenty-four elders bowing down before God’s throne and saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (4:11). During this stage, the elders are saying that God deserves all the praise, even if many people on earth are not yet praising Him.
The second reference to the twenty-four elders is when the Lamb opens the book. The Bible says, "The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (5:8). Here, the twenty-four elders offer the prayers of the saints to God. These prayers advance the work of God.
The third time occurs in chapter 11. When the seventh trumpet is sounded, "the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign’" (11:16-17). This vision of the twenty-four elders allows us to see that God's work has reached a new stage. At this stage, "The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth" (11:18). God was judging the Gentiles, the demons, and the wicked ones who destroyed the earth, also known as Babylon the Great.
The fourth time occurs after the judgment of Babylon the Great (Revelation 18). "And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’” (19:4) At this point, God's work is nearly complete, and the chant of the twenty-four elders is full of pure praise.
These four accounts of twenty-four elders reflect the progress of God's work. This is the first time that I noticed this unique progression.
God Opens the Heavenly Temple to Prompt the Final Judgment on Evil Spirits
The last verse of this chapter states, "Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail" (11:19). The Ark of the Covenant is often associated with battles. In the Old Testament, the Israelites sometimes took the Ark of the Covenant into battle. Numbers 10:35 says, "And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you'". The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s exaltation and victory over his enemies.
We talked earlier about the three steps of God's judgment (the judgment of the church, of the world, and of the evil spirits). In order to judge evil spirits, the overcoming believers must arrive on the scene. This is represented by the birth of the male child in Revelation 12. God has promised that the church will judge angels, but in order to do so, it must mature. The overcoming believers (represented by the male child) will judge evil spirits on behalf of the church. I believe that the moment when the temple opens in heaven marks the beginning of the judgment on evil spirits. On the one hand, God is helping the church in its battle against the enemy by sending lightning, thunder, earthquakes, and hailstones. On the other hand, God is demonstrating that the church has matured sufficiently to approach the Holy of Holies, where it can begin to judge evil spirits on God’s behalf.
Hebrews 4 tells us that we can enter the Holy of Holies through Christ. Jesus, our great high priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses (4:14-15). Because of this, "let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (4:16). This is a spiritual reality, yet not all believers have accessed the reality of entering the Holy of Holies. Just like God's Tabernacle consisted of three parts (outer court, sanctuary, and Holy of Holies), we each possess a body, soul, and spirit. Even though God has given us access to the Holy of Holies, we often live at a distance from him in the outer court. It is as if we are living far from the Promised land, in Egypt. This represents the flesh. If we draw a little closer to him, we draw near to him in our soul, which represents the sanctuary. It is as if we are wandering in the wilderness, getting closer to the Promised Land. Finally, sometimes we are able to draw near to God in our spirits. We enter the Promised Land and the Holy of Holies. We need to leave the flesh and the world and enter the fullness of spiritual life. Believers must collectively be built into a unified, mature body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12) "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).
Just like Jesus Christ’s victory could open the scroll in God's right hand, the maturity and victory of the church can open the temple of God. Then the Ark of the Covenant will appear, and God will send lightning, rumblings, thunder, earthquakes, and hailstones. We have said many times that the prayers of the saints advance the work of God from his throne. And the maturity of the church can prompt God's final judgment on evil spirits.
Some people spend their time guessing when the Lord Jesus will return. Others become lukewarm and apathetic as the Lord continues to delay. However, there is no need to speculate about when the Lord will return. We are not the ones who are waiting for Him to come. He is the one who is waiting for our lives to mature! Only when the church matures enough to open God's temple will God’s final judgment on evil be unleashed. That's why Jesus said He would come soon, but not yet. He longs to return at any time, but the maturity of church is delaying His return.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study With Jairus - Revelation 9
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study With Jairus - Revelation 9
God's Great Love for the Lost, Hidden Within the End-Times Plagues
As God unveils the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments in Revelation 9, the plagues are becoming increasingly serious. In the fifth trumpet judgment, locusts torment people on Earth for five months. The pain is so severe that people wish for death, yet death flees from them. In the sixth trumpet judgment, after the angels are released from the River Euphrates, they kill a third of the human race. But people still do not repent of their idolatry and other sins.
Anyone in their right mind would feel that these plagues were very cruel, and may even wonder why God is so “cruel.” But in fact, hidden within these disasters is God's great love for the lost. Jesus said that the Father loves us just as a shepherd loves his sheep. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost” (Luke 15:3-6). Jesus said, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (15:7).
The purpose of these judgments is to get the attention of sinners! Many people repent and come to know the Lord as a result of hard times. Revelation 9:20-21 indicates that God’s purpose in sending the judgment was that people would repent. Therefore, we need to look at the trumpet judgments from the perspective of love. God wanted to wake up sinners, show them their sins, and help the lost sheep return home. This is why he hits them so hard. He spares no effort to get their attention, hoping his lost sheep will return to their heavenly home.
The Angel's Trumpet Brings the Jews Back to the Fold
Currently, most Jews do not trust in Jesus. Their eyes are not open to Jesus as their Messiah, and they have fallen into sin and worldliness. But the Bible promises that in the last days, His chosen people will return to Him from all four corners of the earth. In Matthew 24, when speaking to a Jewish audience about the end times, Jesus said the sun would be darkened, the moon would not give its light, the stars would fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens would be "shaken" (24:29). These are the same disasters described in the fourth trumpet judgment (Revelation 8:12). In Matthew 24:31, Jesus goes on to say, "He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other.”
After the trumpet is sounded, will God’s chosen people return all at once? Or will the Israelites, who have been scattered all over the world, return gradually to God? I believe that this will be a gradual process.
No one wants to leave their native land, and people have a strong sense of loyalty to their birthplace. I grew up in China, and Chinese people have a strong sense of locality. Many Chinese people would rather die than leave their hometown. In the same way, the Israelites have gotten used to living far from the Promised Land, and are unwilling to leave the places where they live. During World War II, the tragic and brutal suffering that the Jews endured nonetheless motivated many Jews to return to the Land of Israel. In the last days, the final return of the remaining remnant of Israel may take place under similar circumstances during the seventh trumpet judgment. Between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, we read about a vision in which many Jews were sealed. Then the seventh trumpet judgment takes place. The plagues’ increasing intensity forces the scattered Jews to leave their temporary homes and return to Israel. This is the work of God's hand. I believe these disasters motivate the Jews to continue to return. They also motivate the lost sheep of the Gentiles to repent.
God’s Gleaning
My eldest aunt lives in a village near my home. The village lies next to a river, so it has a long sandy beach. Sandy soil is perfect for growing peanuts. During harvest, it was impossible to harvest every last peanut. Some peanuts remained in the sandy soil, and others were accidentally dropped on the sand. People in the neighboring villages who did not have the conditions to grow peanuts would arrive to gather the leftover peanuts after the owner had already finished harvesting. Because the owners had already finished their harvest, they did not care about the remaining peanuts. Meanwhile, as the gleaners dug through the sand to harvest the remaining peanuts, they helped plow and aerate the soil. This benefited the farmers, and they were happy for the gleaners’ help. When I was young, I went there with my aunt and some others to gather peanuts. The countless people on the river beach looked like a swarm of locusts. Each of them took a shovel and a bag, turned over a shovelful of sandy soil, and picked up the peanuts left behind on the beach. After a day’s work, my aunt and I filled a large bag with peanuts. I still remember this scene vividly.
I believe the fifth plague is a “gleaning” like I described above. The firstfruits have already been harvested (sealed Jews and a large number of saved Gentiles). However, in God’s love and mercy, he continues to search for the remaining unbelievers. He gathers those who are still left behind. These locusts from the bottomless pit—whether they are evil spirits or fallen angels—are instruments in God’s hands to bring in the harvest. We cannot look at the book of Revelation simply from the perspective of punishment and disaster; we must look at Revelation from the perspective of harvest.
Chapter 13 of Matthew specifically says, "The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels" (13:39). Perhaps the reapers are not only the good angels, but also the evil "locusts" of the fifth trumpet judgment. Because all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28), God could even use evil angels to accomplish his purposes. The plague of "locusts" will continue God’s harvest and bring back the remaining lost sheep of Israel, as well as the lost sheep of the Gentile nations.
God Continues to Harvest After Revelation 10
Since locusts are used for God's harvest, the purpose of their painful stings is to motivate people to seek God and repent of their sins. Though this purpose is not explicitly mentioned in this plague, it is mentioned during another plague in this chapter. During the plague of the horseman, God specifically says that "the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts" (9:20-21). God wants to save those who have not yet repented. He hopes that his severe judgment and discipline will motivate them to return to him in repentance. For this reason, his judgment continues to increase in intensity.
At the beginning of chapter 9, the Bible says, "The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come" (9:12). The first woe refers to the fifth trumpet. The locusts will torment men for five months, and men will seek death and not find it. The other two plagues refer to the sixth trumpet, in which a horseman killed one-third of mankind, and the seventh trumpet, which unlocks the seven bowls. Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, God gives John a vision to encourage His people (10:1-6). At the beginning of the seventh trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled (10:7). This mystery is the gospel that God announced to His servants the prophets (10:7). This gospel is that Jesus Christ will become the salvation of mankind and bring about the restoration of all things. John is given a small scroll and a prophecy (10:11) and he measures the temple (11:1-2). Then two witnesses rise up and fight the beast that rises up from the bottomless pit, and the beast conquers and killed them. But God raises them up, and this resurrection demonstrates the truth and the power of God. In addition, the earthquake kills 7,000 people, and "the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven" (11:3-13). Through these events, God continues to harvest souls for his heavenly kingdom. The earthquake is the second woe, and the third woe is coming soon (11:14). A voice from heaven says, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (11:15). Why? The woman in Revelation 12 is about to give birth to a male child. The male child typifies the overcomers, who are the body and bride of Christ. It is God’s will for believers to become His bride. So the male child is caught up to God and to His throne (12:6), and the devil and his angels are cast down from heaven (12:9). This is the prelude to the plagues of the last three and a half years of the tribulation. This is the turning point of Revelation. Harvest and judgment are two themes that run through the book of Revelation. God’s work in the book of Revelation is a process of continuous harvest and judgment, and the purpose of judgment is to harvest more souls.
Are the Locusts and Horsemen Really Locusts and Horsemen or Evil Spirits?
We know that Revelation is full of pictorial symbols and eschatological types. This raises a valid question: Are these locusts and horsemen really locusts and horsemen, or do they represent evil spirits? These locusts are certainly not ordinary locusts, because they are not allowed to harm grass, green things, or trees of any kind, but only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (9:4). They are not like the locusts we see on earth. Instead, they are unique locusts that come up from the bottomless pit during this plague. And the horses in this passage are not ordinary horses, either. They have power in their mouths and tails; their tails are like serpents with heads; their tails can inflict wounds (9:19). Even if these are real horses with human riders, they are certainly not normal horses and normal humans.
This reminds me of the contest between Yahweh and the false Egyptian gods and between Moses and the magicians. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, Aaron's rod turned into a snake. The magicians could also turn their rods into snakes, but Aaron's rod swallowed their rods. Just like the contest between the snakes represented the contest between God and the false gods, these locusts may represent evil spirits fighting against God. The red dragon in Revelation 12 and the two beasts in Chapter 13 represent a similar contest between Satan and God. I personally believe that the locusts and the horses are not ordinary locusts and horses, and the horsemen are not necessarily human. I don't rule out the possibility that the horsemen are human beings, but I know for sure that they are not ordinary people.
As we work to understand these symbolic images, we must have a supernatural perspective. As the end times approach, both righteous and evil people on earth will draw on the supernatural power of their deity, either God or Satan, to give them strength to fight their enemies. Even though this may seem fantastical, we must believe it by faith. Although we did not personally witness Aaron's rod turn into a snake and swallow the snakes that the Egyptian magicians’ rods turned into, we still believe that the biblical record is correct. Similarly, in the last days, believers will gain supernatural powers, and the wicked will also gain supernatural powers. The two witnesses in Revelation 11, and the male child in Chapter 12 who is caught up to God and to His throne to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, both have supernatural powers. The two witnesses even have the authority to shut up the sky so that no rain may fall. They also have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague (Revelation 11:6). The mention of turning water into blood reminds us again of the ten plagues in Exodus.
The events of Revelation must be understood through the lens of the supernatural. The things that happen in Revelation are things we have never seen before. We will only truly understand them when they happen in the future. We should not make assumptions based on our present understanding. We should not conclude that the 200 million horsemen represent China just because China is in the east and has a large population. Many Bible scholars in history have said this, but I think this is incorrect. God is raising up a great revival work in China. God has revealed to me on many occasions that China’s revival and evangelization will have a huge impact on the world. I firmly believe that China will become a Christian country full of sheep, not goats. If this happens, China will not become the birthplace of the 200 million future horsemen.
God's Principles of Dealing with Man
We cannot fully understand the many things that will happen in the future. But this does not keep us from understanding God's principles of dealing with mankind which are revealed through these events. If we recall how God dealt with Pharaoh, we see an important principle: God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so he could multiply His signs and wonders (Exodus 7:3), so that His power would be manifested, and so His name would be proclaimed in all the earth (9:16). This principle also appears in Revelation 9. Despite seeing God’s powerful and devastating signs, the people are still hard-hearted and refuse to repent. Why is this? Because even though God has judged the evil spirits in their lives, they have not received Jesus’s Holy Spirit to replace the evil in their hearts. As a result, they are filled with even worse evil spirits.
The Lord Jesus Himself gave a good example to illustrate this principle. The Lord Jesus told a story in Matthew 12. He said, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation”(Matthew 12:45).
When we were studying Deliverance Ministries, our teachers often told us that if a person is not willing to accept Jesus Christ as Lord, it is best not to carry out deliverance on him. If we temporarily drive out evil spirits from a person who is not filled with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the spirits may return. I have personally witnessed some people accepting Jesus Christ and repenting of their sins when they received deliverance, and when we prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we could actually see the spirits coming out of them. The first time I saw a spirit cast out of a sister in Christ, I was amazed. She kept coughing, and then we prayed for the Holy Spirit to fill her, and she was eventually filled with the Holy Spirit and fell to the ground.
The plagues in the book of Revelation are like a large-scale deliverance. God is judging evil spirits and demons through the various plagues, and judging those who to a certain degree are possessed by these evil spirits and demons. His purpose is that they would repent of their sins and accept the salvation of Jesus Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit. If men repent of their sins and accept salvation, demons will be cast out of them permanently. If they refuse to repent, the demons will return, bringing worse spirits with them.
This principle reveals how God works in people’s hearts, and how He deals with evil spirits. Is God the one who is sending worse evil spirits to torment people? Or is it men’s unrepentance that is providing opportunities for evil spirits to torment them even more? God is good (Mark 10:18), and God does not tempt (James 1:13). It is man’s lack of repentance that is making things worse. Now we can better understand why the Lord said that He hardened Pharaoh's heart. It’s not just that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. If Pharaoh had repented, God's mercy would have fallen upon him. But when Pharaoh refused to repent, it brought an even harsher judgment from God. This is the same principle at work in the judgment of the last days.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - John 21
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - John 21
When God Establishes Us and Deepens our Spiritual Life, We Can Witness His Resurrection
As John wraps up his gospel in chapter 21, he acknowledges that his account of Jesus’ life is not comprehensive. He says that if he had written down every event in Jesus’ life, “I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (21:25).
However, as he finishes the book, he does tell two key stories: the story of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples by the seashore, and the story of Peter’s restoration. Obviously, the two stories that were included were carefully selected to serve the author's purpose. So what is the purpose of John 21? While there are many ways to approach John 21, I am going to view it through the lens of Peter’s growth and restoration.
Peter later wrote the book of 1 Peter. In chapter 5, Peter teaches his readers to be humble (1 Peter 5:5-6), cast their worries on the Lord (5:7), be watchful, resist the devil (5:8), and overcome suffering (5:9). He assures his listeners, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (5:10). I believe that when Peter wrote these things, he was speaking from experience. In John 21, we see how Peter was humbled, learned to cast his cares on Jesus, resisted Satan, overcame suffering, and was eventually comforted, restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established by Christ himself. Christ established Peter as the foundation of the church.
As we mentioned in the last study, John 20 shows how Jesus appeared to different disciples. Before they could see the resurrected Christ, they had to remove their unbelief, doubt, and other blockages that were keeping them from knowing the risen Jesus. Even today, the Lord is willing to appear to anyone, but we must open our hearts and overcome the obstacles that are preventing us from knowing Him. It takes time for us to get to know the resurrected Christ, but only then can we help others learn to know Him. Peter went through this process, and it took time. Only when he knew the resurrected Christ could he become a true follower of the Lord (21:19) and a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19).
John 21 is a wonderful segue to the next book, Acts. In the first half of Acts, Peter is one of the most important leaders of the church. But he could only fill this role because the Lord had strengthened, restored, and established him in John 21. Only then could Peter be filled with the Holy Spirit so he could bring salvation to 3,000 people (Acts 2:41).
A Deepened Spiritual Life Is Necessary for Witnessing the Resurrected Christ
To experience the resurrected Christ, we must open our hearts. This implies spiritual growth, as seen in John 20-21. Even if we have learned to know the risen Christ, we must deepen our spiritual lives so we can be the nurturing shepherds that Jesus expects us to be. This was the experience of many Bible characters, such as Moses. Moses was called and prepared by God to lead his people out of Egypt. After he tried to rescue one of his people with his own strength and wisdom, he was forced into exile in the wilderness. While shepherding sheep in the wilderness, he saw the burning bush and came to know the true living God. The Lord told him, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). Centuries later, Jesus told the Sadducees, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32). Jesus said this to prove the validity of the resurrection. So it’s not too much of a stretch to say that Moses had experienced the living God, the God who can make people live again.
Despite experiencing the living God, Moses rejected God’s calling. He refused to lead the Israelites out of Egypt because he thought he lacked capability and eloquence. Even after God showed him three miracles, Moses still yelled, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). Finally the Lord became angry (4:14) and tried to kill him (4:24). Only after his wife Zipporah circumcised their son did the Lord let him go. Many are confused about this incident. They wonder why the Lord tried to kill Moses. To be honest, it is not difficult to understand, especially if we compare this incident with Peter's experience. Why? Because it is one thing to see the resurrection, but another thing to experience it. Abraham had the same experience. He had known the Lord since the time God promised him his son Isaac. But it was quite another thing altogether to experience God’s resurrection power when God rescued Isaac from death.
Jesus’ Repeated Appearances Deepen Our Understanding of the Resurrection
After Jesus' resurrection, He appears to His disciples many times. But why does He appear to Peter and the other disciples while they are fishing? Each appearance of the Lord Jesus deepens our understanding of the resurrection so that we can truly experience the death and resurrection of Jesus in our own lives.
This principle applies to both the Old Testament and the New. Each of God’s seven appearances to Abraham deepened his knowledge of God. The first time God appeared to Abram was to call him out of Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 15:7). He then appeared to him again in Haran (Genesis 12:1). Both times, God promised to give Abram the land of Canaan. As a result, Abram left the land of idols. Genesis 12:7 records the third appearance where the Lord said to Abram, “To your offspring I will give this land.” The fourth time God appeared to him, he promised to bless Abraham with countless descendants, as numerous as the sand of the seashore (Genesis 13:14-17). God appeared to him for the fifth time after he rescued Lot from the five kings. God told Abram that one of his very own sons would be his heir (15:4). Thirteen years after his biological son Ishmael’s birth, God appeared to Abraham again. This time, he changed his name from Abram to Abraham and told him he would become the father of many nations (17:5). The seventh appearance happened after Abraham sacrificed Isaac to the Lord. God once again promised, “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of hisenemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice” (Genesis 22:17-18). Every time God appeared to Abraham, his understanding of the resurrection was deepened. Finally, God inspired Abraham with supernatural knowledge about his descendant, Jesus Christ so that Abraham could look “forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
Galatians 3:16 says, “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. Notice here that the Scripture uses ‘his offspring’ instead of ‘all offspring,’ which indicates one person – Jesus Christ.” And verse 14 says, “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Abraham’s transformation—from living in a place of idolatry to knowing and waiting for God—was the result of his multiple encounters with God.
Similarly, after Jesus' resurrection, he chooses to appear to his disciples multiple times. Each time they see him, their understanding of Him is deepened, they become more aware of God’s will, and they better understand their glorious inheritance in God's calling. When they realize their identity in Christ, they can become what God desires them to be.
We Must Have a Clear Understanding of Our Identity
Why does the Lord Jesus choose twelve disciples? First, it is the will of God the Father. Everything Jesus does on earth is in accordance with the will of the Father. Luke 6:12-13 records, "In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles." Jesus' choice of the twelve disciples is not a random action, but an obedient action based on the will of the Father, which he discerned by praying all night. What is the Father's will? To duplicate Jesus Christ in the lives of his twelve disciples, and then for them to duplicate his life in others.
God's work is not a rapid growth like mushrooms that spring up overnight. Instead, it is a slow process of reproducing himself in others’ lives. Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God, and the twelve disciples are called to manifest Christ to the world. To spread the life of God to others, the disciples must recognize their identity in Christ so that they can mature and grow in Christ. If these disciples fail to recognize their identity in Christ, they cannot be an accurate representation of Christ's life. Jesus appeared to his disciples multiple times after his resurrection so he could help them recognize their deficiencies and fully understand their identity and calling in Christ. Only then can they experience resurrection in their own lives.
John 21:14 says, “This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” The first time was when Jesus appeared to them on the first day of the week, when they were hidden behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” (20:19). The second time was eight days later, when the disciples were gathered again, this time with Thomas. “Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’”(20:26). The first time Jesus appeared to his disciples, he helped them overcome their fear and lack of joy (20:20). A regenerate person is a person of joy. When Jesus appeared to his disciples the second time, he addressed Thomas' unbelief. What is the purpose of the third appearance? Jesus Christ will fill His promise to make Peter a fisher of men.
God Himself Establishes Us and Makes Us Perfect and Strong
At one time, Peter had confidently proclaimed that even if everyone else betrayed Jesus Christ, he never would. However, Jesus Christ told him that he would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed three times. And this was exactly what happened. Now, Peter is deeply ashamed of it. When he sees Jesus again, he was very embarrassed. But instead of scolding Peter, Jesus nurtures and restores him, and lifts him up again.
Peter learns several deep spiritual lessons which we find in the books of 1 and 2 Peter. As a fisherman, Peter may not have been very knowledgeable, yet his two epistles contain rich spiritual lessons. These are Peter’s only two epistles in the Bible, so they encapsulate the totality of the spiritual depth that Peter has acquired throughout his life. Although Peter did not have spectacular linguistic abilities, and many commentators do not spend much time interpreting his writings, the spiritual richness of Peter's letters is well worth excavating.
The first lesson Peter learned was the importance of humility. First Peter 5: 5-6 says, "... Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
Second, Peter learned to trust God. Peter instructs believers to "cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). After seeing the resurrected Lord Jesus three times (once by himself and twice with other disciples) Peter still lacked faith in the risen Christ. He went back to fishing with other disciples, but caught nothing. When Jesus Christ appeared, they caught 153 fish. Through this experience, Peter learned a powerful lesson about trusting God.
Third, Peter learned about resisting temptation. Jesus Christ had repeatedly warned Peter and other disciples about Satan’s temptation. In Luke 22:31, Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” Sure enough, Simon failed when facing Satan's temptation. So Peter shares what he learned through blood, sweat, and tears: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Finally, Peter writes his famous line, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Peter 5:10). I love this verse. Whenever I go through trials and failures, I sing a song based on this verse. I believe that God will one day restore, strengthen, perfect, and establish me.
Every Failure is the Foundation of the Next Victory
John 21 is crucial because it documents Peter's restoration. Without it, the Gospel of John would end on a sad note. Even though Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, the book would end with Peter’s failure. This is not the will of God. Jesus Christ has won the victory, and each of us has also won the victory through Him. Jesus wants us to live a victorious life. That is the purpose of his victory. Therefore, the Gospel of John cannot end with Peter's failure. It must end with his restoration.
The book of Acts, which follows John, tells about Peter’s leadership in the early church. He worked many signs and wonders in Jesus’ name. The book of Acts is about the work of the Holy Spirit through his vessels, the apostles. The filling of the Holy Spirit takes a moment, but the preparation of these vessels for his service takes decades or a lifetime. John 21 shows us how Jesus prepared his vessel, Peter, for the birth and growth of the Church and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit promised by the Father in the book of Acts. This is the great will of the Triune God.
Every failure of ours reveals where we need Christ. When we repent and ask God to transform us, God will be able to remake us in his image. We will become victorious vessels through which the Holy Spirit can work. May we all cherish our failures so we can learn and grow from them.
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - John 20
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Bible Study with Jairus - John 20
How To Deepen Our Knowledge and Experience of the Resurrection of Jesus
Do you know the risen Christ? Have you experienced His presence? Has he appeared to you personally? You may say, “Is it possible to experience the resurrected Jesus and know him personally?” My answer is, “Yes, you can. But you have to remove the obstacles that are preventing you from seeing the risen Jesus.” In John 20, Jesus helped various disciples remove the spiritual blinders that were preventing them from seeing the risen Jesus. When these veils were removed, each of them experienced Jesus’ presence and the risen Christ appeared to them. When we properly use our minds, wills, and emotions, we will be allowed to experience the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well.
For example, when we meditate and ruminate on Jesus’ words, it often leads to spiritual experiences. Madame Jeanne Guyon once said that when we pray and meditate on the Lord's words, we will certainly be able to enter the presence of God. But if we do not meditate and pray properly, then hindrances in our minds, wills, and emotions will prevent us from knowing and experiencing the resurrection of Christ. For example, the disciples’ closed hearts, doubt, fear, and guilt prevented them from seeing the resurrected Lord. Let’s look at these stories more closely.
- Mary’s strong emotions kept her from recognizing Jesus when he appeared to her.
- Thomas had to see the Lord's nail marks before he believed. Jesus showed him His nail marks, and only then were the doubts in his mind were resolved.
- John believed in the resurrection when he saw the empty cloth that had been around Jesus’ face (John 20:8), but there is no record that Peter believed at that time (John 20).
- Peter’s guilt about his betrayal kept him from fully embracing the risen Jesus.
In John 20 and 21, Jesus helped each of his disciples overcome any obstacles that were keeping them from experiencing the resurrected Christ. With his help, they were each able to experience the Lord’s appearance. This is true not only for the first-century disciples, but for all of us. “God is no respecter of persons,” as Peter said in Acts 10:34. Everyone in the Bible who loved the Lord, whether Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, or Solomon, each experienced the Lord’s appearance. It is hard to imagine anyone who could love God that much and not experience His personal presence. The experience of his presence only further increases our love for him.
Every disciple present in John 20 knew and experienced the appearance of the resurrected Christ, but each was unable to believe in the resurrection or recognize the resurrected Christ because of some kind of hindrance. As modern-day Christians, we must learn from their experiences so we can know and experience the appearance of the resurrected Christ today.
Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Yet Have Believed?
We should desire and believe that we can experience the life-changing presence of the risen Christ. Yet in modern times, many people have belittled the reality of personal spiritual experiences. They underestimate the benefits of pursuing the Lord’s appearance. They dismiss these experiences for several reasons. Let’s address the reasons for this overcorrection.
- Some people say that this type of spiritual experience is only for spiritual giants. When lay people testify that the Lord appeared to them in dreams or visions, others protest that God doesn’t appear to common people. But in reality, the Lord desires to appear to everyone.
- Many Muslims testify that the Lord Jesus appeared to them in dreams which led them to become Christians. They are very ordinary people, not spiritual giants. Yet some people dismiss these experiences for American believers, saying that the Muslims only had those experiences because they lived in countries where the gospel was forbidden. That is the only reason that Jesus chose to preach the gospel to them in this way. This is correct, but it absolutely cannot be used as an excuse to say the Lord only appears to certain special people.
- Some people point to Jesus’ words to Thomas to prove that we do not need to see Jesus. Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Many people mistakenly understand this verse to mean that those who have the most faith do not desire to see Jesus.
Let’s examine these claims. Yes, those who believed without seeing are indeed blessed. But this does not mean that the Lord does not approve of us longing for His appearance. In John 14:21, the Lord Jesus said, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” The Lord said that He will appear to those who love Him. Therefore, if we have not experienced the appearance of the resurrected Jesus, it does not necessarily prove that “Jesus does not appear to ordinary people today.” Perhaps we don’t really love the Lord’s appearance enough. When we assume Jesus can’t appear to us, we lower our expectations. However, Jesus wants us to ask for what we desire. A basic principle in Scripture says that “everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:10). James, Jesus’ biological brother, agreed: “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:2-3). The Lord promised His presence to those who love Him, so we can be assured that our request to experience His appearance is not wrong or selfish.
Factors Hindering Us From Experiencing the Risen Lord
Eventually, every disciple in John 20 experienced Jesus’ appearance. Their experience is instructive for each and every one of us. We need to see how the Lord Jesus helped each of the disciples to move from the expectation of being with Him in His physical presence to being able to experience His resurrected presence in faith and spirit. The disciples needed to learn this lesson in order to experience the resurrected Christ.
Let's take a look at the problems of each of the disciples in John 20 and how these problems prevented them from believing in the resurrection of Christ. Let us look first at Mary, whose love for the Lord caused her to go to the tomb very early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark. There, she saw that the stone had been moved away from the entrance of the tomb. She didn't immediately think about resurrection. Instead, she assumed that someone had taken the Lord's body. So she went to tell Peter and John. Peter and John set out for the tomb. John ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths, but he did not go into the tomb. Peter arrived, went in and saw the linen cloths and the face cloth. The Bible does not mention whether or not he believed at that point. After Peter arrived, John went into the tomb, saw the face cloth, and believed that Jesus was alive (20:8). This passage seems to indicate that the first person to believe in the resurrection was not Peter or Mary, but John.
This account is very interesting. Why was John the first to believe? Why did he believe when he saw the face cloth, but did not believe when he saw the linen cloths initially? The Bible says the face cloth was not lying together with the linen cloths, but was folded up in another place by itself (20:7). Why was the face cloth of Jesus lying in another place? Is it so that John would believe in the resurrection? My personal guess is that John, the Beloved Disciple, was familiar with the Lord's way of folding his face cloth. Just like a person’s signature cannot be imitated by others, John knew that no one else could imitate Jesus’ signature style of folding a cloth. When John saw the way the Lord folded the face cloth, he knew that it had been done by the Lord Himself, not by anyone else. I believe this was the Lord's personal message to John.
However, John’s faith was not yet complete. The verses that follow explain that the disciples did not yet fully believe: "For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead" (John 20:9). The disciples’ minds and hearts were not yet fully open, so God would need to open their hearts through their emotions or other means.
The two disciples saw that the tomb was empty. John believed that Jesus was alive, but Peter most likely didn’t believe, so he went back home. Why do I say that Peter did not believe? Because the Gospel of Mark records that the angel told Mary after the Lord’s resurrection, “Go and tell His disciples and Peter…” (Mark 16:7). So Peter probably did not believe.
Let's return to Mary. Mary loved God, and her deep affection for Jesus moved Him to appear to her before He ascended to the Father. But when the Lord appeared to her, she did not recognize the risen Christ because she was too caught up in emotions. When an angel appeared to her, she didn't realize it was an angel. She just kept on weeping. The Lord appeared to her, but she did not recognize Him either. She did not recognize the risen Lord until the risen Christ called her by name: "Mary.” The Lord awakened her spiritual identity in Christ, and only then did she recognize Christ. Mary was one of the Lord's sheep, and the Lord's sheep know the Lord's voice (John 10:3), so she recognized the Lord when He called her name.
Peter failed to fully experience Jesus’ resurrection because of his guilt about his betrayal. The Lord Jesus had appeared to Peter and the other disciples several times. Yet despite these appearances, Peter still went out to fish, as if his relationship with Jesus was a thing of the past. It was then that Jesus appeared to him again and asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Peter then had his own personal experience of spiritual death and resurrection. Jesus helped Peter finally overcome the guilt.
In John 21, the Lord Jesus appeared to the disciples, but they did not recognize Him at first. Similarly, the disciples on the road to Emmaus failed to recognize the resurrected Christ. Only after the Lord broke bread and gave it to them were their eyes opened to recognize Jesus (Luke 24:31). These disciples returned to Jerusalem and told the other disciples what they had seen. While they were still talking, the Lord Jesus appeared to them again. But they thought He was a spirit (Luke 24:37). The Lord Jesus said, “A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have" (24:39). To prove he was real, he ate a piece of broiled fish.
As Jesus opened the disciples’ minds to understand the Scriptures (24:45), they finally understood the resurrection. Clearly, the disciples’ closed minds were an important factor in their inability to recognize the resurrected Christ. Another factor is that Jesus’ resurrection body may have looked different from his natural body. This may be why the disciples could not recognize him. He may have looked different every single time he appeared. Perhaps his appearance was different each time, personally tailor-made for every individual he appeared to. For example, in my personal experience, Jesus has often appeared to me as an old Chinese lady. I never realized she was representing the Lord until the last day of 2017, when she took me into heaven and transformed into Christ.
To prove this point, let’s look at John 21. When the Lord appeared to Peter and the other disciples by the sea, John said, “Just as the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (John 21:4). These disciples had seen the risen Christ several times already, yet they still did not recognize the Lord. Most likely, Jesus’ appearance was different every time he appeared. For this reason, we need to be discerning so that we can recognize the risen Lord in our spiritual experiences.
There are many reasons that we fail to experience Jesus’ presence in our lives, just like the disciples did.
- Emotions: our lack of desire for the Lord.
- Mind: accepting wrong concepts and beliefs.
- Will: stubbornness and self-will.
Each of these can hinder us from experiencing the presence of the risen Lord. These obstacles are like electrical insulators, preventing us from experiencing the appearance of the resurrected Christ. It's as if the power is connected to our house, but a small insulator is keeping us from connecting to the power supply. We need to remove those insulators so we can powerfully connect to Jesus.
Our Love for God Is a Response to God’s Appearance to Us
The Bible says that Jesus appeared personally to Peter, but God does not describe this meeting in detail. The disciples on the road to Emmaus told the other disciples that the Lord Jesus had appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34), and Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:5, "He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.” According to this passage, Jesus appeared to Peter before he appeared to the twelve disciples (John 20:19-25), so this can’t be the same experience recorded in John 21, which occurred after Jesus’ appearance to the disciples and Thomas (John 21:1). Clearly, there was a personal meeting with Peter that is not described in the Bible.
Why is there no detailed record of the Lord’s appearance to Peter? Jesus Christ gave John a sign with the face cloth so he would know He was alive. The Lord Jesus called Mary's name so that Mary would recognize His voice. The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples and Peter that the Lord was alive. This may have been a prelude to the Lord's appearance to Peter.
The Bible does not record this appearance to Peter in detail, but we know that 1 Peter and 2 Peter are summaries of Peter's experiences with Jesus. Perhaps these two books can give us some perspective. In Peter's epistles, there is no explicit mention of this conversation with Jesus. But Peter did say, "The tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:7-8). The "revelation" mentioned here can be understood as the future appearance of Jesus Christ. But perhaps it also refers to experiencing Jesus on earth. Peter goes on to say, "you have not seen Him.” He did not say, "I have not seen Him.” Peter had seen Jesus, both in his pre-death body and in his resurrection body. Before the resurrected Jesus appeared to Peter, he had experienced the trials of faith mentioned in this passage. When he passed through these trials and was restored by the Lord Jesus, his faith in Jesus Christ was as precious as gold that had been tested by fire.
The Appearance of Christ Gives Us a Deeper Understanding of the Resurrection
In the Catholic "mysticism" tradition, there are many accounts of Jesus' appearing to people. It’s easy to dismiss all of these experiences because Catholics tend to believe in superstitious accounts, such as the appearance of the Virgin Mary. I once translated a Catholic documentary that described the Virgin Mary’s appearance to many people. Personally, I think this is just a superstition, like the stories of idols appearing in Chinese idol temples. Martin Luther saw the corruption in the Catholic church and decided to completely deny all such experiences. He overcompensated by taking refuge in rationality. But we must not throw out the baby with the bathwater. We need to distinguish which of these are superstitions and which are real manifestations of the Lord’s presence.
After the Reformation, the church began to emphasize the prominence of Scripture and to ignore spiritual experience. This led to a focus on dry dogma. However, the saints in the Bible almost all experienced God’s personal presence to some extent.
When Jesus appears to us, it ignites our love for him. At least that has been my experience. After I was baptized in 2002, I lost interest in spiritual things. But during a conference in 2004, the Lord appeared to me and spoke to me personally, calling me to dedicate myself to Him. After that day, I began to love the Lord like crazy.
I believe we need to oppose the false teaching that leads people to ignore personal spiritual experiences. We need to bravely pursue the appearance of Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus promised to manifest Himself to those who love Him (John 14:21). In John 20, Jesus patiently helped each of his disciples overcome their obstacles so they could each experience the presence of the resurrected Christ. He will do the same for each of us today.