REVELATION 21: HOME AT LAST

 

In Revelation 21, the Apostle John gives us a glimpse of the new heaven and new earth. Each detail he describes points to a world that has been completely renewed and reunited with God.

1. Freedom from Separation

In verse 1, John mentions that "there was no longer any sea." In the biblical context, the sea often symbolized chaos, danger, and the distance between people. Its absence represents a new kind of freedom—freedom from the troubles, sins, and temptations that used to keep humanity separated from God.

2. The Bride and the Wedding

In verse 2, John sees the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, "prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."

●      Who is the Bride? The New Jerusalem represents the community of God’s people—those who have been redeemed by His grace.

●      What is the Wedding? A wedding is the ultimate symbol of unity. It marks the moment Christ (the Groom) and His people (the Bride) become one forever.Purity and Sanctification

Because God is perfect, He can only be united with a bride that is pure. This is why the City is shown coming down from heaven already "prepared and adorned."

●      The Source of Purity: We cannot make ourselves perfect on our own. The bride is beautiful because she has been sanctified (made holy) by God Himself.

●      Our Hope: While we aren't perfect right now, we have hope through faith. We trust that our Lord—our Sanctifier—is the one preparing us to be presented to Him, just as a bride is presented to her husband on her wedding day.

 

3.  The union between God and His Bride is made clear in Verse 3. John hears a loud voice saying: "Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

The fact that God is now living right among His people is the ultimate proof that they are finally united. It is a beautiful promise that our relationship with Him will be fully fixed. We are moving back to the kind of closeness seen in the Garden of Eden—where God isn't far away like He was after the Fall, but is right here with us.

This is proof that
1.) Anything that is Broken by Sin can be Fixed By God
2.) We have true Togetherness with our God
3.) That there will be a new beginning promised by God.)


4. The result of this restoration is described in verse 4: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This shows that God has finally ended the curse of sin that began at the Fall. In this new world, the things that hurt us most—death, suffering, and sorrow—will no longer exist.

For believers today, this is a source of great comfort. It promises that our current struggles are temporary and that God has planned a brand-new, eternal life for us where pain is a thing of the past.

 

What Changes in the New Order?

●      Emotional Healing: God personally comforts His people, "wiping away" the memory of grief.

●      The End of the Curse: The cycle of death and decay that started in Eden is broken forever.

●      A Permanent Promise: This isn't a temporary fix; it is a whole new way of existing.

●      A Note of Hope: We can face the hardships of today knowing that the "old order" is on its way out, and a painless eternity is on its way in.

In Summary, God is bringing us back to the close relationship we were always meant to have with Him. By getting rid of sin and death, He is fixing everything that was broken and making us His pure, holy family forever. For everyone going through hard times now, this is a beautiful promise that pain is temporary, and a happy, eternal life with God is waiting for us. 

WE ARE HOME AT LAST!

 

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ELDER JERO – JCRC SORSOGON

REVELATION 20: RESURRECTION TO NEW LIFE

 

REVELATION 20: RESURRECTION: TO NEW LIFE

Pahayag 20:6, 14-15 [6] Mapalad at lubos na pinagpala ang mga nakasama sa unang pagbuhay sa mga patay. Walang kapangyarihan sa kanila ang pangalawang kamatayan; sila'y magiging mga pari ng Diyos at ni Cristo, at maghahari silang kasama niya sa loob ng sanlibong taon. [14] Pagkatapos ay itinapon din sa lawa ng apoy ang Kamatayan at ang daigdig ng mga patay. Ang lawa ng apoy ay ang pangalawang kamatayan. [15] Itinapon sa lawa ng apoy ang sinumang hindi nakasulat ang pangalan sa aklat ng buhay.

First Resurrection

Who are they? The Holy and Blameless

- all the believers who respond to God's message thr invitation

- they are the people who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior ans hold on to their faith

- those who believe and trust in Jesus

Second resurrection

Who are they? The wicked

- those who doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus

- the spiritual dead

- who rejects Jesus and rebels to God

 

Tunay ngang pinagpala nag mga tao na kasama sa unang pagkabuhay sapagkat mararanasan nila ang tunay na kapahingahan ngunit kabaliktaran naman sa ma ayaw sumunod at kumilala sa Diyos, kapahamakan ang naghihintay sa kanila at walang hanggang paghihirap. Kahit dito palang sa mundo mararanasan na natin ang buhay na pang walang hanggang kapayapaan at kapahingahan w the moment we confess with our mouth that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and believe that He rose from the dead- this brings us transformation from death to life.

A truly saved life is a transformed life. Again, na highlight rito na our Salvation is indeed through Christ alone, faith alone, and Grace alone. Not on our good works that we are been saved but through His alone- Jesus the way, the truth and the life. And now theres nothing to fear in life now, not sin, nor satan, not even death dahil kung paanong nag reign si Jesus in victory tayo rin naman kasama Niyang naghahari. We are conqueror and co-heir with Christ. Keep the faith.

Accept Christ and we will not be judged but you will live forever.

Juan 5:24 [24] “Pakatandaan ninyo: ang nakikinig sa aking salita at sumasampalataya sa nagsugo sa akin ay may buhay na walang hanggan. Hindi na siya hahatulan, sa halip ay inilipat na siya sa buhay mula sa kamatayan..

What should we do now?

-Let's bring this good news to the dead so that they may also receive life. JOHN5 [25] Pakatandaan ninyo na darating ang panahon, at ngayon na nga, na maririnig ng mga patay ang tinig ng Anak ng Diyos at ang sinumang makinig sa kanya ay mabubuhay. -1 Corinthians 15:[58] So now, beloved ones, stand firm, stable, and enduring. Live your lives with an unshakable confidence. We know that we prosper and excel in every season by serving the Lord, because we are assured that our union with the Lord makes our labor productive with fruit that endures. At the end, May we all hear from the Lord "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFULL SERVANT. Since you've been faithful in small things, I'll trust you with bigger things. COME AND SHARE IN MY JOY! -Mt.25:21 Peace and Grace be upon us as we live in Jesus Christ- the righteous judge and Annointed One. Amen

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PASTORA CZAR - JCRC SORSOGON

Revelation 19 : Victory and the wedding of the Lamb

 

Revelation 19

Victory and the wedding of the Lamb

The book of Revelation contains of three parts/messages.

The first (Rev 19:1-6) is where the heavens bring glory and honour and praise to God, the Almighty, the Omnipotent God. After we read about the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18, the Praise of God was sounded in heaven for His victory. The word Hallelujah (praise and rejoicing in God) is uttered 4 times in Rev 19:1-6. The heavens praised God for what He has done and for who He is – the Lord God Almighty.

We should also praise Him, and rejoice for all that He has done in our lives. A grateful heart, rejoicing in the Lord is an act of true worship. Think of all the things you can show gratitude for towards God and tell Him! Praising and honouring God for the loving Father he is, is also our expression of love towards Him.

The second (Rev 19:7-9) is what all true believers look forward to - the wedding of the Lamb and his bride, the church. The bride in Rev19:7 has prepared herself for the wedding feast and she was given clean shining linen to wear (v8).

We are the bride of Christ and has to be prepared for the day and time when Christ, the bridegroom comes for His bride. Through the parable in Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus encourage us to be watchful, to keep our lamps filled with oil for we do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man, Jesus the bridegroom will come for His bride.

The third part (Rev19:11-21) portrays the image of Christ the leader of heavenly armies on white horses, and clothed in white garment. Here the fierce image of Christ with eyes blazing as fire, a crown (many crowns) on His head, His robe stained in blood and a sharp sword protruding from His mouth. He judges in righteousness (holiness, justice, uprightness) the rulers and the nations of the world. Only He can judge fairly as He is Faithful and True (incorruptible, trustworthy, loyal and steady).

I want to leave you with three things to meditate on from the book of Revelation 19 today:

·       Give God all the glory and honour and praise, rejoice in Him and mean it will all your heart.

·       Be prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus. If you do not know what it looks like I want to encourage you to study the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to break the scriptures open for you and reveal to you how you can be prepared and remain watchful.

·       Know that the heavenly armies are preparing for battle and Jesus will judge righteously the rulers and nations. Also search your own heart and do not be deceived by the world as He knows all things (even the hidden secrets in our hearts). Bring the hidden things before the Lord Jesus, repent and ask His forgiveness. He died and was resurrected so that you and I can walk free from judgement, by the blood of the Lamb that was slain for us.

 

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PASTORA HESMA - JCRC CAPETOWN

 

Revelation 18: Babylon Is Fallen

 

Revelation 18

Babylon is fallen

When I read through Revelation 18…again and again and again. One particular verse was highlighted and that is the warning in verse 4 which reads like this from the Classic Amplified Bible: “I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.”

This is not a new command, in the Old Testament the Lord also spoke through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah and give the exact command 3 x times:

1.     Isaiah 48:20 “Go forth out of Babylon, flee from the Chaldeans!

2.     Jeremiah 50:8 “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans”

3.     Jeremiah 51:6 “Flee out of the midst of Babylon!”

With the urgency of the command that the LORD God Almighty bothered to repeat this message over millennia to flee from Babylon_ I asked the Lord: ‘’What does this verse say to me personally? How do I (one of God’s people, set apart for and chosen by Him) come out from Babylon?’

To answer these questions, first we have to understand what does Babylon refer to/represent here in the book of Revelation. Yesterday from Revelation 17 we learned that Babylon represents:

·       a system – that is a corrupt worldly system, full of compromise, pride, materialism, false worship, IDOLATORY, traditions, acceptable practices by many, false religion and we can add GREED.

·       Anything that pulls our hearts away from Jesus Christ is Babylon.

Yesterday we also learned the why we should come out of Babylon? This reason is also repeated in Revelation 18:4b “so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.”  This reason was also given to the people of God in Old Testament times through Jeremiah 51:6b “Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped in her punishment!”

Dear brother and sister in Christ, the LORD our God loves us so much that He does not want us to get trapped and suffer the wrath of His punishment that He will pour out on this system. Revelation 18:10b states: “…Woe and alas, the great city, the mighty city, Babylon! In one single hour how your doom (judgment) has overtaken you!” and Rev 18:19b “In one single hour she has been destroyed and has become a desert!” It is clear from Scripture that the LORD will destroy this worldly system, that people sell their souls for so to speak to attain as much money and fame and self-worship (idolising self). In one single hour the Lord will destroy all of this.

This grave realisation led me to ask again… ‘LORD, how do I detach myself from this worldly system, how to I come away from it?’

See, in my mind it was unfathomable to know how to be separated from this worldly system and how to flee from it. The way we live in the natural realm is that we are inevitably a part of this worldly system whether we like it or not. As a born-again of the Spirit follower of Jesus, set apart for Him, I felt like I faced a dilemma.

BUT GOD…

Gave us an example of how we can live for Him, as being set-apart. As I searched for further reference to Babylon in the Bible, God revealed to me the example of Daniel. Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah was some of the first Israelites taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar to serve him in his palace in Babylon. Throughout his life Daniel demonstrated four principles which set him apart from the Babylonian system, amidst the fact that he was confined to living in the courts of the Babylonian kings of the time.

1.     Here we have a young Israelite (Daniel) forced to serve a pagan king in the city of Babylon. Yet he (Daniel) and three of his friends, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah did not conform to the Babylonian ways. Instead, they chose not to defile themselves (Dan1:8). They chose to eat only vegetables and drink water and not to share in the rich foods served in the king’s palace (Dan 1:12-13).

We too, can choose to only feed ourselves with the healthy provision from God’s hand to sustain us naturally. Spiritually we can choose to only feed ourselves from the purity of God’s Word and abstain from the “rich food, the entertainment, the things that pleasures our carnal sinful minds”.

2.     Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah did not bow down to the king’s statue, amidst being threatened by death (Dan 3:16-18). Their trust in God was so bold that they declared God would save them from the furnace prepared to destroy them (Dan3:17), and they trust in the Sovereignty of God to further declare that even if the LORD does not rescue them from the furnace, they will not compromise and serve another God (Dan3:18).

Where is our trust? Who do we fear…the worldly system or God? The LORD invites us to trust Him with our everything, no matter the cost. Here in history in the book of Daniel, God shows that He and Him only can be trusted. He is faithful to those who put all their trust in Him and not in the power of kings, governments and leaders in the world.

3.     Daniel was a man of prayer, three times a day he consistently prayed, giving thanks to God (Dan 6:10 & 13). Even when his adversaries were jealous of him and tried to trap him, The LORD redeemed him for the glory and honour of His name’s sake.

A prayerful person will not be ensnared by the world, the Lord is faithful and will redeem those who seek Him earnestly in prayer (Jer 29:13). Prayer is our direct communication with the living God, do not take it for granted or diminish the power of prayer. Even if you do not see the results of what you are asking God for in prayer straight away, know that you know that you know that God will answer in His perfect timing for the honour and glory of His name. Here in the book of Daniel we see that even though he prayed and was seeking God, he was thrown in the Lion’s den, …

But how wonderfully amazing was God’s answer to prayer when He sent His angels to lock the mouths of the Lion’s and shown His power to a pagan king, king Darius – whose heart was convicted the God of Daniel is the living God and that everyone through his kingdom should tremble and fear the God of Daniel (Dan 6:26).

With this I want to challenge you to ask God:

What still keeps me trapped in the worldly system? As the Holy Spirit reveals this to you surrender this thing back to God and give it to him.

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Pastora Hesma  - Jcrc Capetown

REVELATION 17: COME OUT FROM OUR BABYLON

 

REVELATION 17: COME OUT FROM OUR BABYLON

Revelation 17 reveals one of the most symbolic and powerful images in the Bible:
The Woman (Babylon) and the Beast

This chapter explains the spiritual system behind corruption, immorality, and opposition to God but ultimately falls under God’s judgment.

First, What Is “Babylon”?

Babylon is not just a place— it is a system – a corrupt world system.

It represents: worldliness, compromise, pride, materialism, false worship, IDOLATRY, TRADITIONS, it is acceptable by many, FALSE RELIGION.

 Anything that pulls our hearts away from Jesus Christ is Babylon - it may look successful, attractive, powerful – but in the end we have no peace, we feel empty and lost.

Why is living with our Babylon dangerous – because it is not the truth of our life – it is full of compromise, deceit and eventually it will be judged.

What looks good and comfortable is not always from God.

Second, Why God Says “Get Out”

1.      To Avoid Judgment - Babylon is destined to fall. If we stay in it, we will share in its consequence.

2.      To Stay Pure - God calls His people to holiness. We cannot follow God and live like Babylon at the same time.

3.       Because You Belong to God. - We are not of this world.  You are set apart for
Jesus Christ

Third, how do we “COME OUT” from our Babylon

1. Renew our Mind (Come Out in Your Mind)

• Reject worldly thinking
• Renew your mind with truth (Word of God)

2. Come Out in Your Lifestyle

• Let go of sin and compromise
• Choose righteousness daily

3. Come Out in Your Loyalty

• Stop dividing your heart
• Choose God fully

Fourth, coming out from our Babylon is a struggle

Because it offers comfort, it offers pleasure, it offers acceptance. But remember:
 temporary pleasure leads to eternal loss.

BUT WE NEED TO DECIDE NOW:

Today, God is asking:

• What are you holding onto?
• What is keeping you in Babylon?
• What do you need to let go of?

COME OUT.
BE SET APART.
LIVE FOR GOD.

WE CANNOT STAY IN BABYLON AND WALK WITH GOD.

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PASTORA AGNES

Revelation 16: GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

 

Revelation 16:5-7

 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. 6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” 7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

GOD'S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

❇️ The Character of God

✝️ God is fundamentally holy, righteous, loving, compassionate, gracious, and just.

✝️ God's justice is perfect and absolute, grounded in His character and the eternal truths of His word.

Isaiah 61:8 For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

❇️ The Consequence of Sin

✝️ BECAUSE GOD IS HOLY, HE HATES SIN

Sin contradicts God’s nature and inherently causes Him to detest sin. Sin causes damage, it is destructive and carries consequences that harm individuals. Sin will not go unpunished and this leads to RETRIBUTION.

Romans 2:6-8 He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil…

RETRIBUTION - Pain and Suffering - Ruins Health, Wastes Resources, Breaks Relationships 

✝️ BECAUSE GOD IS RIGHTEOUS, HE REJECTS SIN

Sin is not merely as a wrongdoing, but it is rebellion against God. Sin contradicts His nature and causes SEPARATION because God cannot coexist with evil.

Habakkuk 1:13 "Your eyes are too pure to look  on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?" 

SEPARATION - Loss of God’s presence and communion, and end of spiritual blessings 

✝️ BECAUSE GOD IS JUST, JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED

Sin requires an equivalent penalty and will ultimately face accountability, correcting all wrongs permanently, with eternal CONDEMNATION prevailing in His time.

Revelation 20:10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

CONDEMNATION - Everlasting Punishment and Conscious Torment 

❇️ The Call of Righteousness

But God’s love and mercy invites us to live in alignment with His will  through our faith in Jesus Christ for only in His Son we are empowered to hate what God hates and love what He loves.

✝️ CALLED FOR SANCTIFIED LIFE

We are called to mirror God’s nature by turning away from old, selfish desires and to prioritize love and restoration conforming in the likeness of Jesus Christ.

❤️ Retribution turns to RESTORATION

✝️ CALLED FOR REPENTANT HEART

We are called to turn away from sin to honor God, leading to forgiveness, removal of the animosity, and reconciles us to that full union through Jesus Christ.

❤️ Separation turns to RECONCILIATION

✝️ CALLED FOR RENEWED FAITH

We are called to surrender and act in obedience to God, from guilt and shame, our past mistakes are replaced    with a new, hopeful future in Jesus Christ.

❤️ Condemnation turns to REDEMPTION

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Reflection

📍 How do I look at sin? Do I see it as physically and spiritually destructive or do I take it casually?

📍 Do I trust God’s justice knowing and fearing that hidden sins will not stay hidden? Have I surrendered hatred and vengeance?

📍 Do I reflect God’s forgiveness and mercy by practicing prompt repentance evaluating my motives and my heart?

Take Away

❇️ God is holy and calls us to be holy like Him, that is why

👉 OUR GOD DOES NOT JUST CONFRONTS US, BUT RENEWS US

❇️ God is righteous and calls us to repent, that is why  

👉 OUR GOD DOES NOT JUST CONVICTS US, BUT REDIRECTS US

❇️ God is just and calls us that in Him we trust, that is why

👉 OUR GOD DOES NOT JUST CORRECTS US, BUT RESTORES US

🙌 1 Corinthians 15:57 

BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 🙏

Glory to God 🙏🙌

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PASTORA RIVA: JCRC RIYADH

REVELATION 16: STAY AWAKE

 

SCRIPTURE- REVELATION 16:15

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.

OBSERVATION

I began to linger on what Jesus was saying here and as I dug deeper, patterns emerged that connected to other parts of Scripture. The metaphor of His coming “like a thief” wasn’t new-Matthew 24:42-44 reminds us, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come… So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” It struck me that thieves don’t announce their arrival; they come when people are unprepared, asleep, or distracted.

Jesus pairs this warning with a call to two things: staying awake and keeping our clothes on. The first speaks to spiritual alertness-being mindful of His presence nd purposes in our lives. The second points to moral and spiritual integrity, a covering that protects us from shame. I thought of 2Corinthians 5:10, which says “ For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” This is not meant to fill us with fear, but to remind us that every choice matters because we will one day stand before Him.

In the context of Revelation’s seven bowls of wrath, this verse feels especially urgent. As events unfold in the world around us, we are called to be different-not caught off guard or compromised, but steadfast and pure.

APPLICATION

This verse calls me to live each day with readiness, not in fear but in faith. Christ’s return is certain, though its timing is unknown (Mark 13:32–33). Am I spiritually awake, or have I grown complacent? Am I clothed in Christ’s righteousness, or am I relying on my own works?

To stay awake means guarding against spiritual slumber—avoiding distractions, temptations, and compromises that dull my sensitivity to God’s voice. To remain clothed means continually walking in holiness, keeping my garments unstained (Revelation 3:4–5).

This challenges me to examine my daily habits: Am I nurturing prayer, scripture meditation, and obedience? Am I living as though Christ could return today? The blessing is not for those who predict His coming, but for those who are prepared whenever He comes.

PRAYER

Hallelujah to our faithful Father, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Our Faithful and Just Father,  thank You for reminding us that Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

I lift up JCRC to You today. Strengthen every member to stay awake and alert, to walk in holiness and integrity and to be a beacon of light to the communities we serve. Unite us in purpose, help us to encourage and hold one another accountable, and equip us to share the message of Your coming with boldness and compassion.

Help JCRC  to stay awake spiritually, not lulled by the distractions of this world. Clothe us daily in Your righteousness, that we may not be found naked and ashamed, so that when You come, we may be among those who are blessed. Unite in watchfulness and hope, and let us joyfully declare: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Amen.

May we never lose sight of the eternal reward You have promised. All these I pray in the mighty name of Jesus and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.

STAY AWAKE AND CLOTHED

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PASTORA JEANNIE - JCRC SORSOGON