Revelation 4: THE TRUE WORSHIP

 

Revelation 4:  THE TRUE WORSHIP

Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.

Our God is the God of Order and in his order that when he reigns, his church will be there amongst those who had gone before. He sent the letters to the church to constantly remind us that he knows exactly what we, the church, are doing right and what we are doing wrong, falling short of his glory.  Jesus faith is the reason why we are abounding in his grace and mercy and he desires his church be in the true worship.

Revelation 1:19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

Revelation 4:1   After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!  And the first voice, which I heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said: “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

 1.       What is worship?

Revelation 4:9   And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever.

 2.       To whom is worship bestowed?

 Revelation 4:2   At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with ONE seated on the throne.

 Revelation 4:3   And He who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.      

The worship is bestowed to the ONE seated on the throne, who commanded all the colors of life in perfect hues, in perfect majesty.

 Revelation 4:11 “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.”       

Worship is bestowed to our Lord and God who created all things by his will. 

3.       How do we worship?

a.       Utterance – Speaking and Singing

Revelation 4:8   Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night, they never stop saying:

“Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

b.      Actions – physical things we do other than utterance

 Revelation 4:10 The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.  They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Falling or bowing down and casting crowns by the elders signify full submission, obedience and giving up of self that is offering our lives (precious to human eyes), to the LORD who gave up his life for his church.

4.       Where to worship

In his Presence

Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.  But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

  In the Spirit

Revelation 4:2   At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

 eBefore the throne

Revelation 4:2   At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:10 The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever.  They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

 5.        Who can worship?

Revelation 4:4   Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

f.        Elders – mature believing, walking in Christ Jesus

g.       Clothed – implies complete covering or transformation

h.       White garments – the deeds that the LORD had prepared from the foundation of the world that every believer has done in his name

i.         Golden crown – signifies that we walk in holiness with the LORD

 CONCLUSION

The Lord desires the true worship from his church.  And true worship happens when all of what constitutes worship is present. True worship are physical manifestations – heard and seen – by all.  God sees our hearts already but as his church we have to keep the heritage and pass on the baton.  All these have to be heard and seen to be imitated and kept from generations to generations.  

Let us ask ourselves:

1-      Am I in true worship to the One true God who created me by his own will?

2-      Is my life manifesting Christ Jesus who love me and freed me from sins, who desires me to reign with him in his kingdom and made a priest to his God and Father?

3-      Do I bless people by reading aloud this prophecy letting the nations know and be prepared?

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paPASTORA MARILOU - JCRC AL BUSTAN

REVELATION 3: How is your faith in Christ? ALIVE, DEAD or LUKEWARM?

 

How is your faith in Christ? ALIVE, DEAD or LUKEWARM?

In revelations 3 we see the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodecia having different spiritual conditions of faith in Jesus. To what condition is your faith today in this present time in your relationship with the Lord your God?

We are all in our personal journey and walk with Christ as we wait for His return while in this world. But personally, will we be able to finish the journey victoriously, faithfully and enduring or there are already signs of lukewarmness and being dead in our faith. Are we on a path of gradually becoming unbelievers? Isn’t God’s promises of eternal life only for believers? If so, are we still true believers or slowly leading ourselves astray in disbelief because or by our own doing.

Church in Sardis:

¹ “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.   -Revelations 3:1-3

 (Believers seemingly alive but actually dead)

-          Having faith but without action: James 2:17  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

-          Still unrepentant regarding sin:  1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.

-          Heart not in Christ: Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

 

Even if outwardly by reputation it seems for others you are alive in Christ but if inwardly not true then it is actually dead or a diminishing relationship with Christ which is about to die. God says WAKE UP! STRENGTHEN WHAT REMAINS AND IS ABOUT TO DIE.

 

Church in Philadelphia

⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹ I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. ¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.   -Revelations 3:8-11

 (Believers faith is alive and enduring)

-          Having faithfulness to Jesus- they kept His word and have not denied His name therefore given evangelistic opportunity of having open doors

-          With reliance on God- has obeyed God even having little strength

-          Endured patiently for Christ- continued in Christ even in struggles and persecutions

 

Believers who stays in Jesus’ word and His name becomes alive and empowered through Jesus as their source of strength and victory, not of own self reliance but dependability in Christ. God says to them “HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU HAVE, SO THAT NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR CROWN”…thus keeping their faith flamingly alive until that day of promise in Christ.

 

Church in Laodicea

¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.    -Revelations 3:16-17, 19-21

 (Believers are being lukewarm)

-          In compromise- deceptive playing of the middle, trying to please both the world and Jesus, not serving God wholeheartedly

…coming to the Lord with cold hearts, not meaning what they say, expresses their thoughts but not truly their desire, kneeling but not actually praying with sincerely

…professing about knowing God, heaven, hell and eternal realities but no transformation in their life as outward result of their faith

-          Lacked sense of spiritual poverty- not in need of God for they have worldly pleasures and have richness in the world (wealth, material things, worldly authority/power) but are actually spiritually poor

 

God says to lukewarm Christians “¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” …there’s still a chance for revival, accept Jesus’ rebuke and discipline and let Him enter in.

“These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds”   …nothing is hidden in God’s eyes even our deeds. He knows everything including how we can be restored if ever we are in the wrong path. Let’s hear and obey. “²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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PASTORA LODY – JCRC CAMBODIA

REVELATIONS 2 : ''I KNOW YOUR WORKS''

 “I know your works.”

- Jesus said this four times to the churches mentioned in Revelation 2. This is also true for each one of us. He knows our works—even when there seems to be little to see—and even the things we do not recognize about ourselves.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

- Here is what the Lord says to the first four churches:

1. Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7) – the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).

2. Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11) – the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).

3. Pergamum (Revelation 2:12–17) – the church that needed to repent (2:16).

4. Thyatira (Revelation 2:18–29) – the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).

- These were real churches facing real circumstances. Each letter addressed their spiritual condition. Jesus knew everything about them and spoke to the specific issues they were facing.

- Each letter is also a mirror for us as individuals and for our churches today. Each church reflects a part of our own spiritual life. Jesus sees not only what we do, but also the condition of our hearts.

Let us reflect:

- Have we ever wondered what Jesus says about us and our works?

- How does He feel when He sees our works?

- Are our works empty—done without love?

- Do we continue working for the Lord even in suffering?

- Do we compromise our faith, or do we hold it fast?

- Are we holding firmly to sound doctrine?

Revelations 1: THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE BELIEVERS

 

Revelations 1: THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE BELIEVERS

In the first chapter of the book of revelation, John provided a short vision from his visions of the things that will take place. He gave greetings to the seven churches of Asia coming from God Almighty – the omnipresent God, from the seven spirits (the holy spirit), and from the Lord Jesus. John was not talking about one persona but the presence of our Godhead-three in one.

⁴Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 

Through Jesus, we are called;

-       Loved                                - Kingdom

-       Freed                                 - Priest

⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

We have our identity through Christ who called us Beloved and Freed us from sins, who made us a kingdom and Priest. In the second coming of the Lord, we are anticipating of His return so we will be lifted up with Him. Are we really ready to see Him face to face? If we are to face Him, are we sure He will recognize us? In verse 7, in the coming of the Lord, everyone will see Him. Those who pierced him, all tribes of the earth – including us, His believer.

⁷ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail^[b] on account of him. Even so. Amen.

We will appear before the Lord just as what is written in verse 7, every eye will see…… on account of Him. There has no exemption, no shortcut, no VIP pass. We are accountable of the things we have done on earth. As a believer, a servant, as someone who receive and is entrusted to His gospel. It is not just about the people who doesn’t know the Lord, it is not just about the people who mock the Lord, nor the people who persecuted the servants of the Lord, it is also about us who knows the Lord.

The question is……

-       How’s our life when we accepted the Lord – does it lead us to His path or did we go back to our own path?

-       How’s our relationship with the Lord – is it growing or dying?

-       How’s our heart for the Lord – is it still in love or fall out of love?

-       How’s our service for the Lord – is it with obedience or rebellion?

-       How’s our love for the Lord – does it lead us to preach His word or just go with the world.

-       Do we love people whom God loves?

-       Did we follow His commands?

When we received the gospel, we are not ought to sit still. We are given a special task to share. It is not done by force but an indicator (identity) that we share His character. It is not done out of obligation but because of love. It is not about how hard we’ve work but our heart when we work.

John 14:12      ¹² “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

 When we are born of God, we are not for our own for we become selfless. We have the heart of the Lord, we always wanted to find the lost soul, we take care and share the identity from the Lord. Now that we are the follower of the God, we become accountable of the people He entrusted to us.

2 Corinthians 5:10      For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

 While we are anticipating for His second coming, we just need to be faithful in our labor. We are a carrier of His light through His word and is seen by our works. Through it we are known and will be recognized by Him.

Matthew 7:21    ‘’ Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven’’

 John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him

Let us stand firm on to our faith in hope of His second coming. He is our hope that has come and will come. As we wait, let us be prepared and continue what He has started on us.

Matthew 24: 42, 44     ⁴² Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming ⁴⁴ Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

  

Let’s Pray,

Heavenly Father, in the name of your son Jesus Christ, powerful Holy spirit, we thank you for your word. As we anticipate for your second coming, may we be prepared to welcome you. May we truthfully and faithfully labor in your field with love knowing that we are accountable of the land you have entrusted to us. We claim all your promises to us- your people that helps us to move your way for your kingdom’s cost. Thank you Lord! This we pray in Jesus’ mighty name….. AMEN

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JUDE 1 : RESPONDING TO LIES OF THE ENEMY

 Epistle of Jude chapter 1 says that false teachers secretly entered the church. They misuse God’s grace to justify immoral behavior and deny Jesus Christ.

Jude describes them as dangerous and useless, like:

- hidden dangers at church gatherings

- clouds with no rain

- trees with no fruit

- They are selfish, proud, and follow their own desires instead of God.

Jude 1:8 “Yet in the same way these men also by dreaming defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.”

In Jude 1:10 “ But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these they are destroyed.”

These false teachers do not encourage holy and godly living. They follow their own natural thinking instead of the Bible. Their minds are not being transformed by the word of God to understand what is good and what God wants.

*How should we respond to false teachings around us? 

*How should we respond to messages that change the gospel and focus only on wealth and health? 

*And how should we respond to the lies of the enemy?

Jude 1:20-21“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those of who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

Based on Epistle of Jude 1:20–23, we respond to false teachings in these simple ways: 

1. Build up your faith – stay strong in your most holy faith.

2. Pray in the Holy Spirit – keep praying and trusting God.

3. Remain in God’s love – continue following the teachings of Jesus Christ while waiting for eternal life.

4. Show mercy to others – help those who doubt and guide them back to the truth.

5. Save others from sin – warn and help people turn away from wrong teachings and sinful ways.

In short: stay strong in faith, pray, remain in God’s love, and help others return to the truth.

This is a call to action, reminding us that our faith is precious and worth defending. In a world filled with distractions and conflicting messages, standing firm in our beliefs is crucial. Just as a soldier defends their post, we are to guard the truth of the Gospel with passion and dedication.

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3 JOHN 1: BE COMMENDABLE

 

BE COMMENDABLE

 

3 JOHN 1 vv 2-4 ² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. ³ It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Be faithful to the truth – it is a commendable character of a Christian. Faithfulness to the truth, when visible to believers helps them more faithful and when observe by unbelievers, it makes them believe. Let us continue to walk in faithfulness to the truth.

 Vv 5-8 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

Be hospitable – it is a commendable character of a Christian. Hospitality felt by fellow believers encourages them to do the same and hospitality experienced by unbelievers make them appreciate our God, our belief. Hospitality received by missionaries helps them continue to do the work for the Lord and together we work for the truth.

Vv 11-12  Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

Be imitator of good – it is a commendable character of a Christian. When you imitate good, you are associated to God, means you know God. Goodness seen by believers convicts them to do more good and goodness felt by unbelievers encourages them to do the same.

Be like Gaius. Be like Demetrius. Be a good Christian. Be commendable.

 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

 Let us pray.

Papa God,

Thank you for the revelation of Your word and for the conviction it brings.

Papa help me to be a good Christian.

Make me hospitable and helpful to everyone especially to missionaries.

Make me faithful to you as you are always faithful to me.

Protect me from sinning Lord and help me not to be away from you.

Make me cooperate with the Holy Spirit and all His character manifest in me.

Make me persevere in doing what is right and may I glorify You always in everything I do.

That I will imprint in my heart that You are my God, my savior, my all and all, my everything.

Give me steadfast faith that I can do all things for You, to serve you, to please You.

I love You, my Lord, my God and my King. Amen.

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2 John 1: Truth and Love: The Path of a Disciple

 

Truth and Love: The Path of a Disciple

2 John 1:4,6

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

John writes like a father who loves his children. His heart is full of joy because he sees believers not only knowing the truth but also living it. Truth is not just something in the mind—it is a way of life. It is eternal, it never changes, and it connects believers across cultures, languages, and generations.

Ø Truth anchors us.

In this world, opinions change quickly. What is popular today may be forgotten tomorrow. Feelings rise and fall, but God’s truth never changes. His Word is steady like a rock. To walk in truth means we do not follow trends or emotions—we follow Scripture.

• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
• “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)

Many of us say, “I am too busy with work, I have no time for God.” But this shows that we value our job more than the One who gave us life. Work is important, but it is not eternal. If we give all our strength to our career and leave no room for God, we are building on sand. The Lord calls us to repent of neglecting Him. He reminds us that His Word must guide us even in our workplace, our schedules, and our daily choices. To ignore Him is dangerous, but to obey Him is safe and strong.

6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. (2 John 1:6)

John also speaks about love. Love is not a new idea. From the very beginning, God has commanded His people to love. But love is not only words or feelings—it must be lived out every day. Real love means obeying God’s Word. To walk in truth is to walk in love, and to walk in love is to obey God.

 Ø Love Is Obedience

Love is more than words. It is more than feelings. Real love shows itself in action. To love God means we obey His commands, even when it is difficult or costly. Love is proven when we choose His way instead of our own way.

• If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
• For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

Obedience is not always easy. Sometimes it means giving up something we want. Sometimes it means forgiving someone who hurt us. Sometimes it means standing firm when others laugh at our faith. But true love for God is shown when we obey Him, even in those hard moments.

Love is not just about saying “I love God.” It is about living in a way that pleases Him. When we obey, we show that our love is real. When we obey, we bring joy to God’s heart.

 Discipleship is not about one-time decisions or occasional steps. It is a lifelong journey. Truth and love are the path of a disciple, and they must always go together.

Ø Discipleship is a walk.

John rejoiced not in believers who only knew the truth, but in those who walked in it. Our faith must be lived out daily, step by step.

• I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)

Discipleship means following Jesus every day. It is not just about knowing the truth in our minds—it is about living it out in our lives. John was happy when he saw believers not only believing the truth but also walking in it. Faith is not something we keep inside; it must be seen in the way we live.

 

Ø Truth and love must stay together.

Truth and love are like two friends who must always walk side by side. If we have truth without love, it can feel hard, cold, and harsh. If we have love without truth, it can feel weak, shallow, and empty. But when truth and love stay together, they show the real path of a disciple.

• “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13:6)
• “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Truth guides us. It shows us what is right and what is wrong. Love softens our hearts. It helps us care for people and forgive them. Together, truth and love make us strong disciples who live like Jesus.

So,

John teaches us: if we want to follow Jesus, we must live in truth and love. Truth keeps us safe from lies. Love shows that we belong to Him.

We cannot grow alone. Real joy comes when we meet together in church. Online is good, but face-to-face fellowship is God’s way. We must choose to go and encourage one another.

Faith is not only about starting. It is about finishing strong. Hold on to truth and love until the end, and God will give the full reward.

To be a true disciple: guard your heart, go to church, and keep walking in truth and love.

Let us reflect!

• Am I walking daily in both truth and love?
• Do I measure my love by obedience to God’s Word?
• Is my discipleship a steady walk, or just occasional steps?

 

Let’s pray

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your truth that never changes and for the love You have given since the beginning. Please teach us to walk in Your truth each day and to show real love by obeying You. Help us not only to know Your Word but also to live it step by step. Make us faithful followers who live in both truth and love, so that our lives bring joy to You and encouragement to others. Give us strength when we feel weak, remind us when we forget, and guide us when we are unsure. May our walk be steady, our love be true, and our obedience be complete.

In Jesus ‘name, Amen.

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PASTORA MAY – JCRC STEUNG MEANCHEY