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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ELDER MANILYN – JCRC CAMBODIA