Jesus said He would send the Comforter to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8 KJV). How does reproving us for sin, righteousness, and judgment give us comfort? Of course, when we repent we have comfort, but that is only a remedy for the iniquity that had already occurred. What if the Holy Spirit was able also to prevent sin by guaranteeing our obedience; thus, fulfilling Christ’s words about the Comforter, but graciously giving more? “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). The OT prophets prophesied of such a gracious gift from Yahweh (Ezekiel 36:27; Micah 7:19). And, Paul wrote by inspiration, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). LORD, You are our help from ages past and our hope for years to come, teach us to value Your comfort and appreciate Your Spirit vouching our obedience that we may rejoice Your heart this day. Overcome the wicked one. Return quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver us. In Your All Powerful Name, we pray. Amen.
Author: Ken
They Overcame Him by the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11)
Tribulation Saints will overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus during the Tribulation Week. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11 KJV). Just as demons should be presently cast out in the name of Jesus because of the blood of His sacrifice for us, during the Tribulation, the adversary will be overcome by the “blood of the Lamb” (12:11) coupled with the “word of their testimony” (12:11), which may cost them their lives, for “they loved not their lives unto the death” (12:11). Resisting the devil is necessary for him to “flee from you” (James 4:7). Resisting him “steadfast in the faith” (1Peter 5:9) using God’s Word is key. But, the specific testimony that drives demons out of humans is the value of Christ’s shed blood in cleansing our sin (1John 1:7), thus defeating the devil’s power over us. For the Tribulation Saints, this most likely ends with their martyrdom. Not all, however, will be martyred, since some will enter into the Millennium in the flesh, along with newly converted Israel at Christ’s Second Coming, to be ruled by Christ. LORD, a lot needs to happen before we ever get to the New Heavens and New Earth at the end of the Millennium. In particular, fortify our brothers and sisters at this time in the Tribulation Week. Grant those appointed unto death the Martyr’s Crown. Even now, teach us patience that we would faithfully fight Your battles. Grant us the Victor’s Crown for overcoming. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Explanation: Blood of Jesus
The blood of Jesus is powerful because it represents the forgiveness of sins. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [literally, forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). What is the significance of blood? Life given by God must be taken for blood to be offered in sacrifice for sin against life taken from God. “Now where remission [literally, forgiveness] of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (10:18-19). What is the significance of a sacrifice by Jesus? The perfect sacrifice of Jesus takes away the need of any further sacrifice. “10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:10, 14, 16-18). Why does the devil hate the blood of Jesus, which represents the forgiveness of our sins? Not only does it rob him of sinners subject to him, but it represents the forgiveness or freedom from judgment for rebellion, which Yahweh could never wisely give the first heavenly rebels without preparing Heaven’s inhabitants for another uprising. The Ancient of Days would never allow this, for He has sworn by Himself no one will ever again enter into His realm, “whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15). Stand firm in this understanding and the devil “will flee from you” (James 4:7). LORD, may we better appreciate the forgiveness of our sins that we may better share Your gift with others. And, as we cast out demons may we understand the power of Your blood in taking away the enemy’s rights to claim and hold his prey. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.
Michael Fought Against the Dragon (Revelation 12:7-8)
War will be fought in Heaven between Michael and the dragon. Michael, the archangel (Jude 1:9) designated as the ruler or prince of Israel (Daniel 12:1) will direct his forces against the dragon and his angels. One can only wonder what warfare between supernatural-angelic-beings-who-cannot-physically-die looks like. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven” (Revelation 12:7-8 KJV). In the satan’s [literally, adversary] battle with Michael over the body of Moses, Michael won by uttering, “The LORD rebuke thee” (Jude 1:9) to the devil. Michael did not embellish his language with impious speech, even at the devil. “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing [Greek, blasphēmia, blasphemous, e.g., filthy swear words] accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 1:9). For Michael, prevailing over the devil was delivering the Almighty’s judgment that the satan no longer had the right to place an accusation against the saints in the Courts of Heaven before the Divine Council. This has been his customary practice as witnessed by his accusation of Job (1:6-12; 2:1-7). Michael’s power in battle is his certainty: (1) of the Almighty’s ability to kill, then “cast into hell” (Luke 12:5), and (2) of the finality of the Second Death, where even “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14). LORD, may we be as bold as Michael, not fearing mortal death, because we have been given immortal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Subdue Our Iniquities
To subdue our iniquities before entering Heaven is a metaphysical feat worthy of God Only Wise. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19 KJV). Subduing means conquering or overpowering but not removing the capacity or ability to produce the iniquity. In other words, God does not remove our moral ability to choose or reject iniquity; rather, He divinely manages or shepherds us so as to cause us to reject iniquity. Why would the Almighty bother with such a delicate distinction, if He could overpower all of His creation and force His will upon all? Because He created us in His image, so He could commune with us. LORD, may we treasure You, as much as You treasure us. May we give our utmost to You in response to the utmost You have given to us. And, may we hate and reject iniquity as much as You do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Woman Clothed With the Sun (Revelation 12:1)
The nation of Israel is portrayed as the “woman clothed with the sun” (Revelation 12:1 KJV), which is the first of seven main characters of this parenthetical section of the Book of Revelation 12-14. Like identifying constellation pictures in the night sky, we won’t be able to understand God’s narrative of future history, which is prophecy, unless we can appreciate the plot’s characters in this meant-to-be-understood story. The “woman clothed with the sun” (12:1) alludes to Joseph’s dream: “Behold, the sun [Jacob] and the moon [Rachel] and the eleven stars [heads of the tribes of Israel] made obeisance to me” (Genesis 37:9). Israel is there depicted. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” (12:1). The second two main characters now appear, Christ, who is the “child” (12:2) to be delivered; and a “great red dragon” (12:3), our adversary. “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads” (12:2-3). LORD, may we be among those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Help us to understand the story of the Book of Revelation. May it not be as words wasted upon us. Help us to intelligibly pray for the fulfillment of prophecy that we may be co-workers with You, if we could aspire to such a position. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Would We Rather Have Miracles Than Obedience?
Given the choice between a miracle and obedience, would we choose obedience? Remember, a “wicked generation; it looks for a sign” (Luke 11:29 NET). Miracles are the supernatural setting aside of the natural, while obedience is simply doing as we were told. If humanity’s original relationship with Yahweh was a communion between creature and Creator, then obedience is God’s expected normal for humanity. Despite humanity’s dismal record of disobedience, the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV) was intended to further establish loving obedience as our proper relationship to God. After all, humanity was never created to live apart from God, but to walk with Him. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:9). May we seek Thee in loving obedience as our highest good, and may our desire for Thee be greater than miracles. Do return quickly, and accomplish all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen.
My Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3)
More power than Moses and Aaron over Egypt, the LORD’s “two witnesses” (Revelation 11:3 KJV) will prophesy 42 months or 1,260 days, the second half of the Tribulation Week. Who are they? Neither Enoch nor Elijah died, since both were personally raptured Home. Perhaps it will be them. Fire will proceed out of their mouths to devour their enemies (11:5). They will have unprecedented power. “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will” (11:6). The Almighty, not the wicked one, controls the narrative for the story to conclude as prophesied. Both will be martyred like many true witnesses, will lie dead three days in the streets of Jerusalem, but will be resurrected for all the world to see, when a Great Voice from heaven calls out, “Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (11:12). All of this transpires as the Seventh Trumpet sounds (11:15). LORD, You control the narrative. You determine the fulness of time for all things. May our awe of You far surpass our apprehension about the enemy. May our understanding of You transcend our understanding of not just man’s power but all the supernatural power of wickedness in high places. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Be Brethren
Ever been around someone hard to get along with? No matter what you do or say, they are contrary? Or, they continually must show you what they know? They are right, and you must be mistaken? Welcome to life! This could happen in extended family circles, church family circles, work, society in general, national, and international. “And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren” (Genesis 13:8 KJV). Jesus blessed the peacemakers. Is everyone going to heaven as brothers? No, but in a larger sense, every man is a brother. Every woman is a sister. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1John 4:7). John continues the power and simplicity of the thought. If you cannot love someone who is present that you can see, then how could you love God whom you cannot see? “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (4:20). Check your religion with the reality of the Holy Spirit’s testimony. Father, remove the blinders from our interpretation of Your Word. Help us to practically grasp the obvious, yet not become universalists. Draw Your Church together. Cast the wicked one out of family circles. Bind up the wounds of our nation. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, we petition it in the Courts of Heaven. Amen and amen.
Measure the Temple of God (Revelation 11:1)
John the Beloved may return to administrate the Seven Thunders (Revelation 10:3-4). What? That’s crazy. No more than you judging angels (1Corinthians 6:3). The Almighty directed John: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not” (Revelation 10:4). Then, he directed John to eat the “little book” (10:10), which was sweet in the mouth and bitter in the stomach. John was next given a cryptic promise, “Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” (10:11). Thereafter, he was directed, “Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (11:1). What the Almighty measured, did He not exercise dominion over (Isaiah 40:12)? Temple worshippers during this time worship Antichrist. Whatever surprise the LORD delivers with the Seven Thunders, it may become significant for John, just as Malachi projected for Elijah. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). Who would ever see this coming? LORD, fulfill Your prophecies that You may be justified, whatever we may predict. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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