Revelation 11- 11.03.22
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 11:3-4 NIV
“And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”
OBSERVATION:
Two Witnesses, clothed in sackcloth- are appointed by God and given divine Power as they Prophesy for three and half years. The times on earth are extremely dark and evil. The witnesses are referred to as “Olive Trees” and “Lampstands”. At the conclusion of three and half years the (Beast) Antichrist is given permission to kill the two witnesses and he puts their dead lifeless bodies on display with the evil world rejoicing. BUT-three and half days later, God’s Breath restores their life and they stand up on their feet—striking great fear and panic into everyone who watches (vs 11). AND then they are called up to heaven as their enemies watch. In that very hour an earthquake strikes collapsing a tenth of the city and killing 7,000. The remaining survivors are terrified and give glory to God recognizing His awesome Power (vs 13).
UNDERSTANDING:
We always say that we don’t Know the day OR hour when Jesus is coming back—BUT we DO Know He IS Coming Back! AND when Jesus comes back—
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, HE will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and HE will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” (Matthew 25: 31-33 NIV)
The Two Witnesses are Clothed in sackcloth-a heavy coarse garment woven out of camel’s hair or mohair. It was worn as a sign of sorrow and great mourning. And so—these two witnesses of God stand in sackcloth—a sign of national, worldwide, personal mourning. The day is evil and they are FILLED with DEEP spiritual sorrow-- desiring that people would repent and come to God while there is still time. (Daniel 9:3-Daniel put on sackcloth when he confessed Israel’s sin)
Olive Trees- The Hebrew word for Olive Tree is “es shemen” which literally means “Tree of Oil”. The more primitive root word is “Shemesh” meaning Oil that Shines and is Brilliant-Brilliant like the SUN. So indicative of the Holy Spirit-
“Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:3, 6 NIV)
Lampstands-the place where Light is illuminated. These two witnesses speak God’s Truth and are LIGHT in the midst of the earth’s darkest hour.
“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14a NIV)
LIFE APPLICATION:
Be a Witness for Christ-
The Two Witnesses are CALLED and APPOINTED as two LIGHTS from God, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, as they testify to the world of the work and truth of the LORD among mankind.
WE are CALLED and APPOINTED to be LIGHTS from God—Filled with the Holy Spirit from above TO Testify to the world of the work and Truth of the Lord among mankind.
“He saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Timothy 1:9 AMP)
I remember the popular saying, “Always preach the gospel and sometimes use words”. I used to think, “Great”! Because at the time I didn’t know how to share the gospel. But, the truth is—LIVING the gospel in such a way that our Lives Truly look different—is a much BIGGER challenge than it seems.
The world has a long laundry list of what is permissible and acceptable:
The “ME” First mentality
Questionable TV viewing-(Garbage in-Garbage out)
Choice of words (Cussing)
Gossip
Unforgiveness
I am so very thankful that I am able to confidently and comfortably use words to share the gospel. But what effect will I have IF my life doesn’t seem any different/better than what the world is offering? I have to daily ask myself If I am living a Life that reflects Christ’s values OR am I looking just like the world except I go to church on Sundays?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” (Galatians 5:22-24 NLT)
LORD Jesus,
I pray we will all be seeking to Fulfill Your calling on our Lives. I pray we will see the world’s current state and be deeply moved to repentant prayer before you. I pray we will seek to Live an anointed Life—separated unto You-as a LIGHT in these times KNOWING that You placed us here in this season for this very purpose to be Your Witnesses. I ask your forgiveness for times I allow the temptations of the world to creep into my life. I pray for greater discipline and Thank You for Your Love and Holy Spirit to Give me my daily supply. May my life be holy and pleasing to You. I pray to be an effective witness for your kingdom. In Jesus Name I Pray, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Esther 1-11.2.22
Scripture
Esther 1:17-18
“For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.”
Observation-What does it say?
The King wanted his wife to make an appearance at the party because he was proud that she was his wife. Scripture said she was very beautiful and lovely to look at. Queen Vashti refused to come and it made the King angry. So, he banished her from his presence and took away her royal position.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Regardless of whether or not it was fair that Queen Vashti got banished from the kingdom, 2 lessons are learned here.
The King consulted with trusted advisers for wisdom. He didn't make the decision to banish her on his own.
One person's unwise choice can affect a whole kingdom. In Queen Vashti's case, she refused to submit and was disrespectful towards the authority of her husband. As a result, it was feared that there would be a spread of disrespect and discord in the kingdom because of Queen Vashti's example.
Life Application
We make decisions in community with other people, for one unwise decision can affect an entire family and church community.
Proverbs 12:15-The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 15:22-Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Sin and foolish decisions usually occur independently of community. When we feel that it is our life and we can do whatever we want, we fall into the devil's trap of pride, which always "come before the fall." (Proverbs 16:8).
However, with the support of the Body, especially Spirit filled people we trust, we are able to stand firm on the path of righteousness.
Also, being transparent for a moment, there have been many days in my life where the Lord had to remind me that if I loved Him, I would submit (trust) the authorities He has placed over my life. I'm thankful for that protection. Learning to submit to authority, whether it is our parents, pastors, and/or spouses, helps us to submit to the Lord as well.
Submit one to another in the fear of the Lord. Eph. 5:21
Dear Holy Spirit, help us to make wise instead of unwise decisions. Help us to submit to authority and take advice instead of dismiss it. May we be purposeful to pray for the trusted authorities You've placed over our lives. Just as unwise choices can affect a whole community, I pray that our wise choices would affect a whole community in an even greater way for Your glory alone. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Psalm 106-11.1.22
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 106:12,13
"...They believed His promises and sang His praise. But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His plan to unfold."
OBSERVATION:
This psalm is a summary of man's sinfulness. Over and over again God's people forgot what He had done. The psalm writer acknowledges the sin of His ancestors, how they had rebelled by the Red Sea, but how God in His mercy extended His grace by using His great power to rebuke the Sea, and dried it up. He led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy He redeemed them. The water covered their adversaries; and not one of them survived! So...how do you forget something like that?!
Soon after that awesome miracle, they forgot! And because they forgot, they were not willing to wait for HIS plan to unfold!
UNDERSTANDING:
God's mighty works are more than we could ever count! His love for us is far greater than we will ever be able to comprehend! He is always inviting us to come closer as He draws us with His love. God is still performing great and awesome miracles today. The more we remember the good things He has done, the more we will appreciate Him, and the more receptive we will be to His inner promptings.
This psalm is a song for national repentance. His prayer was, "WE have sinned. WE have done wrong and acted wickedly." He went on to list the sins they were guilty of: being envious, despising the pleasant land, and not believing God's promise, grumbling and complaining, not obeying the Lord, arousing God's anger by their wicked deeds, rebelling against the Spirit of God, mingling with the nations and adopting their customs.
LIFE APPLICATION:
It is easy for us to raise our eye brows and point fingers at God's people who rebelled against God after He had done such awesome and mighty acts for them. But how often have we been guilty of doing the same things by forgetting the wonderful things God has done for us? When we take our focus off God, we have a tendency to want to do things OUR way, and we become impatient, and don't want to wait for HIS plan to unfold.
I confess and ask forgiveness for the times I have grown impatient, and have taken my focus off God, and have wanted to do things MY way! I have been guilty of grumbling and complaining. I have also been guilty of worshipping false idols and adopting the customs of this world, and YET, because of God's mercy and grace, He has forgiven me, and has delivered me! Out of His great love, He took note of my distress, even when it was caused by my own doing, and He showed mercy and grace to me... OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
For that, I am eternally grateful!
"Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise." Thank You Lord for saving us for Your name sake, to make Your mighty power known. And thank You for reminding us of the importance of re-counting Your mighty acts and our many blessings so that we may NEVER forget Your love and faithfulness which spurs our actions to obedience.
-Robin Orefice