It Is Finished Audio

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Pre-Trib Rapture Dream

I had this dream about 3 years ago. Whether you believe in pre, mid, or post...just be ready.

Revelation Friday Night Bible Study 07FEB25 (1:10-11)


 

John’s Told to Write 

 

“On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: ‘Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea’ ” (Revelation 1:10-11). 

 

It was important for John to write down the prophecies given to him with a loud voice like a trumpet so that the church could have a record of them. Just think, this voice was not like a whisper, but it was loud, which signifies the importance and urgency of the message to be given to the church. The Bible says: “And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2). These prophecies were warnings so that the church would be prepared and know what they would have to endure for the sake of the gospel and to give them hope for the future. The Bible says: “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Centuries later, we are still reading the books of the Bible that the prophets of old, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote for our spiritual learning, understanding, and inspiration for today’s times.  

 

What is the Lord’s Day?  

 

John said that he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. The Jews had the tradition of keeping the Sabbath by worshiping in the synagogue. Some religions believe that the Lord’s Day that John was referring to was the seventh day of the week on which the Jewish Sabbath was observed; others believe that due to the apostles having received the Holy Spirit on the first day of the week, Sunday would be more plausible. The Bible says: “On the Sabbath, we (Paul and companions) went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. (Acts 16:13). This particular text tells us that the apostles still honored the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath and God’s holy day. It also seems that because John was a Jew, he would have observed the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week since Jesus did not change it but honored it Himself, being the very fulfillment of the Law. The Bible says: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Man was unable to keep the Law perfectly, so Jesus came and perfectly fulfilled what man could not. It is also important to remember that the fourth commandment supports the seventh day of the week as the Lord’s day. The Bible says: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11 please read in its entirety). On this day, the Lord said to remember, for He rested, blessed, and made it holy because this is the day He set apart for Himself, thus being the Lord’s day.

 Therefore, it appears that the day John was referencing in which he was in the Spirit, more probable than not, was Saturday. Nevertheless, this is debatable amongst theologians, but the most critical point to be made is that John was in the Spirit and was told to write down what he had seen and heard. Now, what did it mean for John to be in the Spirit?

 

ohn was in the Spirit…

 

So, the Word tells us that John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day. Let’s dive into the Word to learn more about being in the Spirit. The Apostle Luke gave his readers certain details regarding Jesus’ days after His resurrection and a few instructions He wanted the disciples to follow. The Bible says:  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4). The Great Commission the Lord had given to the disciples would take more than what they would be capable of doing within themselves. They needed to be baptized and filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit to bear witness of Jesus throughout the whole world and to perform signs and wonders. Therefore, Jesus had them wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to fill them on the Day of Pentecost. So, let’s take a moment to discuss what it takes to be in the Spirit.

 

a.     One must be open to the Spirit.

For one to be in the Spirit, one must be open to receiving the Spirit as an act of humility and not grieve the Holy Spirit away by sinful and rebellious living. The Bible says: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). The enemy would have us to be at a compromised state because he knows that just as oil and water do not mix, the Spirit is at odds with the flesh and vice versa. However, when we are open to the Spirit of God, this pleases the Lord, and He can best use us for His glory.

 

b.     One must be baptized and filled with the Spirit.

The disciples had a great task ahead of them, and the Lord needed them to go into all the world to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). Yet, prior to this, Jesus told them that they would receive the Holy Spirit, which would enable them to fulfill their God-given mandate to honor the Kingdom of God. The Bible says:  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4). One thing to take notice of is disciples’ ability to speak to everyone in their native language without having gone to one class. This gift was important so there would not be any limitations or hindrances to the Gospel being spread throughout the world.

 

TO BE CONTINUED...NEXT WEEK!

 

Saturday's Prayer 08FEB25

Friday, January 31, 2025

Revelation Bible Study Series (1:9-10) 31JAN25

 

 

 

 

John in Exile and the Martyrs 

 

 “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9-10). 

 

Why was John on the Island of Patmos?  

 

According to Jewish history, the apostles all died as martyrs except John. Matthias, whose name means the gift of Yahweh, replaced Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle due to him committing suicide.2 The Bible says: Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:23-26). John had been banished to the Island of Patmos for preaching the gospel after a failed execution attempt to have him boiled in hot oil, which Roman Emperor Domitian ordered, according to some Christian historians.1 However, God still had work for John to do; therefore, the attempt to kill him, if certain historical accounts are correct, was unsuccessful.   

The religious rulers, Rome, and other governments did not want the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection to spread throughout their land. The apostles had even been ordered to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Their preaching of a resurrected Christ and only one God went against everything Rome believed. Consider the first Christian Martyr the Bible speaks of in the book of Acts, Stephen, who willingly died for his faith (Acts 6-7). He and others could have recanted and denied their faith at the threat of death. Nevertheless, they defied the law and continued their message for the sake of the gospel. As a result of their stance, many were martyred. The Bible only records the official death of one apostle, but the early Christians kept records concerning the deaths of the others. 

In John’s letter to the churches, he reminded them of his shared suffering with them as a brother in Christ. Seemingly, he did not want them to think that they were alone in the trials they had gone through. Furthermore, Jesus had foretold that there would be a great cost for those who chose to be His disciples. The Bible says:  Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ ” (Mark 8:34). Jesus let everyone know that anyone who followed Him must do so knowing that it was not going to be an easy task. To follow Jesus meant being willing to give up everything, including one’s life, with the promise of gaining an eternal one in glory. Unfortunately, many in today’s churches are not taught the true meaning of taking up one’s cross. Sacrifice to them means one is accursed because many charismatic leaders have taught that suffering equates to being forsaken by God. Yet, one’s financial portfolio, popularity status, area code, education level, or title does not mean one has righteous standing with the Lord. Many within the secular world have all of these things, and yet, they are on their way to a devil’s hell. So what does the Word say about this? The Bible says: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). The disciples gave up everything to follow Christ, and we must be willing to do the same should that day come for us. Even now, we should be willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus because He left everything behind to save us.

 

The cost of being a soldier for Christ includes but is not limited to:

 

1. Feelings of loneliness and isolation. Contrary to popular opinion, those who have a special anointing on their lives can experience loneliness and isolation. It is not that they choose this for themselves, but the path God has ordained for their lives is often not the most popular one that many would successfully navigate. Therefore, serving God can be met with many emotions, but one can gain comfort in finding encouragement in the Lord, just as David did. The Bible says: David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).

 

2. Sacrifice of one’s comfort. We live in a society, including the church, where one’s comfort and emotions take precedence over the things of God. Such things as self-sacrifice, even for a fast, are not recognized because of the unbiblical ideology that God wants me happy. This teaching of self-edification and glorification has demonically crept into many sermons, thus having been embraced by millions of itching ears. Yet, the Word tells us that sacrificing oneself is required to serve the Lord. This does not mean to lay on an altar and drive a dagger into one’s body in the literal sense. The Bible says: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). The sacrifice we may be required to make may mean leaning a comfortable job, home, giving away possessions, and sometimes becoming poor or giving of one’s life for the sake of the gospel just as John and the other apostles did.

 

1.      Sacrifice of one’s family and friends. There may be times when one’s family and friends are not in compliance with the Lord or may disagree with the call God has one’s life. Therefore, a decision has to be made either for Christ or man. I pray that we would all choose Christ and pray for those who are not on the Lord’s side to follow suit. The Bible says: If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). We must be willing to leave all behind, if necessary, to follow Christ. John and the other apostles gave up everyone and everything to follow Jesus.

 

2.      Sacrifice money and other financial gains. Soldiers are not known to be in the highest-paid career fields. Whereas military personnel often get standardized pay, some civilian jobs, such as doctors, attorney, engineers, etc., can offer more pay. Nevertheless, many enlistees have made sacrifices and enjoyed having the military as their career choice. Similarly, when we serve in the Lord’s army, money should not be our motivation to serve God. Does the Lord love to bless His children? Of course! Even so, the Lord blesses His faithful in many ways, and money is only a tiny part. Too many leaders have forgotten the true meaning of sacrifice, which can sometimes include giving and receiving finances. The Bible says: Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs,
 they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain” (Isaiah 56:11).
  John and the other apostles did not live lives of luxury, but they gave up everything, including financial security to follow and teach others about Christ.

 

5. Sacrifice of one’s life. When one signs the dotted line to enlist in the military, there is always a chance that war will break out or some other situation will occur that could result in death. Nevertheless, many have willingly paid the ultimate price so we can enjoy the many freedoms we have in this nation. Likewise, when we enlist in the Lord’s army, there may be a time when we may have to give up our lives for Christ. Yet, many are and have done it. Therefore, we should always be of the mindset that we would give our lives for Christ instead of denying Him. The Bible says: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (

 

   

Deaths of the Apostles  

 

Simon (Peter) – Died around 68 A.D. by crucifixion upside down at his request.  

 

James the son of Zebedee – Executed by Herod Agrippa I approximately 11 years after the death and resurrection of  

Jesus. The Bible says: “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2).  

 

Andrew – (Date unknown) Recorded as having been crucified in Patrae in Achaia.  

 

Philip – Recorded as being crucified in 80 A.D. in Hierapolis, Turkey.   

 

Bartholomew (Nathanael)  – Recorded as being martyred in 68 A.D. by way of crucifixion.  

 

Matthew (Levi) –  (Date unknown) Recorded as being killed by a sword wound in Ethiopia.   

 

Thomas – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by a  spear to his body in India.   

  

James (Alpheus) – (Date unknown) Recorded as being stoned to death.  

  

Simon the Zealot – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by crucifixion or hacked to death.  

 

Jude (Thaddeus) – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died with Simon the Zealot by crucifixion or hacked to death.   

 

Matthias – (Date unknown) Recorded as having preached and possibly martyred in Ethiopia by stoning or beheading.  

 

Paul (Saul) – Recorded as having died around 67 A.D. by way of beheading in Rome.  

 

Judas (not Iscariot) – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died from stoning.   

 

Mark – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by being dragged by horses through the street.   

 

John – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died from old age.