...continuation from last week.
John was in the Spirit…
“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).
c. One must be guided by the Spirit. During John’s day and especially now, it is important to be guided by the Spirit. One wrong decision can be costly naturally and spiritually if not led by the Lord. The Bible says: “ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,” Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:14-17). Jesus did not leave His followers without having the help needed to flow in accordance with the will of God. We have been grafted into the family of God, where we have access to all the direction we need, as per the leading of the Holy Spirit.
d. One must be taught by the Spirit. There is knowledge of the world, and then there is knowledge and wisdom given from the Holy Spirit to believers. Even though one may have knowledge, they may not have wisdom regarding the use of that knowledge. While there is nothing wrong with centers for learning that teach children, young people, and adults much-needed skills such as reading, writing, arithmetic, and more, the best teacher one can have as a believer in Christ is the Holy Spirit. The Bible says: “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12). Jesus told the disciples that they did not have to prepare a speech or have some well-written words to defend themselves against those who would come against them. The Holy Spirit would tell them what to say, for they would speak on His behalf, not their own.
e. One must be given recollection by the Spirit. As human beings, we tend to forget things at times. No matter how much we read, study, and try to commit to memory various materials, we may only remember a small portion, at best, years later unless we have refresher courses. Inversely, the Holy Spirit promises to bring all things back to our memory when needed. The Bible says: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Jesus made this promise to the disciples, and because we are also His disciples, we can hold on to this promise as well. Yet, there is one important thing to know. For something to be returned to your memory, you must put something into its bank. Let’s use the example of a bank. One cannot expect to make a withdrawal if there has not been a deposit. It’s the same thing with God. Yet, the Holy Spirit can and will teach you things you may have never studied because it is a gift He bestows on believers. Nevertheless, we are to always study to know Him better. The Bible says: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17). The Lord wants us to know Him, and the book of Revelation gives us insight into who Jesus is through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
John had all of these characteristics to be in the Spirit. Therefore, he was able to write as led by the Spirit to give what he had seen in a vision as a message to the body of Christ for then and now. The Bible says: “ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21). God’s Word is trustworthy and true. Thus, everything that has been written will come to pass as prophesied by the Lord himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment