Daily Bread - FEB/10/07
Revelation 1:12 - And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me, and having turned I saw seven golden menorahs.
When John turned to see Jesus, he first encountered His church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things and His representative on the earth. God instructed Moses to make a seven-branched Menorah (Gr-luchnia) which was to be placed in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-37).
The Tabernacle on earth was a figure and representation of the heavenly one which John saw in this vision. A new dimension of meaning was given to the lamps by this revelation. We discover that the churches are symbolized by the menorah. The church is the light of the world as Jesus said "a city set upon a hill that cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14-16).
The prophet Zachariah saw a similar vision in Zachariah 4:2: the seven-branched Menorah was associated with the fullness of the Spirit of God and with the eyes of Yahoah (Zachariah 4:6, 10). A similar revelation is also drawn out here in the book of Revelation where we observe the seven Spirits indirectly associated with the menorah. The difference is that the church is now revealed, and the seven Spirits are associated directly with the seven churches rather than the menorah.
When we consider the seven Spirits of God, we may either understand it as the fullness of God's Spirit or more specifically as seven attributes of the Spirit. The prophet Isaiah revealed that the Messiah would come in the fullness of the Spirit of God and listed these seven attributes of the Spirit: 1-The Spirit of Yahweh; 2- The spirit of wisdom; 3- The spirit of understanding; 4- The spirit of counsel; 5- The spirit of might; 6- The spirit of knowledge; 7- The spirit of the fear of Yahweh.
God placed the fullness of His Spirit and power in the church insomuch that He refers to the church as the fullness of Him that fills all things (Ephesians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 12:28). It is through the church that God communicates His will and makes Himself known revealing Jesus by His Spirit (John 16:13-15; Colossians 1:18, 24; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/09/07
Revelation 1:7 - Behold He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him and they which pierced Him. Yes, and all the tribes of the earth shall wail on account of Him amen.
When God came to rescue Israel out of the land of Egypt, He appeared in a cloud, Gr-nephele, (Exodus 13:21-22). When Yahweh God came to speak with Israel so that all of the people could hear His voice, He came in a cloud (Exodus 19:9). When Yahweh God called Moses to come up into the mountain to meet with Him, Moses went up into a cloud (Exodus 24:15-18).
The event that most clearly captivates the fact that the person Yahweh God was actually in the midst of this cloud is found in Exodus 14. When the cloud of God stood between Israel and Egypt to prevent the Egyptians from overtaking the Israelites, Yahweh God looked out of the cloud at the host of the Egyptians.
Evidently, the Egyptians were able to see Yahweh when He poked His head out of the cloud; for the scripture says He caused a destructive panic among the army of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:24). The cloud of God was seen in Israel after Solomon had finished building the temple. His presence so overwhelmed the people that the priest could not perform their priestly duties (2 Chronicles 5:14).
The last time that the glory cloud of God was seen in the Old Testament times was when Jerusalem was overthrown by Babylon (Ezekiel 10:4). When the prophet Daniel prophesied of the last days and the coming of the Messiah, he pictured the Son of man coming with the clouds to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13). The cloud of God was not seen again until Jesus went up into the mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John.
The glory cloud overshadowed them, and Yahweh God spoke out of the midst of the excellent glory and said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35; 2 Peter 1:17). The cloud of God is associated with the return of the Lord Jesus at the time of the first resurrection and the catching away of the church and also at His second coming (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 24:30; 26:40; Mark 13:26;14:26; Luke 21:27).
Be ready,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Revelation 1:7 - Behold He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him and they which pierced Him. Yes, and all the tribes of the earth shall wail on account of Him amen.
When God came to rescue Israel out of the land of Egypt, He appeared in a cloud, Gr-nephele, (Exodus 13:21-22). When Yahweh God came to speak with Israel so that all of the people could hear His voice, He came in a cloud (Exodus 19:9). When Yahweh God called Moses to come up into the mountain to meet with Him, Moses went up into a cloud (Exodus 24:15-18).
The event that most clearly captivates the fact that the person Yahweh God was actually in the midst of this cloud is found in Exodus 14. When the cloud of God stood between Israel and Egypt to prevent the Egyptians from overtaking the Israelites, Yahweh God looked out of the cloud at the host of the Egyptians.
Evidently, the Egyptians were able to see Yahweh when He poked His head out of the cloud; for the scripture says He caused a destructive panic among the army of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:24). The cloud of God was seen in Israel after Solomon had finished building the temple. His presence so overwhelmed the people that the priest could not perform their priestly duties (2 Chronicles 5:14).
The last time that the glory cloud of God was seen in the Old Testament times was when Jerusalem was overthrown by Babylon (Ezekiel 10:4). When the prophet Daniel prophesied of the last days and the coming of the Messiah, he pictured the Son of man coming with the clouds to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13). The cloud of God was not seen again until Jesus went up into the mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John.
The glory cloud overshadowed them, and Yahweh God spoke out of the midst of the excellent glory and said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35; 2 Peter 1:17). The cloud of God is associated with the return of the Lord Jesus at the time of the first resurrection and the catching away of the church and also at His second coming (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Matthew 24:30; 26:40; Mark 13:26;14:26; Luke 21:27).
Be ready,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Friday, February 09, 2007
Daily Bread - FEB/08/07
Revelation 1:6 - And has made us kings and priests to God and His Father; glory and might to Him unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
Central to the New Testament is the fact that the Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. God is called the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ three times in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3). Jesus calls God His Father 65 times (Matthew 10:32,33; 11:25,26,27; 12:50; 15:13; 16:17,27; 18:10,19,35; 20:23; 24:36; 25:34; 26:29,39,42,53; Mark 14:36; Luke 2:49; 9:26; 10:21,22; 22:29,42; 23:34,46; 24:49; John 2:16; 5:17,18; 6:32; 8:19; 8:28,38,49,54; 10:17,18,25,29,30,32,37;12:26; 14:2,7,20,21,23,28; 15:1,8,10,15,23,24; 16:10; 18:11; 20:17,21; Revelation 2:27; 3:5,21).
Jesus is also called God's Son 69 times (Matthew 1:23; 4:3; 4:6; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 26:63; 27:40,43,54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 5:7; 15:39; Luke 1:32,35; 4:41; 22:70; John 1:14,18,34,49; 3:16,17,18,36; 5:25; 6:69; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4,27; 19:7; 20:31; Acts 3:13,26; 8:37; 9:20; 13:33; Romans 1:4, 9; 5:10; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 15:28; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2:20; 4:4; Ephesians 4:13; Titus 1:4; Hebrews 1:8; 4:14; 6:6; 10:29; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 3:8; 4:9,10,15; 5:5,9,10,11,12,13,20; 2 John 3,9; Revelation 2:18.) Jesus is the eternal God who was both God and with God throughout eternity, whom John referred to as the Word (John 1:1,14; Revelation 19:13).
God created everything by Jesus Christ who Himself also was and is God (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). God, the Word, became the only begotten Son of God by being born of a woman to redeem all mankind making us kings and priests to God and heirs and joint heirs with Himself (Romans 8:17).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Revelation 1:6 - And has made us kings and priests to God and His Father; glory and might to Him unto the ages of the ages. Amen.
Central to the New Testament is the fact that the Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. God is called the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ three times in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3). Jesus calls God His Father 65 times (Matthew 10:32,33; 11:25,26,27; 12:50; 15:13; 16:17,27; 18:10,19,35; 20:23; 24:36; 25:34; 26:29,39,42,53; Mark 14:36; Luke 2:49; 9:26; 10:21,22; 22:29,42; 23:34,46; 24:49; John 2:16; 5:17,18; 6:32; 8:19; 8:28,38,49,54; 10:17,18,25,29,30,32,37;12:26; 14:2,7,20,21,23,28; 15:1,8,10,15,23,24; 16:10; 18:11; 20:17,21; Revelation 2:27; 3:5,21).
Jesus is also called God's Son 69 times (Matthew 1:23; 4:3; 4:6; 8:29; 14:33; 16:16; 26:63; 27:40,43,54; Mark 1:1; 3:11; 5:7; 15:39; Luke 1:32,35; 4:41; 22:70; John 1:14,18,34,49; 3:16,17,18,36; 5:25; 6:69; 9:35; 10:36; 11:4,27; 19:7; 20:31; Acts 3:13,26; 8:37; 9:20; 13:33; Romans 1:4, 9; 5:10; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 15:28; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2:20; 4:4; Ephesians 4:13; Titus 1:4; Hebrews 1:8; 4:14; 6:6; 10:29; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 3:8; 4:9,10,15; 5:5,9,10,11,12,13,20; 2 John 3,9; Revelation 2:18.) Jesus is the eternal God who was both God and with God throughout eternity, whom John referred to as the Word (John 1:1,14; Revelation 19:13).
God created everything by Jesus Christ who Himself also was and is God (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). God, the Word, became the only begotten Son of God by being born of a woman to redeem all mankind making us kings and priests to God and heirs and joint heirs with Himself (Romans 8:17).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Daily Bread - Feb/07/07
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the releasing of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Jesus had commissioned the disciples to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Peter was not disregarding the instruction of his Lord in this sermon; rather, he is emphasizing in whose name they must believe and in whose authority their lives would be changed. In fact, it may be argued that it was not only water baptism that was being referred to but also baptism into the body of Christ and baptism into the Holy Spirit and fire (Acts 1:5; 1Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 3:11; Acts 11:16; Hebrews 6:2).
Certainly, remission and cleansing from sin comes only by the blood of Jesus, and yet it is connected to baptism in this address. Therefore, the extent of what Peter was ministering reaches beyond just the baptism in water and certainly includes baptism into Jesus and into the Holy Spirit - all of which water baptism symbolizes (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:16). As John baptized in water unto repentance, repentance is now granted in the name of Jesus and the remission of sin by His blood (Matthew 26:28; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22; Acts 10:43). Paul was very careful to make certain that everyone understood that salvation only came by the blood of Jesus insomuch that he rarely baptized anyone (1 Corinthians 1:17). The message of being baptized in water was of the highest importance in the early church. As Philip communicated the gospel to the eunuch, the eunuch was brought to the question of water baptism (Acts 8:36).
The need for water baptism and its important role in the early church is emphasized by the disciples of Jesus baptizing, the Samaritans being baptized, those at Lydia, also of both Crispus, Cornelius, and their households, and of the disciples at Ephesus (John 3:22; 4:1-2; Acts 8:12; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15; 18:8; 19:5). In what name should we be baptized then? According to scripture, we should be baptized in the name of Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, and in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the releasing of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Jesus had commissioned the disciples to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Peter was not disregarding the instruction of his Lord in this sermon; rather, he is emphasizing in whose name they must believe and in whose authority their lives would be changed. In fact, it may be argued that it was not only water baptism that was being referred to but also baptism into the body of Christ and baptism into the Holy Spirit and fire (Acts 1:5; 1Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Matthew 3:11; Acts 11:16; Hebrews 6:2).
Certainly, remission and cleansing from sin comes only by the blood of Jesus, and yet it is connected to baptism in this address. Therefore, the extent of what Peter was ministering reaches beyond just the baptism in water and certainly includes baptism into Jesus and into the Holy Spirit - all of which water baptism symbolizes (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Mark 16:16). As John baptized in water unto repentance, repentance is now granted in the name of Jesus and the remission of sin by His blood (Matthew 26:28; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:22; Acts 10:43). Paul was very careful to make certain that everyone understood that salvation only came by the blood of Jesus insomuch that he rarely baptized anyone (1 Corinthians 1:17). The message of being baptized in water was of the highest importance in the early church. As Philip communicated the gospel to the eunuch, the eunuch was brought to the question of water baptism (Acts 8:36).
The need for water baptism and its important role in the early church is emphasized by the disciples of Jesus baptizing, the Samaritans being baptized, those at Lydia, also of both Crispus, Cornelius, and their households, and of the disciples at Ephesus (John 3:22; 4:1-2; Acts 8:12; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15; 18:8; 19:5). In what name should we be baptized then? According to scripture, we should be baptized in the name of Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, and in the name of the Father, and in the name of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Daily Bread - Feb 06 07
Acts 9:31 - Then all of the churches had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria being built up and moving in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit multiplied.
The Old Testament teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). The Psalmist taught that through the fear of the Lord we would learn to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking guile.
The fear of the Lord causes a person to depart from evil and pursue peace (Psalms 34:11-14). The fear of the Lord is the hating of evil, arrogance, and pride (Proverbs 8:13). The expression, "the fear of the Lord," is only found one time in the New Testament but an equivalent expression, "the fear of God," is found three times: 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:17. Peter also quotes Psalms 34:12-14 in the context of inheriting a blessing.
The most common characteristic of the fear of the Lord is the hating of evil and the loving of righteousness. It was Jesus who above all others modeled this consecration to life and the ways of the Father and was given this testimony,"You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of extreme joy above your fellows" (Hebrews 1:9; Psalms 45:6-7).
Be joyful,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 9:31 - Then all of the churches had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria being built up and moving in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit multiplied.
The Old Testament teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). The Psalmist taught that through the fear of the Lord we would learn to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking guile.
The fear of the Lord causes a person to depart from evil and pursue peace (Psalms 34:11-14). The fear of the Lord is the hating of evil, arrogance, and pride (Proverbs 8:13). The expression, "the fear of the Lord," is only found one time in the New Testament but an equivalent expression, "the fear of God," is found three times: 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:17. Peter also quotes Psalms 34:12-14 in the context of inheriting a blessing.
The most common characteristic of the fear of the Lord is the hating of evil and the loving of righteousness. It was Jesus who above all others modeled this consecration to life and the ways of the Father and was given this testimony,"You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of extreme joy above your fellows" (Hebrews 1:9; Psalms 45:6-7).
Be joyful,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, February 05, 2007
Daily Bread - Feb 05 07
Acts 20:33-35 - I have desired no one's silver, gold, or clothing. But you yourselves know that these hands of mine and those with me served the hands of them. I have showed everyone of you how that laboring you should give aid to the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
There is a supernatural blessing in giving that Paul both modeled and revealed by the Holy Spirit for the New Testament Church. The example that Paul gave to the church was one of taking personal responsibility for the propagation of the gospel at his own expense (2 Thessalonians 3:8-13). A special blessing of prosperity is promised to those who give their finances for the advancement of the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul promised that God would cause all grace to abound to those Macedonians who had impoverished themselves by giving to the Church. When Paul wrote to the Macedonian church at Philippi who had given with such abandonment, he gave them the promise that "God would supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). Surely, if it is God's will that we should support the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by supporting those whom He has anointed, then He is going to make sure that we are adequately blessed to do those things that we have set our hearts to do.
John also praised those who gave themselves to labor for the support of the ministry (3 John 1:4-7). The prosperity that John desired above all other things for those he addressed in his third Epistle was for those who gave themselves to work for the ministry.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 20:33-35 - I have desired no one's silver, gold, or clothing. But you yourselves know that these hands of mine and those with me served the hands of them. I have showed everyone of you how that laboring you should give aid to the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
There is a supernatural blessing in giving that Paul both modeled and revealed by the Holy Spirit for the New Testament Church. The example that Paul gave to the church was one of taking personal responsibility for the propagation of the gospel at his own expense (2 Thessalonians 3:8-13). A special blessing of prosperity is promised to those who give their finances for the advancement of the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul promised that God would cause all grace to abound to those Macedonians who had impoverished themselves by giving to the Church. When Paul wrote to the Macedonian church at Philippi who had given with such abandonment, he gave them the promise that "God would supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). Surely, if it is God's will that we should support the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by supporting those whom He has anointed, then He is going to make sure that we are adequately blessed to do those things that we have set our hearts to do.
John also praised those who gave themselves to labor for the support of the ministry (3 John 1:4-7). The prosperity that John desired above all other things for those he addressed in his third Epistle was for those who gave themselves to work for the ministry.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Feb 03 07
1 John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
Walking in the light allows us to see very clearly where we are to walk. When we have light before us we can see clearly the choices that we are to make at every turn in the road. This verse helps us to more fully understand what it means to walk in the Light as He is in the Light (1 John 1:7). Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another with the same love that I have loved you" (John 13: 34; 15:12; 1 John 3:23). God has called us to walk in His divine love (15:19; 17:26; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8).
We know that love is the fulfillment of the law because love works no evil (Romans 13:10). We also know that God's divine love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). All we have to do is to yield our members unto God and the glory of His love will flow out of us as rivers of living water. The Greek word for divine love is "agape;" it is found 116 times in the New Testament.
Father has made it very clear to us that He demands that we walk in His kind of love. If we fail to recognize that this love only flows from the Spirit of God then we have missed the most important point of the New Testament. Walking in love is the realm where there is no occasion or opportunity to stumble or fall (2 Peter 1:10).
Everyone who has been transformed by the life-giving power of the Name of Jesus has been given the life of the Holy Spirit. The very essence and proof of this life in God is expressed by the love of God (1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35). All we have to do is to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God and allow these glorious realms of the love of God to flow out of our hearts.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
Walking in the light allows us to see very clearly where we are to walk. When we have light before us we can see clearly the choices that we are to make at every turn in the road. This verse helps us to more fully understand what it means to walk in the Light as He is in the Light (1 John 1:7). Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another with the same love that I have loved you" (John 13: 34; 15:12; 1 John 3:23). God has called us to walk in His divine love (15:19; 17:26; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8).
We know that love is the fulfillment of the law because love works no evil (Romans 13:10). We also know that God's divine love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). All we have to do is to yield our members unto God and the glory of His love will flow out of us as rivers of living water. The Greek word for divine love is "agape;" it is found 116 times in the New Testament.
Father has made it very clear to us that He demands that we walk in His kind of love. If we fail to recognize that this love only flows from the Spirit of God then we have missed the most important point of the New Testament. Walking in love is the realm where there is no occasion or opportunity to stumble or fall (2 Peter 1:10).
Everyone who has been transformed by the life-giving power of the Name of Jesus has been given the life of the Holy Spirit. The very essence and proof of this life in God is expressed by the love of God (1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35). All we have to do is to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God and allow these glorious realms of the love of God to flow out of our hearts.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Friday, February 02, 2007
Daily Bread - Feb 02 07
Revelation 1:19: "Write therefore what you have seen and the things that are and the things that are about to take place after these things."
The Gospel of John is organized as a chronology giving us the necessary information that allows us to understand the length of the ministry of Jesus. Without the gospel of John we would not have the evidence to support that Jesus' ministry was any more than a year and a half in length. The book of Revelation is also organized in a logical chronology of events. The first indication of the chronology of the book of Revelation is given in this verse which is also the key to understanding the way that this book of prophecy is organized.
The book of Revelation is organized into three sections:
First: "What you have seen," which was the vision of the Son of Man and is recorded in chapter 1.
Second: "The things which are," concerning the church recorded in chapters 2-3.
Third: "The things that are about to take place after these things," which begins in chapter 4.
One obvious fact that underscores these three divisions is that, in chapters 2 through 3, the word church occurs seven times. However, from Revelation 4:1 to 22:21, the word church totally disappears. The chronological order of the book of Revelation is further served by the fact that there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and the seven vials that are dealt with sequentially through the events of this book.
Other than a few obvious parenthetical statements, the chronological sequence is uninterrupted. The Greek phrase "meta tauta" - which means "after these things" and marks the final section of the book of Revelation - appears in chapter 4 verse 1 where it opens and closes with these words "meta tauta" (after these things) underscoring the transition that has been outlined here in verse 19.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Revelation 1:19: "Write therefore what you have seen and the things that are and the things that are about to take place after these things."
The Gospel of John is organized as a chronology giving us the necessary information that allows us to understand the length of the ministry of Jesus. Without the gospel of John we would not have the evidence to support that Jesus' ministry was any more than a year and a half in length. The book of Revelation is also organized in a logical chronology of events. The first indication of the chronology of the book of Revelation is given in this verse which is also the key to understanding the way that this book of prophecy is organized.
The book of Revelation is organized into three sections:
First: "What you have seen," which was the vision of the Son of Man and is recorded in chapter 1.
Second: "The things which are," concerning the church recorded in chapters 2-3.
Third: "The things that are about to take place after these things," which begins in chapter 4.
One obvious fact that underscores these three divisions is that, in chapters 2 through 3, the word church occurs seven times. However, from Revelation 4:1 to 22:21, the word church totally disappears. The chronological order of the book of Revelation is further served by the fact that there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and the seven vials that are dealt with sequentially through the events of this book.
Other than a few obvious parenthetical statements, the chronological sequence is uninterrupted. The Greek phrase "meta tauta" - which means "after these things" and marks the final section of the book of Revelation - appears in chapter 4 verse 1 where it opens and closes with these words "meta tauta" (after these things) underscoring the transition that has been outlined here in verse 19.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Daily Bread - Feb 01 07
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 - "And now you know what holds back the revealing of him in his time. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work only right now He holds it back from the midst until He comes."
The antichrist cannot be revealed until the time of the administration of the church is complete. Jesus is the one who is now holding back the ultimate deception and rebellion of iniquity which cannot be revealed until He comes: "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work - only right now He holds it back from our midst until He comes. At that time, the lawless one shall be revealed whom the Lord shall return and destroy with the spirit of his mouth and wipe out with the appearance of His coming."(2:7-8).
Jesus first comes to finalize the administration of the church age by receiving the church unto Himself, and then the lawless one shall be revealed. Jesus will then return with His saints (which includes the church) to fight against the antichrist and his armies (Revelation 19:11-14; Jude 14-15).
Paul had already revealed to the church at Thessalonica that there would be a catching away of the church and made it unique from the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Paul makes the catching away event equivalent to the resurrection from the dead. When Jesus comes, the dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive will be caught up together into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air according to His promise that He would return and receive us unto Himself (John 14:2-3).
It is at this time that Jesus comes with a shout of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. Paul also describes the catching away in the context of the first resurrection to the church at Corinth. He revealed that not everyone would die, but some would immediately be changed from the corruptible and earthly into the immortal and heavenly - an event that would take place at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
We know from the words of Jesus that it will be an event that He personally initiates as suggested by 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus said, "With absolute certainty I tell you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." This is the one event that no one knows the timing of except for the Father (Matthew 24:36). As far as the Second coming goes, when we overlay the book of Daniel with the Book of Revelation we can calculate the exact time of the Second Coming of Christ from the day that the antichrist desecrates the Temple (Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15).
When we look for this most important event in the book of Revelation it is only discovered in the words "after these things" which refers to the time after the church age as John wrote the things which he had seen, Chapter 1, the things which are, chapters 2-3, and the things which shall be after the things which are, chapters 4-18. (Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The only event in the book of Revelation that describes a catching away is found in Revelation 12:5 which speaks of a man child that was born to a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars which is an Old Testament symbol for Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). The most appropriate understanding of this man child born of Israel is the 144,000 that is first mentioned as being sealed in Revelation 7:4 and then seen in heaven in Revelation 14:1 with the seal of the Father's name written in their forehead. To attempt to make the church fit into this symbolism is a violation of the fact the church is symbolized as a man in that the church is the body of Christ.
When we examine the book of Revelation for the Trump of God or the last trump the only thing that can be found is in Revelation 10:7; 11:15-18. However, this does not concur with the fact that it is Jesus Himself who descends, neither is there any mention of those who are alive in Christ being caught up. In fact, the only way that anyone during the Tribulation makes the company of the resurrected saints is through death.
Jesus spoke of the time at the end of the Tribulation when He would send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet who will gather together His elect, but by context this is associated with His return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19:11-21. The reason that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 are not found in the book of Revelation is because they occur before the Tribulation of Revelation 4-19. The very simple fact is that the church is not one time mentioned in these chapters.
Daniel speaks of the time of the resurrection of the just, and even though it is mentioned in association with the time of the Tribulation it is also grouped with the resurrection of the unjust which we know to be separated by 1000 years (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5). The warning that all of us should take heed to is that Jesus said that if anyone adds to the words of this book then the plagues of this book will be added to them. It is very unwise to add the word church to Revelation 4 through 19 which takes in the whole of the Tribulation period.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 - "And now you know what holds back the revealing of him in his time. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work only right now He holds it back from the midst until He comes."
The antichrist cannot be revealed until the time of the administration of the church is complete. Jesus is the one who is now holding back the ultimate deception and rebellion of iniquity which cannot be revealed until He comes: "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work - only right now He holds it back from our midst until He comes. At that time, the lawless one shall be revealed whom the Lord shall return and destroy with the spirit of his mouth and wipe out with the appearance of His coming."(2:7-8).
Jesus first comes to finalize the administration of the church age by receiving the church unto Himself, and then the lawless one shall be revealed. Jesus will then return with His saints (which includes the church) to fight against the antichrist and his armies (Revelation 19:11-14; Jude 14-15).
Paul had already revealed to the church at Thessalonica that there would be a catching away of the church and made it unique from the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Paul makes the catching away event equivalent to the resurrection from the dead. When Jesus comes, the dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive will be caught up together into the clouds to meet Jesus in the air according to His promise that He would return and receive us unto Himself (John 14:2-3).
It is at this time that Jesus comes with a shout of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. Paul also describes the catching away in the context of the first resurrection to the church at Corinth. He revealed that not everyone would die, but some would immediately be changed from the corruptible and earthly into the immortal and heavenly - an event that would take place at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
We know from the words of Jesus that it will be an event that He personally initiates as suggested by 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jesus said, "With absolute certainty I tell you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." This is the one event that no one knows the timing of except for the Father (Matthew 24:36). As far as the Second coming goes, when we overlay the book of Daniel with the Book of Revelation we can calculate the exact time of the Second Coming of Christ from the day that the antichrist desecrates the Temple (Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15).
When we look for this most important event in the book of Revelation it is only discovered in the words "after these things" which refers to the time after the church age as John wrote the things which he had seen, Chapter 1, the things which are, chapters 2-3, and the things which shall be after the things which are, chapters 4-18. (Revelation 1:19; 4:1). The only event in the book of Revelation that describes a catching away is found in Revelation 12:5 which speaks of a man child that was born to a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars which is an Old Testament symbol for Israel (Genesis 37:9-10). The most appropriate understanding of this man child born of Israel is the 144,000 that is first mentioned as being sealed in Revelation 7:4 and then seen in heaven in Revelation 14:1 with the seal of the Father's name written in their forehead. To attempt to make the church fit into this symbolism is a violation of the fact the church is symbolized as a man in that the church is the body of Christ.
When we examine the book of Revelation for the Trump of God or the last trump the only thing that can be found is in Revelation 10:7; 11:15-18. However, this does not concur with the fact that it is Jesus Himself who descends, neither is there any mention of those who are alive in Christ being caught up. In fact, the only way that anyone during the Tribulation makes the company of the resurrected saints is through death.
Jesus spoke of the time at the end of the Tribulation when He would send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet who will gather together His elect, but by context this is associated with His return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19:11-21. The reason that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:51 are not found in the book of Revelation is because they occur before the Tribulation of Revelation 4-19. The very simple fact is that the church is not one time mentioned in these chapters.
Daniel speaks of the time of the resurrection of the just, and even though it is mentioned in association with the time of the Tribulation it is also grouped with the resurrection of the unjust which we know to be separated by 1000 years (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:5). The warning that all of us should take heed to is that Jesus said that if anyone adds to the words of this book then the plagues of this book will be added to them. It is very unwise to add the word church to Revelation 4 through 19 which takes in the whole of the Tribulation period.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 31 07
1 Peter 5:3 - "Neither as exercising dominion over the heritage but being examples to the flock."
Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and, thereby, born of the Spirit are part of the family of God, and thus referred to as God’s heirs (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3;29;4:7; Titus 3:17; James 2:5; 1Peter 3:7). The responsibility of every minister and every saint is to realize that the people of God - whom they interact with - are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and, therefore, God’s heritage or lot. This awareness should cause us to treat one another with the utmost respect and love. Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of the brethren (family of God) we also do to Him (Matthew 25:40).
We have all been taught directly by God that we are to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9). The love and the respect that we have been instructed in by the Holy Spirit should result in the deepest honor and appreciation for one another. At the moment that we see each other's shortcomings and faults we should not despise each other but encourage and assist one another with the help that we need.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 Peter 5:3 - "Neither as exercising dominion over the heritage but being examples to the flock."
Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and, thereby, born of the Spirit are part of the family of God, and thus referred to as God’s heirs (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3;29;4:7; Titus 3:17; James 2:5; 1Peter 3:7). The responsibility of every minister and every saint is to realize that the people of God - whom they interact with - are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and, therefore, God’s heritage or lot. This awareness should cause us to treat one another with the utmost respect and love. Jesus said that whatever we do to the least of the brethren (family of God) we also do to Him (Matthew 25:40).
We have all been taught directly by God that we are to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9). The love and the respect that we have been instructed in by the Holy Spirit should result in the deepest honor and appreciation for one another. At the moment that we see each other's shortcomings and faults we should not despise each other but encourage and assist one another with the help that we need.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 30 07
Acts 13: 2 - And while they performed the service of the Lord and fasted the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now Barnabas and Saul unto the work which I have called them."
Although Jesus is the head of the church, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks on His behalf (Acts 15:28; 16:6; 20:28). The Holy Spirit was sent to lead and to guide both the Church and the individual. He is the One who is to instruct us in everything that we are to do (John 14:26).
When men are called into the ministry it is by a special work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4). Such men should be as distinctive to us as they are to God. We should view the ministry as having been separated from all that is ordinary in the church and endowed with a special divine grace to equip and lead us (Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches the church everything it is supposed to do. One of the primary ways that He speaks is through those who have been separated unto Him for this purpose (John 14:26). The position of authority that God endowed His ministers with to speak on His behalf made them the representatives of God to the church insomuch that whatever was spoken by them was actually being spoken by the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).
God ordained that those things which were spoken and ministered in His church were to be done expressly by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:23; 21:11; 1 Corinthins 14:16; 1 Peter 4:11). When men refused to listen to the gospel they were, in fact, refusing to listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). It was the Holy Spirit who spoke the word of God through the prophets of old such as Isaiah, and it is the Holy Spirit that speaks through His servants today (Acts 28:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:14). If we are going to learn to walk in the realms of God's anointing and blessing then we must learn to walk in His love that produces servitude and submission to one anothe - and especially to the leadership that the Holy Spirit has called and demanded the church to view as separate and unique.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 13: 2 - And while they performed the service of the Lord and fasted the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart now Barnabas and Saul unto the work which I have called them."
Although Jesus is the head of the church, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks on His behalf (Acts 15:28; 16:6; 20:28). The Holy Spirit was sent to lead and to guide both the Church and the individual. He is the One who is to instruct us in everything that we are to do (John 14:26).
When men are called into the ministry it is by a special work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4). Such men should be as distinctive to us as they are to God. We should view the ministry as having been separated from all that is ordinary in the church and endowed with a special divine grace to equip and lead us (Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches the church everything it is supposed to do. One of the primary ways that He speaks is through those who have been separated unto Him for this purpose (John 14:26). The position of authority that God endowed His ministers with to speak on His behalf made them the representatives of God to the church insomuch that whatever was spoken by them was actually being spoken by the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).
God ordained that those things which were spoken and ministered in His church were to be done expressly by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:23; 21:11; 1 Corinthins 14:16; 1 Peter 4:11). When men refused to listen to the gospel they were, in fact, refusing to listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). It was the Holy Spirit who spoke the word of God through the prophets of old such as Isaiah, and it is the Holy Spirit that speaks through His servants today (Acts 28:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:14). If we are going to learn to walk in the realms of God's anointing and blessing then we must learn to walk in His love that produces servitude and submission to one anothe - and especially to the leadership that the Holy Spirit has called and demanded the church to view as separate and unique.
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, January 29, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 29 07
Acts 16:6 - "And they went through Phrygia and the country of the Galatians being hindered by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia."
Surely the success and the power of those in the first century church was due to their submission to divine authority. Paul - who had received abundance of revelation and in fact in many ways was ahead of all the other ministries that were around him - deferred to the judgments of the leadership in Jerusalem (Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-2).
His walk with God was exemplified by humility and servitude as a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, he had a relationship with the Holy Spirit that afforded him specific direction about what he was supposed to do and when he was to do it. Furthermore, this is again clear evidence that God the Holy Spirit had come to lead the disciples and was in charge of the affairs of the church (Acts 5:32; 13:2,4; 15:28).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Acts 16:6 - "And they went through Phrygia and the country of the Galatians being hindered by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia."
Surely the success and the power of those in the first century church was due to their submission to divine authority. Paul - who had received abundance of revelation and in fact in many ways was ahead of all the other ministries that were around him - deferred to the judgments of the leadership in Jerusalem (Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-2).
His walk with God was exemplified by humility and servitude as a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, he had a relationship with the Holy Spirit that afforded him specific direction about what he was supposed to do and when he was to do it. Furthermore, this is again clear evidence that God the Holy Spirit had come to lead the disciples and was in charge of the affairs of the church (Acts 5:32; 13:2,4; 15:28).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Jan 27 07
Romans 8:26 - "And in like manner also the Spirit helps our frailty; for we do not know what we need to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings."
The intercession of the Spirit is described as inexpressible groanings. The expressions of the Spirit were first manifested in the Bible as prophecy: God speaking His word through man’s mouth under the inspiration of the Spirit. In the New Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon the believer, other languages came forth as rivers of living water (Acts 2:3; John 7:38-39). The necessity of praying in the Spirit is repeated often throughout the New Testament.
The Holy Spirit is the One who has come to lead us and guide us into all truth. He is the one who is making things known to us that Jesus was unable to communicate (John 16:12-15). His coming and subsequent intercession was the sound of other languages or the languages of men and angels (Acts 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1). The command to pray in the Spirit extends from 1 Corinthians to Jude 20.
Although praying in the Spirit may extend to speaking by the Spirit or prophesying it certainly excludes much of what Christians today would have us believe is prayer which, in fact, is little more than their own minds expressing frustration, anxiety, and remorse. The prayer of the Spirit has a sound and an inspiration that is produced by the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; Acts 19:6; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 14; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Romans 8:26 - "And in like manner also the Spirit helps our frailty; for we do not know what we need to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes with inexpressible groanings."
The intercession of the Spirit is described as inexpressible groanings. The expressions of the Spirit were first manifested in the Bible as prophecy: God speaking His word through man’s mouth under the inspiration of the Spirit. In the New Testament when the Holy Spirit came upon the believer, other languages came forth as rivers of living water (Acts 2:3; John 7:38-39). The necessity of praying in the Spirit is repeated often throughout the New Testament.
The Holy Spirit is the One who has come to lead us and guide us into all truth. He is the one who is making things known to us that Jesus was unable to communicate (John 16:12-15). His coming and subsequent intercession was the sound of other languages or the languages of men and angels (Acts 2:8-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1). The command to pray in the Spirit extends from 1 Corinthians to Jude 20.
Although praying in the Spirit may extend to speaking by the Spirit or prophesying it certainly excludes much of what Christians today would have us believe is prayer which, in fact, is little more than their own minds expressing frustration, anxiety, and remorse. The prayer of the Spirit has a sound and an inspiration that is produced by the Holy Spirit Himself (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; Acts 19:6; Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 14; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Friday, January 26, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 26 2007
1 Peter 2:10 - "Who once were not a people but now God’s people who had no mercy but now have mercy."
Mercy is a word that may also be understood as an expression of deep love or tender affection by its Hebrew equivalent (racham). God’s compassion and deep affection that we have obtained through His Great Salvation has caused us to come into a relationship position with Him that is best expressed by the Psalmist when he says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalms 23:6).
The blessing and favor of God that is giving to us through God’s abundant mercy is a guarantee that we will always find ourselves going from strength to strength. Living in God’s abundant mercy that is new every morning is an assurance that everything about our lives will be stamped with the blessing of God.
We can be certain that if we trust and rely upon God, our seed will be mighty upon the earth, and whatever we do will prosper. Our children will walk in a greater anointing and have a greater influence than we have had. Because we have obtained mercy, we will find ourselves walking in all of the covenant blessings, and more, that God promised Abraham and the nation of Israel (Galatians 3:14; Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Hebrews 8:6).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 Peter 2:10 - "Who once were not a people but now God’s people who had no mercy but now have mercy."
Mercy is a word that may also be understood as an expression of deep love or tender affection by its Hebrew equivalent (racham). God’s compassion and deep affection that we have obtained through His Great Salvation has caused us to come into a relationship position with Him that is best expressed by the Psalmist when he says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalms 23:6).
The blessing and favor of God that is giving to us through God’s abundant mercy is a guarantee that we will always find ourselves going from strength to strength. Living in God’s abundant mercy that is new every morning is an assurance that everything about our lives will be stamped with the blessing of God.
We can be certain that if we trust and rely upon God, our seed will be mighty upon the earth, and whatever we do will prosper. Our children will walk in a greater anointing and have a greater influence than we have had. Because we have obtained mercy, we will find ourselves walking in all of the covenant blessings, and more, that God promised Abraham and the nation of Israel (Galatians 3:14; Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Hebrews 8:6).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread Jan 25 07
Ephesians 6:18-20 - "Through every prayer and plea, praying on every occasion in the Spirit also being on watch, totally alert. And on my behalf that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth by boldly making known the mystery of the gospel. On behalf of which I am an ambassador in bonds that in it I may speak boldly even as I ought to speak."
Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus was that they should pray on every occasion in the Spirit. They were to be totally alert as the army of God and every need that presented itself was to be taken to God in prayer. Among those urgent needs was Paul’s own ministry of the word. He desired the church to pray for him that he would both be given the word and that he would speak the word of God with boldness.
Unfortunately, if we are not careful, we will pray after our own human concern and understanding and be completely ineffective. It is only the prayer of the Spirit that is the effectual and effective prayer. When we pray in the Spirit we will also receive the prayer of revelation or prophetic prayer that we can understand and receive instruction and edification by. Many times we also make the mistake of praying in the Spirit just short of the prayer that everyone can understand.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Ephesians 6:18-20 - "Through every prayer and plea, praying on every occasion in the Spirit also being on watch, totally alert. And on my behalf that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth by boldly making known the mystery of the gospel. On behalf of which I am an ambassador in bonds that in it I may speak boldly even as I ought to speak."
Paul’s instruction to the church at Ephesus was that they should pray on every occasion in the Spirit. They were to be totally alert as the army of God and every need that presented itself was to be taken to God in prayer. Among those urgent needs was Paul’s own ministry of the word. He desired the church to pray for him that he would both be given the word and that he would speak the word of God with boldness.
Unfortunately, if we are not careful, we will pray after our own human concern and understanding and be completely ineffective. It is only the prayer of the Spirit that is the effectual and effective prayer. When we pray in the Spirit we will also receive the prayer of revelation or prophetic prayer that we can understand and receive instruction and edification by. Many times we also make the mistake of praying in the Spirit just short of the prayer that everyone can understand.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 24 2007
John 15:7 - "If you dwell in me and my words dwell in you then you may ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."
Jesus reveals how easy it is to receive the answer to your request - He simply tells us to ask. Jesus tells us 7 times in John chapters 14 through 16 to ‘ask.’ The kind of prayer that we are to pray is an asking prayer - one that expects God to do the impossible. Elijah prayed asking God to stop the rain, and it did not rain for 3.5 years; then when he asked God to cause it to rain it was so (James 5:17-18). James said, “you have not because you ask not.” Jesus said, “everyone who asks shall receive” and “all things whatsoever you ask in prayer believing you shall receive (Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 11:22). How simple can it be; Jesus reduces the impossible to nothing more than a basic request.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
John 15:7 - "If you dwell in me and my words dwell in you then you may ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."
Jesus reveals how easy it is to receive the answer to your request - He simply tells us to ask. Jesus tells us 7 times in John chapters 14 through 16 to ‘ask.’ The kind of prayer that we are to pray is an asking prayer - one that expects God to do the impossible. Elijah prayed asking God to stop the rain, and it did not rain for 3.5 years; then when he asked God to cause it to rain it was so (James 5:17-18). James said, “you have not because you ask not.” Jesus said, “everyone who asks shall receive” and “all things whatsoever you ask in prayer believing you shall receive (Luke 11:9-10; Matthew 11:22). How simple can it be; Jesus reduces the impossible to nothing more than a basic request.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 23 2007
1 Peter 1:7 - "That the testing of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes even though tried with fire may be found unto praise and glory and honor at Christ Jesus' unveiling."
Father gives us a measure of His faith, and it must be proved or assayed in our lives (Psalms 66:10; James 1:3-4; Proverbs 17:3). The Greek word "dokimion" (testing) refers to the testing that is necessary to determine the genuineness of something. If we are willing to go through the refining fires of the Spirit, God will perfect everything concerning our faith.
Jeremiah revealed that the word of God was like a fire that burns up the chaff. He revealed that the chaff was the false words that had been spoken by the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:28,29; Matthew 3:12). These opinions of devils and men were withholding the fruit that the seed of God's word otherwise would have produced. The faith of God that has come to us by the Word of God must be purified from the mixtures of our own opinions, perceptions, and fears.
The Word of God teaches us how to walk in absolute love and trust toward the Father, yet there are many doubts and fears that we allow to effect our decisions. When God's Word enters into the earthen vessels of our lives it must be tried within us, and those things that we may unknowingly mix with it must be removed. Therefore, Jesus the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls sits over us as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3). God's word is pure like silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times, and it must be also tried in us by the situations and circumstances that God allows to come against us (Psalms 12:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 Peter 1:7 - "That the testing of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes even though tried with fire may be found unto praise and glory and honor at Christ Jesus' unveiling."
Father gives us a measure of His faith, and it must be proved or assayed in our lives (Psalms 66:10; James 1:3-4; Proverbs 17:3). The Greek word "dokimion" (testing) refers to the testing that is necessary to determine the genuineness of something. If we are willing to go through the refining fires of the Spirit, God will perfect everything concerning our faith.
Jeremiah revealed that the word of God was like a fire that burns up the chaff. He revealed that the chaff was the false words that had been spoken by the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:28,29; Matthew 3:12). These opinions of devils and men were withholding the fruit that the seed of God's word otherwise would have produced. The faith of God that has come to us by the Word of God must be purified from the mixtures of our own opinions, perceptions, and fears.
The Word of God teaches us how to walk in absolute love and trust toward the Father, yet there are many doubts and fears that we allow to effect our decisions. When God's Word enters into the earthen vessels of our lives it must be tried within us, and those things that we may unknowingly mix with it must be removed. Therefore, Jesus the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls sits over us as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3). God's word is pure like silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times, and it must be also tried in us by the situations and circumstances that God allows to come against us (Psalms 12:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Monday, January 22, 2007
Daily Bread - Jan 22 2007
2 John 1:7 - "Who indeed for the sake of the Name go out taking nothing from the nations."
This Greek phrase translated "for the name sake" is found 7 times in the New Testament and 17 times in the Old Testament (1 Sam 9:2; 1 Kings 1:47; 12:24; 1 Chronicles 4:9). The more common way to translate this phrase is "for his name sake." However, a more literal translation is "for the sake of his name," or as it appears in this verse "for the sake of the name," (Acts 5:41; 9:16; 15:26; 21:13; Romans 1:5; 15:9; 3 John 1:7).
All power has been given to Jesus, and through His name that power and authority is executed by His servants insomuch that whatever they ask in His name will be done ( Matthew 28:18; John 14:13,14); 15:16; 16:23,24,26-27). The name of Jesus has been exalted above every other name; therefore, all powers and authorities are subject to it (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9). Every evil spirit and corrupt thing must obey the authority that is in the name of Jesus.
Through the power that is in the name of Jesus, the servants of God cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, or drink any deadly thing and are not harmed. Through His name His servants are empowered to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17). The name of Jesus and faith in His name causes the crippled to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dead to be raised to life again (Acts 3:16; 8:5,7).
God has sworn that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23). Through the name of Jesus, the power of sin and deception is broken and men are turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). Through the name of Jesus men are delivered from the curse of sin and death (Acts 2:38; 4:12). When two or three of His servants are gathering together in His name, Jesus, He is in their midst to make known the power and authority of His word (Matthew 18:20; Mark 16:20). By the supernatural display of the power of God in our lives we manifest the name of Jesus even as Jesus manifested the name of the Father (John 17:6,12,26).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 John 1:7 - "Who indeed for the sake of the Name go out taking nothing from the nations."
This Greek phrase translated "for the name sake" is found 7 times in the New Testament and 17 times in the Old Testament (1 Sam 9:2; 1 Kings 1:47; 12:24; 1 Chronicles 4:9). The more common way to translate this phrase is "for his name sake." However, a more literal translation is "for the sake of his name," or as it appears in this verse "for the sake of the name," (Acts 5:41; 9:16; 15:26; 21:13; Romans 1:5; 15:9; 3 John 1:7).
All power has been given to Jesus, and through His name that power and authority is executed by His servants insomuch that whatever they ask in His name will be done ( Matthew 28:18; John 14:13,14); 15:16; 16:23,24,26-27). The name of Jesus has been exalted above every other name; therefore, all powers and authorities are subject to it (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9). Every evil spirit and corrupt thing must obey the authority that is in the name of Jesus.
Through the power that is in the name of Jesus, the servants of God cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, or drink any deadly thing and are not harmed. Through His name His servants are empowered to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:17). The name of Jesus and faith in His name causes the crippled to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the dead to be raised to life again (Acts 3:16; 8:5,7).
God has sworn that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10; Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23). Through the name of Jesus, the power of sin and deception is broken and men are turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). Through the name of Jesus men are delivered from the curse of sin and death (Acts 2:38; 4:12). When two or three of His servants are gathering together in His name, Jesus, He is in their midst to make known the power and authority of His word (Matthew 18:20; Mark 16:20). By the supernatural display of the power of God in our lives we manifest the name of Jesus even as Jesus manifested the name of the Father (John 17:6,12,26).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Jan 20 2007
2 John 1:7 - "Because many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, this is the deceiver and the antichrist."
The spirit of the antichrist and the spirit of deceit work in conjunction with one another. In 1 John 2:26; 3:7 and 4;6, the spirit of antichrist was revealed in those who refuse to remain in the church that the Apostle John belonged to. John reveals that all who broke off fellowship with them were in fact children of the devil, 1 John 2:19; 3:8.
One is either lead by the Spirit of truth and has the anointing or they are lead by deception and have the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:6). The "going out" from the fellowship with the church in 1 John 2:19, is comparable to the "going out" of Judas after the devil had entered into him, John 13:27,30.
The ultimate deception does not usually take place in a person's life all at once. Rather one deception leads to another until not only has a person left the assembly of God's people but they also deny that Jesus Christ ever came into their lives or into the world.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
2 John 1:7 - "Because many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, this is the deceiver and the antichrist."
The spirit of the antichrist and the spirit of deceit work in conjunction with one another. In 1 John 2:26; 3:7 and 4;6, the spirit of antichrist was revealed in those who refuse to remain in the church that the Apostle John belonged to. John reveals that all who broke off fellowship with them were in fact children of the devil, 1 John 2:19; 3:8.
One is either lead by the Spirit of truth and has the anointing or they are lead by deception and have the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:6). The "going out" from the fellowship with the church in 1 John 2:19, is comparable to the "going out" of Judas after the devil had entered into him, John 13:27,30.
The ultimate deception does not usually take place in a person's life all at once. Rather one deception leads to another until not only has a person left the assembly of God's people but they also deny that Jesus Christ ever came into their lives or into the world.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Jan 19 2007
1 John 1:2 - "Because the truth abides in us and will be with us forever."
The truth has no deception nor false information contained within it. Truth, only comes by Jesus and for men to have it their hearts must be changed by the Spirit of God. Jesus is the one who is full of truth and the only one who can give truth to men (John 1:14; John 14:6; 1:17). It is the truth that sets men free from the bondage of sin and deception (John 8:32). It is the truth that enables men to be true worshipers, for men may only worship God in truth (John 4:23-24).
The Holy Spirit that we have received from God is the Spirit of truth whom the world, which lies in darkness and deception cannot receive (John 14:17). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us and to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). All we must do is be willing to simply yield ourselves to the Spirit of God and be obedient children not fashioning ourselves after the world and we will be led into all the fullness of the truth of God's Word and Way.
The anointing that we have received, which is the divine empowerment to walk in the divine nature, teaches us all things and is truth (1 John 2:27). Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify His disciples in the truth and also made it known that this was why He sanctified Himself unto death (John 17:17; 19). Walking in the truth may also be understood as, "walking in the Spirit" (Rom 8:1,4; Gal 5:16, 25), "walking in the Light" (John 8:12; Eph 5:7; 1 John 1:7), and "walking in Love" (Eph 5:2). All we need to do is find ourselves in love with Jesus today. If we will allow the anointing that we have received to both inspire us and to guide us we will find ourselves only believing and doing the truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
1 John 1:2 - "Because the truth abides in us and will be with us forever."
The truth has no deception nor false information contained within it. Truth, only comes by Jesus and for men to have it their hearts must be changed by the Spirit of God. Jesus is the one who is full of truth and the only one who can give truth to men (John 1:14; John 14:6; 1:17). It is the truth that sets men free from the bondage of sin and deception (John 8:32). It is the truth that enables men to be true worshipers, for men may only worship God in truth (John 4:23-24).
The Holy Spirit that we have received from God is the Spirit of truth whom the world, which lies in darkness and deception cannot receive (John 14:17). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us and to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). All we must do is be willing to simply yield ourselves to the Spirit of God and be obedient children not fashioning ourselves after the world and we will be led into all the fullness of the truth of God's Word and Way.
The anointing that we have received, which is the divine empowerment to walk in the divine nature, teaches us all things and is truth (1 John 2:27). Jesus prayed that the Father would sanctify His disciples in the truth and also made it known that this was why He sanctified Himself unto death (John 17:17; 19). Walking in the truth may also be understood as, "walking in the Spirit" (Rom 8:1,4; Gal 5:16, 25), "walking in the Light" (John 8:12; Eph 5:7; 1 John 1:7), and "walking in Love" (Eph 5:2). All we need to do is find ourselves in love with Jesus today. If we will allow the anointing that we have received to both inspire us and to guide us we will find ourselves only believing and doing the truth.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org
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