Heralds Digest

"saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”" (Revelation 1:11 NKJV) The common experience from every fellowship in tribulation is frustration and loss of divine inspiration. The ability to access the riches of a divine revelation in our periods of pain is uncommon. For example, Apostle John was at the Island of Patmos as a victim of strange persecution during the period of his fellowship with Jesus Christ. It should be noteworthy that the secret of peace in times of pain is the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Alpha and the Omega of our situation and circumstances. Admittedly, an uncommon revelation is not possible without an uncommon coronation of Jesus always as the First and the Last.

"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Revelation 1:7 NKJV) Mourning for sin and every act of unrighteousness, while the door of mercy is open wide, leads the soul to repentance and regeneration. Although this type of mourning appears a demonstration of weakness, unrepentant sinners will later mourn for eternal loss of their souls and their defeat of arguments against the crucified Saviour. Every unrepentant act of unrighteousness, while the Saviour waits and knocks at the door of the sinner's heart, pierces the Saviour's heart. Whereas, there is wisdom in temporal mourning by the opening of hearts unto salvation, rather than eternal mourning unto damnation.

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Revelation 1:3 NKJV) There is always a great sense of urgency attached to matters perceived as emergency. The revelation of Jesus Christ to Apostle John may attract a quick response around the period of the revelation than now, because of the reduced sense of urgency over a period of time. With over thousands of years after the revelation, the concept of " the time is near " is reasonably dim. Unfortunately, the consequences of disobedience to heavenly revelations remain shorter than the ancient days with time. Obviously, a good perception of the judgment of God, which provokes better response unto righteousness, is indeed a great blessing.

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21 NKJV) Just like the keeping of daily physical exercise and the watching unto healthy diet are profitable for physical wellness, the wellness of the spirit requires consistent spiritual maintenance. While the two procedures provide wellness, the motivation for spiritual wellness is different from that of physical wellness: looking for the glory of God, rather than the praise of man. Whenever the desire for the praise of man infests the heart system, great damage will be done on the soul unless quick recovery is taken. However, a daily look on the mercy of God keeps the heart of man in the love of God forever.

"These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit." (Jude 1:19 NKJV) The lack of recognition of the invisible but mighty hands of God in the affairs of life is the major attribute of ungodliness. The knowledge of God is limited in human profession; it is only the possession of the Spirit of God that releases the heart of man from ungodly desires. Godliness promotes orderliness; but the lack of the abiding influence of the Spirit of God is bound to degenerate into disorderliness and divisions. In spite of reasonable arguments in all ungodly lusts, the major cause of divisions is the loss of the leading of the Spirit of God.

"...to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:15 NKJV) Godliness speaks no other language besides love and mercy. However, the procession of God's saints with the heavenly host to convicts all acts of ungodliness appears to speak a different language - judgment. Apparently, only godly sinners can understand the language of love and mercy. Sinners are doomed not because of their nature of sin. They will be convicted because of their preference for the language of judgment, if the language of love and mercy is ignored. Obviously, the rejection of the language of love and mercy in all ungodly sinners is the basis of their awaiting doom rather than their act of unrighteousness.

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3 NKJV) The relationship of the once-depraved sinner with the holy God (including his salvation from sin, his call into a fruitful service, and the preservation of his soul in righteousness) is powered by faith in the finished work of grace. Unfortunately, this new relationship did not cancel the possible outward relationship with the world and its systems; it only encourages contention for the faith, in order to keep the expected devotion with the Saviour. Although our relationship with Christ cannot remove the attractiveness of sin, contending with distractions to the common salvation can retain the attentiveness of soul to righteousness.