Heralds Digest

"Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." (Revelation 2:16 NKJV) The judicial system of the world operates in a court of law instead of a court of justice. Unlike a court of justice, verdicts in a court of law are based on superior argument of the law and the overriding judgment of the judges. Obviously, justice belongs unto God because the laws of God are not subject to private interpretation. Liked to a two-edge sword, the word of God either correct or condemn. No one can sit on the fence on the day of judgment. After all, the liberty to reject correction is clearly the liberty to accept condemnation.

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10 NJKV) Most people are unprepared for periods of tribulation. Howbeit, as revealed to the Church in Smyrna, the apparent accident is not an evident want of information about its visitation. It is important to note that relationship with the Lord, who is the First and the Last, provides adequate warning for the preservation of God's elects, prior to the onset of tribulation. Although the preoccupation of the pain in tribulation is extremely inconvenient, the actual occupation of the period of tribulation is obviously transient. Therefore, faithfulness to the First and the Last is preferable to the possible fear of the transient tribulation.

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4 NKJV) Without the unrelaxed string of first love, familiarity in relationship either brings contempt or compulsion. For example, there appears no wanting in the quantity of good works by the Church at Ephesus, except for the expression of the quality or motive concern. Sinners were good-for-nothing apparatus when Jesus demonstrated His love to them, and freely paid the price for their redemption. Likewise, the redeemed bride (i.e., the Church) is expected to retain her relationship with the Lord on the basis of this good-for-nothing first love, rather than on the basis of her good works. Only first love sustains good motive, as good works are not acceptable substitutes.

"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.