Heralds Digest

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6 NKJV) The celebration of the distasteful legalization of immorality and un-righteousness across the world may appear a distraction to holy living. Actually, it helps to separate the wheat from the chaff. Soon and very soon, the righteous of the Lord will be cut off from the polluted scene. The darkness of the present age will only be a concern for the unfortunate bride, who will be part of the 7-year tribulation period thereafter. The raptured bride will be saved by grace through the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, while the tribulation bride will be saved by her own blood. Either way, the bride of Christ is blessed, holy, and will be a worthy partaker of the First Resurrection.

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”" (Revelation 19:10 NKJV) Privilege to prophecies is promoted by many on earth as a great possession, or a potentate that demand worship. Obviously, Apostle John was carried away by the revelations of the prophecy of a new phase of event at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Previous revelations have been largely focussed on the tribulation accounts and the punishments of the ungodly elements on earth, after the rapture of the saints. Because John had the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophesy, he has got the most important passport to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Only God who issue the prophesy passport for all the callers is worthy of worship.

"The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived." (Revelation 18:23 NKJV) Like Thomas Edisson's invention of electric light, the earth has been blessed by the inventions from the great men of all ages. Everyone's contribution or the little light is expected to always outlived the inventor. Whether it is the discovery of methods or machinery, the earth's advances have been driven by the activities of the created great men of the earth. While man's little light can boast of the mastery of certain circumstances, only the Creator knows the limit of every little light. Sincerely, wise inventors will choose the superiority of the Lord's light above the ability of their little lights.

"The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all." (Revelation 18:14 NKJV) Irrespective of religious inclination, most attractions in life are driven by the differential combination of affection for position, sex and money. Interest in either or all of position, sex or money makes the world a beautiful place, which was revealed as the great Babylon. Unless righteousness remains the primary pursuits in all relationships, no one is spared the plague of position, sex and money. Unfortunately, VIPs, the most beautiful or handsome, and the richest on earth will mourn the vanity of worldly pursuits, in place of the seeking of righteousness, when the beauty of their bride finally turn to ashes.

"For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled." (Revelation 17:17 NKJV) Distractions from the path of righteousness are always brighter with every aspiration for the zenith position of life. Even Jesus Christ was not spared the temptation of the devil, when He was promised the kingdom of the world for a compromise on the divine purpose. While the desire of the Lord remains the dominion of His children, the dominion of the Lord over His chosen people should not be compromised for earthly pursuits. Unfortunately, affluence influences the heart to embrace worldly lusts. However, a divinely-driven purpose will readily trade satisfaction from the kingdom of this world for a service to the King of all kings.

"Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”" (Revelation 16:17 NKJV) It appears the amazing voice on the Cross of Calvary "It is finished" is related to the voice from the temple of heaven "It is done" in Jesus' revelation to John, when the bowl by the Seventh Angel is poured. The former was voiced by the Lord Jesus Christ, declaring the completeness of the price of redemption. Could the latter also be the voice of the Saviour from the throne, declaring the completeness of patience for redemption? Apparently, the plan of redemption takes both the price and the patience. Jesus paid both his blood as the price on the Cross of Calvary and his patience on the throne, praying the Father for a little time for sinners to come just as they are. The stretch in God's plan for the redemption of sinners from sin cannot be forever: delay is dangerous.

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15 NKJV) The fall of man represents the loss of the righteous nature of God. However, God's plan of redemption brought righteousness at the expense of the atoning blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Instead of the unreliable apron of leaves, naked man can access the garment of righteousness. Unfortunately, redemption cannot offer the required after-sale maintenance, beyond the gracious garment of righteousness. The maintenance of the righteous garment against the corruption of sin is only possible by daily watching against shameless walk. A shameless walk is a naked display of a man stripped of God's garment of righteousness.