Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Festival of Unity of the Communion of Churches in India

Revelation 8:1-5

v. 4 the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of saints went up before God  from the angel's hand.

As we are trying to understand the book of Revelation as a whole, for that matter to the present context, it is important that we read and understand the all relevant chapters which decribes God's plan to the end of  the ages. Chapter 8, first 5 verses can be divided into three smaller parts. V1and2 focus on”silence and Seal” V3and 4 focus on offering and outcry, and 5 focuses on fire and fury. Based on the clues from previous chapters this seventh scroll represents the decree/plan of God to bring ultimate justice to the earth unleashing his wrath on unrepentant sinners, and pouring blessings on His saints.

                    It is important to understand that as we learn from ch:5

Jesus alone is worthy  to open this scroll, that is to execute God's plan for ultimate justice. It is astonishing to read that as seventh scroll is opened; there is Silence for half an hour.  Why?  1. This silence is an indication of   short interval of time before God is executing justice.

b.reminder that God is the Holy King, who has all the right to punish and reclaim justice. Mention of the seven trumpets is to announce and

unleash a series of judgements. 2. an angel carrying a gold censor(a  vesssel for incense) sprinkles incense on the hot coals of altar mixed with prayers of God's holy saints.( Ref: rev5:8,psalm141:2) 3. Again looking at verse5, the angel took the sensor filled with fire from altar and threw it on the earth, and there were pearls of thunder,rumblings

lighning and earthquake. This denotes God's wrath is flowing down on earth over rebellious unrepentant  people.

                     The prayers of God's people, crying out for justice before the King, are being answered in judgements that fall upon the rebellious world. Let the global church come before His throne praying  for safey during the tribulation, leaving aside all differences  now.


 

Prayer
Lord we know the end is near, hear our cries, and petitions, seal us into safety during the time great tribulation. Amen


Thought for the Day
Prayer participates in God's action as He gathers  cries and petitions of His saints.



Dr. John K. Thomas, Tabor MTC, NY

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more