Revelation of God's Glory

"Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 

Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone."(Matthew 17: 1-8; AMP)

In this account of Jesus' transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in a totally different light. Peter had wanted to build three shelters: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Moses represented the law, Elijah represented the prophets, but Jesus is at a matchless level as the Son of God, and God the Father spoke from the cloud in an audible voice from the cloud that, "“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”"

In the account of Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist receive a similar revelation of Jesus' standing before God the Father. "After Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus), and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased and delighted!” (Matthew 3:16-17; AMP)

And, in the Book of Revelation, John the disciple has many revelations of Jesus' glory and power such as the following:

“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness). I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].”

Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:12-14; AMP)

We may not be direct witnesses of Jesus' glory, but we have read and envisage His glory from the Word of God. With this revelation of Jesus' glory, our worship of Him would take on a whole new level as we see Jesus for who He is truly and humble ourselves under His Mighty Hand.

As we come into His Presence, let us truly honour Him with awe, reverence and devotion to live a life of loving God and people that pleases Him while using the gifts and talents that have been entrusted to us.

And, when it comes to corporate worship, our revelation of Jesus propels us to be a true worshipper and no longer a bystander because we get it. Yes, Jesus is the big deal and in a league of His own. It is time to extinguish idols such as a favourite influencer, actor, singer, basketball player, baseball player, soccer player, etc. Our worship of Jesus is in direct proportion to our revelation of who Jesus is.

"For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11; AMP)

And, it is also time for us to tune down on social media, and spend more time in the Word of God and the things of God as opposed to the things of this world.  

Making Sense of What Is Happening In Gaza

The importance of history is invaluable as we seek to understand the present events such as the current war in Gaza in the light of past events.

Beyond historical facts, we could also view the events revolving around Israel with a Biblical perspective regarding the land of Israel and the Jewish people.

The following YouTube clip is both insightful and enlightening in addressing the following questions:

1. Who/ What is Hamas?

2. Why is Hamas so intent on destroying Israel and the Jewish people?

3. What is the history of the Palestinians and the land of Israel?

4. Why are so many Americans youth and young adults supporting the Palestinian cause today?

5. How might any of this fit into Biblical prophesy about the End Times?

Click here for Israel, Hamas, and End Times | Ezekiel 38 | Gary Hamrick

Holding On To Your First Love For God and People

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers;" (Ephesians 1:15-16; AMP)

In the above Scripture verse, Paul was commending the believers at Ephesus for their faith in our Lord Jesus and their love for all God's people.

Alas, many years later, the church in Ephesus was chided by the Lord Jesus for having lost their first love for Him in the Book of Revelation.

"But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]." (Revelation 2:4; AMP)

I submit to you that it is harder to love people whom we have seen than to love God whom we have not seen. After all, God is love, and all people are work-in-progress of growing from glory to glory in love, at best.

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20; AMP)

Let us establish our faith in Christ alone by being His follower; a disciple who practices spiritual disciplines such as : hearing, reading, studying, meditating and  memorising God's Word; praying in fullness of faith; praising and worshipping God wholeheartedly; fasting from desires of the flesh; trusting and obeying God's Word all the time; and giving tithes and offerings regularly.

Remember, our calling is not to be a church member or a cell group member. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ who would grow unto maturity as His sons and daughters, friends, and kings and priests. We need to have our own Quiet Time with the LORD and know Him personally. Do not neglect Him and relegate our personal time with the LORD to corporate settings with the Pastor or your Cell Group Leader.

When you have a personal walk with the LORD, it doesn't matter whether your family and friends are in church or cell group. You are there to meet with the LORD in the presence of other believers. Meeting with the LORD is not just a social gathering; join a recreation club if you are looking for social interactions per se.

Even if there is no physical church to attend like during a lockdown, you will still enter into the Presence of God at home like what you are already doing in your Quiet Time with Him.

Keep loving the Lord Jesus and give Him the preeminence in your life. And, keep loving other people.

"And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him." (I John 4:21; AMP)

In a corporate setting, extending warmness is a good starting point. I have met other believers who are sincerely warm with the love of Christ shining forth (quite rare, but they do exist in the body of Christ). Imagine how wonderful this would be, especially if you are on the receiving end as a new visitor.

Question for us to contemplate: Are we believers who are looking out for our family and friends only while treating everyone else as aliens in a corporate setting as we are consumed to reserve seats and plot where to go for a meal after the service?

Hear then the Words of our Lord Jesus:

"I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” (John 13:34-35; AMP)

We need to deepen our love for God as well as enlarge our love for one another with help of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to the Lord Jesus.