Word of comfort by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Weekly message: Word of comfort 

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music                          July 11,2021

 

My friends, have you ever concerned the salvation of your loved one, families, and friends? Are you frustrated and discouraged when they turn away from the Lord? Neither desires for reading the Bible nor believe in Jesus Christ. Will you anxious about their salvation and pray for them earnestly? When they reject you, act like antichrist against you, will you give up them and stop to pray for them? In your frustration, you became a bitter and salt less vessel. How to revive of your inner man’s peace, joy, confident and response to these scenarios so that you will not sink down nor fail of your faith? Today, let us discover the Word of comfort in the Bible and what is the hope and reward of Christians in Christ?

The Word of Comfort to Joshua in O.T. (Joshua1:7-9)

            In Old Testament, when Joshua was elected as a leader to lead Israel cross the Jordan River, the words of comfort as follow,

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful whoever you do. Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrifies; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua: 1:7-9)

 

The faith realization to Joshua,

First, he must affirm and believe that the Lord is with him after Moses died, for his leadership was confirmed by the Lord. Second, he must acknowledge the book of the laws, decrees, commands, and precepts of the Lord, no matter what people may say. Joshua led Israel successfully arrived the Cannon, the land, full of milk and honey after he followed Moses whole heartily. Because his strong faith in the Lord, the Lord made him a remarkable leader of Israelites after Moses died.   

The Word of Comfort to Apostle John in N.T. (Revelation 22:8-17)

 In New Testament, the Word of comfort to Apostle John appears in the book of Revelation 22:8-17, The Lord told him and encouraged him,

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come, and let him who hears say, “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:8-17)

 

The faith realization to Apostle John,

First, he must affirm the Words of the prophecy of this book –Bible because the time is near. The commands are same as Joshua’s in the O.T. which emphasized the important of this Book of Law, “Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”(Joshua1:7).

Secord, Apostle John must not get bitter, nor be aroused by certain group of people who reject the Words of prophecy in this book-Bible. No matters the groups of people who do wrong or the group of people are vile. For the Lord will bring the judgment and give to everyone according to what he has done.

Third, Apostle John needs to press on in order to gain the reward. To those who do right, continue to be holy, and wash their robes, keep their conduct clean through the washing of the blood of the Lamb(Rev.7:14), the reward is “the Lord is with them” and “ they may have right to the tree of life, and may go through the gates into the city. (Rev.22:12, 14). According to Gen.2:8-9, Adam, after being created, he was put before the tree of life. He was privileged to partake of it, but because of the fall of man, the way to the tree of life was closed to man by God’s glory, holiness, and righteousness (Gen.3:24). Through Christ’s redemption, which fulfilled all the requirements of God’s glory, holiness, and righteousness, the way to the tree of life was opened again to believers(Heb.10:19-20). 

Therefore, those who wash their robes in the redeeming blood of Christ have the right to enjoy the tree of life as their eternal portion in the holy city, the Paradise of God, in eternity (Rev.2:7). To enter by the gates into the city is to enter the New Jerusalem, as a realm of God’s eternal blessing, by regeneration through the death-overcoming and life-imparting Christ.

In contrary, in outside the New Jerusalem city, where the lake of fire, which holds all the sinners who have perished, will be located. Those who are liars, practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.   

The significance of Bible

The testimony of this book was made by the Lord Jesus for the churches. The entire revelation of the Bible shows us the love story of a universal couple. That is, the sovereign Lord, who created the universe and all things, the Triune God-the Father, the Son, and the Spirit who went through the processes of incarnation, human living, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, and who ultimately became the life-giving Spirit, is joined in marriage to the created, redeemed, regenerated, transformed, and glorified tripartite man-composed of spirit, soul, and body who ultimately constitutes the church, the expression of God. In the eternity that is without end, by the divine, eternal, and surpassingly glorious life, they will live a life that is the mingling of God and man as one spirit, a life that is superexcellent and that overflows with blessings and joy.

Implication/ application

1). Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book. Do not let this book depart from your mouth; meditate it day and night so that you may be successful in everything you do.  

2). Do not worry, nor be discouraged because of your loved one or families or friends who turn away from the Lord. Don’t give up, keep on praying for them and lift them up to the Lord in the name of Jesus. In God’s timing, Saul will become Apostle Paul. The salvation is for sure and is eternal.

3). The Lord, Jesus will unveil Himself to individual,  for it is the Lord put His law in our mind, and writes it on our hearts. Joshua’s faith resulted in his successful as a great leader. Apostle John’s vision empowers him to press on in order to gain the reward as overcomers.   

4).  Saints need to fix your eyes to Jesus and gaze upon the reward –tree of life and into the city, New Jerusalem, let He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

 

Bibliography,

        

      King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

 

      Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.

 

   Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.