The Shepherd's Anchor - Based on the teachings of John Barnett's YouTube video "Finding Eternal Peace in Revelation (HIAE-8) [How It All Ends]
This is an Expositional Study of Matthew 5, 24 and Revelation Part 8 - God's Kingdom Come Today and Forever (The Lord's Prayer)
- Pray without ceasing
- Pray for God's Kingdom to come
- We're supposed to be living it - "Resting in the hope of His coming for the church
Revelation 1: God wants us to see Jesus clearly each day - As our Creator, comforting us.
Revelation 2-3: God wants us to see Jesus with us all our days on earth - As our Redeemer, coaching us.
Revelation 4-22: God wants us to see Christ's Kingdom - As our Judge, Rewarding Us.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 New King James Version 13 "each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Jesus planted His Greatest Church in the shadow of Satan's Temple - To have any church at Ephesus was really a miracle.
Ephesus - The Loveless Church - The Bottom Line: Jesus no longer held first place in their eyes. (Note: Church is not a building - It's People.) Their hearts no longer belonged to Him. The prognosis was simple: REPENT
Revelation 2:5a (Jesus asks us to reset our compass ): Jesus maps the way back with these three commands: (REMEMBER, REPENT, DO). Jesus already asks all of us to "SEEK FIRST" (Matthew 6:33), and "live by every word of God" (Matthew 4:4), and "set our affection on above" (Colossians 3:1). "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God."
Now Jesus asks us to RESET our attention (antenna) and stay focused on Him. The spiritual disciplines or "Works" we need to do again are always the same.
Personal note: One of the Greek words for the Holy Spirit is Paracletos, a term used in the New Testament, meaning Comforter, Counselor, or Helper - It actually means to walk alongside. The Holy Spirit walks alongside us. He hears us; He can help us if we will let Him.
Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Point your attention (dish antenna) on things above, not on things of earth. You can tell immediately where someone's dish is pointed. If their entire life is consumed with this world, protecting what they have in this world, getting more of this world, enjoying money, and they are desperately trying to get it all in. This is where their dish is pointed. And that's why so many people, you know, say the most confessed thing: "I don't have time for the word, for that long prayer. I don't have time for memorizing verses. I don't have enough time for that! That instantly tells us where their antenna is pointed.
5b. (Jesus Asks Us to Reset Our Compass:) Just like in any marriage or relationship, it's about time, focus, and trust.
- Do we invest our prime time with Jesus?
- Do we focus upon Him, intentionally looking right at Him as He speaks, and try to understand everything He has to say?
- He wants our prayers, reading His Word, memory work, sacrificial giving, evangelizing, and serving - to all stay prompted by a consuming love (John 14:21)
If you belong to Jesus, then He wants us to know that everything we do, think, and say is either:
- Pleasing To Him, or
- Not Pleasing to Him.
6. Jesus Knows Our Loves & Hates: Revelation 2:6 - Jesus knows what we love and hate; and what we hate and what He hates!
7. Jesus Reveals Genuine Salvation: Revelation 2:7a. The evidence of salvation is in John 10, "My sheep hear my voice"... so those with "ears" are His, and we respond to Him when we hear His voice. It is God's Spirit within us that empowers or response. We, by faith, want to respond.
8. Jesus speaks to all believers through the ages: Revelation 2:7b. This message is to the plural, "churches", not just to the saints of Ephesus, but to all saints, in Every Church, throughout the ages.
9. JESUS SEES US AS WE WILL BE: Revelation 2:7c. We are "overcomers". He began a good work in us (Phil. 1:16) and will finish. We are "Kept" by the power of God (1 Peter 1:15)
He that began a good work in us will finish it. We are not alone or our own. He wants us to "finish well" with good works. (See Judgment Seat of Christ known as the Bema Seat. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
The Church At Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11)
The Persecuted Church
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 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.
11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
10. Only Jesus can identify with all our struggles: Revelation 2:8 - Jesus describes Himself as "dead" & "alive" as they were facing fatal persecution. Jesus knows what we are suffering and helps us through afflictions.
11. Our Greatest Sympathizer is Jesus: Revelation 2:9 - Jesus knows our financial and emotional pains, plus when we are verbally abused.
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