Recognizing Rapture is only for the Bride of Christ

 This rapture that we're talking about is only for the bride. Not for the church in general, not for all Christians, but specifically and exclusively for the bride of Christ.

"The rapture is not what traditional churches have taught for centuries, the rapture will be a secret going away. The bride of Christ will just disappear and the world won't know what  happened to her." 

This was revelation that came through supernatural vindication. The religious world teaches that the rapture will be one sudden dramatic event where millions of Christians vanish in the twinkling of an eye. But the revelation exposed this as incomplete understanding. The rapture is a process that unfolds in stages. Each stage serves a specific purpose in God's plan, and most of the religious world will completely miss what's happening. 

 There are three distinct things that must happen before Jesus appears. Reading directly from 1Thessalonians 4, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. 

 Three things: a shout, a voice, and a trumpet. " Not one simultaneous event, but three progressive stages.

This revelation is reaching hearts who are hungry for truth in these final hours. The traditional church has mixed these three stages together, missing the profound mystery of how God actually calls HIS bride. 

The first stage is the shout. And what is the shout? It's a message to get the people together. A message comes forth first. This isn't the final rapture event. This is the spiritual calling out, the lamp trimming time spoken of in Matthew 25:6. 

Behold, the bridegroom cometh. Rise and trim your lamps. The mystery that was revealed challenges everything about timing, process, and preparation. 

According to this teaching, the bride does not just wait passively for the rapture. She recognizes the hour of her visitation. She discerns the message of her day. She separates herself from religious traditions that have mixed truth with error, positioning herself to be part of what God is doing in this final age. This was not just theological theory. This came through a ministry that demonstrated heaven's approval through supernatural signs, accurate prophecies, and documented miracles that were photographed and verified by scientists.  When such validation accompanies revelation, it demands serious consideration from every sincere seeker of truth. As we journey together through this unveiling, you'll discover why this teaching created such division among religious leaders and why it continues to prepare hearts for the greatest event in human history. This is not just another study about the end times. This is the restoration of apostolic understanding for the bride who will be ready when the bridegroom appears. The mystery deepens as we enter the heart of about the rapture true nature. 

 These truths that would challenge every denominational teaching about Christ's return. It was not based on theological speculation, but on direct revelation that came through supernatural vindication. Three things , read from 1 Thessalonians 4:16. A voice, a shout,  a trumpet has to happen before Jesus appears. 

This wasn't just Bible reading.This was the unveiling of a mystery that had been sealed until the time of the end. Each of these three elements represents a distinct stage in the rapture process that most churches have completely missed. The first stage is the shout. But this is not what people expect. Jesus does all three of them when He's descending. He revealed a shout. What is a shout? It's the message going forth first. The living bread of life bringing forth the bride. This shout isn't a loud noise. It's a spiritual message that calls the bride to attention, awakening her to her true identity and destiny. Here's where the revelation becomes profound. 

This shout phase was already happening during the seventh church age ministry." "Now God has a way of doing things, and he never changes his policy,"  referencing Amos 3:7, "He would do nothing on the earth until first he revealed it to his servants, the prophets." 

The shout was the prophetic message going forth to gather the bride members, to separate her from denominational confusion and religious tradition. God operates through dispensations and each age requires its specific message. What if Moses would have come and brought Noah's message?  It wouldn't have worked. And neither would Jesus' message have ever worked by Moses. Each age has its messenger and the final age would have its voice calling the bride out from among the religious systems of the world. If you're feeling something stirring in your spirit as you listen , this is spiritual discernment that separates those who can hear from those who are spiritually deaf to their hour of visitation. 

The second stage, according to revelation, is the voice. Not just any voice, but the voice of the archangel. The same voice that Jesus used when he called Lazarus from the tomb. The same voice, a loud voice in John 11:38 and 44 that called Lazarus from the grave. This voice awakens the sleeping dead, those saints who have passed on before us, preparing them for the completion of the Bride body. But here's what makes this teaching so different from traditional doctrine. According to revelation, these stages don't happen simultaneously. 

They unfold progressively with each stage preparing for the next. The shout gathers the living bride. The voice  resurrects the sleeping bride. And then comes the third and final stage. The trumpet. Always at the feast of trumpets is calling the people to the feast. And that'll be the bride's supper. the Lamb's Supper with the bride in the sky. This is not the general resurrection of all the dead. This is specifically for those who have been prepared through the previous two stages. Those who recognized the shout and were made ready for translation. 

 This understanding came through divine revelation, not human interpretation. 

The revelation is to reveal the truth of it, what it is, to make it fit with the rest of the scripture, and then God vindicates that to be the truth. This was not just another preacher's opinion. This was revelation confirmed by supernatural signs and accurate prophecy. The traditional church teaches that when Christ returns, it will be visible to everyone at once. 

But revelation exposed this as mixing two different biblical events. The coming for His saints and the coming with His saints are separated by time and purpose. The rapture is secret, quiet, unnoticed by the religious world around it. This progressive understanding explains why so many sincere Christians will miss the rapture. They're looking for one spectacular moment instead of recognizing the process that's already begun. They're waiting for a Hollywood style disappearance instead of understanding the spiritual preparation that leads to translation. 

 This revelation carries profound implications for every believer who desires to be part of the bride. It means the rapture is not just a future event we wait for. It is a present reality we must recognize and respond to. 

The first stage has already begun :42 with the message calling the bride out from among denominational systems into the fullness of God's word for this hour. The foundation for understanding the rapture's timing becomes crystal clear when we examine about the seven church ages and our position in prophetic history. That revelation  not just speak about the rapture as an isolated event,  placed it perfectly within the framework of biblical prophecy, showing exactly where we stand in God's timeline. "We all know we're living in the Laodicea age,"  "There will never be another age to it. It can't be. So, we're living in the Laodicean age." This was not speculation about church history. This was prophetic understanding that positioned the rapture within the final church age, the age when the mysteries of God would be finished. This revelation connected the timing directly to Revelation 10:7.   And in the days of the sounding of the last earthly angel on earth, the mystery of God should be finished in that age. 

And that's the age that we're living in. 

 The seventh church age, the Laodicea age, would be the time when all the confused doctrines and twisted interpretations would be straightened out through divine revelation. But here's what makes this understanding so profound.  The book of Revelation was sealed with seven seals. 

 And these seven seals was not to be opened until the sounding of the last earthly angel on earth. The rapture  could not happen until these mysteries were first revealed to prepare the bride for her translation. The pattern was established in the Old Testament. Reading from the book of  Genesis and the gospel by Luke,  "Enoch was the seventh from Noah, which was a type of the church ages. Now, all the rest of the six men before him died, but Enoch was translated, Enoch was raptured, the seventh." This was not coincidence. This was divine pattern showing that the seventh church age would be the rapture age for the Bride. It is the seventh church age that takes the rapture, with prophetic authority. All of the other six died, but Enoch was translated because he was not found. God took him alive. Not  dead. The pattern was unmistakable. Six church ages would pass away into history, but the seventh church age would produce a people ready for translation without seeing death. 

 This revelation is not just reaching one location. It is calling out hungry hearts from every corner of this earth who recognize the hour we're living in. From revelation,  that each church age had its specific message and messenger. The ex-monk Martin Luther did not live long enough. Neither did John Wesley. The ages didn't live long enough. He taught them reformers. They had their message of that day and the people grasped it and denominated it. Each age built upon the previous like a body forming for the bride. Today our last great reformation was Pentecost. And today we're moving from that and the Pentecostal message won't mix with this because it is another day. It is all the Word of God but it is building like the feet, arms, coming up. It is forming a bride for the rapture. This understanding revolutionized how believers should view their relationship to denominational systems. 

The Bride members in the final age would be called out from among all denominations, not confined to any single religious organization. The rapture would take people from every denomination who recognized the true revelation of their hour. The wheat illustration used reveals the process  perfectly.  The church's development through the ages is just like life going through a stalk of wheat. It leaves the wheat, the hull, but the wheat forms itself like the grain of wheat that fell in the ground. The denominational systems were like the hull and stalk necessary to protect the grain, but eventually the grain must separate from the husk. The denominational systems that they left behind, they are stalks. That is all. 

It is to be burnt, the denominational system. But the real grain of wheat that come out of each one of those reformations will be caught up in the Bride. They altogether will make the bride. This revelation explains why the rapture message created such division in religious circles. It called people out from denominational loyalty into Word loyalty. It challenged the very foundation of organized religion by declaring that the Bride must separate from systems that mix truth with tradition.  We're living in the time when that wheat begins to grow. Then the shuck begins to get away from it. The separation is happening. The Bride is recognizing her identity and pulling away from religious systems that cannot produce the Word-Bride that Christ is coming for. The timing is precise. The seventh church age is the Laodicea age, the age of lukewarm Christianity and spiritual blindness. But within this age, God raises up a message and a people who can see clearly, who recognize their hour and prepare for translation. This is the age when the mysteries are finished, when the bride receives her final preparation for the greatest event in human history. The mystery of the rapture's progressive nature becomes even more profound when we examine about the first stage of this divine process. The unveiled truths about the resurrection of the dead that would completely transform how believers understand the timing and order of endtime events. 

Reading directly from 1 Thessalonians 4:16,  emphasize the specific order that scripture reveals. 

 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. The word first was not accidental or insignificant. It revealed a divine sequence that traditional churches had missed for centuries. "The dead in Christ shall rise first," . "But this was not the general resurrection that denominational churches preached about. This was something far more specific and profound. According to revelation, this resurrection was already taking place during the shout ministry, happening quietly and supernaturally without the world's recognition. 

 This first stage involves those saints who died in previous ages but were part of the true bride. Getting the Bride together and then the resurrection of the dead in Christ to be caught up with it. Those dead saints must rise first  before the living saints can be translated because the Bride must be complete spanning all the  seven ages. 

But here's where the revelation becomes revolutionary.   This resurrection of the dead is not a future event that everyone will witness. It is happening in secret just as quietly as the rest of the rapture process. The rapture will be a secret going away. The Bride will just disappear and the world won't know what happened to her. The pattern was established in scripture. 

Measure Success by Obedience Not Results

 The unoccupied fields of the world must have their Calvary before they have their Pentecost. -- Samuel Zwemer 

Samuel Zwemer: What Happens When You Measure Success by Obedience Not Results

Promises of God, 3 of 365

 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1)

Saints, did you know that you are loved by the Creator of the Universe? Regardless of who we are, God loves us and is willing to adopt us as sons and daughters. All we have to do is allow Jesus to be our Lord. Do not be surprised if people mock you once you become a believer. They do not understand God's love for them, and therefore, cannot understand your love for God.

Stop Praying About It - Decree It (Job 22:28 Changes Everything)

 What happens when a defeated Christian stops begging God and starts speaking His Word instead? I found out - and the results after 30 days changed everything.

There is a truth that has been stolen from the church and hell depends on you never finding it. And when İ say stolen,  I do not mean misplaced. I mean deliberately,   systematically removed from the pulpit, buried under layers of religious tradition and replaced with something far more comfortable and far more powerless. 30 days ago, I was not all right. And I am tired of Christians pretending they are when they are not. I was defeated. I was worn thin by symptoms that would not leave. By prayers that seemed to dissolve into the ceiling, by a faith that felt like a word I had learned in church but never actually inhabited. I was going through the motions. And if you have ever sat in a pew smiling while something inside you is quietly dying, you know exactly what I am describing. 

But 30 days ago, I did something that changed everything. I stopped praying the way religion taught taught me. I stopped begging. I stopped crying out to a God I was not sure was listening. And I started speaking biblical confessions out loud every single morning without apology, without embarrassment, without waiting to feel something first. 

By day 30, something had shifted so dramatically in my life that I had to give this testimony before I let another day   pass. I need you to stay with me because what I am about to tell you is not motivational content. It is not a spiritual self-help routine. It is the legal reality of what happens when a child of God finally opens their mouth and speaks what heaven has already declared over them.

I want you to remember one word right now. Speaking. 

Because that one act, typing it, writing it, saying it, declaring it is itself a step toward what I am going to show you. Read on . 

Here is what most Christians have been taught about confession. They have been taught that confession means confessing your sins. You kneel. You acknowledge what you did wrong. And you ask God to forgive you. And yes, there is a place for that. That is real. But that is not what I am talking about. And it is not what the Bible is primarily talking about when it instructs the believer to hold fast to their confession. 

Hebrews 4:14 says, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast our profession." That word profession,  confession in the original it is the word homologueo in the Greek, it means to say the same thing, to agree with, to speak in alignment with, hold fast to saying the same thing God says. Not hold fast to telling God how sick you are. Not hold fast to reminding heaven of how defeated you feel. 

Hold fast to what God has already declared about you in His Word. And right there, that is the robbery. Because for generations, the church has trained believers to hold fast to their symptoms, to their failures, to their circumstances,  and to call it humility. But it is not humility. It is agreement with the enemy. I discovered this as a young man studying the scriptures. I had been praying faithfully for what seemed like a lifetime. And one day, the Holy Spirit arrested me with  a question I was not prepared for. "Why are you asking me for what I have already given you?  That question undid everything I thought I understood about prayer and faith. We have prayed for what we already possess. Let that sentence land. 

We have been in an intercession crying out for something that was placed inside us the moment we were born again. Healing already purchased. Authority already granted Righteousness already imparted. Victory already secured at Calvary. And we have been on our knees asking God to do what He completed 2,000 years ago. This is the church's great tragedy. Not lack of sincerity. Sincerity abounds. But sincerity cannot substitute for revelation. And without revelation, even the most devoted believer can spend a lifetime knocking on a door that has already been opened. 

Now, I need to show you something about the nature of words. And I am going to be direct because l am not here to make you comfortable. I am here to make you free. Your words are not neutral. They are never neutral. Every word you speak is either building something or tearing something down. 

Every sentence that leaves your mouth is either advancing the kingdom of God in your personal atmosphere or retreating before the kingdom of darkness. There is no middle ground. There is no spiritual neutral-land. 

Proverbs 18:21 declares it plainly, The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Not some life. Not a little death. Death and life, the full weight of both outcomes. Hang on what you choose to speak. 

Now, here is the part that broke me open. I had been confessing two things simultaneously.  I confessed the Word of God on Sunday morning. And then I confessed my circumstances every other hour of the . I would say, "By His stripes, I am healed." And 20 minutes later, I would tell my spouse, "I just don't think this is ever going to get better."  And I could not understand why nothing was changing. I found it very difficult to hold fast to the confession of healing when I had pain in my body. What I eventually discovered was that I had been making two confessions, and the second one was nullifying the first. Every time l opened my mouth to magnify my symptoms. I was legally agreeing with the enemy and dismissing the finished work of Christ. The second confession was cancelling the first confession every single time. This is why so many believers pray and see nothing. Not because God is unwilling, but because they pray in faith and then confess in fear, and they do not understand that both prayers are being received. One by heaven and one by hell. 

Your confession is the mother of your faith. It is the soil in which your faith grows and bears fruit. You cannot plant wheat on Monday and scatter poison on the same field by Friday, and then wonder why nothing is growing. So, what does this mean practically? It means you must  become ruthless. And I do not use that word carelessly. Ruthless with the words you allow out of your mouth. Because every word is a seed and every seed produces after its own kind. 

Let me tell you what happened in the first 10 days.  I started speaking the confessions before I got out of bed. Before my feet touched the floor. Before I looked at my phone. Before I engaged the news. Before I let the world speak its version  of reality into my spirit, I opened my mouth and I said what God said. 

"I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am not a sinner struggling to please God. I am a new creation. I am recreated in the image of the Father. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me and gives life to my mortal body. I do not beg. I enforce the truth. I am the healed of the Lord. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me." 

The first few days felt strange. I will not lie to you. Religious conditioning runs deep. A part of me felt presumptuous.  Who am I to speak like this? And then the Holy Spirit reminded me, who am I not to? When a son refuses to speak his inheritance, he is not being humble. He is insulting the blood that purchased it. 

By day seven, something shifted in my atmosphere. Not in my circumstances yet, but in my spirit. The heaviness that had sat on me like a fog began to lift. I want you to understand what I mean. Not euphoric. Not emotionally worked up. Quiet. Settled. Like standing on ground that no longer trembles beneath your feet. Faith never rises above its confession. 

And for the first time in years, my confession was beginning to match heaven's record of my life. What I was experiencing was not coincidence. I was aligning. When you hold fast to your confession, you begin to synchronize with what has always been true about you in Christ. 

The transformation does not begin on the outside. It begins in the inner man. The spirit is strengthened. The mind is renewed and the body follows. Here is what I need you to understand about the new creation. {2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. ...... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! } 

Because if you miss this, everything else will feel like a technique rather than a truth. When you were born again, you did not get a spiritual upgrade. You were not polished, improved, or edited. You were recreated.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new." New creature. The word in the Greek is ktisis, creation. The Greek term κτίσις (ktisis) encompasses several interconnected meanings centered on the concept of creation. In its most basic sense, it refers to the act of creation—the divine process by which God brought the world into existence. 

Now, you are a new creation. Something that did not exist before. A new species. One that carries the nature of God. You are not a sinner saved by grace, still crawling through life, hoping God will be merciful enough to help you. 

Now, you are a child of the living God. Made righteous not by your works, but by the blood of Jesus. Seated. Hear me. You are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6. Seated. That is the posture of a finished work. Let this truth sink deep in your spirit, now. And confess the spiritual reality, here and now. 

The prayer of faith is not the begging of an inferior. It is the claiming of the rights of a son. Read that again. As a son. Not a servant. Not a pleader. Not someone negotiating for scraps.You are a son who knows his Father's house, who walks the corridors of covenant, who speaks with the authority of one who has been given all things.

Your identity is not what religion told you. Your identity is what the blood of Christ purchased and the Word declares.

 And the enemy's most effective tool against you has never been temptation. It has been identity theft. IDENTITTY THEFT. As long as you see yourself as a weak, sinful, unworthy beggar, you will pray like one. And heaven cannot honor a confession that contradicts the new creation. 

By day 14, I began to notice changes in my body. Symptoms that had lingered for months were diminishing. Not because I worked myself into an emotional state. Not because I had a mountain top experience in prayer. But because the Word of God in my mouth was doing exactly what it is designed and purposed to do. Man shall live by every word that proceed from the mouth of God. It was alive. It was active. It was sharper than a two-edged sword, and it was cutting away everything that did not belong to a son of God. 

Now, I want to talk about what was happening in the spiritual dimension that I could not see because this is the part most Christians completely miss. Psalm 103:20 says, "Bless the Lord, ye His angels that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word." Do not skim past that. Angels hearken. Hearken what? They listen intently to the voice of His Word. Not hearken to our worry.  Not hearken to our complaints. Not hearken to our fear-laced prayers. But they hearken to His Word.

In Daniel chapter 10, an angel appears and says, "From the first day that thou did set thine heart to understand, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words." Your words. Not God's sovereign intervention apart from you. Your words activated the angel's mission. Your words were the instruction that sent heaven's messenger into motion. This means that for 30 days, every time I opened my mouth and spoke the Word of God over my life, I was not just doing a spiritual exercise. I was issuing commands in the spirit realm. I was giving legal standing to angelic forces to move on my behalf. I was clearing a path because confession builds the road over which faith carries its mighty cargo. And angels move along move along that road. When you speak fear, you do not activate angels. When you speak defeat, you do not activate angels. When you speak the Word of God in faith, the same Word that  created the universe. The same Word that raised Christ from the dead, heaven moves. And this is why the enemy's primary strategy against you is never to attack you directly. He is far subtler than that. His strategy is to attack your confession. If he can get you to speak fear, he keeps heaven's forces inactive. If he can get you to say, "Nothing ever works out for me." He knows that angels cannot enforce that because it is not God's word. If he can get you to reduce your prayer life to quiet desperation and your daily speech to an ongoing report of everything wrong, he has neutralized you without ever throwing a single punch. You are not fighting for victory. You are fighting from victory. There is a world of difference between those two positions. 

By day 20, something extraordinary happened that I cannot explain in any natural terms. A situation in my life that had been completely immovable. A circumstance that I had prayed about, cried about, and honestly given up on in my private moments, suddenly broke open. Not gradually,  suddenly. Like a door that had been locked for years, swinging wide on a Tuesday morning without anyone touching the handle. And I knew not emotionally, not sentimentally, but with the deep knowing of a man who has been in the Word every day, I knew that what had shifted was not the circumstance itself. What had shifted was my confession. The words I had been speaking daily had been building something invisible. And when that invisible structure was complete, the visible world had to respond. This is the principle we spent decades trying to explain to a church that preferred the emotional and the spectacular. The Word works. It works silently, consistently, and powerfully. It works whether you feel it or not. It works in seasons of darkness just as faithfully as it works in seasons of light. What the church desperately needs is not more revival where people fall to the floor and shout. The church needs men and women who will go home from that revival and hold fast to their confession for 30 consecutive days. Because the confession is the discipline. And the discipline is where transformation actually lives. Faith never rises above its confession.

But here is the other side of that truth. Neither does the enemy's power rise above your agreement with him. The moment you stop confessing defeat, you stop feeding his operation in your life.

 I want to pause here and address something that I know is happening in the mind of some readers, right now.

There is a thought that says, "But what about the people who confessed and nothing happened? What about the people who believed and died anyway? Doesn't this mean the confession didn't work?" This is the question religion uses to shut the door on revelation. And it deserves an honest answer.

 First, confession without understanding is not the same as confession with revelation.

A man can repeat words without inhabiting them. He can say,"By his stripes, I am healed." While his heart secretly believes that healing belongs to someone more spiritual than himself. That is not holding fast. That is wishing dressed in religious language. 

The confession that produces results is the confession that flows from a heart that has been persuaded by the Word, not a heart that is trying to manipulate God into compliance. 

Second, we live in a world where the enemy is real. The body  is mortal. And there are dimensions of God's sovereign purposes that extend beyond what any single teaching can fully map. I will not dishonor the complexity of that by pretending every story ends the same way in this life. But here is what I can tell you. The teaching of confession, holding fast to the word of God, is not a prosperity formula. It is a covenant reality. And I have yet to meet a single believer who held fast to the Word of God consistently with genuine understanding of their new creation identity, who did not experience transformation.

 The Word of God is alive. It is powerful. It does not return void. That is not my opinion. That is Isaiah 55:11. The confessions I am describing do not override the sovereignty of God. They align you with it. They put you in the position of a son rather than a stranger. And sons receive differently than strangers. 

Let me speak directly to someone following this teaching who has been in pain for a long time. And I am not only talking about physical pain. I am talking about the pain of unanswered prayers. The pain of a God you believe  in who sometimes feels impossibly distant. The pain of watching people around you experience breakthroughs while you stand in the same place year after year. I know you. I have been you. And I want to say this with all the tenderness of a father who has fought this fight himself. The problem has not been your sincerity. The problem has not been your love for God. The problem in most cases has been your confession. You have been sincere about the wrong things. You have been earnest and devoted in speaking your defeat, your doubt, your disease, your discouragement. And heaven could not honor it. Not because God does not love you, but because you were building a structure your faith could not overcome.

But that ends today. Today, not when you feel better, not when your circumstances change. Today is the day you choose to hold fast to a different confession. Say this with me right now and mean every word. 

"I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. By his stripes, am healed. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. I do not beg. I enforce the finished work of the cross of Christ. I am a new creation. The old has passed. All things are new. My God supplies every need of mine according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me." 

That is not positive thinking. That is not a mantra. That is a legally binding covenant declaration spoken from a son of God who knows his rights. Hebrews 3:1 calls our faith the great confession. The great confession of the church is not what we sing in our hymns. Great confession is what we speak with our mouths in our homes, in our cars, in our quiet moments alone. That is where the real confession lives. And that is where the battle is truly won or lost. 

By day 30, I sat down in my kitchen before sunrise. Quiet house, Bible open, and I realized I had to count what had actually changed. Not emotionally, not spiritually in some vague sense, but in measurable, verifiable ways. Physical symptoms that had lingered for months gone. A financial situation that had been locked unlocked. Relationships that had been strained beginning to heal. and perhaps most significantly the low-grade fear that had lived in my chest like a permanent tenant evicted. Not by circumstance, but by revelation. Because here is what 30 days of holding fast to your confession actually does at its deepest level. It rewrites your inner conversation. And your inner conversation is the truest indicator of where you actually live in God. Not your church attendance, not your prayer list, but your inner conversation. 

For 30 days, I had fed my inner man with the word of God. I had starved the old man of his diet of fear and defeat. And what emerged on the other side was a version of myself I had read about in the scriptures. A man who walks in dominion, not because his life is perfect, but because his identity is settled. There is a confession for healing and you must speak it over your body. There is a confession for provision and you must speak it over your finances. There is a confession for authority and you must speak it over every demonic assignment against your household. There is a confession for righteousness and you must speak it over your own soul until condemnation loses its grip. The enemy does not fear your emotions. He does not fear your tears. He does not fear your songs. But he trembles when a believing child of God opens their mouth and speaks the Word with conviction, with understanding, with the legal authority of one who knows what the cross purchased. Your confession is not decoration. It is not the spiritual equivalent of wishful thinking. It is the mechanism by which heaven's resources are released into your earthly life. It is the instrument of enforcement. It is what Hebrews calls holding fast. And the word for holding fast in the Greek is krateo. It means to seize, to grip tightly. To refuse to let go under any pressure. That is the call. Seize the Word. Grip it. Refuse to release it when the symptoms speak. Refuse to release it when the bank account speaks. Refuse to release it when the circumstances speak. You have one confession. The same thing God says. And when your lips and your heart are in agreement with heaven, nothing formed against you can stand. When Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father, the work was finished. When you take your place in him, you rest in that finished work. Sitting is the posture of completion. It is not the posture of someone still negotiating, still begging, still waiting to find out if God will be gracious enough today. The cross is not an invitation to hope. It is a declaration of completion and you are the beneficiary. You are not beneath the cross looking up in desperate longing. 

You are in Christ seated with him above principality and power, above sickness and lack, above fear and condemnation. That is your legal address. And your confession is the key that unlocks the door to that address every single morning. Begin tomorrow the way I began 30 days ago. Before your feet touch the floor, before the world speaks, open your mouth and say what God says about you. Say it when you feel it. Say it when you do not feel it. Say it in the morning . Say it. Say it in the evening. Say it at noon. Say it until it is not a discipline anymore. Until it becomes the most natural thing in the world. Because you have finally come to inhabit what has always been true. You were not created to beg. You were not created to live in fear. You were not created to spend your days in spiritual poverty while the treasury of heaven stands full and the blood of Jesus has given you. every legal right to draw from it. You are a new creation. You are the righteousness of God. You are more than  a conqueror. You are the healed of the Lord. You are a king and a priest. You are seated in heavenly places. You are backed by angels. You are backed by angels. You are held by covenant. Speak it. Hold fast to it. Enforce it. And if you are ready to begin your own 30 days, enforcing is what you are doing. You are not asking. You are not begging. You are enforcing the finished work of the Saviour who sat down because the work was done. 

The one dimension  of spiritual authority that most believers never activate something rooted in the Name of Jesus Christ. His name carries legal power in the spirit realm that hell cannot resist. 

Speak the Word, starting tonight. The cross of Jesus was enough. The blood was enough. Now it is time for your mouth to catch up with what heaven has already declared. I leave you with this. The word of God is not a temporary aid. It is the permanent foundation. When the storm came in Matthew chapter 7, the house built on rock did not merely resist the storm. It stood unmoved. The storm was real. The floods were real. The winds were real. But the foundation was stronger than all of it. 

30 days of holding fast to your confession will not make your life storm free, but it will make you unmovable inside the storm. And that that unshakable settled Word grounded covenant enforcing steadiness is the life God intended for every one of his children. Not one of us exempt. Every single one of us included. So hold fast. Speak the Word. Enforce the victory. And do not quit.

Every morning, I speak aloud.

"I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am not a sinner struggling to please God. I am a new creation. I am recreated in the image of the Father. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me and gives life to my mortal body. I do not beg. I enforce the truth. I am the healed of the Lord. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me." 

Every evening , I speak aloud. 

"I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. By his stripes, I am healed. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. I do not beg. I enforce the finished work of the cross of Christ. I am a new creation. The old has passed. All things are new. My God supplies every need of mine according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am more than a conqueror through Him that loved me." 

Promises of God, 2 of 365

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit allows the believer the privilege of greater works to honour the omnipotent and loving God. How sweet and wonderful is the life of the believer who trusts in the risen Saviour. Simply having the faith of a mustard seed allows us to do wonderful things for the glory and honour of Christ. Not only will we have the power to do the wonders of Christ found in the New Testament, but we also will be able to do other incredible miracles. As believers, we will see God's goodness and greatness in the work He does through us. May all glory and honour go unto Him forever and ever.

[Afrikaans] Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, wie in My glo, die werke wat Ek doen, sal hy ook doen; en groter werke as hierdie sal hy doen, omdat Ek na my Vader gaan. (Johannes 14:12)

Die inwoning van die Heilige Gees gee die gelowige die voorreg van groter werke om die almagtige en liefdevolle God te eer. Hoe soet en wonderlik is die lewe van die gelowige wat op die opgestane Verlosser vertrou. Deur bloot die geloof van 'n mosterdsaad te hê, kan ons wonderlike dinge doen tot die heerlikheid en eer van Christus. Nie net sal ons die krag hê om die wonders van Christus te doen wat in die Nuwe Testament gevind word nie, maar ons sal ook ander ongelooflike wonderwerke kan doen. As gelowiges sal ons God se goedheid en grootheid sien in die werk wat Hy deur ons doen. Mag alle heerlikheid en eer aan Hom kom vir ewig en altyd.

[Chinese Simplified] 我实实在在地告诉你们：我所做的事，信我的人也要做；并且要做比这更大的事，因为我往父那里去。（约翰福音 14:12）

圣灵的内住赋予了信徒一项特权，使他们能行更大的事，以荣耀那位全能且慈爱的神。对于那些信靠复活救主的信徒而言，其生命是何等甘甜与美好。只要拥有芥菜种般的信心，我们就能为基督的荣耀与尊贵行出奇妙之事。我们不仅有能力行出新约圣经中所记载的基督神迹，还能行出其他不可思议的神迹奇事。作为信徒，我们将透过神借着我们所成就的工，看见祂的良善与伟大。愿一切荣耀与尊贵永远归于祂。

Wǒ shí shízài zài dì gàosù nǐmen: Wǒ suǒ zuò de shì, xìn wǒ de rén yě yào zuò; bìngqiě yào zuò bǐ zhè gèng dà de shì, yīnwèi wǒ wǎng fù nàlǐ qù.(Yuēhàn fúyīn 14:12)

Shènglíng de nèi zhù fùyǔle xìntú yī xiàng tèquán, shǐ tāmen néng xíng gèng dà de shì, yǐ róngyào nà wèi quánnéng qiě cí'ài de shén. Duìyú nàxiē xìn kào fùhuó jiù zhǔ de xìntú ér yán, qí shēngmìng shì héděng gāntián yǔ měihǎo. Zhǐyào yǒngyǒu jiècài zhǒng bān de xìnxīn, wǒmen jiù néng wéi jīdū de róngyào yǔ zūnguì háng chū qímiào zhī shì. Wǒmen bùjǐn yǒu nénglì háng chū xīn yuē shèngjīng zhōng suǒ jìzǎi de jīdū shén jì, hái néng háng chū qítā bùkěsīyì de shén jì qí shì. Zuòwéi xìntú, wǒmen jiāng tòuguò shén jièzhe wǒmen suǒ chéngjiù de gōng, kànjiàn tā de liáng shàn yǔ wěidà. Yuàn yīqiè róngyào yǔ zūnguì yǒngyuǎn guīyú tā.

[Russian] Истинно, истинно говорю вам: верующий в Меня дела, которые творю Я, и он сотворит, и больше сих сотворит, потому что Я к Отцу Моему иду. (От Иоанна 14:12)

Пребывание в верующем Святого Духа дарует ему привилегию совершать великие дела во славу всемогущего и любящего Бога. Как сладостна и чудесна жизнь верующего, уповающего на воскресшего Спасителя! Даже вера с горчичное зерно позволяет нам совершать дивные дела во славу и честь Христа. Мы обретем силу не только творить чудеса, подобные тем, что совершал Христос (о которых повествует Новый Завет), но и сможем являть иные невероятные чудеса. Как верующие, мы будем созерцать благость и величие Божьи в тех делах, которые Он совершает через нас. Да будет Ему вся слава и честь во веки веков.

Istinno, istinno govoryu vam: veruyushchiy v Menya dela, kotoryye tvoryu YA, i on sotvorit, i bol'she sikh sotvorit, potomu chto YA k Ottsu Moyemu idu. (Ot Ioanna 14:12)

Prebyvaniye v veruyushchem Svyatogo Dukha daruyet yemu privilegiyu sovershat' velikiye dela vo slavu vsemogushchego i lyubyashchego Boga. Kak sladostna i chudesna zhizn' veruyushchego, upovayushchego na voskresshego Spasitelya! Dazhe vera s gorchichnoye zerno pozvolyayet nam sovershat' divnyye dela vo slavu i chest' Khrista. My obretem silu ne tol'ko tvorit' chudesa, podobnyye tem, chto sovershal Khristos (o kotorykh povestvuyet Novyy Zavet), no i smozhem yavlyat' inyye neveroyatnyye chudesa. Kak veruyushchiye, my budem sozertsat' blagost' i velichiye Bozh'i v tekh delakh, kotoryye On sovershayet cherez nas. Da budet Yemu vsya slava i chest' vo veki vekov.

[Spanish] De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que en mí cree, las obras que yo hago, él las hará también; y aun mayores hará, porque yo voy al Padre. (Juan 14:12)

La morada del Espíritu Santo otorga al creyente el privilegio de realizar obras mayores para honrar al Dios omnipotente y amoroso. ¡Qué dulce y maravillosa es la vida del creyente que confía en el Salvador resucitado! El simple hecho de tener una fe como un grano de mostaza nos permite hacer cosas maravillosas para la gloria y el honor de Cristo. No solo tendremos el poder de realizar las maravillas de Cristo que se narran en el Nuevo Testamento, sino que también podremos obrar otros milagros increíbles. Como creyentes, veremos la bondad y la grandeza de Dios en la obra que Él realiza a través de nosotros. Que toda la gloria y el honor sean para Él por los siglos de los siglos.

[Italian] In verità, in verità vi dico: chi crede in me compirà anch'egli le opere che io compio e ne compirà di più grandi, perché io vado al Padre. (Giovanni 14:12)

La dimora dello Spirito Santo conferisce al credente il privilegio di compiere opere più grandi per onorare il Dio onnipotente e amorevole. Com'è dolce e meravigliosa la vita del credente che confida nel Salvatore risorto! Anche solo possedere una fede pari a un granello di senape ci permette di compiere cose meravigliose per la gloria e l'onore di Cristo. Non solo avremo la potenza di compiere i prodigi di Cristo descritti nel Nuovo Testamento, ma saremo anche in grado di operare altri miracoli incredibili. Come credenti, vedremo la bontà e la grandezza di Dio nell'opera che Egli compie attraverso di noi. A Lui vadano ogni gloria e ogni onore, ora e per sempre.

[French] En vérité, en vérité, je vous le dis, celui qui croit en moi fera aussi les œuvres que je fais, et il en fera de plus grandes, parce que je vais vers mon Père. (Jean 14:12)

La présence du Saint-Esprit en nous confère au croyant le privilège d'accomplir de plus grandes œuvres pour honorer le Dieu tout-puissant et plein d'amour. Combien est douce et merveilleuse la vie du croyant qui place sa confiance dans le Sauveur ressuscité. Il suffit d'une foi de la taille d'une graine de moutarde pour accomplir des choses merveilleuses à la gloire et à l'honneur du Christ. Non seulement nous aurons la puissance d'accomplir les prodiges du Christ relatés dans le Nouveau Testament, mais nous pourrons aussi réaliser d'autres miracles incroyables. En tant que croyants, nous verrons la bonté et la grandeur de Dieu dans l'œuvre qu'Il accomplit à travers nous. Que toute gloire et tout honneur Lui soient rendus aux siècles des siècles.

[Dutch] Voorwaar, voorwaar, Ik zeg u: wie in Mij gelooft, zal de werken die Ik doe ook doen; en hij zal grotere werken doen dan deze, omdat Ik naar Mijn Vader ga. (Johannes 14:12)

Door de inwoning van de Heilige Geest krijgt de gelovige het voorrecht om grotere werken te verrichten ter ere van de almachtige en liefdevolle God. Hoe heerlijk en wonderbaarlijk is het leven van de gelovige die vertrouwt op de opgestane Heiland. Alleen al het geloof ter grootte van een mosterdzaadje stelt ons in staat om wonderlijke dingen te doen tot eer en glorie van Christus. We zullen niet alleen de kracht hebben om de wonderen van Christus te verrichten die in het Nieuwe Testament worden beschreven, maar we zullen ook in staat zijn andere ongelooflijke wonderen te doen. Als gelovigen zullen we Gods goedheid en grootheid zien in het werk dat Hij door ons heen doet. Moge alle eer en heerlijkheid Hem toekomen, tot in eeuwigheid.

Sermon on Song : #2, “We’re Marching to Zion”

 “We’re Marching to Zion”

#2, Sacred Selections

 

This day , we want to examine another song.  In the times we are now facing, I find that if we consider the message of this song, it can help give us the resolve we need to press on toward the goal.

Background.  The text was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).  He was a prolific songwriter, who wrote more than 650 hymns, many of which are still sung today.  Most of his songs were written at an early age where he was member of the Above Bar Congregational Church in Southampton, England.    The words that he wrote which became our hymn were published as part of a series of hymns in 1707.  The tune at that time was very different.  The tune in our song book was produced by Robert Lowry in the late 1800s.The original hymn was 10 stanzas.  Our song book has four of them.

While young, Isaac Watts had smallpox which deformed him and made him a sickly and frail boy.   He was also very prolific with knowledge having learned Greek, Latin, Hebrew and French by the time he was thirteen years old.  Perhaps his appearance, as well as his father being a dissenter of the Church of England and the persecutions it produced (including imprisonment), were factors in his resolve in some of his songs. 

 “We’re marching to Zion”, is a song of resolve regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in.  Let us examine the message of this song.

 I.                    Chorus – We’re marching to Zion

a.        We’re marching to Zion – What is Zion?
Zion, is one of the names for Jerusalem.  It was actually a portion of the city that was subdued by David (1 Chronicles 11:4-9).  He then named it, “the City of David.”  The term is found about 161 times in the Bible (7x in the New Testament). 
Throughout the prophets it was a term used to describe Jerusalem, and more specifically as representative of Judah (or Israel) as its capital and as God’s people. 
Quite often it was used with a dual implication - a double message – one speaking of the LORD redeeming the physical nation from captivity or oppression, but its ultimate fulfillment in Christ coming to establish His eternal kingdom, which is Zion.
In my studies of the word in scripture, I believe the best way to describe Zion is, the place where God meets with His people.  Physically that would have been Jerusalem (where the temple was), but now it is in heaven which is related to the church universal (the body of all who are saved). 
In the New Testament the word is found 7 times  - 2 times in the gospels to identify the prophecy of Jesus entering the city – Matt. 21:5, John 12:15 (based on Zechariah 9:9);
2 times in Romans – Rom. 9:33 and 11:26 – also OT prophecies dealing with Israel’s rejection of God and thus salvation is available to all.  And 1 Peter 2:6 where this same rejection is recorded.
NOTICE Hebrews 12:22-24, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. “  While dealing with the saved, the Hebrew writer speaks of future hope in heaven.
That Zion is representative of heaven is seen in the various descriptions of the previous verse.
In Psalm 2:6, a messianic psalm we read, “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”   This is a reference to Jesus as we continue to read the text it is directed toward Him (vs. 7-9, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, 5:5, etc.). 
Jesus is NOW seated in heaven at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12, 12:2, Romans 8:34, etc.) in heaven (cf. Heb. 9:24 – He has entered into heaven itself.  Heb. 8:1 – seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…)
So we see in this that in our song, Zion is representative of heaven (as in many other songs we sing – which is why we have taken time to address this). 

b.       We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion… – while on this earth, we are marching toward heaven.  The idea of marching is that we are moving toward that place.  I think of Philippians 3:12-14 – I press toward the goal.  We are running a race toward the finished line (1 Cor. 9:24-27, Heb. 12:1-2)

c.        The beautiful city of God – Heaven is described as a city.  Heb. 11:10, 13-16.
 Revelation 21:9-22:5 – the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven is described.  It is a spiritual city where there is night, no sun or moon, no sickness or sorrows, etc.  And it is where the throne of God is found!

d.       Throughout this song, we are reminded that heaven is the goal we are striving to reach.

 II.                  Vs. 1, Come we that love the Lord

a.        Come we that love the Lord - This is a call to Christians – Matthew 22:37 – love God with all your heart.  Love Jesus – John 14:15, 1 John 4:19, we love Him because He first loved us. 
Such will obey Him – 1 John 5:3-5
James 1:12 – the crown of life is promised to those who love Him. 

b.       And let our joys be known – this song reminds us that in those difficult times, we need to strive to be joyful - Phil 4:4.  Consider Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi – Acts 16:25 – they were singing songs.
If one is joyful, sing – James 5:13

c.        Join in a song in sweet accord – in this I think of joining together to sing.  Among the thoughts that comes to my mind with this song is the unity we have in Him.  Worship brings us together.  Singing brings us together – Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:16 – both imply a joyful disposition.
It is said that as Israelites went together in groups to Jerusalem for various feasts that they would sing various psalms (called the psalms of Ascents – Psalm 120-134). 

d.       And thus surround the throne – our singing is a spiritual sacrifice go up to God – Heb. 13:15,
ALSO, let us be reminded that as Christians we have the privilege of approaching God in heaven – Heb. 4:16.

 III.                Vs.2 – Let those refuse to sing

a.        Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God –
1) Those who are of the world do not have the same privileges as Christians.  For example consider Ephesians 2:12 – they were strangers and without Christ, having no hope…
2) The world doesn’t care about Him.  They do not have the hope and source of joy that can provoke us to praise Him even in troubling times.  Let em!

b.       But children of the heavenly king may speak their joys abroad –
1) We are children of God – 1 John 3:1 – the manner of His love – we are called children of God
2) We can and should speak of His joys abroad – do not be ashamed of Him.  1 Peter 3:15 – give a reason for the hope that is in you.  1 Peter 2:9 as a royal priesthood we proclaim His praises…
Paul constantly glorified God to others – “I thank my God” – Rom. 1:8, 1 Cor. 1:4, Phil. 1:3, 2 Tim. 1:3, Philemon 4, etc. – he was not ashamed to tell  others about Him. 

 IV.                VS. 3 – The hill of Zion

a.        The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets – as Christians on our journey to heaven, we enjoy numerous blessings even now.  Eph. 1:3 – God has blessed us with every blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. 2 Cor. 1:3 describes Him as the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation… 

b.       Before we reach the heavenly fields, or walk the golden streets – this continues to remind us of the same thought.  We are blessed as Jesus said in Luke 18:30 – in this age blessings, and in the life to come – eternal life.
But also I see the endurance of our journey – we have to stay the course and compete according to the rules – 2 Tim. 4:7 – we must finish the race!  2 Tim. 2:5 – compete according to the rules!
The golden streets is a reference to Revelation 21:21 where the New Jerusalem is described.

 V.                  Vs. 4 The let our song abound

a.        Then let our songs abound and every tear be dry  - in this world we face toils and troubles.  But in Him we are not defeated.  Be reminded of 2 Cor. 4:7-9 – we are hard pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not despaired…    1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares on Him. 
We may groan to be further clothed in Him – 2 Cor. 5:1-5, but we have hope!  Why?

b.       We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground – Immanuel means, “God with us.”  The name was prophesied by Isaiah (7:14) and applied to Jesus when He would be born (Matthew 1:23). 
IN the case of this song, we are reminded that even though this world is the dominion of Satan, and He seems to be winning, God is still in control!  1 John 4:4 – He is greater than he who is in the world.
 If we serve Him, He is with us!  Jesus told His disciples that while the ruler of this world was coming, “He has nothing in Me.” (John 14:30)
Romans 8:31 – if God be for us, who can be against us?
1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

c.        To fairer worlds on high – even the most grand of places on this earth are nothing to be compared with heaven!  2 Peter 3:13 speaks of how we are looking for new heavens and a new earth – a new dwelling place with Him for all of eternity!

 We will sing this song differently – Begin with the chorus – then sing the four verses and conclude with the chorus.

 It is no secret that we are living in very troubling times.  At every turn immorality seems to be prevailing, we live in a self-centered society, the international landscape is very troubling with terrorism on the rise and the faith of Christians is continually assaulted.  In times of discouragement, we need to remind ourselves of where our true hope lies – in heaven.  And with resolve we need to be marching toward Zion.  Are you?

Promises of GOD , 1 of 365

 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

In an instant, the saints of the Christian faith will be caught up in the air to meet their Lord in wonderful glory. What an incredible picture of the church ascending to their glorious home at the long anticipated trumpet trill! Indeed, the victory over death and sin is evident through the return of Christ and we shall reign with Him forevermore. This promise of hope and everlasting life only brings us to a place of great thanksgiving to our beautiful Saviour.

(Arabic) وعود الله

ها أنا أُبشِّركم بسرٍّ: لن نرقد جميعًا، بل سنتغير جميعًا، في لحظة، في طرفة عين، عند النفخة الأخيرة: فسيُنفخ في البوق، فيُقام الأموات غير قابلين للفساد، ونتغير نحن. لأن هذا الفاسد لا بد أن يلبس عدم الفساد، وهذا المائت لا بد أن يلبس الخلود. فمتى لبس هذا الفاسد عدم الفساد، وهذا المائت الخلود، فحينئذٍ تتم المقولة المكتوبة: «ابتُلِع الموت في النصر». يا موت، أين شوكتك؟ يا قبر، أين نصرك؟ شوكة الموت هي الخطيئة، وقوة الخطيئة هي الناموس. ولكن الشكر لله الذي يهبنا النصر بربنا يسوع المسيح. لذلك، يا إخوتي الأحباء، كونوا ثابتين راسخين، مكثرين في عمل الرب، عالمين أن تعبكم في الرب ليس باطلاً. (كورنثوس الأولى ١٥: ٥١-٥٨)

في لحظة، سيُرفع قديسو الإيمان المسيحي إلى السماء للقاء ربهم في مجدٍ باهر. يا له من مشهدٍ مهيبٍ للكنيسة وهي تصعد إلى موطنها المجيد عند نفخة البوق المنتظرة! حقًا، إن النصر على الموت والخطيئة واضحٌ من خلال عودة المسيح، وسنملك معه إلى الأبد. هذا الوعد بالرجاء والحياة الأبدية يدفعنا إلى شكرٍ عظيمٍ لمخلصنا الحبيب.

wueud allah

ha 'ana 'ubshirkm bsrin: lan narqud jmyean, bal sanataghayar jmyean, fi lahzatin, fi tarafat eayn, eind alnafkhat al'akhirati: fsyunfkh fi albuqi, fyuqam al'amwat ghayr qabilin lilfasadi, wanataghayar nahna. li'ana hadha alfasid la buda 'an yalbas eadam alfasadi, wahadha almiayat la buda 'an yalbas alkhuluda. famataa lubis hadha alfasid eadam alfasadi, wahadha almiayit alkhuludu, fhynydh tatimu almaqulat almaktubati: <<abtulie almawt fi alnasar>>. ya mawtu, 'ayn shawkatuki? ya qabru, 'ayn nasruka? shawkat almawt hi alkhatiyatu, waquat alkhatiyat hi alnaamusa. walakina alshukr lilah aladhi yahabna alnasr birabina yasue almasihi. lidhalika, ya 'iikhwati al'ahibaa'a, kunuu thabitin rasikhina, mukathirin fi eamal alrubi, ealimin 'an taeibakum fi alrabi lays batlaan. (kurnithus al'uwlaa 15: 51-58)

fi lahzatin, syurfe qidiysu al'iiman almasihia 'iilaa alsama' liliqa' rabihim fi mjd bahiri. ya lah min mshhd mhyb lilkanisat wahi tusead 'iilaa mawtiniha almajid eind nafkhat albuq almuntazirati! hqan, 'iina alnasr ealaa almawt walkhatiyat wadh min khilal eawdat almasihi, wasanamlik maeah 'iilaa al'abdu. hadha alwaed bialraja' walhayaat al'abadiat yadfaeuna 'iilaa shkr ezym limukhalisina alhabib.

(Bengali) ঈশ্বরের প্রতিজ্ঞা

দেখ, আমি তোমাদের এক নিগূঢ় বিষয় বলছি; আমরা সবাই যে মৃত্যুতে ঘুমিয়ে পড়ব তা নয়, কিন্তু আমাদের সবারই রূপান্তর ঘটবে—এক মুহূর্তে, চোখের পলকে, শেষ তূরীধ্বনির সময়; কারণ তূরী বাজবে এবং মৃতেরা অবিনশ্বর হয়ে উঠবে, আর আমাদেরও রূপান্তর ঘটবে। কারণ এই বিনাশশীল দেহকে অবিনশ্বরতা ধারণ করতে হবে এবং এই মরণশীল দেহকে অমরত্ব ধারণ করতে হবে। সুতরাং যখন এই বিনাশশীল দেহ অবিনশ্বরতা ও এই মরণশীল দেহ অমরত্ব ধারণ করবে, তখন সেই শাস্ত্রবাক্য পূর্ণ হবে: "জয়লাভের দ্বারা মৃত্যুকে গ্রাস করা হয়েছে।" হে মৃত্যু, কোথায় তোমার হুল? হে পাতালপুরী, কোথায় তোমার জয়? মৃত্যুর হুল হলো পাপ; আর পাপের শক্তি হলো ব্যবস্থা। কিন্তু ঈশ্বরকে ধন্যবাদ, যিনি আমাদের প্রভু যীশু খ্রীষ্টের মধ্য দিয়ে আমাদের জয়লাভ দান করেন। অতএব, আমার প্রিয় ভাইয়েরা, তোমরা স্থির ও অটল থাকো এবং সর্বদা প্রভুর কাজে প্রচুরভাবে নিয়োজিত থাকো; কারণ তোমরা জানো যে, প্রভুর সেবায় তোমাদের শ্রম কখনোই বৃথা যায় না। (১ করিন্থীয় ১৫:৫১-৫৮)

এক মুহূর্তের মধ্যে, খ্রীষ্টীয় বিশ্বাসের অনুসারী পবিত্রজনেরা বিস্ময়কর মহিমায় তাদের প্রভুর সাথে সাক্ষাৎ করতে আকাশে তুলে নেওয়া হবে। দীর্ঘ প্রতীক্ষিত তূরীধ্বনির সাথে মণ্ডলীর তাদের মহিমান্বিত আবাসে আরোহণের কী এক অপূর্ব দৃশ্য! বস্তুত, খ্রীষ্টের প্রত্যাগমনের মধ্য দিয়ে মৃত্যু ও পাপের ওপর জয়লাভ সুনিশ্চিত এবং আমরা তাঁর সাথে অনন্তকাল রাজত্ব করব। আশা ও অনন্ত জীবনের এই প্রতিশ্রুতি আমাদের সেই সুন্দর ত্রাণকর্তার প্রতি গভীর কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশের স্থানে নিয়ে আসে।

iswarer protigya

dekh, ami tomader ek niguundo bishoy bolchi; amra sobai je mrityute ghumiye porbo ta noy, kintu amader sobari rupantor ghotbe—ek muhurte, chokher polke, shesh turidhonir samoy; karon turi bajbe ebong mritera abinashwar hoye uthbe, r amadero rupantor ghotbe. karon ei binashoshil dehoke abinshwarata dharon korte habe ebong ei maronshil dehoke amorotto dharon korte hobe. sutorang jokhon ei binashoshil deho abinshwarata o ei maronshil deho amorotto dharon korbe, tokhon sei shastrobakyo purno hobe: "joylaver dwara mrityuke grass kora hoyeche." he mrittu, kothay tomar hul? he patalpuri, kothay tomar joy? mrityur hul holo pap; r paper shakti holo byabastha. kintu ishwarke dhonyabad, jini amader probhu jishu khrister madhya diye amader joylabh dan koren. otoeb, aamar priyo vaiyera, tomra sthir o atal thako ebong sarboda probhur kaje prochurvabe niyojito thako; karon tomra jano je, probhur sebay tomader shrom kokhonoi britha jay na. (1 korinthiyo 15:51-58)

ek muhurter modhye, khristiyo bishwaser anusari pobitrojonera bismoykar mahimay taader probhur sathe sakshat korte akashe tule neoya hobe. dirgho pratikkhito turidhonir sathe mandalir taader mohimannito abase arohoner ki ek apurbo drishyo! bostut, khrister protyagomoner madhya diye mrityu o paper opor joylabh sunishchit ebong amra tanr sathe onontokal rajatwa korob. asha o ananta jiboner ei protisruti amader sei sundor trankortar proti gobhir kritagyata prokasher sthane niye ase.

(Chinese Simplified) （神的应许）

我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们：我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候；因号筒要响，死人要复活，成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。这必朽坏的总要变成不朽坏的，这必死的总要变成不死的。这必朽坏的既变成不朽坏的，这必死的既变成不死的，那时经上所记“死被得胜吞灭”的话就应验了。死啊，你得胜的权势在哪里？死啊，你的毒钩在哪里？死的毒钩就是罪，罪的权势就是律法。感谢神，使我们藉着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。所以，我亲爱的弟兄们，你们务要坚固，不可摇动，常常竭力多做主工，因为知道你们的劳苦在主里面不是徒然的。（哥林多前书 15:51-58）

转瞬之间，基督信仰的圣徒们将被提至空中，在奇妙的荣耀中与主相遇。当那期盼已久的号角声响起，教会升入荣耀家乡的景象是何等壮丽！诚然，藉着基督的再来，战胜死亡与罪恶的胜利已显明，我们将与祂一同作王，直到永远。这关于盼望与永生的应许，唯有引领我们向那位美好的救主献上深深的感恩。

(Shén de yīngxǔ) 

wǒ rújīn bǎ yī jiàn àomì de shì gàosù nǐmen: Wǒmen bùshì dōu yào shuìjiào, nǎi shì dōu yào gǎibiàn, jiù zài yī shàshí, zhǎyǎn zhī jiān, hàotǒng mòcì chuī xiǎng de shíhòu; yīn hàotǒng yào xiǎng, sǐrén yào fùhuó, chéngwéi bùxiǔhuài de, wǒmen yě yào gǎibiàn. Zhè bì xiǔhuài de zǒng yào biàn chéng bùxiǔ huài de, zhè bìsǐ de zǒng yào biàn chéng bùsǐ de. Zhè bì xiǔ huài de jì biàn chéng bùxiǔ huài de, zhè bìsǐ de jì biàn chéng bùsǐ de, nà shí jīng shàng suǒ jì “sǐ bèi déshèng tūnmiè” dehuà jiù yìngyànle. Sǐ a, nǐ déshèng de quánshì zài nǎlǐ? Sǐ a, nǐ de dú gōu zài nǎlǐ? Sǐ de dú gōu jiùshì zuì, zuì de quánshì jiùshì lǜ fǎ. Gǎnxiè shén, shǐ wǒmen jízhe wǒmen de zhǔ yēsū jīdū déshèng. Suǒyǐ, wǒ qīn'ài de dìxiōngmen, nǐmen wù yào jiāngù, bùkě yáodòng, chángcháng jiélì duō zuòzhǔ gōng, yīn wéi zhīdào nǐmen de láokǔ zài zhǔ lǐmiàn bùshì túrán de.(Gē lín duō qián shū 15:51-58)

Zhuǎnshùn zhī jiān, jīdū xìnyǎng de shèng túmen jiāng bèi tí zhì kōngzhōng, zài qímiào de róngyào zhōng yǔ zhǔ xiāngyù. Dāng nà qī pàn yǐ jiǔ de hàojiǎo shēng xiǎngqǐ, jiàohuì shēng rù róngyào jiāxiāng de jǐngxiàng shì héděng zhuànglì! Chéngrán, jízhe jīdū de zàilái, zhànshèng sǐwáng yǔ zuì'è de shènglì yǐ xiǎnmíng, wǒmen jiāng yǔ tā yītóng zuò wáng, zhídào yǒngyuǎn. Zhè guānyú pànwàng yǔ yǒngshēng de yīngxǔ, wéi yǒu yǐnlǐng wǒmen xiàng nà wèi měihǎo de jiù zhǔ xiànshàng shēn shēn de gǎn'ēn.

(Russian) (Божьи обетования) 

Говорю вам тайну: не все мы умрем, но все изменимся — вдруг, во мгновение ока, при последней трубе; ибо вострубит, и мертвые воскреснут нетленными, а мы изменимся. Ибо тленному сему надлежит облечься в нетление, и смертному сему — облечься в бессмертие. Когда же тленное сие облечется в нетление и смертное сие облечется в бессмертие, тогда сбудется слово написанное: «Поглощена смерть победою». «Смерть! где твое жало? ад! где твоя победа?» Жало же смерти — грех; а сила греха — закон. Благодарение Богу, дарующему нам победу Господом нашим Иисусом Христом! Итак, братия мои возлюбленные, будьте тверды, непоколебимы, всегда преуспевайте в деле Господнем, зная, что труд ваш не тщетен пред Господом. (1-е Коринфянам 15:51–58)

В одно мгновение святые, исповедующие христианскую веру, будут восхищены на воздух навстречу своему Господу в дивной славе. Какая невероятная картина: Церковь возносится в свою славную обитель под звуки долгожданной трубы! Воистину, победа над смертью и грехом явна благодаря возвращению Христа, и мы будем царствовать с Ним во веки веков. Это обетование надежды и вечной жизни побуждает нас возносить глубокую благодарность нашему дивному Спасителю.

(Bozh'i obetovaniya) 

Govoryu vam taynu: ne vse my umrem, no vse izmenimsya — vdrug, vo mgnoveniye oka, pri posledney trube; ibo vostrubit, i mertvyye voskresnut netlennymi, a my izmenimsya. Ibo tlennomu semu nadlezhit oblech'sya v netleniye, i smertnomu semu — oblech'sya v bessmertiye. Kogda zhe tlennoye siye oblechetsya v netleniye i smertnoye siye oblechetsya v bessmertiye, togda sbudetsya slovo napisannoye: «Pogloshchena smert' pobedoyu». «Smert'! gde tvoye zhalo? ad! gde tvoya pobeda?» Zhalo zhe smerti — grekh; a sila grekha — zakon. Blagodareniye Bogu, daruyushchemu nam pobedu Gospodom nashim Iisusom Khristom! Itak, bratiya moi vozlyublennyye, bud'te tverdy, nepokolebimy, vsegda preuspevayte v dele Gospodnem, znaya, chto trud vash ne tshcheten pred Gospodom. (1-ye Korinfyanam 15:51–58)

V odno mgnoveniye svyatyye, ispoveduyushchiye khristianskuyu veru, budut voskhishcheny na vozdukh navstrechu svoyemu Gospodu v divnoy slave. Kakaya neveroyatnaya kartina: Tserkov' voznositsya v svoyu slavnuyu obitel' pod zvuki dolgozhdannoy truby! Voistinu, pobeda nad smert'yu i grekhom yavna blagodarya vozvrashcheniyu Khrista, i my budem tsarstvovat' s Nim vo veki vekov. Eto obetovaniye nadezhdy i vechnoy zhizni pobuzhdayet nas voznosit' glubokuyu blagodarnost' nashemu divnomu Spasitelyu.

(Afrikaans) (Beloftes van God) 

Kyk, ek deel julle 'n verborgenheid mee: Ons sal wel nie almal ontslaap nie, maar ons sal almal verander word, in 'n oomblik, in 'n oogwink, by die laaste basuin; want die basuin sal weerklink, en die dode sal onverganklik opgewek word, en ons sal verander word. Want hierdie verganklike moet met onverganklikheid beklee word, en hierdie sterflike moet met onsterflikheid beklee word. Wanneer hierdie verganklike dan met onverganklikheid beklee is en hierdie sterflike met onsterflikheid beklee is, dan sal die woord vervul word wat geskrywe is: Die dood is verslind in die oorwinning. O dood, waar is jou angel? O graf, waar is jou oorwinning? Die angel van die dood is die sonde, en die krag van die sonde is die wet. Maar God sy dank, wat ons die oorwinning gee deur onse Here Jesus Christus. Daarom, my geliefde broeders, wees standvastig, onwankelbaar, altyd oorvloedig in die werk van die Here, omdat julle weet dat julle arbeid nie tevergeefs in die Here is nie. (1 Korintiërs 15:51-58)

In 'n oomblik sal die heiliges van die Christelike geloof in die lug opgeneem word om hulle Here in wonderlike heerlikheid te ontmoet. Wat 'n ongelooflike prentjie van die kerk wat opvaar na hulle glorieryke tuiste met die langverwagte trompetgeskal! Inderdaad, die oorwinning oor die dood en sonde is duidelik deur die wederkoms van Christus en ons sal vir ewig saam met Hom regeer. Hierdie belofte van hoop en ewige lewe bring ons net na 'n plek van groot danksegging teenoor ons pragtige Verlosser.

(Armenian) (Աստծո խոստումները) 

Ահա՛, ես ձեզ մի առեղծված եմ հայտնում. մենք բոլորս չենք ննջի, բայց բոլորս էլ կփոխվենք՝ մի ակնթարթում, մի ակնթարթում, վերջին փողի հնչելու ժամանակ։ Որովհետև փողը կհնչի, և մեռելները կհարություն առնեն անապական, և մենք կփոխվենք։ Որովհետև այս ապականացուն պետք է անապականություն հագնի, և այս մահկանացուն՝ անմահություն։ Այսպիսով, երբ այս ապականացուն հագնի անապականություն, և այս մահկանացուն հագնի անմահություն, այն ժամանակ կկատարվի գրված խոսքը. «Մահը կլանվեց հաղթանակով»։ Մահ, որտե՞ղ է քո խայթը։ Գերեզման, որտե՞ղ է քո հաղթանակը։ Մահվան խայթը մեղքն է, և մեղքի զորությունը՝ օրենքը։ Բայց շնորհակալություն Աստծուն, որ մեզ հաղթանակ է տալիս մեր Տեր Հիսուս Քրիստոսի միջոցով։ Ուրեմն, սիրելի՛ եղբայրներ, հաստատուն եղեք, անսասան, միշտ առատաձեռն եղեք Տիրոջ գործում, քանի որ գիտեք, որ ձեր աշխատանքը ապարդյուն չէ Տիրոջ մեջ։ (Ա Կորնթացիս 15։51-58)

Մի ակնթարթում քրիստոնեական հավատքի սրբերը կհափշտակվեն օդում՝ հանդիպելու իրենց Տիրոջը հրաշալի փառքով։ Ի՜նչ անհավանական պատկեր է եկեղեցու բարձրանալը դեպի իրենց փառահեղ տունը՝ երկար սպասված շեփորի ձայնով։ Իրոք, մահվան և մեղքի նկատմամբ հաղթանակը ակնհայտ է Քրիստոսի վերադարձի միջոցով, և մենք հավիտյան կթագավորենք Նրա հետ։ Հույսի և հավիտենական կյանքի այս խոստումը մեզ միայն մեծ երախտագիտության տեղի է բերում մեր գեղեցիկ Փրկչին։

(Asttso khostumnery) 

Aha՛, yes dzez mi arreghtsvats yem haytnum. menk’ bolors ch’enk’ nnji, bayts’ bolors el kp’vokhvenk’, mi aknt’art’um, mi aknt’art’um, verjin p’voghi hnch’elu zhamanak. Vorovhetev p’voghy khnch’i, yev merrelnery kharut’yun arrnen anapakan, yev menk’ kp’vokhvenk’. Vorovhetev ays apakanats’un petk’ e anapakanut’yun hagni, yev ays mahkanats’un, anmahut’yun. Ayspisov, yerb ays apakanats’un hagni anapakanut’yun, yev ays mahkanats’un hagni anmahut’yun, ayn zhamanak kkatarvi grvats khosk’y. «Mahy klanvets’ haght’anakov». Mah, vorte?gh e k’vo khayt’y. Gerezman, vorte?gh e k’vo haght’anaky. Mahvan khayt’y meghk’n e, yev meghk’i zorut’yuny, orenk’y. Bayts’ shnorhakalut’yun Asttsun, vor mez haght’anak e talis mer Ter Hisus K’ristosi mijots’ov. Uremn, sireli՛ yeghbayrner, hastatun yeghek’, ansasan, misht arratadzerrn yeghek’ Tiroj gortsum, k’ani vor gitek’, vor dzer ashkhatank’y apardyun ch’e Tiroj mej. (A Kornt’ats’is 15.51-58)

Mi aknt’art’um k’ristoneakan havatk’i srbery khap’shtakven odum, handipelu irents’ Tirojy hrashali p’arrk’ov. I՜nch’ anhavanakan patker e yekeghets’u bardzranaly depi irents’ p’arrahegh tuny, yerkar spasvats shep’vori dzaynov. Irok’, mahvan yev meghk’i nkatmamb haght’anaky aknhayt e K’ristosi veradardzi mijots’ov, yev menk’ havityan kt’agavorenk’ Nra het. Huysi yev havitenakan kyank’i ays khostumy mez miayn mets yerakhtagitut’yan teghi e berum mer geghets’ik P’rkch’in.