I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1.
Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire—so resplendent is it with the glory of God—are gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” And they sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance.
None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as “the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3; 14:1-5. “These are they which came out of great tribulation;” they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob’s trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God’s judgments. But they have been delivered, for they have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault” before God. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.” Revelation 7:14-16.
Maranatha p. 328
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Prayer Requests
—– I just received word that Indiana Junior Academy (IJA), located in Indianapolis, Indiana, lost their principal in a tragic car accident this morning. Mr. Norris Ncube, 49, was killed in a car crash along with his 12 year old son and five year old girl (niece we’ve been told but can’t verify). Three other children were injured and are in critical condition. Apparently another car t-boned them in an intersection. Elder Steve Poenitz and other pastors are at the hospital with the survivors, praying and waiting. Please pray for all those involved, including the driver of the other car. Pastor Bowman
—–Please pray for S who is having many spiritual battles. L
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Dear Friends,
My grandmother sometimes visited her friend Cora, who lived on the other side of town. One day when I was about 4, she decided to take me with her. Since we did not have a car, we had to go by bus. This was always a great adventure for me. Cora lived alone and since she had no children, had many delicate figurines sitting everywhere.
Cora did not seem overjoyed that her friend had brought a child in the house. In her mind those expensive figurines and four year olds just did not mix. I could feel her watching me, although she never said a word. My grandmother, seemingly unaware of Cora’s discomfiture, suggested that I look at all the pretty things in the other room as well.
I wandered into the dining room and enjoyed looking at the beautiful objects she had in and on intricately carved wooden and glass cases.
Cora need not have worried so much. I had been taught from a very early age to keep my hands behind my back when I looked at something breakable.
We have treasures more precious than Cora’s expensive figurines. These treasures are found in God’s Word. Our Great Creator intends for us to reveal these treasures, yet how often we keep them to ourselves and are silent when we should be sharing them with others. There is a battle going on—a battle with eternal consequences, yet how often we live our lives as though these treasures were exclusively ours. How often those we meet are hungering for a word from on high, a word only we can give.
Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 A candle shines wherever it is placed. It does not selfishly keep its light to itself, but blesses all with its ability to illuminate.
Paul admonishes, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 Jesus commands, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:19-10 We may never be called to preach a sermon or go to a foreign land as a missionary, but we can let our light shine where we are. We can fulfill His command as we give our lives, our plans, our all to the Master.
May we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us. May we share the treasures He has given us with those who are perishing. May we, and those with whom we have shared the truths of His Word, soon look up and say; “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose