Revelation 11
John with a measuring rodverses 1-3
And there was given me a reed like to a rod – and the angel stood
saying
Rise – measure the temple of God – and the altar
and them that worship therein
BUT the court which is without the temple leave out
and measure it not for it is given to the Gentiles
and the holy city shall they tread
under foot forty and two months
And I will give power to MY two witnesses
and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred
and threescore days – clothed in sackcloth
Testimony of the two witnessesverses 4-6
These are the two olive trees
and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth
AND if any man will hurt them – fire proceeds out of their mouth
and devours their enemies – AND if any man will hurt them
he must in this manner be killed
These have power to shut heaven
that it rain not in the days of their prophecy
and have power over waters to turn them to blood
and to smite the earth with all plagues
as often as they will
Beast of the bottomless pit kills two witnessesverses 7-10
AND when they shall have finished their testimony
the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall make
war against them – and shall overcome them
and kill them
AND their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city
which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt
where also our Lord was crucified
AND they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations
shall see their dead bodies three days and a half
and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves
AND they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them
and make merry – and shall send gifts one to another
BECAUSE these two prophets tormented them
that dwell on the earth
Two witnesses come back to lifeverses 11-12
AND after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God
entered into them – and they stood on their feet
and great fear fell on them which saw them
AND they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them
Come up hither
AND they ascended up to heaven in a cloud
and their enemies beheld them
Terrible earthquake of second woeverses 13-14
AND the same hour was there a great earthquake
and a tenth part of the city fell
and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand
and the remnant were affrighted
and gave glory to the God of heaven
The second woe is past
and BEHOLD – the third woe comes quickly
Seventh angel blew trumpetverses 15-19
AND the seventh angel sounded – and there were voices in heaven
saying
The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord – HIS Christ
and HE shall reign forever and ever
And the four and twenty elders – which sat before God on their seats
fell on their faces – and worshiped God
saying
We give YOU thanks – O Lord God Almighty
which are – was – and are to come
BECAUSE YOU have taken to YOU YOUR great power
and have reigned
And the nations were angry – and YOUR wrath is come
and the time of the dead – that they should be judged
and that YOU should give reward unto
YOUR servants the prophets – and to the saints
and them that fear YOUR name
small and great
and should destroy them which destroy the earth
And the temple of God was opened in heaven
and there was seen in HIS temple the ark of HIS testament
and there were lightnings – voices – thundering
earthquake – great hail
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (3144 “witnesses” [martus] means someone who sees an event and reports what happened, one who testifies, martyr, one who is a spectator of anything, or those who after HIS example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death)
DEVOTION: During this Tribulation time period of seven years the LORD is going to have many witnesses throughout the world. The hundred and forty-four thousand will be spread throughout the world witnesses to all nations and tribes and peoples. There will not be a nation that doesn’t have a witness.
Here we find that two witnesses who are thought to be like Moses and Elijah who had the power to call plagues down from heaven or stop it from raining for time periods. They were going to be in Jerusalem preaching the Gospel to all those who were there. No one was going to stop them for three and a half years. They are going to be dressed like the prophets of old who just wore garments that could show that there was a need for repentance!!
At the end of the time period we find that the beast from the bottomless pit is going to kill them. This will cause rejoicing in the streets because most of the people didn’t want to listen to their message. They were even going to send gifts to each other to celebrate.
God does raise these two witnesses from the dead and they ascend into heaven. This causes many to fear what is coming ahead for them. Some do give glory to the LORD for what is happening.
We are to be witnesses today for the LORD. We are to be faithful to our stand against the world and for the LORD. People should see a difference in us while we represent the LORD.
CHALLENGE: God has given us the power to witness for HIM today!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (3173 “great” [megas] means exceedingly, high, large, loud, mighty, or strong)
DEVOTION: This word is used over sixty-five times in this book. This book is full of things that are not found anywhere else in Scripture. God is working HIS final scene of time as found in the book of Revelation.
This “fear” is phobia. They were full of terror. Those without Christ were full of terror. They had watched as the LORD judged people for the first three and a half years of the Tribulation. They had seen all the plagues God had sent. They saw death and hunger and many other things that upset their little world. They didn’t want to repent but they also didn’t want all this to continue. They were looking for someone to stop all this and along came the beast from the bottomless pit.
He saw the witnesses in Jerusalem who had the message from the LORD. The ONE he was fighting. He was losing the fight. He had to take action. What was his action? He killed the two witnesses. They were dead in the street for three and a half days. People were glad. People were celebrating. They were giving each other gifts. They were happy.
Suddenly, this all ended. The two witnesses were resurrected from the dead. The Spirit of life entered into them again and they were witnessing again.
This caused the people to panic. They were in Jerusalem, the city where Jesus was crucified. They were celebrating the death of one of HIS servants. Now the servants were alive again. They were scared. They had the fear of God put into them. They didn’t know what to do. They didn’t want to repent because they believed the beast was the one to worship.
It is thought that these two witnesses were Enoch and Elijah because they never died. We don’t know for sure who they were but we know that the LORD had them tell the TRUTH about Jesus to people who didn’t want to hear the message.
Today we see rejoicing in the streets of many nations when Christians are killed. There are many pastors and people in Bible believing churches around the world who are threatened and killed for their faith in Christ. There are many countries that have laws against people witnessing for Christ. These countries are going to have to answer to the LORD.
The people in the Tribulation thought they had defeated God’s plan, only to find that HIS plan was working fine. At the end of a certain time period, three days, the witnesses were given life again and called up to heaven. God has a plan and HE is working it. Are we ready to meet HIM?
CHALLENGE: Do we have “phobias” regarding the future, or are we secure in our belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to get into heaven?
: 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (3772 “heaven” [ouranos] means the abode of God and the angels, sky, the third sky, or above the earth)
DEVOTION: John is observing all that is happening between the three woes uttered by the angels. The angel was flying through the midst of heaven saying with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe.” This was signifying that things are going to get worse before they get better.
John was asked to “come up hither” in chapter 4 to signify the calling up of the saints of the church age. Now we the two witnesses called up to heaven by a great voice. They are going to leave the earth with everyone watching through their color televisions.
What is the reaction to this ascension of the two witnesses? They are going to the see them and still be their enemies. They are not going to change their ways. They are going to experience a great earthquake where seven thousand men will be killed. This will cause them to be afraid. Most will just not repent and turn to the LORD. Others will give glory to God for what they have seen.
What is our reaction to great things happening in our world? Do we see the LORD in these events? Do we know that God is active today just like HE will be in the future? Do we limit God in our thinking?
The Bible says that there is a calling of those who are believers to heaven. We should want to hear that call.
CHALLENGE: We should want all of our loved ones to hear that call. We need to present the message of salvation to them soon.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 Saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which are, and was, and are to come; because you have taken to you your great power, and have reigned. (2168 “thanks” [eucharisteo] means to be grateful, thankful, give thanks, to express gratitude, or to show gratefulness)
DEVOTION: When it is all said and done throughout our life as a believer, we should be people who express gratitude for all that the LORD has done for us in the past and what HE is doing in the present and what HE will do in the future.
This book is about the future. There is going to be many services of praise not only in this earth but also in heaven. Those who are believers will be praising and thanking God throughout eternity. They will be enjoying the presence of God forever and ever.
We are to practice giving our gratefulness to God while we are still here on this earth. There are many ways we can show our gratefulness.
One of the present ways that we can show our gratefulness is through our expression of praise. When we get into a worship service at our local church, we can express praise in our singing. Too often we can look at a congregation during the time of praise and they look like they are being tortured. There is no expression of joy. Contrast that with what is going on in heaven in this verse.
Another way we can show the LORD our gratitude is through our giving to HIM of our time, talent and treasures. HE would like us to dedicate our time to HIM in service to HIM through our local church. HE would like us to give of our gifts to HIM through our taking responsibility in the church in our area of giftedness by the Holy Spirit. He would like us to each Sunday bring our tithe and offering into HIS house for the spreading of HIS message throughout our world.
CHALLENGE: Think of other ways you can show your gratitude for all the LORD has done for you NOW. Encourage others to do the same.
:18 And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward unto your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth. (3398 “small” [mikros] means 1 small, little. 1a of size: hence of stature, of length. 1b of space. 1c of age: less by birth, younger. 1d of time: short, brief, a little while, how little. 1e of quantity: i.e. number, amount. 1f of rank or influence. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: We are people characterized by comparing ourselves to others. No one today can be satisfied with being who they are, because someone else compared to them is better. So, it is no surprise that people feeling smaller than someone else would feel inferior. The problem with this way of thinking is that it is contrary to God’s way of thinking.
In God’s economy, He has made followers of Him both great and small. Neither is superior to the other. In fact, God promises to reward those who faithfully follow Him. As you survey the prophets and saints, you realize that they were real people who had problems and issues just like we do. God is the one who made us the way that we are by His design. Did you ever notice, for example, that in the parables in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 about the king’s stewards, that the king did not entrust the same amount of money to each steward? He simply praised those who did what he told them to do when he came back and asked for an account.
Therefore, it is God’s evaluation of us which makes us either great or small. We can be fully committed to serving Him no matter who we are. He will reward us according to our faithfulness to Him.
CHALLENGE: Do you think of yourself as small in God’s kingdom? No matter whether you are small or great, God has a plan to give a reward to you for your faithfulness to Him. Rejoice in this! (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Temple of Godverses 1, 19
Altarverse 1
Them that worshipverse 1
Don’t measure the court of templeverse 2
Four and twenty elders worshiped Godverse 16
fell on their faces
Opened in heavenverse 19
Ark of the testamentverse 19
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 1, 4, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19
Temple of Godverses 1, 19
God of the earthverse 4
Great voice from heavenverse 12
God of heavenverse 13
Lordverses 15, 17
Kingdoms of our Lordverse 15
Elders sat before Godverse 16
God worshipedverse 16
Almightyverse 17
Lord God Almightyverse 17
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lordverse 8
Lord was crucifiedverse 8
Christverse 15
Kingdom of Christverse 15
Christ shall reign forever verses 15, 17
Lord God Almighty:
which art- was – are to come
taken great power
reignedverse 17
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spiritverse 11
Spirit of life from Godverse 11
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Angelverses 1, 15
Seventh angel sounded trumpetverse 15
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Gentilesverse 2
Enemiesverses 5, 12
Sodomverse 8
Egyptverse 8
Peopleverse 9
Kindredsverse 9
Tonguesverse 9
Nationsverses 9, 18
Angry
Judged
Dwell on the earthverse 10
Remnant were frightenedverse 13
Gave glory to Godverse 13
Kingdoms of this worldverse 15
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Enemies of two witnessesverses 5, 12
Kill two witnessesverse 7
rejoicing over death of two witnessesverse 10
Make merry
Sent gifts to one another
Fearverse 11
Nations angryverse 18
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Worshipverse 1
Come up hitherverse 12
Remnantverse 13
Gave glory to Godverse 13
Give thanksverse 17
Rewardsverse 18
Saintsverse 18
Fear of the LORDverse 18
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Holy city (Jerusalem)verses 2, 8
Where Lord was crucified
Twenty-four eldersverse 16
Sat before God
Fell on their faces
Worshiped God
Give reward to prophetsverse 18
Church (New Testament people of God)
Twenty-four eldersverse 16
Give reward to saintsverse 18
Last Things (Future Events)
Temple of Godverse 1
Two witnessesverses 3-12
Prophesy 260 days
Clothed in sackcloth
Two olive trees
Two candlesticks
Fire out of their mouth
Power to shut heaven: no rain
Power to turn water into blood
Smite earth with plagues
Finished their testimony
Dead bodies in street of Jerusalem
three and half days
bodies not buried
Jerusalem called Sodom and Egypt
Resurrect to life which cause fear in people
Called up to heaven
Beast of the bottomless pit
war against two witnesses
overcome them
kill them
Heavenverses 12, 13
Great earthquakeverse 13
Seventh angelverse 15
Twenty-four eldersverse 16
Sat before God
Fell on their faces
Worshiped God
Said: We give thanks
Wrath to comeverse 18
Time for the dead to be judgedverse 18
Reward to prophets
Reward to saints
Reward to them that fear Jesus name
Temple of the LORD openedverse 19
ark of his testimony
lightnings
voices
thunderings
earthquake
great hail
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QUOTES regarding passage
9–10 People from every nation—Jew and Gentile—will “gloat over” their corpses and refuse them the dignity of burial. To have his dead body lie in view of all was the worst humiliation a person could suffer from his enemies (Ps 79:3–4; Tobit 1:18ff.). Furthermore, the pagan world will celebrate the destruction of the witnesses and the victory over them by exchanging gifts, a common custom in the Near East (Neh 8:10, 12; Esth 9:19, 22). Thus the beast will silence the witness of the church to the glee of the beast-worshiping world. The time of their silence corresponds in days to the time of their witness in years. It denotes only a brief time of triumph for the beast. (Johnson, A. F. (1981). Revelation. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 507). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
They that dwell upon the earth (οἱ κατοικουντες ἐπι της γης [hoi katoikountes epi tēs gēs]). Present active articular participle of κατοικεω [katoikeō], “an Apocalyptic formula” (Swete) for the non-Christian world (3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:8). Rejoice (χαιρουσιν [chairousin]). Present active indicative of χαιρω [chairō]. Over them (ἐπʼ αὐτοις [ep’ autois]). Locative (or dative) case with ἐπι [epi] as in 10:11. Make merry (εὐφραινονται [euphrainontai]). Present middle indicative of εὐφραινω [euphrainō], old verb (εὐ, φρην [eu, phrēn], jolly mind), as in Luke 15:32; Rev. 12:12; 18:20. Jubilant jollification over the cessation of the activity of the two prophets. They shall send gifts to one another (δωρα πεμψουσιν ἀλληλοις [dōra pempsousin allēlois]). Future active of πεμπω [pempō] with dative ἀλληλοις [allēlois]. Just as we see it done in Esther 9:19, 22; Neh. 8:10, 12. Tormented (ἐβασανισαν [ebasanisan]). First aorist active indicative of βασανιζω [basanizō], for which see 9:5. This is the reason (ὁτι [hoti]) of the fiendish glee of Jew and Gentile, who no longer will have to endure the prophecies (11:3f.) and dread miracles (11:5f.) of these two prophets. “Such a sense of relief is perhaps not seldom felt today by bad men when a preacher of righteousness or a signal example of goodness is removed” (Swete). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Re 11:10). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
11:7–10. With the ministry of the two witnesses ended, God permitted the beast that comes up from the Abyss (cf. 9:1–2, 11; 17:8; 20:1, 3) to overcome them. The beast, that is, the Antichrist, is mentioned nine other times in Revelation (13:1; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 17:3, 13; 19:20; 20:10). After the witnesses were killed, their bodies were left unburied in Jerusalem, figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, because of the people’s apostasy and rejection of God.
For three and one-half days the whole world gloated over their dead bodies. This implies some worldwide display, now made possible by television. Their deaths were considered a great victory for the world ruler and Satan, and were celebrated by people sending each other gifts. (Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 956). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
The martyrdom of the witnesses (vv. 7–10). This comes only when they have finished their testimony. God’s obedient servants are immortal until their work is done. “The beast” (Antichrist) is now in power and wants to take over the temple; but he cannot succeed until the two witnesses are out of the way. God will permit him to slay them, for no one will be able to make war against “the beast” and win (Rev. 13:4).
The witnesses will not even be permitted decent burial (see Ps. 79:1–3). But even this indecency will be used by God to bear witness to mankind. No doubt the TV cameras in Jerusalem will transmit the scene to people around the world, and the news analysts will discuss its significance. The earth-dwellers will rejoice at their enemies’ removal and will celebrate a “satanic Christmas” by sending gifts to one another. It thus would appear that the power of the two witnesses will not be limited to Jerusalem, but that they will be able to cause things to happen in other parts of the world.
These two prophets will definitely have a relationship with Israel; and the world, for the most part, has not approved of the nation Israel. In the middle of the Tribulation, “the beast” will turn against Israel and begin to persecute the Jews. The two witnesses will not be around to protect the nation and a frightening anti-Semitic movement will ensue.
Jerusalem is called a “great city” (Rev. 11:8); and from a human viewpoint, this is a true statement. But God looks at men and nations from a spiritual viewpoint. To Him, Jerusalem will be considered as polluted and worldly as Sodom and as rebellious and proud as Egypt. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 599). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Ver. 10. And they that dwell upon the earth, &c.] Out of which the beast arose, and over which he reigns, even the inhabitants of the Roman empire, often in this book called the earth, the followers of antichrist, men that mind nothing but earth, and earthly things: shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; as is usual with persons, and was with the Jews, to do in times of public rejoicing; see Esther 9:18, 19; Neh. 8:10, 11. Because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth; not because they were tormented by them, but because they were now freed from their tormenting ministry; they had tormented them by the preaching of the Gospel, which is foolishness, and the savour of death to natural men, and gives them pain, and fills them with vexation and wrath; by their testimony which they had bore for Christ, and against antichrist; by their sharp reproof of them for their false doctrine and will-worship, and their impure lives and conversations; by their own holy lives, which would sometimes flash light into their consciences, and make them uneasy; and by their foretelling the calamities and ruin, temporal and eternal, that would come upon them; but now they are silenced, and they hear and see no more of these things at which they rejoice. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 772). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
JUST DO SOMETHING by Keven DeYoung, Moody Press.
In fact, you could make a good case that where information has increased, wisdom has decreased. (p. 87)
In other words, God says, Don’t ask to see all the plans I’ve made for you, Ask Me for wisdom so you’ll know how to live according to My Book.” (p. 90)
To put these ways into familiar language, we could say we get wisdom by reading our Bible (storing up God’s commands), listening to sound advice (turning our ears to wisdom), and praying to God (calling out for insight). (p. 91)
That’s how we are to be with the Word of God. We must eat it and swallow it and digest it so regularly that over time we develop a taste for godliness. That’s wisdom. (p.93)
If no one has ever heard you change your mind about something, then you are either a god or you have mistaken yourself for one. I can say without a doubt that I make better decisions when I consult with my wife. I make better decisions with the elders rather than without them. I am wiser when I listen to my friends first. (p. 95)
The way of wisdom means three things: searching the Scriptures, seeking wise counsel, and praying to God. (p.96)
Blast from the past – Three and a half years ago: Update on Rick and family (IL): Last night was an adventure for sure!! the girls and I came out of Gordmans at 4:30 only to find no cars were moving due to a sudden, unpredicted thin coat of black ice everywhere. Both exits involved hills no one was making it up either hill. I called Sharpey, not sure what to do. He said he would come to get us. An hour later he got to us. Temps were going up and salt trucks were now on scene, so we did the next best thing got dinner and waited it out a bit. When traffic cleared, we headed out. Roads were passable till we got within 2 miles of home and all roads were closed or impassable due to icy hills. We crashed at one friend’s house for an hour, then parked at another friends, and walked 1.8 miles home. Not my fasted walk. we were walking 28min miles. Yes I tracked it on my phone. ha We’d walk on grass then slide across driveways and roads while cars were sliding everywhere. There was a nice family out checking on everyone and offering water. I heard over 700 emergency phone calls for accidents. We got stranded at 4:30 and home at 10:02. PTL Its normally a 15 min drive tops. I love snow days ice not so much. Now onto car retrieving this am. (Home with cars safe and sound but not going anywhere)
THE NATURE OF SELF
If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:9
The modern cult of self-expression fails to realize the true nature of self. It talks much about giving expression to self, and yet we can show very easily that its very ideas concerning that self are false and do violence to man’s true nature. Obviously, before expression must come definition; and our objection is not so much to the idea of self-expression per se as to the utterly false view of that self that is taken by so many today. The gospel answer to this modern cult is not a doctrine of repression, but rather a call to the realization of the true nature of the self. The clash between the biblical view and that of moderns comes out very clearly in the quoted lines above, especially in the emphasis that Christ places on the word thee. “If thine eye offend thee…cast it from thee…it is better for thee….”
The modern view does not differentiate between the self and the various factors that tend to influence the self, the various factors that the self uses in order to express itself. They claim that man in himself is but the result of these and their effects. Our Lord, on the other hand, draws that distinction very clearly and definitely in His emphasis on the word thee. That He does so is perhaps the real cause of all the modern confusion.
According to Christ, man is not a machine, nor is he an animal led and governed by whim. He is bigger than the body, bigger than tradition, history, and all else. For there is within man another element called the soul.
A Thought to Ponder: There is within man another element called the soul.
(From Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 20-21,24,by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Pilgrims on the Earth
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Hebrews 11:13-14)
This is the heart-touching testimony of the great “heroes of faith” of Hebrews 11. The experiences of all these godly men and women of the past are outlined as an example for us as we pass through the years of our own “pilgrimage” on the earth. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us…run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
There is another group who also gave their own lives, and the testimony of our text seems appropriate for them as well. Once a year, on Memorial Day, we remember in a special way those who died in defense of our own country. They had seen its promises and embraced them and were willing to die for them. Many of those were also Christians, and they loved their country, especially because of its unique Christian heritage and its freedom to practice and propagate their faith.
One of these was this writer’s younger brother, who died in the jungles of Burma as a young pilot flying the famous “Hump” into China during World War II. Before his death, he had given a faithful Christian witness to many of his buddies as he ran his own race with patience. Many readers of these lines no doubt remember their own friends and loved ones who likewise offered up their lives for God and country.
As we remember them, we surely must remember, with even greater love and appreciation, the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
As spiritual leaders we are to be watchful of the spiritual health of the congregation and of the people in the congregation. If the church is unhealthy, it is because the board is unhealthy and has failed in its responsibility.
(Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
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