27 October

ALL SAYINGS ARE FAITHFUL AND TRUE

Revelation 22 is the last chapter of the Book of Revelation. It wraps up and finalises the whole Bible. In verses 6 and 7, an angel of the Lord assured John that all the visions and sayings he saw and heard were faithful and true. This means he can believe them and share them with others. 

Although we do not encounter an angel who speaks to us directly about future events or profound things, we can believe the visions and sayings revealed through John are faithful and true. This is because an angel had testified to John, saying, "These sayings are faithful and true." - [v6] Jesus says, "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." [v7] 

Revelation 22:6-7

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I (Jesus) come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Upon hearing what the angel said, John knelt at the angel's feet. But the angel asked him not to do so to him but to worship God instead [v9]. This was the second time John knelt before an angel. The first time was in Revelation 19:10. 

If an angel refrains from John's worship (meaning he cannot receive it), how is it then that some have worshipped the dead who were humans and created beings like us? How is it that some have worshipped graven objects, plants, rocks, and animals instead of God?

Revelation 22:8-9

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.9 Then saith he (angel) unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

In Revelation 19:10, the Scripture mentions John's first attempt to worship an angel, but he was corrected. Why he did it twice is unknown. Perhaps John could feel God's presence through the angel. The angel told John not to worship him but God because he was only a fellow servant of God. 

Indeed, some people worship objects and animals out of ignorance. Even the angel refrains from John's worship. Understandably, how then could an object or an animal be worshipped? Exodus 20:4 clearly teaches, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image."  When we choose to worship and honour God, HE promises to show mercy to us for thousands of generations.  [Exodus 20:4-6]. 

Revelation 19:10

And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him. But he (angel) said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 

Exodus 20:4-6

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 

PRAYER:

Abba Father, thank you for teaching us about keeping the prophecy in the Bible. Your Word says the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. [Rev 19:10]  Thank you for the prophecy about the end of time given to the Apostle John. All visions and sayings are faithful and true, testified by an angel. Let Your people who hear it be blessed for keeping the prophecy of Jesus in their hearts and sharing it with others. 

Help us know that when a word is spoken 3 times, it means it is very important. Three times, our Lord Jesus reminded us that HE is coming soon. Help Your people to prepare themselves. Just as Your Word says, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. " [Revelation 22:11-12]

God, we thank You for teaching us whom we should offer our worship to. Not to an angel, not to an object, not to a created being, or to an animal. We pray for the salvation of our family, loved ones, and friends around us who are still ignorant to Your truth. We pray that the scales from their eyes will be removed. We pray that they will be receptive to Your truth and the gospel of Jesus' love and redemption from their sins. 

Thank you for hearing all our prayers. In Jesus' name we prayed, amen. 

Scripture for Meditation:

Daniel 12:4 - shut up, seal up, do not reveal until the end time. 

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” 

Daniel 12:9 - prophecy is closed up and sealed until the end time. 

And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 

Revelation 22:10 - write it, disseminate it, do not seal, the time is at hand

And he saith unto me (John), Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand (potentially very near).

Additional prayers for the week:

1.  Pray for churches worldwide. Pray for our church, elders, members, and the Aglow family. 

2.  Pray for missionaries worldwide, especially those who serve in dilapidated and disaster-prone areas. Pray for Holy Spirit anointing and partnership in all their work. 

3. Pray for family members' protection, well-being, business, job, finance, relationship. 

4. Pray for single parents, widows, widowers, orphans, and handicapped brethren.

Thank you for your participation!

Blessing. 🙏

E.W.