Keep the Words
“Blessed is he who keeps the
words of the prophecy of this book.”
Rev. 22:7
The Lord reiterates His blessing in Rev. 22:7 by
reminding John that “he” who keeps the words of the prophecy of the book will
be blessed. Note the difference in
tense: in the first beatitude, the
reader was a person and the hearers and keepers were a group of persons. By the time we reach the final chapter of
this prophecy, our Lord changes the blessing to focus on the individual who
keeps the words. It is also noteworthy
that the first beatitude is not the express spoken words of Christ. This sixth blessing, however, is spoken by
Jesus.
Why would Christ reinforce this blessing? When we consider all that will have taken
place according to this unveiling of the Lord Jesus, it is no wonder that He
would return to the importance of keeping the words of the book! Through the opening of seals, sounding of
trumpets, and dispensing of bowls, our Lord God will demonstrate His authority,
His power, and His sovereignty. What
will happen has been revealed to us. We
are charged with keeping that revelation – that is, to guard it, protect it,
preserve it the way it is written, without adding anything to it or subtracting
anything from it. Jesus says, “Behold,
I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who
keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” When Christ returns, it will be
Q-U-I-C-K. Though we may feel He has tarried, His return will be in an
instant. If it were today, would we be
found faithful to Him, and be counted as keepers of His prophecy and His word?
CAN THE DEAD PRAY FOR THE LIVING? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteCan the living solicit the dead to pray on their behalf? It is possible for the Virgin Mary and other dead Christians to petition God for living Christians?
THE DEAD KNOW NOTHING OF THE LIVING!
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know they will die;but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for there memory is forgotten.
The dead are not cognizant of the wants and needs of the living. The dead are not even aware that the living exist.
Job 14:10,12,21 "But man dies and lies prostrate. Man expires, and where is he? 12 So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep. 21 "His sons achieve honor, but he does not know it; Or they become insignificant,but he does not perceive it.
The dead know nothing. The dead are not aware of the activities or accomplishments of their relatives that are alive. Dead Christians cannot pray for things they are unaware.
CAN MEN CONSULT THE DEAD? YES.
Saul asked a medium from Endor to bring Samuel from the dead so he could talk to him. (Samuel 28:1-12)
Leviticus 19:31 'Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
The only way to consult the dead is through mediums. God prohibits this. (Deuteronomy 18:11-12)
1 Chronicles 10:13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium,making inquiry of it,
The only way to ask a dead person to pray for you, if that were possible, would be through a medium. Saul died because he contacted the dead through a medium.
Isaiah 8:19 When they say to you, "Consult mediums and the spirits who whisper and mutter." Should not the people consult their God?Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?
When men have wants and needs they should consult God the Father. Praying to or asking dead Christians to pray for them is not an option. The dead can only be consulted by mediums.
PRAY TO GOD THE FATHER. THE VIRGIN MARY AND OTHER DEAD CHRISTIANS CANNOT HELP YOU!
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