Revelation 13:3-9 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, the blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. As we look at this passage of scripture tonight, again, remember that we have been talking about following Jesus. Last night we were talking about following His example of boldness. Following the ways that He lived, the ways that He preached. Following the examples of boldness given to is through the lives of the Disciples, the early Apostles, the early Church. Also looking at the boldness of men such as the Pastors of the Black Robed Regiment during the days leading up to and during the revolutionary war. Looking at the desire and boldness of men like Martin Luther, or William Tynsdale. Or how about even men such as Dr Martin Luther King Jr. As we see in this passage of scripture tonight, we see that the bible says that the beast will be given the power to make war with the saints. If we look at verse 15-17 in this chapter, we see it says, And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. As I read this, I cant help but think about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Remember how that the king had passed a law that anytime the music or the instruments were played that every man was to bow down and worship the golden image that the king had set up. And any man that would not bow down to this image would be cast into the fiery furnace. When these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow, the king commanded that they be brought before him. He asked them if it were true that they refused to bow to the image to which they admitted. He then gave them one more opportunity to repent of this refusal and told them that if they would bow to the image, he would let them go and spare their lives. These men, believing deeply in God, and refusing to turn from their God, our God and bow to the image answered the king and said, Oh king, we are not careful to answer you on this matter, We will not bow!!!!!!! Daniel, when the decree was made that no man should pray to any God, other than the king for thirty days would be cast into the den of lions. However, Daniel being a man of God, continued to bow three times a day to call out on the God of heaven, and the king was forced to throw him on the den of lions. Elijah, following the word of God stood against and even mocked the four hundred and fifty prophets of baal. Now I have said all this tonight, to ask you this. What is your relationship like with Jesus Christ? If believing in Jesus, of serving Jesus, or standing for Jesus meant possibly costing you your life, what would be your answer? We know that Jesus said that if any man will confess Him in front of the people of this world, then He will remember him in front of His Father which is in heaven, but if any man will deny Him before the world, He will deny him before His Father which is in heaven. Are we dedicated to Jesus Christ enough that we would refuse to bow to the world, even if it cost us everything? Are we willing to give up our lives for Him? Paul tells us that for him to live was Christ, but to die was to gain!!!!!!! Are we willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ and speak boldly the gospel of Christ, regardless of what it may or may not cost us? The problem that I see in the church today is that so many want to be saved, they want to go to heaven, but they are not willing to sacrifice anything to serve the Lord!!!!!!!!!! Dear friends, Jesus has called us to be His servants, He has called us to seek Him and to seek His ways and to spread His word!!!!!!!! He has called us to be His witnesses, and to be the servants of the Almighty God!!!!!!! We have been called to come out from among the world and to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him, and to be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds!!!!!!!!!! Paul also said that he was not only willing to be arrested for the cause of Christ, but He was willing to give his life for it!!!!!!!!!!! Could we say that tonight? We should be able to!!!!!!!!!! I think of a story that I have heard about church in the former Soviet Union. One morning during service, the doors of the church flung open and in walked two soldiers with assault rifles and they stated that anyone that was willing to recant Jesus was free to leave and spare their lives. After all of those that would recant left, the men shut the door and sat down and told the preacher that they only wanted to worship with true believers. I dont know if that story is true or not, but let me ask you this; what would you do? What would be your answer? Dear friends one day we may be faced with this situation, and your soul and eternity would depend on your answer. What would your answer be? I want to be like Joshua said, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!!!!!!!!!!! How about you? Think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 03:14:38 +0000
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