Revelation

  • a prayer to persevere based on Jesus' words to the Church at Smyrna

    And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

    –Revelation 2:8-11

    Our Father,

    As we look at Your Son Jesus' words to Smyrna, we see three things:

    • Your promise we will be persecuted.
    • Your call to us to be faithful.
    • Your promise to be faithful to us in the midst of persecution.

    Amen.
     
    Your promise we will be persecuted. We hear words to the Church at Smyrna such as:

    tribulation, poverty, slander, suffer, prison, tested, death.

    We confess to you, many of us don't like to hear those words. We like Your promises of comfort but we don't like to hear about persecution and suffering. But to experience trials and hardships is part of our lot as Christians. Some may suffer less, some more, but Lord Jesus, You have told us we will be treated as You were treated, so we should expect these things. You have told us that all who live godly in You will suffer persecution as we stand for You and Your Gospel. Help us to live godly in You and not to shrink back out of fear. As we obey You and stand for You, we can take comfort in knowing that You are sovereign over persecution and You will never leave us or forsake us, and You will be with us to the end. You will not cut and run. Help us not to do so either.

    Many of us do not suffer much persecution, yet let us not be surprised when we it comes, for You have promised we will experience it when we stand for You and Your Gospel. The minds of the world are enmity against You and therefore against Your people and Your Gospel. Help us be ready when persecution comes and help us be faithful in it.

    Your call to us to be faithful.

    Do not fear
    We will be tempted to fear.
    Father, we confess we are fearful at times.
    Help us be strong and courageous.

    Be faithful unto death
    We will be tempted to be unfaithful, not to persevere to death.
    Father, we confess we are tempted to be unfaithful.
    Help us to be faithful unto death.

    Conquer
    We will be tempted to give up before final victory or settle for less than full victory.
    Father, we confess we are tempted to settle for less than being more than conquerors.
    Help us to be more than conquerors.

    When we hear Your call not to fear, to be faithful unto death and to conquer, we know we cannot do this on our own. We need Your strength day by day, moment by moment to help us endure. Thank You that You have given Your precious promises, but not only that, You have given us Yourself. You have said in Your Word that when we are persecuted, You are persecuted. You dwell with us and in us so we might not fear, so we might be faithful unto death and conquer.

    May we now reflect on Your promised faithfulness to us in the midst of our persecution.

    Your promise to be faithful to us in the midst of persecution.

    We praise and thank You that You are faithful when we are tempted not to be faithful.
    We praise and thank You that You are faithful when we are not.
    We praise and thank You that nothing can separate us from Your love for us which is in Christ Jesus Your Son.

    Keep our hearts and minds fixed on Your precious promises of Your enduring faithfulness to us in the midst of persecution so we might persevere.

    Your send Your angels to us to help us
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    Your send Your words to us to comfort and encourage us
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You are the first and the last, the Sovereign Lord over all persecution
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You are God over all eternity so we can trust our momentary affliction is working an eternal weight of glory
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You are the One who died and came to life so we can be sure the first death is not the end for us
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    Your are the One who died and came to life so we can be certain the second death will not hurt us
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You ascended into heaven and sent Your Holy Spirit to dwell in us to strengthen us
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You are the God who lives today and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know our tribulation, You are watching over us always, You are sovereign over tribulation
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know our poverty, You are watching over us always, You will supply all our need
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know the slander we face, You are watching over us, You are sovereign over our slanderers
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know when we will suffer, You are watching over us, You are sovereign over our suffering
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know what the devil will do, You are watching over us, You are sovereign over the devil
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know we will be tested, You allow us to be tested only if need be, You are sovereign as we are tested
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You know we will be tested, You allow it only for a limited time, You will provide the way for us to bear it
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    You are waiting to give us that crown of life one Day
    Keep us faithful unto death, You are ever faithful to us
    Alleluia, Amen!

    Please add your prayers here as His Holy Spirit leads you.

  • may we be ready to enter into suffering

    Lord Jesus You spoke these words to the church in Smyrna:

    Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

    Then we read of Your work for us in Hebrews 2:

    But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

    I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.
    13 And again,
    I will put my trust in him.
    And again,
    Behold, I and the children God has given me.

    14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

    Lamb of God, You willingly suffered for us. You humbled Yourself, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, You became a servant, took on the form of flesh, became obedient to Your Father in all things, even unto death, death on the cross, the cruelest and most ignominious form of death ever conceived. You never sinned. You hung on the cross. You chose to become a curse for us so we might be saved from the curse of the law and be made righteous, and be adopted into Your family. Because You suffered and died for us, we are now Your brothers and sisters! How amazing we are joint heirs with You and that You are not ashamed of us! Yet part of being in Your family, part of our godly heritage is that we will suffer persecution. We should not think this strange, yet some of us do. Throughout Church history, men and women and boys and girls have suffered for Your Name's sake and for the Gospel's sake, yet now many of us have a taste of freedom and we think such suffering to strange and we even try to avoid it. Should we not being willing to taste suffering and even death for Your sake? You suffered and died for us? Should we not welcome suffering and even death? Not to seek it, no, yet to trust You in it if suffering and persecution or even death should come. May we be ready to enter into it, to willingly submit ourselves to our Father's will for us and to entrust ourselves to our Father's care as You did. Can we not trust our Father as Your trusted Him? Does not Your Spirit dwell in us to remind us we are the children of God, so we can trust our Father as You trusted Him? Is not our Father the sovereign and almighty God who sits enthroned above? May Your Spirit dwell in us to strengthen and uphold us through any trial and persecution, so we might stand firm and steadfast and immovable in our labor for You. We know our labor for You is not in vain, even if that labor results in suffering and death. We know that You suffered in every possible way we might suffer; certainly we need never think You will not be sufficient to strengthen us as You call us to suffer for You. You were tempted in every way we are and yet without sin; therefore You are able to help us when we are tempted and will bring us through victoriously, as more than conquerors. No, You do not promise our bodies will be preserved, but we do know that You will certainly preserve our souls. Men may persecute us or even kill us because we stand for You and for Your Gospel. They may kill our bodies, but we need not fear the first death. You tasted death for us so we will not be hurt by the second death. We will certainly be delivered from all our afflictions and all our persecutors. O, sovereign Lord and gracious God and mighty Spirit, give us strength to endure in time of trial and tribulation. Many of us, including myself, have not known great times of trial and tribulation. We have not really known persecution. Yet let not any of us shrink back from any suffering You might choose to allow in our life. Help us to be ready to enter into suffering. We know You are trustworthy. We know we can trust You not only in times of prosperity and freedom, but we can trust You should bring persecution and oppression. Should You deem we are to suffer for Your Name's sake, help us to be ready to enter into suffering. How weak is our faith when we can only trust You when things are going well. Strengthen our faith and the faith of Your Church. Make us bold by Your Holy Spirit. We know You are seated at the right hand of the Father. You are our surety. You are a priest forever. And not only that but we know You are able to sympathize with our weaknesses. What a wonderful Savior You are! You were God, yet You became like us in every respect, yet never sinned, so You are indeed a merciful and faithful high priest. You were able to make propitiation for our sins, yes, but, praise be to God, You are also able to help us daily while we are tempted because You suffered being tempted. You are able to help us in the midst of our temptations. You are able to help us should You call us to suffer for You. You stand at the throne of grace as our representative and our advocate, ready to minister mercy and grace to us in our time of need, including times of persecution. You ever live to intercede for us. You stand with us wherever we are. You are in the midst. You have not left us orphans. You Spirit has come to abide with us forever. You are our Good Shepherd. You care for us is constant. We have no doubt You will be with us through any persecution or suffering that might come our way. May we be ready to enter into suffering should You call us to do so.

    Psalm 34:15-22

    15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
    16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
    17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
    18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.
    19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
    20 He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
    21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
    22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

    Lord Jesus, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You and to look to the joy set before us as You did. You are our great high priest so we know You hear our cries and we know You are near to us when we are afflicted and brokenhearted. We know for certain we have a life beyond the grave because when You rose from the dead, You conquered the grave once and for all. We need not fear the first death. We need not fear what men can do to us. Yet we confess we are afraid, yet You have told us not to be afraid. Our Father, You have told us we are precious to You and You care for us and Your care for us is constant. There is no place we can go that Your eye is not upon us. There is no place we can go that Your ear does not hear our cries. When we look on You, Lord Jesus, we can be bold. Just as Peter was bold to walk on the water so long as He kept His eyes on You, we can be bold so long as we keep our eyes on You. You are the author and finisher of our faith. You are the firstfruits. Even now we are seated in heavenly places with You. Even though we may be afflicted and troubled and crushed in this life, we will never be condemned because You stood condemned for us. Nothing whatsoever can separate us from our Father's love for us because He redeemed us with Your precious blood. O Jesus, You took the punishment we deserved, so we might have peace with God. We are wholly undeserving of Your love. May we be ready to lay down our lives for Your Kingdom as You laid down our lives for us so we might enter Your Kingdom. May we be ready to pour out our lives even unto death for You. Is that not what You did for us? You held nothing back but gave all for us. How little You have asked of most of us. Help us to entrust ourselves to You at all times. You are trustworthy. You are faithful and true. You will never forsake Your children. Should suffering and persecution or even death come upon us, may we be able to rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for Your Name and not shrink back from it. May we be able to follow You steadfastly wherever You send us. You set Your face steadfastly to Jerusalem. Should we not do likewise? May we not count our lives dear to ourselves but count You dearer than our lives. We love You, Jesus. Help us to love You more. You suffered for us. Help us to be ready to enter into suffering for the sake of Your Name and for the Gospel. May we not count our lives dear to ourselves. May You become dearer to us each day, Lord Jesus, dearer than our own lives.

    Amen.

    Please add your prayers here as His Holy Spirit leads you.

  • Jesus sends us...We will be persecuted.

    And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
    –Revelation 3:8-11
    Please read Matthew 9:35-38 and Matthew 10.

    Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.

    –John 20:21
    Father, You have sent Your Son Jesus into the world to die for sinners and to bring us back to You. And now You send us out into the world to be laborers in Your harvest field. The harvest field is plentiful.

    Lord Jesus Christ, when You send us we thank You that as we go, You go with us. We thank You that as we go we go out under Your authority. We thank You that as we go You do not send us out empty handed, You send us with Your Holy Spirit and Your perfect provision. You have also told us You will give to us the words we need to speak at the time we need them.

    You send us to freely give what we have received, the good news of the Kingdom of heaven, the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, salvation by grace through faith. We have been blessed by You to be a blessing to the world. We are to guard the deposit of the Gospel, but that does not mean we are to hide it under a bushel or wrap it up in a napkin and bury it. What good will Your good tidings do if the lost world never hears them?

    You have told us to speak in the light what You have told us in the dark. You tell us to preach on the housetops what we've heard in our ears.

    But as we go You tell us one more thing: not everyone will receive us. And not only that, You tell us that some will even persecute us. And not only that, but some in our own families will oppose us. In fact, all who are in the world, all who are not of You, will hate us, because their minds are enmity against God, as were ours before You saved us. We must not think this to be strange. When You walked this earth not everyone received You, and there were even some who persecuted You.

    A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
    –Matthew 10:24-25

    You have told us in Your holy word that all who are godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. You have told us we will be tested and suffer tribulation. You have said we should expect to be treated that way. You have said we will enter the Kingdom through many tribulations. You have told us not to be surprised at the fiery trial but that we should rejoice when we partake of Your sufferings. You have told us if we are reproached for Your name, we are blessed. May we never be ashamed of Your blessed Name. May we be counted worthy to suffer shame for Your precious Name.

    Yet You have told us that all who endure to the end will be saved, that those who conquer will not be hurt by the second death. You have promised if we remain faithful we will receive the crown of life.

    Even though many of Your children have known suffering throughout the years and many of our brothers and sisters are suffering greatly for Your name today, yet many of us have known little suffering for Your Name's sake and for the Gospel's sake. We confess we have not used our freedoms as we should have. We also confess we are fearful, even though we have no need to fear, we know You are sovereign and good to us and we know that You are with us always even to the end of the age. We confess we often shrink back from speaking of You as we ought. Forgive us, Father. Too often we fear men rather than You. Forgive us, Father. You have told us not to fear man but to fear You. We know that the whole world, including our lives, is in Your hands. You have reminded us of Your wonderful care for us as You remind us of Your wonderful care for the littlest sparrow, how You know when any one of them falls to the ground. And then You tell us that You even know how many hairs are on our heads. How wonderful Your sovereign care is for us. Certainly we need not fear because we are of more value than many sparrows.

    O, Father, we confess we are often fearful even though You have given us all things in Jesus Christ. We know of Your call on our lives and even though we know of Your sovereign care for us, we hold back and hesitate to speak and are afraid. How can we hold back from sharing this great Gift with others? Yet we confess we do. Forgive us, Father.  We know that nothing whatsoever can separate us from Your love which is in Christ Jesus. May Your Holy Spirit make us bold and courageous for You, that we might be Sons of Thunder, that we might have no regard for our own lives. We need Your Holy Spirit to be bold witnesses for You. Send Him to open our mouths. Send Him so we might walk in the works You have ordained for us. May Your Spirit work in us so we might be wholly willing to be poured out without reservation for the sake of Your Name and for the sake of Gospel in the same way the Lord Jesus poured Himself for us unto death on the cross. May we follow You wherever You lead us, just as the Lord Jesus steadfastly set His face to Jerusalem and did not turn to the right or to the left. He finished the work You gave Him. Help us to steadfastly set our faces toward You and toward doing all the work You have given us to do, even if that might mean disgrace, reproach, hardship, loss, suffering, persecution or even death for us. May we be men and women of whom the world is not worthy. Make us heavenly minded. Give us a Kingdom vision. Keep our eyes fixed our Lord Jesus who went outside the camp so we might finish the race set before us. Keep our minds set on heaven and on things above. Keep our hearts set on the lost sheep all over the world who have never heard the message of Jesus. Keep our eyes weeping for those lost sheep who have heard but have not yet heard. Be our Strength for us as we go in obedience to Your call. We do not know what lies ahead of us, but we do know we are safe in Your arms no matter what. May we persevere in faith and obedience and be more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us to rejoice in You no matter what. Amen.

    Please add your prayers below as the Holy Spirit leads you.

tent_of_meeting

"he called it the tent of meeting..."

I am burdened to pray to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the reformation and reviving of Christ's church.

The phrase tent of meeting comes from Exodus 33:7: Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp.

This site is devoted to God first and foremost. In all that is done here, my prayer is that God is glorified and His Name magnified and Christ and Him crucified is lifted up so He might be preeminent and God might receive all the praise, honor and glory due His Holy Name. All who have come to a saving knowledge of our Father by grace through faith in the all-sufficient sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are welcome to enter this tent of meeting to seek the Lord.

This blog is a place for all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to come and seek God's face for revival. My intention is for this tent of meeting to be a holy place where we can enter into PRAYER together to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit leads you, please enter into prayer either here (think of "comments" as prayers) or on your own.

Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.

RSS Feed

RSS Feed