Revelation11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel
stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those
who worship there. 2 But leave out the
court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given
to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two
months. 3 And I will give power to my two
witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days,
clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two
olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the
earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire
proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to
harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6
These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their
prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike
the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. 7
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless
pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the
great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from
the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies
three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put
into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth
will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because
these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of
life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell
on those who saw them. 12 And they heard
a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they
ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a
tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed,
and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is
coming quickly. 15 Then the seventh angel sounded:
And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of
this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall
reign forever and ever!" 16 And the
twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and
worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give You
thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And
the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward
Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small
and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the
ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings,
noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
The only part of who you are which God considers worthy
of measure is the part which seeks after Him. Period. The rest is worthless
territory slated for destruction.
Suppose God were to take the measure of the territory of
your heart which is currently fixed upon Him…What percentage of your heart
would be measured?
Just as the child of promise Isaac was considered by
God to be Abraham’s ONLY son – and Ishmael, the child of the flesh was
disregarded – so we see the only land God values is the place where He meets
with you.
All else is violently opposed to God, even to celebrate the
appearance of men of God being defeated. But men of God are never defeated, not
even in death.
That fact is worth taking the measure of.
-Pastor Bill
No comments:
Post a Comment