Tag: testimony of Jesus

8.m. Key to the bottomless pit

Revelation 20:1   Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

The accuser and slanderer, the one who deceives and leads people and nations on destructive God-denying, Jesus rejecting, self-centered, self-worthy, and self-satisfying paths straight to hell is bound and cast into a pit reserved for Satan and his followers.  There is no battle or prolonged fight where the victor is determined by will power and skill to overcome their opponent.  No there is Almighty and All-Powerful Jesus Christ who defeated death and holds the key to the bottomless pit, who by the word of His mouth sends an angel with the key to bind Satan and cast him in.  Satan has no power but what is allowed by God and at His word alone can be taken away in the blink of an eye.

So it is, Jesus is returning personally, visibly, and physically one day to set things right; He will raise the dead and judge them in righteousness; He will separate His own from those who have hung their stars on the prince of darkness; He will redeem our sinful and fallen world from the effects of the fall, resulting in new heavens and a new earth; and we will delight in His personal presence forever and ever.  All believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives. This judgment does not determine our eternal destiny, for that is fixed on this side of death with the believer’s decision to trust in Christ. (Phillips, Rob)

There is a time fast approaching when the end times will come upon the earth.  It is important to know this prophetic ending but not near as important as knowing, surrendering, relying on upon, trusting in, following, believing in, and obeying Jesus Christ while you still have breath this side of eternity.  If you die without repenting of sin, trusting in and complete trust and humble service to Jesus Christ – Hell awaits you with deceitful, lying, open arms, welcoming you to eternal destruction.

Now is the time of salvation.  Now is the time of redemption.  Now is the time to repent and turn away from self-centered, self-satisfying, and self-reliant lies and deception of Satan.  Jesus awaits you, just as you are with wide open arms to welcome you into life with Him now and for eternity forever and ever.

7.o. To make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus

Revelation 12:13   And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Satan, being cast out of heaven and no longer having access to accuse believers before God, comes to earth and is seeking to destroy Israelites and those who have a testimony in their life of Jesus Christ.  Satan’s attack is fierce and cruel, but God has placed His protective loving arms around the Israelites so that Satan’s attacks are fruitless, whereas God’s protection is fruitful.  Satan then turns his focus on those who have a testimony to Jesus Christ.  They will be the focus of Satan’s attacks/wrath.  Certainly, they will die during these next 3.5 years.  We can’t even come close to understanding the tribulation they will face because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  I am certain those who find faith during this time will have a peace that passes all understanding because they have come from a place in their heart, mind, and soul to know they rejected the greatest gift ever, forgiveness, redemption, salvation, and eternal life and now they have fully surrendered their life to Jesus Christ.  Their surrender means certain death.  And yet, they hold fast, stand firm, and their faith is solid in Jesus Christ alone.  They will not take the mark of the beast, they will not deny faith in Jesus Christ, and they will proclaim His testimony unto death.  Do you ever wonder if your faith would stand firm in the face of death for that faith?  Our faith can not be based on prosperity and ease in this life.  It must be so deep in our heart, mind, and soul that things of this world do not distract us from continually purifying, growing, and maturing in our walk with Jesus Christ.  Examine your heart and know what is there.  Examine your mind and know what is there. If more of the world and what it has to offer is there than love for Jesus Christ then repent and intentionally choose to change.  Intentionally choose to spend time in His Word, listening to His whispers of guidance in and through His Word, and walk humbly before Jesus Christ, honoring, following, obeying, trusting and relying on Him.