“It is not the glorious battlements, the painted windows,
the crouching gargoyles that support a building, but the
stones that lie unseen in or upon the earth. It is often
those who are despised and trampled on that bear up the
weight of a whole nation.”
John Owen
This is the 249th letter:
Text for the day: Revelation 7:1
“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.”
Our Devotional
While listening to the radio the other day, I heard a preacher say, “The book of Revelation is apart of the Bible we don’t have to read because it can not be understood.” Let me say, we should all be careful how we are quick to point fingers at this preacher and say something negative about him. This calls for spiritual eyes in working with people who make such comments. Across the world in every denomination there are only a very few who take time to merge themselves fully into the study of the book of Revelation. Does this mean that the majority of church members around the world don’t care about the contents inside the book of Revelation? No! This only means that this is not their passion of study. So how can we raise the conscience of the people to these messages pointing out the prophecies of the last days in the book of Revelation?
One way is by preachers and teachers of the Bible working together with other gifted persons in the church. The most talked about gifts in the church is preachers and teachers. When God distributed gifts to His church with the two already mention, “He gave some apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists. The reason these gifts where given was for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry , and for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:7-16.
Today we praise God for those who have been given the gift of explaining the Bible by the Bible, verse by verse, and who are fully awake to the times in which we live. In Revelation 7:1-3, John says he saw four mighty angels holding the four winds of the earth. These angels are seen holding the trouble which is to come in full according to Bible prophecy. What are the stirring up of the winds that are about to blow on the earth and the sea? These winds which stir up the nations to one deadly combat….. Frequently in scripture the “four winds” represent the four directions of the compass, Daniel 8:8 / Mark 13:27. But in this text the “four winds” are plainly destructive forces.
If we carefully look at the first three text of Revelation 7 we see the holding of the four winds by four angels, forbidding the terrible power of Satan and his armies from exercising its fury, until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. These four angels are belting the world, keeping back the raging power of him who has come down like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:7-9.
As we move forward, what are the signs of the times, which give evidence that the judgments of God are being poured out, and that the day of the Lord is at hand? The daily papers around the world are full of indications of an intense conflict. With the spirit of carelessness, bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common, and talks of them are also common. Murders are committed on every hand, and they are so frequent that those who commit them can’t clean the murder weapon fast enough before they are called to kill again. This is only evidence to the fact that these men are possessed by demons who are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Daylight crime and nighttime crime are on the increase, which all testify that the Lord's coming is near.
Soon the restraining Spirit of God will be withdrawn from the world, Genesis 6:3. At that point we shall see an increase in hurricanes, storms, tempests, and disasters by sea and by land. “The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal.”
Are there any other signs that outline that we are in the last days?
“Even before the last great destruction comes upon the world, the flattering monuments of man's greatness will be crumbled in the dust. God's retributive judgments will fall on those who in the face of great light have continued in sin. Costly buildings, supposed to be fireproof, will be erected. But as Sodom perished in the flames of God's vengeance, so will these proud structures become ashes.” (Mar 175)
Looking at sea travel; Ships which cost immense sums of money, even billions from the treasures of men’s gold and silver, and with all their human freight, will sink into a watery grave. But the greatest sign shall be amid the tumult of excitement, with confusion in every place of the world, God’s word will find it’s way around the world, and people shall be saved or make their final decision to not serve God, Matthew 24:14.
Finally, John R. W. Stott when looking at the need for action in service among believers said, “We should not ask, "What is wrong with the world?" for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, "What has happened to the salt and light?"
If you would like to put forth a comment to our series, send it to TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com, all comments will be viewed then posted. If you don’t wish your comment to be posted just let us know.
This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci
Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, “Tis almost time for the lord to come!” (Part 9)
Song of the day
Click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4PTAIiWiPU
Let us plan to do something in our nabourhood and be salt and light.
Ø Today is pulling together day: Let us find ways to bring people together today.
If possible, share with us your response.
Our Prayer for today:
I give you my all Lord for your service to others, in Jesus name Amen.
May GOD continue to Bless, Guard and keep you within his will.
Prayer Request
Community / International Prayer
Open Prayer Needs:
Long Term Prayer Requests
Ø Allan- Please can you pray for Rachel as she is battling bipolar disorder. Pray also for her parents who are fighting battles of their own.
Ø Allan- Please can you pray for Natalie Tan as she has had a setback in her battle with her eating disorder.
Ø Angela- Can you keep Angela in prayer as she continues on her road of recovery from Anorexia.
Ø PK Sweet- please pray for a bipolar son with brain damage also…that he may know and love and follow Christ, be free of all addictions and self destructive behavior, get the help he needs and be at peace…also that God help us
Around the world:
None:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Remember that the true meaning of ASAP: "Always Say a Prayer"
A person, who loves the Bible, will also love to pray, and a person who loves to pray will delight themselves in the Bible.
We are into our 98th week since starting Garden
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