Friday, April 3, 2020

praying effectively: Heed the Words of Prophecy (Rev.22:6-21)



(Revelation 22:6-21)  And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heedthe words of the prophecy of this book.”
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this bookfor the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not alter the words of the prophecy of Revelation (22:18-19)
- that we do not ignore the words of the prophecy of Revelation (22:10)
- that we heed the words of the prophecy of Revelation (22:7)
- that we come to Jesus (22:17)
- that we are saved (22:14)
- that we only worship God, not angels or anyone or anything else (22:8-9)
- that we practice righteousness and keep ourselves holy (22:11)
- that we tell others to come to Jesus (22:17)
- that we do not try to stop anyone from coming to Jesus (22:17)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word.  Continue to protect Your word from being altered.  Your word is truth.  Thank You that Your word is life-saving and life-changing.  May we live by Your word, and may we desire to share Your word with others.  

Guide us and give us wisdom in understanding scripture.  Give us the right words in order to accurately teach, and to share the good news with others.  

You are faithful and true.  You are the Lord of lords and the King of kings.  You alone should be worshiped and feared.  May everything be done to bring all the focus on You, and You alone.  May all that we do and say be to Your glory!  Amen.

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