Revelation 20

The Message (MSG)

A Thousand Years

20 ^1-3 I saw an Angel descending out of Heaven. He carried the key to the Abyss and a chain—a huge chain. He grabbed the Dragon, that old Snake—the very Devil, Satan himself!—chained him up for a thousand years, dumped him into the Abyss, slammed it shut and sealed it tight. No more trouble out of him, deceiving the nations—until the thousand years are up. After that he has to be let loose briefly.

^4-6 I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They’re priests of God and Christ; they’ll reign with him a thousand years.
^7-10 When the thousand years are up, Satan will be let loose from his cell, and will launch again his old work of deceiving the nations, searching out victims in every nook and cranny of earth, even Gog and Magog! He’ll talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. They’ll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of God’s holy people, the Beloved City. They’ll no sooner get there than fire will pour out of Heaven and burn them up. The Devil who deceived them will be hurled into Lake Fire and Brimstone, joining the Beast and False Prophet, the three in torment around the clock for ages without end.

Judgment

^11-15 I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

Into me you see......(Intimacy)

Love is a spirit that must be birthed; its a baby that has to grow! Within the confines of marriage Eros(erotic/sexual) love meets Phileo(earthly/friendship) love that creates Agape(unconditional/baby) love!



You being intimate with God is the conception of salvation. As this relationship continues you become pregnant with a promise of love that grow and grows until it is time to birth it out. If you turn away from God you abort your call. The birth of your love child can save many. Allow God to prepare you for divine conception so that you may carry full term. God is faithful and Gentle! Agape love changes EVERYTHING!
 Isaiah 11:6-9 
 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.




Agape Love doesn't give you an out! Agape love says that no matter what no matter who, I will love. Not just long distance love, but up close and personal walk and not just talk love!

Your Great Commision

In the book of John chapter fourteen, I am BLOWN AWAY at how plain and real the text is! I will set up a scene for you: Jesus sits down with his disciples to talk to them. There is extreme pressure among them. They know Jesus is in danger. They have witnessed crucifixions and the torture that accompanies it. They also know that as many fans that their teacher has, he also hasenemies. Can you imagine what was going on in their heads?Jesus gathers them together and begins to speak: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. Jesus begins to describe these mansions that His Father has where He is going. Can you imagine the real threat of death and bodily harm of your teacher, guide, comforter, Savior and He begins to describe this glorious place He is going to and that you also must do as He does?

The question then becomes in our finite thinking,' if we follow you where you are going do we have to be hung on a cross, flogged, and tortured as well?' Thomas asks for the name and directions to this place and Philip just asks to speak to the owner of the property; God!

Jesus repeats that to know Him is to know the Father. How clear is that? They have walked with the Christ for years, watched Him heal the sick, raise the dead, feed thousands, and love unconditionally, yet at the hint of trouble they seem to reduce who He is! In verse 12 - 13 there is a guarantee from Jesus. {12 I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.} Clearly if you truly believe in Him you will heal the sick, teach the gospel to all, and love people. You will raise the dead and cast out demons too.

You will do things here on earth that is greater than what Jesus did ONLY if you really believe! In turn He will do whatever you ask! WOW! Let that soak in! Over and over I read, "IF you love me"..... Some think they love Him but don't have the full understanding of what it takes to prove it. Your fruit speak about your love; not how much you shout, spin, cry and yell! He said to not just be HEARERS but DOERS of the word!(James 1:22) In verses 14 - 17 the formula is laid before you. 14[Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. 15If you [really] love Me, you will keep and (obey) My commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-- 1st- you Must do what He did! 2ND you will KEEP and OBEY His command(to do what He did)BE CONSISTENT! 3rd- THEN AND ONLY THEN will He go to the Father and ask for the Holy Spirit to come.It seems as if verse 21 could preach in any step-parenting brochure. The Father will love you when He sees how you love His Son!

"The love that you have for the Father is the manifestation of Jesus."-Minister Eloise Person

He promises to manifest Himself to you. Manifest means to be clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious. Not only does He promise to show up; but to MOVE IN! (17)

Verse 27 sent me straight over the edge! 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Okay, let's discuss "leaving" and "giving!" I don't know about you, but I would MUCH RATHER someone GIVE me something while they are here than to be left something when they go! Jesus is CLEAR about what He has done here! He left something that anyone can pick up if needed, but to those who LOVE (obey, and keep His word) Him, He GAVE! God didn't leave His son for our sins, He GAVE HIM!

When abiding in the word, please notice the different words that are used in the scriptures. The Word is God breathed and have NO typos in the meanings. It is simple if you look and in all your getting, get understanding.

Remember verse 20- ²⁰At that day(God's appointed time) ye shall know(SEE) that I am IN My Father, and you IN Me, and I IN you. How much better does it get than that? When people see you, they should see HIM(THEM)!

GLORY!!!!

Smokin!

Have you ever watched a fire and saw smoke rise? The heat CANNOT be seen but you can see the result of the fire in a melting of everything in that area! Black billowing smoke rises and spreads throughout the area faster than the eye can see. You begin to cough and struggle to breathe. The odor is pungent overpowering. Soon your vision is blurred and your eyes are tearing. Before you know it fire and smoke has spread so fast that you cannot keep up! After

it's all done, you have soot blanketing everything. It's thick in the lungs of the people who were close in proximity but that you cannot see because it's on the inside, but they can feel it. The smell of smoke hangs in the air for a long time no matter what you do.

This is much like prayer. Yes, prayers rise too fast for any of us to catch. At first we cannot see it, but there is a spreading, a billowing, and for some people it is hard to breathe. You see, prayer immediately affects a concentrated area, but it quickly fills up a place and reaches far and wide without eye witnesses except for those who it found residence deep on the inside. Prayer and fire are extremely close in nature. Even after the fire has been put out, you cannot deny it was there. It touches a many in a very short period of time and affects all in different ways.

Start your own fire. Wave the blaze around! Add an accelerant if you will! Turn the heat up and watch it spread all over. Know that when it is all, over people will not be able to deny the power that it had. Some will say that it was destructive, but some will see the newness that it has to bring. Some things must be torn down and destroyed in order to be affected and changed.

So when you ask that I pray for you, know that I am starting a fire! I pray for you who read this that the fire of God be upon you. I pray that it burns up everything not like Him and that it causes you to run and move in what He has already declared over your life! I pray that it affects all those around you. I pray that they can see that you suffer from prayer inhalation! I pray that they see the long term affects of the prayer. May God get the glory ...In Jesus' name..AMEN AMEN AMEN!

"STONE HIM!"

So, I have been quite quiet about a certain topic involving a certain situation, but now I am going to bust if I don't loose my thoughts. You ready to ride? Okay, let's go! In reading the story of the woman caught in the very act of adultery, the priests, not the common folk drug her to Jesus! They tell Him the law of Moses demands her to be stoned to death and they ask Him what He says do. As he begins to write in the sand, they pressure Him for an answer. Jesus tells them that whoever is without sin, let them be the first to cast a stone. I have heard so many theories about what He wrote, but I liked this one best. I heard a pastor describe Jesus listing the sins of whatever Pharisee was standing over his shoulder looking for permission to stone this lady.

In shock they would back away and leave the crowd, without casting their rock. Oh, how quick we are pointing righteous,and Holy fingers.

Let's look at the case of Jesus. As long as HE was healing the sick, delivering those who were captive, performing miracles and feeding the hungry, everyone praised, followed and loved Him. Why didn't anyone uphold the same principles when it came down to the Christ? When it came time to punish Him, there was NO mercy, no forgiveness and no Savior. They screamed, "Crucify Him!"

He said, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.(Matthew 5:17)

Now think personally about the things that are only between you and God. I mean REALLY think about those secret things you know would have sent you to a fiery eternity IF it had not been for GRACE! How many people do you know would scream to kill you now if they knew what you had done? Some of us know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have ABSOLUTELY NO business having rocks in our possession, much less throwing them!

I dare you to THROW DOWN YOUR ROCK and throw up your hands and remember that we love HIM because He FIRST loved us. (1John 4:19) Remember that we MUST forgive so that He will forgive us!(Col 3:13) When our brother or sister is snared by a sin, we are to restore them gently and humbly and be careful to not do the same. (Gal 6:1)In ALL situations PRAY (Phil 4:6).

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I tell you this......I do not want to miss the call when the horn is sounded and those whom I have accused or scorned are passing me in their way to glory! I hope that you feel the same. This battle is not yours and it NEVER will be!

WRAP YOURSELF IN THE TRUTH WAY AND THE LIGHT! Wrap yourself in the WORD OF GOD! GET WRAPPED UP IN LOVE AND GRACE! I KNOW I AM!!!!

Standards

Standards: A level of quality or attainment. A required or agreed level of quality or attainment.

An idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations. Principles of

conduct informed by notions of honor and decency. A form of language that is widely accepted as

the correct form. Used or accepted as normal or average. Viewed as authoritative or of

permanent value and so widely read or performed.

{Isaiah 59:19}So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the

rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a

standard against him. If God is lifting a standard than why aren't we elevating our levels of

expectation from ourselves? As we open our hearts and minds more for Him to change us so

that He may use us, expect controversy because YES YOU WILL CHANGE and so will your

standards. #doitANYWAY!

All Filled Up!

...........So you are at bible study, choir rehearsal, Sunday school, prayer, and service on Sunday morning. You are getting all filled up, right?

So then what? What are you doing with it? You are blessing your children, speaking in tongues, falling out in the spirit, fasting, declaring,and anointing yourself, but you walk by a teenager who is acting crazy in the streets. You never see your mate or spend time with the kids. You have emptied your cell phone of "friends" who don't hang out in church. You walk past the homeless. No one on your street knows where you worship!!

The question is, who are you to keep Him all to yourself? It takes two seconds to tell someone that God loves them! You have enough "word" in you to spread all over your state. Call up your daddy, who isn't going to church and talk to him. That is ministry. NO....you do not have to mention church to be like CHRIST! Giving love and showing compassion shows people that you care. When they know that you care they are more able to hear God through you.

So....GO HOME to your wife or husband because I heard a pastor say,"Jesus told you to love YOUR wife, and let Him love His(the church), because His wife is mean and ONLY He can love her the right way!"

Talk to your children so that you do not subconsciously drive them away from that building that they are ALWAYS dragged to.

I pray that you find your balance today in Jesus name!!!! AMEN