SUN 29/3/15 TONY LING (PART 1)
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16)
To those of us who know him this is clearly a picture of Jesus but that knowledge only comes to us by the grace of God. He not only made a way for us to know him, but it is God himself who opens our eyes to see that way. When Simon replied to Jesus' question that he was the Christ, Jesus says that it was only his Father that could have revealed that to him. He goes on to tell Simon that from that moment he will be known as 'Peter' the rock that he would build the church on.
As Simon declares that he knows who Jesus is, he also discovers who he is himself. It is so important that each of us develop our own personal relationship with God, not to amass knowledge about him, but an intimate ongoing friendship. Like any relationship, as we spend time with him we get to know him better, how he thinks, how he feels and just that will transform our lives. The most wonderful thing is that as we get to know him, who created us in his image, we get to know ourselves, who we really are. The truth sets us free and enables us to stand firm in the storms of life.
Daniel 11:32 '... but those who know their God will stand firm'
To those of us who know him this is clearly a picture of Jesus but that knowledge only comes to us by the grace of God. He not only made a way for us to know him, but it is God himself who opens our eyes to see that way. When Simon replied to Jesus' question that he was the Christ, Jesus says that it was only his Father that could have revealed that to him. He goes on to tell Simon that from that moment he will be known as 'Peter' the rock that he would build the church on.As Simon declares that he knows who Jesus is, he also discovers who he is himself. It is so important that each of us develop our own personal relationship with God, not to amass knowledge about him, but an intimate ongoing friendship. Like any relationship, as we spend time with him we get to know him better, how he thinks, how he feels and just that will transform our lives. The most wonderful thing is that as we get to know him, who created us in his image, we get to know ourselves, who we really are. The truth sets us free and enables us to stand firm in the storms of life.
Daniel 11:32 '... but those who know their God will stand firm'
