by Bro. Ogie Omozusi
We shall be discussing today: How to get out of the realm of death and dying for the believer.
At this point in time, we can describe God’s children in various levels:
●Children of God in Egypt (if you like Sodom or Babylon) Revelation 11:8
●People of God out of Egypt (Passover Feast)
●God’s children at the Red Sea (Baptism)
●God’s people in the wilderness (in various temporary resting places)
●God’s children at the crossing of Jordan (death cannot hold them captive)
●God’s children in the promised land (clear understanding the covenant of life and peace)
●God’s children travailing in birth in the promise land.
●God’s children in Divine warfare in the promise land
●Finally. Entrance into the Final Rest
The realities above can be described by two conditions in scripture in this day, of the time of the end. Days of Lot: Luke 17:28-30 KJV — Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. And the Days of Noe: Matthew 24:37-38 KJV 37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.
We know where the newborn again believer positionally is located in this above levels. Questions for you privately, in terms of character and life where are you located? Are we in the class of Noe in the Ministry of Rest or wallowing in the Sodom with all the entrapments of Satan or in between Noe and Lot?
We shall now discuss our topic today, how to get out of the realm of death and dying for the believer.
We shall focus on the letter to the church in Sardis.
Briefly, the letters to the churches in the book of revelation can be examined personally, corporately, historically and prophetically. We can divide all the letters written to the church into three broad categories: the introduction (Christ make himself known), the body of the letter (He investigate thoroughly all, on the bases of Faith, Hope and Love) and finally the conclusion (He elevates all that overcome to a higher realm in Him).
What are the conditions the Lord Jesus has put in place for deliverance from decay, dying and death? We breakdown these into 2 broad factors as we examine God’s dealings with the Sardis Church.
[A] The influence of God towards the believer. [Isaiah 60:1 & Ephesians 5:14]
[ B] The believer must take steps in the process of recovery from death to life.
We shall outline the 2 broad factors below:
[A] The influence of God towards the believer to lift them up from death.
■Revelation 3:1 KJV — And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
♤The seven Spirits of God ~ Isaiah 11::2-3 & Zechariah 3:4,9 [ seven eyes in one stone that a) remove the filthy garments, b) remove the iniquity from his people and c) engrave the character of God in His people]
♤The Seven Stars ~ Revelation 1:19 [ ministries in the Lord’s service, delivering His people from darkness]
[B] The believer must take steps in the process of recovery from death to life.
■ Revelation 3:2-4 KJV — Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
♥︎ Be watchful
♥︎ Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:
♥︎ Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard.
♥︎ Hold fast [ G5083 – “to watch or keep” Expresses watchful care and is suggestive of present possession]
♥︎ Repent. (Repentance, a complete change from dead works and faith towards God)
♥︎ Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments [ Psalm 1:1]
We can summarize part [B] in two blocks:
◆ things to avoid a) walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
◆ And things to embrace b) delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
What do we learn from this short study:
■ No condition is hopeless. The Lord Himself by his seven Spirits and His ministries is available to transform a man and whole congregations from death and the atmosphere of death into life.
■ Look not to yourself. We must look only to the Lord for transformation (metamorphosis) and make effective use of the Seven Stars, He has placed among us to attain and remain in life (light).
■ Cry for help, all resources are available in the church. Numbers 10:9
■ Every Believer must take responsibility, living in continuous consecration and as a Nazarite.
Prayers
♣︎Repentance. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2Co 7:10
♣︎Ask God to fill you afresh with His Spirit and cause you to enter into fully His image and likeness. [full clothing of the high Priest]
♣︎Ask God to make you a Star in his hand (service), and fully available to transform your brethren.
May God Bless you and make you a blessing. Amen.
