This passage brings to my memory the many times I have come across people who have inked their bodies with skulls, demons and even numbers, like 666; and I question, do they REALLY know that’s another way of worship?... Worship the wrong. But this is not what I want to address here, but the so many other ways to worship the wrong.
As a testimony, not because I’m proud of my sin, for many years as a “lost person” who knew about God but did not have a one on one relationship with Him, I followed and worshiped idols and statues, not only God’s but in addition to our heavenly Father, and never even thought any wrong about it. I was lost! But it was not until I was faced with the reality that JESUS was the only ONE who went to the cross to pay for my sins, therefore the only fair thing to do was that HE would be the ONLY ONE I should worshiped. As I fellowship weekly in church and studying the Scriptures with other women some way more mature than me, those Scriptures proved my sin, HIS gift to me, and enlighten the path for the right to do.
This study IS to CREATE consciousness that some of the things we do although we have “right” intentions they can send the WRONG message, and lead us to fall in the wrong because WORSHIPS the WRONG thing.
This book of Revelation is indeed “a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave HIM
to show HIS servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to
present this revelation to his servant John,
who faithfully reported everything he
saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.”[1] And HE adds that He will bless whoever reads these words, listens
to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near, says in verse three.
Chapter fourteen starts as an angel in fact a third angel, (meaning that
previously there were other two) is shedding light about a problem that already
has been an issue since “forever ago” (in the early beginnings of the world when
Eve was “seduced” by the lust of her eyes, with that precious “apple” she
followed the wrong, accepted the “offer”, and consequently paid the price.) This
study IS NOT about Adam and Eve but about the consequences like Eve’s action, after
follow a sinful path.The beast is an elementary word, and it represents a large animal, someone cruel or aggressive; also used to describe something that is difficult or unpleasant. In this book of Revelation, this word beast represents someone whom if we choose to follow, will take us further than we want to go and cost us more than what we want to pay. The truth is that those who choose the beast will have to drink the cup of God’s anger, and the full strength of HIS wrath.
Wrath is used with reference to both God and man[2]. When used of God it is to be understood that there is the complete absence of that caprice (impulsive tendency) and unethical quality so prominent in the anger attributed to the gods of the heathen and to man. The divine wrath is to be regarded as the natural expression of the divine nature, which is absolute holiness, manifesting itself against the willful, high-handed, deliberate, inexcusable sin and iniquity of mankind. God's wrath IS always regarded in the Scripture as the just, proper, and natural expression of His holiness and righteousness which must always, under all circumstances, and at all costs be maintained. It is therefore a righteous indignation and compatible with the holy and righteous nature of God[3]. The element of love and compassion is always closely connected with God's anger; if we rightly estimate the divine anger we must unhesitatingly pronounce it to be but the expression and measure of that love.[4]”
In other words, whatever leads you to cause God’s wrath to be active, IS NO GOOD to follow!!! You hear me? Do NOT go there! IF you want to read and study more about fascinating subject and the contrast between God’s Divine Wrath Consistent with Love, check the link.[5]
As addressed in verse twelve, we MUST ENDURE PERSECUTION, because if HE says it, we MUST believe it! This means to keep your eyes NAILED to HIS; when HE says do not…. you do not! If HE says, do… you do! When HE says, avoid… you avoid! And when HE says, follow… you follow! This way you’ll be obeying HIS command, and maintaining you FAITH rooted in JESUS.
To recap, in order to endure persecution we MUST STUDY GOD’S WORD CONSTANTLY!!! So our minds become soaked with the elements needed to live victorious lives in Christ JESUS! The world out there will push us to follow, but when we are soaked in God’s Word, HIS strength is perfect for us to endure whatever kind of persecution we might be facing.
If you have already been inked, is not about the ink, is about the cause and the effect, the message your ink is bringing to you and all those that you’re surrounded by. Ask THE LORD, what to do about it? Because the truth of the matter is that our life tells our story, the way we take care of our body shows our priorities in life, yes we might be facing difficult times or circumstances but its truly a reflect of our past actions, and believes. Said that, IF HE wants you to save some money, or send someone to pay as much as it could take for you to get your ink removed and “cleaned” HE will let you know and will provide for it too, in fact I have a challenge for you….
I challenge you to ADMIT to our Lord, that you are a sinner, BELIEVE that JESUS went to the cross to pay for our sins, and CONFESS Him as your only Savior and Master of your life, and then an only then,
I challenge you to ask HIM, to provide the way to get rid of whatever might be causing you to lead others away from HIM, whether it is thru your belongings, your attitudes, your likes, and yes, to even include your inks.
I’m praying with you and for you, in JESUS name, AMEN!
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