WHO IS OPENING YOUR SCROLL?

“Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. ⁵ But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Apo 5:1-5,9

The Book (or scroll), was long pieces of scrolls that were rolled up and sealed with clay and hot wax, only the authorized person could break the seal and read its contents.

The scroll of which the apostle John speaks contains the destiny of mankind, and that destiny can only be revealed by the Lamb of God, who was crucified for us and rose again on the third day. Only Jesus can do it.

We were all created by God with a purpose. We waste years of our lives trying to reach goals on our own, which usually leads to failure and disappointment. In spite of that, Jesus has in his hands a roll with your name written on it, and He is the only one worthy to break the seals and reveal the Heavenly Father's plan for your life. Each seal that you allow Jesus to untie will bring you closer to the fulfillment of His purpose in you. Do not try to break the seals by yourself, do not let anyone else do it. Only the Lamb knows the right time to take you to the next level, only Jesus was able to pay the high price for your redemption. Your attitude will determine the time He takes to break each seal.

“And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”

Apo 5:9

@fotala10

OVERCOMING GOD´S TESTING

“So the Lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.” That is why the Lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all”
Judges 2:20-23 NLT

When Joshua died, part of the Promised Land was still to be conquered to complete the promise God made to Moses when they left Egypt. The Israelites could only conquer a portion of it, and these verses explain why: ". I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.”(v.22)

How many blessings from God do you still feel you haven´t reach? Do you have doubts about God´s promises because time passes and you don´t see any change? Perhaps the Lord is testing you as He did with the Israelites.

The fulfillment of a promise does not depend on God, it depends on our behavior during a specific time, in which the Lord tests us to decide whether or not we are mature enough to receive His blessing.

Hebreos 6:11-12 says:

 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. ¹² Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

These verses teach us some attitudes we should seek and practice to receive God´s promises:

1) LOVE: (v. 11)

God is love, and in His Word it is emphasized that everything we do without love has no value (1Cor.13:1-3). Jesus summed up the law saying: "Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself" (Mt 22: 37-40). Love is what moves us to do good, to be just and honest. A person with an empty heart is someone easy to tempt. Love is like a shield that protects us from evil. “The perfect love casts away fear” (1Jn4:18)

2) FAITH: (V.12)

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11: 6). You can not follow someone you do not believe in. Each person is tested on the level of faith they have. Abraham, the father of faith, was progressively tested until he reached an great level of faith. Whether we want it or not, we will always be tested and taken to higher levels of faith.

3) PERSEVERANCE: (V.12)

Patience is a virtue that very few has. This is the right time to develop them.

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

God does not test us to make us suffer, He does it to make us grow, in other to appreciate his blessings, receiving them with hearts full of love, faith and perseverance.

There is a song that begins by saying, "The truth can hurt you, or the truth can change you ... What does the truth do to you?" Today I say to you, "God´s tests can hurt you, or God´s tests can change you ... What Do God´s tests do to you?”.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together^[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

15/02/2017

@fotala10