這個群是為了便於每週二、四11點空中晚禱會的聯絡，透過分享互動，彼此可以超越時空關懷代禱，而晚禱則是伯特利 (Bethel Renewal Center) 晨禱的延伸，因此是使用同一個禱告線。

晚禱會的目的、對像、性質
1， 成立目的:特別為餐飲服務業人士設立一個跨教會的空中平臺，使有心追求的弟兄姐妹可以通過這個平臺彼此守望互助，藉著QT分享和代禱，操練靈修禱告，與清心的人一同禱告（提後2:22），過得勝的生活。
2， 性質：是跨地域、跨教會、跨宗派的禱告會，藉著電話網絡的方式將不同地域、不同教會、不同宗派的弟兄姐妹連結在一起的禱告會。
3， 對象：同心合意追求，重視靈修禱告生活的基督徒。

Mission

BethelRC 以推動敬拜讚美與禱告為核心，以連結各教會為使命，舉辦各樣活動推動敬拜讚美運動，恢復神在美東的榮耀同在。 到各處宣傳建立美東眾教會聯結，幫助有需要的個人、家庭、群體及教會。提供教導、訓練、資源，鼓勵常常一同禱告敬拜、舉辦特會、佈道會，直至興旺教會。

作者: 拾頭

    一提到佛羅里達，就會想到迪斯尼樂園、水果、或“避寒勝地”，當然也少不了沙灘。今年有幸隨著短宣隊來到佛羅里達參加佛羅里達州聯會退休會並與當地教會配搭開展餐福事工。一進入聯會退休會的營地，就發現這裡的土壤與其他地方不太一樣，植被下邊全是沙土。我就覺得奇怪一般沙土地方的植物不會很豐富、如沙漠地帶，可是佛羅里達的動植物都很豐富，後來得知其主要原因是因為佛羅里達的降雨量充沛，非常有利於植物的成長。再加上秋、冬天時，樹葉就掉落在土壤之上，經過雨水，微生物侵蝕，就成為來年的植物的養分，如此周而復始，形成善性循环。因此不但佛羅里達的植物多樣化，而且農產品(瓜果蔬菜)很也豐盛，我最喜歡吃的橘子就是來自這裡。

    我從這土壤得到了些啟示：

作者: 楊川燈

    2014年11月份，我跟著馬禮遜掛圖展的團隊南下佛州，首先就被這裡溫和的氣候所吸引，望眼之處都是一片綠色。在為期一個月的展覽中，我們走訪了幾個教會，發現佛州有很多中國餐館，但是卻沒有人傳福音給他們，關懷他們，看到餐福事工的需要與迫切，然而有的教會想做卻不知道怎麼開始，有的教會做了一段時間因為缺少同工就沒有持續下去，我心裡頓時覺得惆悵。在回新澤西的路上，明發弟兄（伯特利中心創辦人）和我交流後，決定跟迦南聖經學院的陳師母商量，明年組織短宣隊來這裡。

    經過數月的禱告及籌備，神興起當地教會參與，以及伯特利中心在當中的連結，美南餐福事工就這樣開始了。說到餐福事工，我來美國的第一份工作就是在餐館。感謝主! 讓我認識祂，後來蒙神呼召進入聖經學院受裝備，畢業後，我又重新回到餐館裡打散工。神藉著周圍的環境給我很多的感觸: 從事餐飲業的人分佈在美國各州，過著飄蕩流離，居無定所的生活。有的是為了政治庇護去過教會，有的是還沒有聽到福音，想到這裡就揪心，他們為了不同的需要及目標，過著遠離神，與耶穌沒有生命關係的生活。我從讀神學開始，週末就去教會參與事奉，不是忙著看書做作業，就是忙著教會裡的事奉，團體的活動，幾乎是跟基督徒在一起。我不否定這樣的基督徒生活是很豐富，有事奉有團契。但後來發現自己跟那些還沒信主的朋友漸漸失去來往，而這樣我們還怎麼傳福音給身邊的人，遵行主的大使命呢？教會裡普遍存在的一種現象:生活圈大都局限在弟兄姐妹之間，信仰僅停留在教堂裡，在與非信徒之間，是我們築起了一道牆，隔絕了之間的來往，也隔絕了福音的傳遞：又因為我們在職場和生活中沒有好的見證行為，使他們抵擋福音，不願意認識神，求神憐憫。祂讓我看到這樣的現象，是要在我身上成就祂的旨意。在我讀聖經學院三年級的時候，在一次聚會中，神藉著一位老牧師的信息“道成肉身”觸動了我，也堅定了我要跨過教會的那道牆，進到人群當中的決心，於是畢業後，我開始把事奉的重心移到職場中。而當學院決定要組織短宣隊南下的時候，我就毫不猶豫的參加了。

    我們從5月19號出發，除了其他同學只待兩個禮拜，我和我太太则會在佛州停留兩個月。在這兩個月中，神藉著這個事工讓我看到自己的不足之處，有很多需要突破，更需要操練去做。餐福事工的艱難與不易，首先在一開始的探訪關懷工作，與餐廳的員工建立關係，進而達到傳福音的目的，從日常生活的話題引到福音，是需要技巧的，特別是碰到對信仰比較理性的人，更是需要真理上的裝備，而且在這當中會經歷到屬靈的爭戰，還有團隊同心禱告的重要性。我很少有出外佈道的操練，而如今神帶領我參與到餐福事工，藉著這樣來塑造我。感謝神!祂深知我的不足和軟弱，短短一個多月當中，我瞭解自己佈道方面的有限，曾幾度想要放棄，而我的腦海中卻不斷浮現一張張失望無助的面孔。我跟神說:”神啊！你真要把我放在餐福事工中嗎？這些事情我都不擅長啊！我能做的很有限，你找別人吧！”然而我得到的回應卻是 “學習突破，相信祂的供應”，神的意念高過我的意念，我唯有順服。若神要使用，就算只有”兩個銅板“，也要獻給祂，也許“兩個銅板”算不得什麼，但是當你願意將它擺上的時候，神就悅納，這更勝於那些有能力卻不願擺上給神使用的人，因為神看的不是能力的大小，乃是你我肯不肯給，願不願把身上僅有的交給祂。

    感謝神，每次的餐館探訪，我們都遇到不同的反應。雖然有遇到反應冷淡，拒絕的態度；但也有的看到我們特意從新澤西跑來看他們，就非常的驚訝與高興，甚至邀請我們去家裡住；有的跟我們分享在佛州很寂寞，第一次碰到有人關心問候他們。他們當中有的正面臨家庭、婚姻等問題。參與餐福事工，我從不認為自己有多大的能力，能做多大的貢獻，卻深深體會到神對我們有祂奇妙的帶領。我只有“兩個銅板”而已，但是神卻藉著這“兩個銅板”來彰顯祂的能力，願祂的旨意成就，榮耀歸給祂! 耶穌說：“父怎麼差遣我，我也照樣差遣你們。”（約20:21）主耶穌怎樣順服神的旨意，道成肉身來到世上，尋找拯救失喪的人，我們也要怎樣順服祂頒佈的大使命，“道成肉身”進入到人群當中，將那些人帶到神的面前。神將我們揀選出來分別為聖，不是讓我們與世人不相來往，而是要來榮耀祂，藉著我們的見證，作世上的光和鹽，將福音帶到人群當中。

臺灣有「劉三講古」，新州有「賴桑講古」，有賴忠智牧師在的地方，絕無冷場，有說，有唱，有歡笑。

賴牧師日前出了『台灣心鄉土情』第三集 (2CDs)。CD6 A.『台灣古典文學』內容包括『火金姑、炒米香』『互阮一粒台灣心』；B.『賴桑講古~故鄉光景如何?』內容包括『勸世歌』『有人在替你禱告』，精彩豐富，很適合送給臺灣的鄉親父老們。他並且鼓勵大家「多多拷貝」沒有「Copy Right」 只有「Right To Copy」。。。
歡迎索取！

為著未來更多CD的錄製，懇請關心、代禱、奉獻、支持『台灣心鄉土情』音樂事工。

支票抬頭請寫：BRC (備註:iTAIWAN MISSION)

#	A.「台灣本土古典文學」曲目	聆聽MP3檔	下載WMA檔
01	火金姑、炒米香 公嬤疼大孫、父母疼細子
02	呣通哮心肝仔子 十子十媳婦最後剩一個老寡婦
03	保老四則歌 人呣通掛無事牌
04	無論佇甚麼時陣
05	互阮一粒台灣心
06	古典文學結尾語
#	B.「賴桑講古 ~ 故鄉光景如何?」曲目	聆聽MP3檔	下載WMA檔
07	故鄉光景如何
08	勸世歌
09	賴桑講古
10	今日咱著儆醒禱告
11	祝福禱告
12	有人在替你禱告
13	耶和華祝福滿滿

	試聽與下載第1集(內容)	察看CD1細節	察看CD2細節
	試聽與下載第2集(內容)	察看CD3細節	察看CD4細節
	試聽與下載第3集(內容)	察看CD5細節	察看CD6細節

臺灣有「劉三講古」，新州有「賴桑講古」，有賴忠智牧師在的地方，絕無冷場，有說，有唱，有歡笑。

賴牧師日前出了『台灣心鄉土情』第三集 (2CDs)。CD5『台灣民謠組曲』內容包括『針線情』『新娘仔』『欲嫁尫』，精彩豐富，很適合送給臺灣的鄉親父老們。他並且鼓勵大家「多多拷貝」沒有「Copy Right」 只有「Right To Copy」。。。
歡迎索取！

為著未來更多CD的錄製，懇請關心、代禱、奉獻、支持『台灣心鄉土情』音樂事工。

支票抬頭請寫：BRC (備註:iTAIWAN MISSION)

#	CD5「台灣民謠組曲」曲目	聆聽MP3檔	下載WMA檔
01	針線情
02	新娘仔
03	欲嫁尫
04	火金星十五暝
05	美國囝仔
06	講笑詼、茭白筍、萵苣
07	病子歌
08	草螟弄雞公
09	月夜愁
10	河邊春夢
11	孤戀花
12	燒肉粽
13	嫁互一個老秀才
14	遊子吟
15	失樂園
16	思念故鄉
17	慈愛牧者

	試聽與下載第1集(內容)	察看CD1細節	察看CD2細節
	試聽與下載第2集(內容)	察看CD3細節	察看CD4細節
	試聽與下載第3集(內容)	察看CD5細節	察看CD6細節

記得在去年感恩節前夕，馬禮遜宣教從南往北的回程當中，團隊鼓舞從事餐館工作為了《馬禮遜宣教事工》辭職的川燈傳道可以繼續服事，神學院畢業後的他，因還沒找到服事的工場，因此一直期待能夠一邊工作一邊帶職服事。

其實我們都一樣，都有經濟壓力，想服事，卻也不能忽略生活上最基本的需求，因此一直都很掙扎，只能持續禱告仰望神，伯特利中心(BRC)的異象正是「不管要做甚麼事，凡事都從禱告開始」而他的女友剛好名字是華月，因此當時在車上我脫口說了一句，「那好啊！就在伯特利的禱告平臺上開闢新的禱告時段，就由川燈華月開始，時段名稱都幫你們想好了，就叫《華燈初上》多美的組合啊！」沒料到我一講完，全車哄堂大笑。

不過，現在我們可是認真的，無論做甚麼，總要有人起個頭，想當年十幾歲遊手好閒不知人生意義為何的馬禮遜，也是因為旁人的帶領，一念之差才走上宣教之路，影響華人至今兩百多年，這個故事一直鼓舞我憑著信心，每天儆醒仰望神，潔淨負面的思考模式，也期待自己更能順服聖靈微小的聲音。

今晨禱分享時，奧蘭多的姊妹才在分享當地餐福的需要，而其實昨天夜裏11點多，川燈就認真的問我「Linda姊，我們不是說好要一起晚禱的嗎？」這下，推不掉了，這一切總是有神巧妙的安排與帶領，被動的我好像無法再推辭了！

晚禱推廣：
《華燈初上晚禱會。。。 華月川燈線上與你們相會，看哪！華麗的月就如無聲無息的風，川流在萬家燈火中，耶穌說：「風隨著意思吹，你聽見風的響聲，卻不曉得從哪裏來，往哪裏去；凡從聖靈生的，也是如此。」（約 3：8）不要忘了我們今晚的約定。》

每週三晚間美東時間11pm-12pm 1-641-715-3605 #589667，Skype、FCC HD皆可

邀約對象主要是餐館從業人員及對餐福有負擔的基督徒，不分宗派、機構與教會，一起透過線上晚禱。

作者: 郭靖

在2014年10/30日馬裡遜挂圖展南下巡回的團隊來到我的教會- 亞特蘭大靈糧堂。我的家有幸接待他們一行人。他們給我留下最深的印象是: 他們都是禱告的人。每天早晨去服事之前或晚上服事結束之后，他們都要禱告, 因為他們知道服事的果效是從禱告來的。受他們的影響，我也開始跟他們一起晨禱。與他們同行的彭榮仁牧師提議在晨禱后開始一個新的嘗試：英文叫QT(Quiet Time), 中文叫活潑的生命的每日靈修材料。正巧亞特蘭大有不少間名叫QT的加油站，這彷佛是神給的一個印証，因為神的話對我們屬靈成長就象車輛奔跑需要汽油一樣。就這樣馬裡遜挂圖展的團隊2014年11月1日在我的家中開始了QT。隨著禱告和神的話並行，我越來越喜歡上了QT。即使馬裡遜挂圖展的團隊離開亞特蘭大之后，我仍然堅持用活潑的生命來每日靈修, 也常常打電話到7:30-8:30am的QT分享的電話線上。不少弟兄姐妹們在電話線上的經文的分享給我很多的亮光，加上他們活生的生命見証，更是激勵我.

到了11月中旬，等我的牧師徐永宙從台灣和中國宣教回來后，我跟他分享了我從晨禱和QT的收獲，我也介紹我的小組裡一些渴慕的姐妹們參加QT.牧師說他個人使用QT來靈修已經有五年了，他從前就有意向全教會推廣，但是當時時機還不成熟。牧師認為現在是神的時候了，決定先在12月份讓教會的十幾位小組長們試用，若反應良好，再在全教會推廣。我就從彭牧師那裡先訂了十幾本來。經過小組長們一個月的試用，大家反應很好，我們整個教會在2015年1月份開始使用QT。

我下面分享一個從QT中神的話帶給我的奇妙救恩的見証。當小組長們在12月份開始試用QT的時候，我們的德玉師母特別開設了一個“活潑的生命”的微信群聊帳號，鼓勵大家分享讀經心得和見証。《活潑生命》的編排與我們的實際生活相結合。在12/23-12/25聖誕期間，這三天的信息中斷了原本歌羅西書的經文分享，插入有關聖誕節的經文。12/23日的經文是彌迦書5：2-9節。我對其中5：5“這位必作我們的平安”這短短的幾個字印象很深，德玉師母在那天的微信上的分享很有畫龍點睛之筆，她寫道：今天的經文最感動我的，這位必作我們的平安。甚願基督的政權在我生命加增再加增，直到祂的平安在我裡面作主！我很贊同師母的分享。到了晚上，我整理2014年收到的賀卡。看到我的教會一位姐妹送給我的一張聖誕卡片，封面上有Peace的字和一隻白鴿在Peace上，很引起我的注意，我非常喜歡，以至於我做了平時不常做的事。把這張卡片的封面剪下來，放在我的相框裡，保存下來。

第二天12/24下午，我出發去南卡准備與我的老師一起過平安夜和聖誕節。當我開車在85高速公路上，到離亞特蘭大約60英裡的地方，我的右后邊的車胎突然發生爆胎，車子失控，先撞上公路右旁的護欄，又被反彈至路左邊的中央草地上才停下。雖然公路上車輛不少，但就在車子失控橫飛的緊張時刻，我不但沒有撞上到其它車，而且還經歷到一種說不出來的平安。雖然車子全毀，我的的身體卻沒有受任何的傷和痛，情緒上也沒有受驚嚇。感謝主，祂讓我經歷了一個不同尋常的真正的平安夜，親身經歷了“這位必作我們的平安”的真實。

更奇妙的是12/25聖誕節那天的《活潑的生命》引用路加福音第2章中的一些經文。其中路2:30節西面說：“因為我的眼睛已經看見你的救恩”。這句話特別觸動我。因為在前一天的車禍中我真實地經歷了主的救恩，我非常感恩。接著我又讀了路加福音第1章。其中路1:74對我的心說話:“叫我們既從仇敵手中被救出來，就可以終身在他面前，坦然無懼的用聖潔、公義事奉他。”。這句經文揭示了神拯救我的性命的目的：讓我全然委身，毫無畏懼地為主而活。

永宙牧師在一次講道中引用摩西在『申命記32章46-47節』 的話：我今日所警教你們的，你們都要放在心上，要吩咐你們的子孫謹守遵行這律法上的話。因為這不是虛空與你們無關的事，乃是你們的生命，在你們過約但河要得為業的地上，必因這事日子得以長久。

我的這個經歷不也是見証神的話是關乎生命的事嗎？願聖靈多 多使用《活潑的生命》,讓我們每天領受從主那裡賜下的豐盛生命。

作者簡介: 郭靖, 亞特蘭大靈糧堂姊妹

2014. 11. 19 |Spiritual Idolatry (Revelation 17:1~8)

1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.
5 This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.

7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.

Reflection

Babylon, the Prostitute (17:1~5) 

Babylon the Great is portrayed as a lavishly-adorned prostitute, laden with jewels and gold to make her attractive to the world. Here, we see that the Bible again parallels marital unfaithfulness and sexual immorality with spiritual unfaithfulness and immorality. This prostitute has led the kings of the world astray with false religions and idols, leading people to worship all sorts of gods other than the one true living God. She represents all of the ungodly filth and idolatry of this world. She leads people away from God and to their own destruction; she is therefore God’s enemy and will be punished accordingly. May our hearts and our faith stay pure in our devotion to Christ.

- Whatever is first in your heart, no matter how harmless or even how good it may seem, is still an idol if it displaces God. May we have an undivided heart for God alone.

The Beast (17:6~8)  

The prostitute and the beast work together to destroy God’s people. They are united in their goal to deceive, kill, steal, and destroy believers. The passage tells us that the prostitute is drunk from the blood of God’s people. In other words, the spiritual war is manifested in a very real way in the physical world. False religions and the battles that rage on claim millions of lives and souls. As Christians, we must be able to recognize the enemy’s strategy to divide and conquer. To that end, may we be ever united with Christ and with the body of believers through the Holy Spirit. May no prostitute or beast ever come between us and our first love, Jesus Christ.

- We must be aware of the spiritual war that rages around us. Let us never underestimate the enemy’s cleverness or diligence in attempting to overrun this world with his influence. But remember: God is greater.

A letter to God 

Father, bind the enemy. Win for us each battle through Your Spirit and give us the wisdom and strength to fight this battle on our knees in prayer. Give us the victory for Your name’s sake, for Your glory and Your kingdom. In Christ’s name. Amen.

2014. 11. 18 |Armageddon (Revelation 16:10~21)

10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony
11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.
13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!"
18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.
19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.
20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.
21 From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

Reflection

Condemnation (16:10~16) 

There comes a point in our spiritual lives where we either acknowledge God or condemn ourselves. The truth is, we all deserve condemnation. God, however, provides a way out through Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. We can choose to repent and turn to Him, or we can refuse to repent and condemn ourselves to death and battle against the God who will destroy all sin. Those who curse God in today’s passage are those whose hearts have hardened to despise God. They have given themselves over to the beast and belong to his kingdom. They are deceived and, in turn, deceive others to rage against God. May we be ever vigilant in following the one and only true God, ever in His mercy and grace.

- The last days will bring false prophets and deceivers. How then shall we discern truth from lies? Through God’s Word and prayer. May He give us wisdom and discernment to know His truth and His will.

“It Is Done!” (16:17~21)  

The final plague is poured out in all its fury. It is cataclysmic and there is a distinct sense of finality. There is no recovery from this earthquake or relief from the hailstones. Everything will be destroyed, only to be restored by God with the coming of the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21). There have been moments in history when some were convinced that it was the end of the world, but the rest of the world just continued on with life as usual. When the last days come, it will be clear to everyone that history as we know it is ending. Before those times come, may we live our days wisely and wholeheartedly for His kingdom.

- Revelation is not an easy read. The punishments are severe, and people will suffer immensely. Perhaps this is why God gives us a warning about what to expect. Are you prepared for the last days?

A letter to God 

Father, give me the strength and will to persevere until the very end. May I hold on to Your promises and look toward eternity. Help me, in the meantime, to share the Gospel with others. Let me be bold and courageous in my faith and witness. In Your name. Amen.

2014. 11. 17 |The Wrath of God (Revelation 16:1~9)

1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth."
2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.
5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged;
6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve."
7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire.
9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Reflection

Just Punishment (16:1~3) 

The first two plagues begin the series of punishments that will devastate the earth. God’s wrath is poured out in seven phases. The first is an outbreak of festering sores on all those who worship the beast and its image. The second bowl is poured out upon the sea, turning the waters to blood like that of a corpse: thick, coagulated, and incapable of supporting life. The punishment from the first bowl afflicts only those who worship the antichrist, but the second afflicts the whole world, the death and decay of the sea creatures adding to the misery of the punishment. We might be tempted to think these judgments are too severe, but we must remember that God has always been clear that sin results in death. Praise Him for Christ, through whom we have salvation!

- If you think that these punishments are harsh, you are right. The harshness of the punishment reflects the heinousness of sin. God is just and righteous in His judgment and merciful in His forgiveness and grace.

Cursing God (16:4~9)  

The third bowl is poured out over the sources of fresh water, and in compound judgment, the sun is allowed to scorch and sear people with its intense heat. In reading this chapter, we get the impression that the judgments will be swift and consecutive; as terrible as the suffering is, the angel confirms that God is true and just in His wrath. It is worth noting that the people know God is in control and yet refuse to repent. Instead, they curse Him, choosing to be destroyed in their disobedience rather than to be forgiven in repentance. They choose their own fate as they choose the antichrist over God.

- When we choose something other than Christ, we are choosing what is not the Way, what is not the Truth, what is not the Life. Such a choice becomes our own curse and our own godless fate.

A letter to God 

Father in heaven, protect and strengthen Your children. Give me faith to persevere. May Your praises always be on my lips. Please use me to bring salvation to the lost, encouraging people to turn to You as I await Your return. In Your name. Amen.

2014. 11. 16 |Our Awesome God (Revelation 15:1~8)

1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues--last, because with them God's wrath is completed.
2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God
3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
5 After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened.
6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Reflection

Great and Marvelous (15:1~4) 

The imagery in Revelation is fantastic in ever sense of the word. What is revealed to John can only be described through comparisons, and his words ignite our imagination. We can really only imagine what he saw. We know, at least, that today’s passage is all about God, His great and marvelous deeds and His victory! We are reminded and given hope—biblically certain hope that is based upon God’s promises—that there will come a day when God’s glory will be made fully known for all to see. All His great and marvelous deeds will be brought to light, and all nations will come and worship Him. Therefore, we must not give up. We must count ourselves amongst those who are victorious, singing praises to the only holy God. This is our great and marvelous future!

- The decisions that we make today must be made in light of this future vision—the vision of Christ’s victory and the full revelation of God in the last days. How will you live now as you look toward this vision?

Seven Angels, Seven Plagues (15:5~8)  

The seven angels bring the last seven plagues, which are the most severe judgments from God. The angels, dressed in garments that represent their holiness and purity, carry bowls of God’s wrath. God has always been forthright in regard to what will come in the last days. The consequences for sin will be severe. There will be punishment; it will be devastating, and it will be final. God does not delight in bringing judgment; it is a demonstration of His righteousness and holiness. Ultimately, His judgment will decisively destroy the sin that has plagued mankind from the Fall until today. 

- The last days will bring great suffering and punishment. God’s wrath must be satisfied. For those of us who have claimed Christ as our Lord, let us remember that Christ’s death appeased God’s wrath toward us.

2014. 11. 15 |The Coming Judgment (Revelation 14:14~20)

14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."
16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.
18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe."
19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.
20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

Reflection

The Great Harvest (14:14~16) 

In Christ’s first coming to the earth, He came as a helpless baby, totally dependent on others and incapable of hurting anyone. He died as the Savior of the world, offering Himself as a sacrifice on behalf of the whole human race to pay the wages of sin. In His second coming, He will come as a Judge. The great harvest (v. 14) is the gathering of the righteous at the end of the age and a parallel to Jesus’ agricultural parables in Matthew 13. A sickle is an agricultural tool consisting of a sharp blade attached to a long pole and is used to cut fruit or wheat from hard-to-reach places. The harvesters are angels who are representatives of Jesus and take their sickles to the ripe harvest of the earth. 

- The great harvest is coming. How does knowing that Jesus will one day return to judge the world affect your lifestyle, decisions, and vision?  

The Winepress (14:17~20)  

The winepress is another picture of the wrath of God and His coming judgment. In ancient times, people used large vats to crush grapes, usually with their bare feet, and the juice would flow out from the vats to produce wine. The blood that will flow from the great harvest is likened to the wine that flows from these vats. The measurement of 1,600 stadia equates to about 180 miles, which is approximately the length of Palestine. There will be blood flowing along that whole distance, as high as the bridles of horses (v. 20). Notice that the grapes are ripe—meaning that judgment will come at the right time. 

- Do you understand the depths from which you have been saved? We often do not understand amazing grace because we do not fully realize how wretched we once were. There is no more condemnation for believers in Jesus Christ.

A letter to God 

Lord, thank you for my salvation, given to me as a free gift in Christ. In the great judgment, although I am secure, there are many around me and in the world who are not. Grant me the strength to share the Good News with them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

10/7

7PM

SICCC (Staten Island Chinese Christian Church) 史德頓島華人基督教會  

馬志遠牧師

718-494-3697

159 Schmidts Lane, Staten Island NY 10314

新澤西

10/3

19:30

OCMGC 中活海外宣道會新恩堂

90 Mt Vemon St, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Postor John Maxham

O: 201-440-2885

C 908-510-8478

2014. 11. 14 |Marked by God (Revelation 14:1~13)

1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people.
7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
8 A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,
10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

Reflection

The 144,000 (14:1~5) 

The important thing to remember about the number 144,000 (which represents completeness) is that it is a symbolic number and represents all of the saints throughout history. It is the sum of all the twelve tribes of Israel listed in Revelation 7 (12,000 in each tribe). In contrast to the number of the beast, the 144,000 have the Father’s name written on their foreheads, indicating that they belong to God. Ephesians 1:13b–14 states: “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” He has purchased us from among mankind and made us blameless through the death of His Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

- There is security in knowing that God has sealed us with His Spirit. Our identity is not based on our performance, but on what Jesus already did to secure our eternal destinies.

The Three Angels (14:6~13)  

There is some disagreement amongst scholars regarding the meaning of this passage. Is the “gospel” proclaimed by the first angel the same Gospel we believe and share? Some experts say no because the Church was assigned to preach the Gospel, and the message in verse 7 differs from the Gospel that saves us. Other scholars say it is the same message and that this is a warning to those who have not yet repented. The second angel (v. 8) notifies the earth that Babylon is doomed. Babylon represents God’s enemies and those who bow to other gods. The third angel warns against worshiping the beast and accepting his mark.

- We should actively share the Gospel today, for one day it will be too late to hear the Good News. Pray for your family and friends. Judgment is coming. 

A letter to God 

Lord, thank you that I am counted among the 144,000. It is not because of anything I have done, but only because of Your grace and mercy. My faith is a gift that comes from You. I simply respond in worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.