WHO IS PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO YOU?

Rev. 22:16b-17

   16b “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come "And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

   I have been a preacher for some years now, and I try to tell people precisely what we hear in this passage: You who want to get saved; you can receive the water of life without cost! Which means: Without any foundation in you! And I preach this because I have experienced it myself, that what the Word testifies here, that is how it is! I got it for nothing, and last but not least, I get to keep it for nothing! It has never its foundation in you, because this is something that is given you in Jesus Christ, where there is no change, nor turning of a shadow.

   But then again, I am also teaching this, only as a human being, so can you now believe it? Am I reliable? But as you heard from this passage, I am only a communicator of it. Listen to who is teaching you this: “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (v16b).
   Has he reached your heart with His message? Or are you walking in the “valley of haze” and try to be a Christian as best as you can?
   In this message God’s power to salvation is active. Yes, it is the power of God for salvation! That is what brings a sinner into a community with God - to life in God. And that human being, who is brought into a community with God, is still a sinner and is struggling with his own things, but will no longer find rest in it! He cannot find peace or settle down with something he knows God is against or in a worldly mind!
And then an important question: Why? Is it because it has become so devout, holy and Christian? No, not how we usually think about these things; because a human like that can look at himself and not see anything but sin and misery! No, it has its reason solely in this; - that he has a community with God!
   And I ask you, you who have “walked in the Christian faith for a long time:” For what reason can a human being have community with God? There is only one answer to this: The Grace!
   Where there is no revelation of this, there is neither a holy life! There you can put up certain “barriers!” – But there will be barriers like that – outwardly bars – which one sneaks out of as soon as you get a chance to. Because it is only an outer hinder, there is nothing inside (in your chest) who controls you.

   Then you see all this experimenting going on, when it comes to the other sex, in the sexual area, film industry, theatre, entertainment, music, mammon etc. Because there is nothing inside of us which chastises us – no sorrow over yourself or “sorrowful according to the will of God”, as the Word calls it (2 Cor. 7:9), because it is no life!

   “I am the Life!” Jesus says, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” (1 John 5:12).
   Just carry on striving all you want, what you are called to, is to receive life freely.

   Then again, what is cause of all this experimenting among Christians today? What the world gorges in, seems so alluring, while the Bible and edifying literature is lying there dry and boring? The Word answers this very simple:” Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained,” (Proverbs 29:18a).
   The revelation you get when you really want to keep your heart, thoughts, word and deeds, yes, your whole life pure, like God wants – have you really ever done that? Then you will receive a revelation, which means true light over yourself, but this revelation in itself cannot put anything in order - as your community with God - it can only pull you forward to the revelation that really does it: light over Him who died for sin and is still alive!

   Listen to what the Word says about this: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,” (Titus 2:11-12).
   You who are sitting here now and feels judgment in your inner part – you that suffer so much these days, because you are the way you are: God’s grace is revealed to salvation for you! It is all given you, just the way you are sitting right now!
   And for you who think you have it all – do you think the old nature can be brought up by rules and regulations, if they are seriously laid down properly? You seriously need light, - because you are in the darkness!
   But, for you who is struggling, it is not easy to believe in the Gospel, when you really see yourself, what you have allowed yourself and so on, maybe things that are impossible to achieve – you really need to understand who is teaching you this message. He wants to give you faith, and He gives you that by hearing His voice – the voice of the Shepherd – who calls you by name and say: “I am the root and the descendant of David, and the bright morning star.” (v16b).
   I am the one who teaches you to receive the water of life freely. I am the one the Word has testified of as Savior and redeemer from the day of the fall, and I speak to you from the last page in the Bible.
   In Isaiah it testifies about Him: “Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.” (Is. 11:10).
   In the book of Numbers: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel.” (Num. 24:17).
   He is the one speaking to you right now, where He sits in the holy place in heaven: “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." The Spirit and the bride say, "Come "And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” (v.16b-17).

   There is no point in seeing this mighty person in heaven, if this word does not reach your heart and your conscience; Without cost!
   John fell as dead in front of His feet, it says, when He saw Him. And hear what made him rise up again: “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (Rev. 1:17b-18).
   What is Jesus really saying to John? He does not only say: “Do not be afraid!” – But He gives a reason for it: “I was dead!” In other words: “John (and feel free to put your own name in here) I have made atonement for your sin!” Therefore, do not be afraid!
   And then He says: “and behold, I am alive forevermore” This will say that God in heaven received this atonement, and rose Him up from the dead. Therefore, do not be afraid!

   It is the same Lord and Master who speaks to you her and now, and He does not put anything more on you than he did on John, which is nothing! If there was a but, so little that you had to use a microscope on it, you could no longer call it without cost!
   It really is true that He has not put anything on you; He has put everything on Himself! He carried everything!
   Do you feel like going off to live for the sin and the world, without emotions and indifference, - when you hear this?
   No, when it dawns in your heart, that God’s grace, who is revealed to all mankind, also revealed to salvation for you, it does something to you.
   But truly, it is not the revelation for salvation – which one would think it is, when we constantly is on the chase of possible grace affects in us. But, it is God’s grace in itself.
   He stands as a banner to the people, as we hear – hoisted up on the cross: That is where he saved you! That is where God’s grace is revealed for salvation! So look there!
   I dare to say that Jesus has preached to you here and now! It is His message and not mine or anyone else’s. No, it teaches about the goal He has laid down for us, - and it did not spring up from a human heart (1 Cor. 2:9).

E.K.

Holy Bible, New American Standard Version
Translator: Benedicte Holtan Smart