The book of Revelation 2:7 states "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." If you don't believe any of what you hear it becomes very difficult to process anything that is heard in the Spirit world, for it takes faith to believe. In addition, Matthew 13:9-16 alerts us that there is something important that needs to be seen, heard, and understood. Jesus says it is only given to certain people to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a message so powerful, that the enemy does everything in his power to snatch it away and cause unfruitfulness in your life.
Are you getting the message?
Do you see? hear? understand? There aren't any wasted words in the Bible, every word has purpose and there even words that are not there that send just as strong of a message. For instance, Luke 16:19-20 Jesus tells the story of a certain rich man and Lazarus. In his description of the rich man, Jesus omits the following information (the rich man's name, doesn't reveal anything personal about the rich man, and doesn't describe the rich man's location, but describes in full detail the rich man's lifestyle). In contrast, Jesus reveals that he knows Lazarus by name, he provides a detailed description of Lazarus' health, he let's us know exactly where Lazarus is positioned but doesn't talk much about Lazarus' possessions).
Are you getting the message?
You need to understand something about outer appearances... In the book of Samuel at the end of the 17th chapter and the beginning of the 18th chapter, we can compare and contrast David before and after he killed the Philistine (Goliath).
David before:
- was unknown
King Saul didn't care who he was
The Bible didn't talk about David's friends
David wore sheep tender's clothes
David irritated his brothers
David was restricted to certain places
David was unaccepted
David after:
- was well-known
King Saul finally wanted to know who David was
David came into covenant relationship with King Saul's son Jonathan
David wore Jonathan's clothes
David behaved himself wisely
David was able to go whereever King Saul allowed
David was accepted in the sight of all the people and in the sight of all the servants
David is the same David as he was before, but based upon: his covenant relationship with the King's son, the new clothes he wore that belonged to Jonathan, and his obedience to the king, he was granted access into places he shouldn't have been able to go. Not only that, what did David see and hear that Saul and the rest of the army couldn't see and hear? How did David know that Goliath could be defeated so easily? The answer is: Saul was looking at the problem and saw defeat, but David was looking at God and saw victory.
(Back in Luke 16:19-20) It is important to understand why the clothes, and the other things the rich man had, could not allow him to get into heaven. It is also important to understand that Lazarus' outer appearance didn't matter as long as he had on: the garment of praise, the breastplate of righteousness, his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, a helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. Because of these "clothes", Lazarus was granted access into places he shouldn't have. Because of his obedience to the King of Kings, he was able to exchange his earthly clothes for heavenly apparell. The Bible reveals that Jesus knew Lazarus by name, but the certain rich man had to depart from him because Jesus knew him not.
And now, the rich man is in hell being tormented by flame asking Lazarus (of all people) to bring him a drop of water whereas Lazarus (the same person who couldn't get a crumb from the rich man's table) is in heaven comforted by Abraham who denied the rich man's request.
Are you getting the message?
You need to understand that mercy doesn't exist in hell. The 8th chapter of John talks about the woman who was caught in adultry. She was in the middle of controversy with a huge need for mercy, grace, and defence. She as perceived as a woman used to being in dirty situations and people thought she deserved to be killed. But Jesus, stooped down and wrote in the dirt. He came in contact with the very dirt she was trying to get away from. In fact, he wrapped himself up in dirt, he was born in a dirty manger, he was dirty while he carried the cross, he fell down in dirt, his blood was mixed with dirt. But instead of being the judge and jury she deserved, Jesus preferred to be the most awesome defense attorney she needed. The same defense attorney we have access to today.
But once you pass over from death to eternal life, you no longer have an advocate with the father. Luke 26 says there is a great gulf fixed so that they would pass from hence to them cannot and neither can they pass to them. Furthermore, the certain rich man wanted to send a message to his brothers so that they didn't end up where he is; however, Abraham tells him that the message is already out there. It is a message so important that even if you are having trouble hearing it, you still need to try. With your eyes and ears opened up you can see and hear certain things that flesh and blood have not revealed it to thee; but, my father which is heaven has to reveal it. It is a message so powerful that Matthew 16:18 says the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. It is a message so anointed that if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. It is a message so complete that the sun gave no light for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross.
The messages provide warning and peace. They can fulfill a certain need and provide a relevant word. The messages can show you where to look and can bind and loose things in earth and in heaven. The messages can help you to see right through certain things...just like Jesus saw right through that kiss the night that Judas betrayed him. I don't proclaim to know all that God wants me to know. But I know enough to know that it is going to take some effort on your part. I encourage you to prepare yourselves now to receive the message.
