The Redeemed Christian Church of God House of Favor Parish

16/07/2024

27/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SAT, JUN 29, 2024

TOPIC: WHO DO PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE?

MEMORISE:
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” - (Matthew 16:13)

READ: Matthew 16:13-16 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
Today’s topic is a question you must be conscious of. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus asked His disciples whom people said that He was. He wasn’t confused about His identity; He knew who He was, but He was concerned about how people perceived Him. You must be conscious of how people perceive you too. People will only relate with you based on what they think about you and not what you think about yourself.

When my father in the Lord was alive, company executives would come to him for his opinion whenever they needed to hire staff for their company. They would say things like, “Sir, Brother so and so in your church has applied for a role in our company, what do you think about him?” Sometimes, he would cleverly reply, “That brother? Well, he says he is a Christian.” However, when they ask about someone who is truly born again, he will say, “That brother is a Christian.” There is a difference between who you claim to be and who you really are.

There are two kinds of people whose perception of you, you must take seriously. The first are people who know you but are not in your inner circle. They may not be close to you, but they are observant. They can build a perception about you from the things you say and do. Their perception may not be true, but as far as they are concerned, that is the true you. Therefore, you should endeavour not to make a mistake that will give them a wrong impression of you.

The second set of people are those in your inner circle. In today’s Bible reading, the fellow who knew the real identity of Jesus was one of the people in His inner circle - Simon Peter. This tells us clearly that those who know us the best are the ones closest to us. Who does your spouse say you are? What about your children? These people know you more than anyone else, and their opinion must be very valuable to you. I have always said it, the reason some ministers’ children are wayward is because they know who their parents are. They hear them preach one thing on the altar but see them do something else at home. This confuses them and draws them far from the God their parents claim to serve. You can pretend to people outside, but you cannot pretend to your family members.

ACTION POINT:
Look for people within your inner circle who will not lie to you. Let them tell you their perception of you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 1-3

HYMNAL:
Hymn 23 - Take my life, and let it be

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27/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRI, JUN 28, 2024

TOPIC: TAKING THRONES FOR GOD

MEMORISE:
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” - (Proverbs 29:2)

READ: Esther 8:7-17 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
On earth, every government, ministry or industry has a leader who can be likened to a king sitting on a throne. Today’s memory verse says that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. In other words, when things are going wrong, it is likely that it is not a righteous person bearing rule. The reason we have policies that clearly go against God’s ways is that the people bearing rule and establishing such policies are not righteous. We have industries, political parties, and the likes that are obviously corrupt because the thrones in such places are occupied by unrighteous people; that is about to come to an end! Believers have to do what it takes to take thrones for God.

I was quite close to a king in Western Nigeria before he died. We were so close that on one occasion, I slept in his palace. Because of how close we were, he got some of the anointing that God put upon me, so before he died, he made a decree. He did not want the people of his kingdom to go back to idol worship after his demise, so he decreed that anyone who is not born again would not sit on the throne again. It has been well over 20 years and even though there have been people that are keenly interested in the throne and some that have been chosen to sit on it, up till now, no one has occupied that throne. He took the throne for God completely so that his kingdom will only serve the living God. You can do the same, you can take the thrones of the places you operate in for God.

Yes, you can take thrones for God by declarations. However, it is easier to dedicate thrones to God permanently when you are the one sitting on them. This means that you must work hard and strive to reach the top so that you can sit on thrones. Once you sit on a throne, you can sanitize the entire place spiritually, and take it over for God permanently. I pray that the grace to reach the top in your fields of operation will be released unto you, in Jesus’ name. God will use you to take thrones from the devil’s hands, in Jesus’ name. Because of you, evil policies and corrupt practices will be abolished, in Jesus’ name.

KEY POINT:
Work hard, sit on thrones, and take them over for God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 141-150

HYMNAL:
Hymn 20 - Stand up! stand up for Jesus

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27/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THU, JUN 27, 2024

TOPIC: AS THE FATHER HATH SENT ME

MEMORISE:
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” - (John 20:21)

READ: John 14:10-12 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
Looking at today’s topic, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, ‘How did the Father send me?’ Acts 10:38 says that Jesus was sent to do good and to heal all that were oppressed of the devil, but then, He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power for that assignment. That’s why, concerning His ministers, Jesus said in Luke 24:49, “Tarry ye in Jerusalem until thou be endued with power from on high.”

The condition for being a minister of God, according to Acts 6:1-3, is that you must be full of the Holy Spirit. Being baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is good. However, other kinds of evidence must also be there. Acts 6:8 says that Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit, performed miracles. Where are the miracles that God has performed through you since your baptism in the Holy Spirit? In Acts 8:5-8, Philip, one of the deacons, went to Samaria and turned a whole city upside down. In Acts 13:6-12, when Paul was preaching to a governor, and a sorcerer was trying to hinder him, Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, moved the mountain out of the way and got his victory by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We believers are dealing with a world called the New Age. They are working overtime to win our youths over with magic, and we need to demonstrate greater power to silence them so the youths do not give in to their devices. This power is available in God for all those who are willing to pay the price, but unfortunately, in a very subtle manner, the devil is pushing the church to lukewarmness.

You need to realise that whenever Jesus taught in a place, the Bible says that the power of God was always present to heal. I have discovered that when we preach about healing, God heals. When we tag a service ‘deliverance night’, a lot of demonised people in attendance will get delivered. We choose themes that show God that we are keenly interested in doing His works. He said that He will baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Luke 3:16). There is a difference between just speaking in tongues and having the fire behind your tongues. When you are baptised by the Holy Spirit and fire, it will be evident; miracles will happen, souls will be won, and the whole world will bow to our Lord. Seek the fire today!

PRAYER POINT:
Father, baptise me with Your fire!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 134-140

HYMNAL:
Hymn 4 - To the work! to the work! we are servants of God

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26/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WED, JUN 26, 2024

TOPIC: GOD WILL EMPOWER YOU

MEMORISE:
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” - (2 Peter 1:3)

READ: Isaiah 41:10-13 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
In John 20:21, Jesus Christ said, “...as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” In Matthew 10:40, He said, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” The work of ministry is an assignment from the Father, so when you are called to do something, you can be sure that God Himself is backing you up.

In John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can of my own self do nothing: ...” This is good because whatever you are to do for God, you cannot do it by yourself, but the Father who sent you will back you up. It is good news because all you have to do is tell Him, “I can’t do it Lord, but I know you can do it through me.” There is something called ‘the God Factor’. Let God do it; however, He can only do it if you are willing to cooperate. If you believe He can do it, He will do it. If you believe that He can use you to heal the sick, you will have to pay the price, and then, He will produce the results. Whatever assignment God gives you that seems impossible, talk to Him, do your part, and He will yield results through you.

In Yorubaland, one of the names we call God is Oronmonise faya ti. It means the one who sends a child on an assignment and backs the child up. When God sends you on an assignment, He stays with you and empowers you to ensure that you fulfil the assignment. Many people don’t fulfil their assignments because they hardly go to God for instructions. They start the work quite alright, but they hardly pray for direction, whereas it is in the place of prayers that God will give them instructions on each step to take. They keep doing everything to make the work succeed, but when it is time to make decisions, they don’t ask God for the best decisions to make. After a while, when they realise that they are not fulfilling the assignment, they accuse Him of helping others and not helping them.

Beloved, you cannot do anything by yourself (John 15:5). The work God has given you to do cannot be done by your power or might but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). If you really want to fulfil destiny, don’t lean on your understanding; lean on God.

REFLECTION:
Are you depending totally on God to help you fulfil your destiny?

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 120-133

HYMNAL:
Hymn 28 - Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah

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23/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUE, JUN 25, 2024

TOPIC: THE MARK OF THE BEAST 2

MEMORISE:
“And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” - (Revelation 13:17)

READ: Revelation 14:9-10 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
Yesterday, I said that the mark of the beast could be in the form of a mark, his name, or the number of his name. I also said that the mark will not be a tattoo printed on the skin but rather an implant, planted into the body of those who take it that submits their will to the government of that time, which will be headed by the antichrist. Today, I will discuss what will really be planted into the bodies of people that receive the mark of the beast.

If you have been staying up to date with technology, you will have seen that technologies already exist to put microchips in people’s bodies so that with it, they can access the internet directly from their brains, make phone calls just by thinking, and have medical ‘miracles’ like healing a broken leg in record time, et cetera. From the experiments conducted with these microchips, scientists can see whatever the test subjects can see and even make them raise their hands or legs by controlling the chips from a computer. These microchips are connected directly to the brain so that whoever is controlling the microchips can control the minds of the people who have them. In other words, getting the mark means submitting yourself to the control of the government of that time. When they are in control, they can make people do whatever they want. That is why those who have the mark will be condemned because now, they cannot do the will of God as the antichrist is now in control of their minds. Getting the microchip in their bodies will seal their fate because the antichrist will control their minds to obey only him.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? - (Romans 6:16)

The devil is aware of the Scripture above and hence knows that whomever you obey is your master. Everyone who takes the mark of the beast will become a servant of the devil.

Beloved, don’t take the risk of being around on the earth when almost everybody will become servants of the devil. It will be hell on earth, and it will be almost impossible to avoid taking the mark at that time. Give your life to Christ and live holy now so that you will be in heaven when the antichrist takes over the earth.

KEY POINT:
Do all you can to ensure that you are in heaven when the antichrist takes over the earth.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 119

HYMNAL:
Hymn 30 - When we walk with the Lord

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23/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MON, JUN 24, 2024

TOPIC: THE MARK OF THE BEAST 1

MEMORISE:
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” - (Revelation 13:16)

READ: Revelation 13:11-18 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
Many have heard about the mark of the beast but haven’t taken the time to study what it really is. The Scriptures give us a hint in our Bible reading for today.

The mark of the beast can actually take different forms; it can be a mark, a name, or the number of a name. Whichever one it is, it is a representation of the beast, and whoever receives it on his forehead or right hand will be identified as a worshipper of the beast. Only such people will be allowed to buy, sell, or be a part of the society after the rapture has taken place. Anyone who refuses to get the mark of the beast will be hunted and killed.

Now, what really could this mark be? In the days of Apostle John, there was no technology, so he could only describe everything that he saw in his vision with the things he had seen around him. A mark that is taken on the forehead or right hand must have been imprinted by a machine, and the imprint must be something that cannot be washed off. The reason tattoos seem permanent is that they are printed on the skin. However, they become blurred over time and can even be erased with laser surgery. Since this mark is one that is so important to people’s identity and life, it will not be one that can fade or be erased. This means that it will go really deep into the skin. It is likely to be an implant and not an imprint.

If the mark of the beast is likely to be an implant, then it means that something will be planted into the body of those who will be left behind after the rapture, and it will be a sign of worshipping the beast (Revelation 20:4). It will be a sign that tells everyone, “I am loyal to the beast, I obey him.” The implant will be used to control them and ensure that they obey the beast whether they like it or not.

I will discuss this further tomorrow, but I want to urge you today to surrender your life to Jesus Christ if you are yet to do so. He died for your sins so that you can reign with Him in eternity. Don’t let His sacrifice go to waste over you.

KEY POINT:
Don't miss the rapture so that you will not become a slave to the devil.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 112-118

HYMNAL:
Hymn 19 - Rock of Ages, cleft for me

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22/06/2024

RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 23 June 2024-Lesson 43

TOPIC: Fulfilling Purpose

OPENING PRAYER: Almighty Father, please help me to fulfil the purpose for which You created me in the name of Jesus.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.

MEMORY VERSE: “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” – John 18:37 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Philippians 3:12-14 (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God does not waste resources. Hence, everything He created is for a purpose. The sun gives light and never ceases to shine (Psalms 136:7-9), the cloud gives rain in due season and trees provide food and shade accordingly (Leviticus 26:4). Other animals play their parts without hesitation. Amazingly, man struggles to understand and fulfil his purpose for living. The discovery, as well as fulfilment of divine purpose, is the focus of today’s lesson.

LESSON AIM: To study how to discover and fulfil purpose.

TEXT REVIEW: Philippians 3:12-14.

The teacher should identify five things which Apostle Paul did in the passage to fulfil the purpose for which he was called.

i. …………………………………………………………
ii. ……………………………………………………….
iii. ………………………………………………………
iv. ………………………………………………………
v. ………………………………………………………

LESSON OUTLINES:

DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

LIVE TO FULFIL IT

OUTLINE 1: DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

Like Apostle Paul, once you become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you must begin to crave for the understanding of your purpose for living on earth (Philippians 3:12). That purpose has been predetermined by God before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15). It is your duty to discover and fulfil it.

Here are some practical pointers to your purpose for living:

A. POTENTIAL

i. You need to identify your in-built ability, your talents, and God-given gifts (Ephesians 4:7).

ii. Find out the things you do with less stress e.g., singing, drawing, talking to a crowd, helping others, etc.

iii. The knowledge or skills you acquire in life should be to shape and sharpen your potential (Acts 7:22).

B. PASSION

i. What are those things you exceptionally have flare or zeal for, and do often?

ii. Build your vocation or career on such things.

iii. The things that get you excited, give you joy and satisfaction can lead you to the fulfilment of your purpose in life (Psalm 69:9; Colossians 4:12-13).

C. PRAYER

After you have identified your potential and the things you are passionate about, you need to pray for divine guidance, so that the world and the enemy will not hijack your purpose in life (Acts 9:1-2).

OUTLINE 2: LIVE TO FULFIL IT

These seven things will help every child of God fulfil his/her purpose in life.

1. Ask God to reveal His plan for your life to you (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Then, draw a vision and mission statement (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2).

2. Set achievable goals and pursue them (Acts 20:24). Take a step at a time and do not be mediocre (Psalm 37:23).

3. Identify and relate with people of like passion: learn from their mistakes and build on their success (2 Kings 2:1-2, 14).

4. Submit yourself for mentoring and counselling: do not claim to know it all (Acts 18:24-26; Prov. 11:14).

5. Live as if you have just one more day on earth: do not procrastinate (Luke 9:61).

6. Focus your attention on God (Hebrews 12:2). Make sure all that you do is to His pleasing (Colossians 1:10).

7. Always return all the glory to God: do not ascribe anything to yourself (Isaiah 42:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention the ways in which so many people live without fulfilling purpose.

CONCLUSION: So many people live and die without leaving any positive mark. Be different. You are not a nonentity.

QUESTIONS:

Discuss the practical pointers to the discovery of one’s purpose in life.
Mention the paths to the fulfilment of purpose in life.

EVALUATION: How can you discover and fulfil the purpose for which you were created?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help me to fulfil my purpose in life in Jesus’ name.

ASSIGNMENT: Write five people in the Bible who gave up their profession to fulfill their destiny with scriptural reference each. (2×5=10 marks).

22/06/2024

RCCG YAYA Sunday School Teacher Manual 23 June 2024- Lesson 43

TOPIC: Fulfilling Purpose

OPENING PRAYER: Father, let Your purpose for my life be fulfilled.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should allow the Assistant teacher to review the lesson for the previous week.

MEMORY VERSE: “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” – John 18:37 (KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Philippians 3:12-14 (KJV)

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: God does not waste resources. Hence, everything He created is for a purpose. The sun gives light and never ceases to shine (Psalm 136:7-9), the cloud gives rain in due season and trees provide food and shade accordingly (Leviticus 26:4). Other animals play their parts without hesitation. Amazingly, man struggles to understand and fulfil his purpose for living. The discovery, as well as fulfilment of divine purpose, is the focus of today’s lesson.

LESSON AIM: To teach the students how to fulfil purpose.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

a. Discover purpose. b. Know how to fulfil purpose.

TEXT REVIEW: Philippians 3:12-14.

A. Apostle Paul acknowledges that he has not achieved his goal. Hence:
i. He will continue to work towards ……………………………..v12.
ii …………………………………………v13a.

E. Because of the things He acknowledges above, He has decided to do the following:
i. ……………………………………..v13b.
ii. ……………………………………..v14.

LESSON OUTLINES:

DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

LIVE TO FULFIL IT

OUTLINE 1: DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

A. Like Apostle Paul, once you become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), you must begin to crave for the understanding of your purpose for living on earth (Philippians 3:12).

B. That purpose has been predetermined by God before you were born (Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15). It is your duty to discover and fulfil it.

C. Here are some practical pointers to your purpose for living:

i. Potential: You need to identify your in-built ability, your talents, and God-given gifts (Ephesians 4:7). Find out the things you do with less stress e.g., singing, drawing, talking to a crowd, helping others, etc. The knowledge or skills you acquire in life should be to shape and sharpen your potential (Acts 7:22).

ii. Passion: What are those things you exceptionally have flare or zeal for, and do often? Build your vocation or career on such things. The things that get you excited, give you joy and satisfaction can lead you to the fulfilment of your purpose in life (Psalm 69:9; Colossians 4:12-13).

iii. Prayer: After you have identified your potential and the things you are passionate about, you need to pray for divine guidance, so that the world and the enemy will not hijack your purpose in life (Acts 9:1-2).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Share with the class your in-built abilities, talents and God given gifts that you have identified.

OUTLINE 2: LIVE TO FULFIL IT

Teacher should allow the class discuss how to fulfil the purpose for living and guide the discussion with the following points.

These seven things will help every child of God fulfil his/her purpose in life.

1. Ask God to reveal His plan for your life to you (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Then, draw a vision and mission statement (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2).

2. Set achievable goals and pursue them (Acts 20:24). Take a step at a time and do not be mediocre (Psalm 37:23).

3. Identify and relate with people of like passion: learn from their mistakes and build on their success (2 Kings 2:1-2, 14).

4. Submit yourself for mentoring and counselling: do not claim to know it all (Acts 18:24-26; Proverbs 11:14).

5. Live as if you have just one more day on earth: do not procrastinate (Luke 9:61).

6. Focus your attention on God (Hebrews 12:2). Make sure all that you do is to His pleasing (Colossians 1:10).

7. Always return all the glory to God: do not ascribe anything to yourself (Isaiah 42:8).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Student should share with the class the practical things they are doing to fulfil purpose.

CONCLUSION: So many people live and die without leaving any positive mark. Be different. You are not a nonentity.

EVALUATION: Teachers should ask the students to discuss the practical pointers to the discovery of one’s purpose in life.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, please give me the grace to play my part actively towards the fulfilment of my purpose in life.

ASSIGNMENT: Write five (5) people in the Bible who gave up their profession to fulfil their destiny with scriptural reference each. (2×5=10 marks).

21/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUN, JUN 23, 2024

TOPIC: THE SECOND RESURRECTION

MEMORISE:
“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” - (Revelation 20:9)

READ: John 5:28-29 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
After yesterday’s teaching, you may be asking, “If Jesus will come and defeat the devil and his agents, what will happen to the people who have taken the mark of the beast that will be left on the earth?” Revelation 19:17-21 says that when Jesus comes with His bride to fight the devil, an angel will gather all the birds of the air, inviting them to a great supper where they will eat the flesh of those who join the devil to fight against the Lord’s army. According to National Geographic, there are between 50 billion and 430 billion birds in the world. Clearly, there will be enough birds to eat the flesh of those who dare to fight God.

While those who died without the mark of the beast are raised up to reign with Christ for a thousand years, those who died while fighting Christ and His army will not be raised until the millennial reign is over (Revelation 20:5). After the armies have been destroyed, there will still be some people who are not soldiers but who have taken the mark of the beast on earth. These are the people that the saints will reign over for a thousand years. After the millennial reign, the devil will be released from his prison, and he will gather a great army to fight the saints. However, this time, the saints will not need to fight because God will send fire from heaven to devour their enemies. Revelation 20:7-9 says:

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

When everyone with the mark of the beast must have died, their souls will be resurrected to face their own judgement. This is the second resurrection. All those who are part of the second resurrection will partake in the second death, which is condemnation to the lake of fire with the devil and his agents.

I pray that you will not partake of the second death, in Jesus’ name. However, you have a part to play by ensuring that you surrender to Jesus Christ and live a holy life.

KEY POINT:
Do everything you can to avoid the second death.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 107-111

HYMNAL:
Hymn 17 - Praise my soul, the King of Heaven

Install the Open Heavens 2024 devotional app on play store.

21/06/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SAT, JUN 22, 2024

TOPIC: THE FIRST RESURRECTION

MEMORISE:
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” - (Revelation 20:6)

READ: Revelation 20:4-6 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
The first resurrection is a topic that is not often preached in churches, and that is understandable because it is not something that any pastor should encourage their congregation to be a part of. Everyone should aim to be raptured when Jesus Christ comes to take His saints. Those that are left behind after the rapture have a very small chance of making it to heaven, so it will be foolish to risk missing the rapture.

The first resurrection is the last chance that will be given to those who miss the rapture. After the rapture has taken place and the antichrist has taken rulership over the earth, he will bring up a policy that will mandate everyone on earth to worship the beast and take the mark of the beast. The book of Revelation is written in codes, therefore, do not assume that worshipping the beast means that a beast will be on a throne and people will be compelled to bow to it. This basically means that everyone will be forced to obey the beast. I pray that you will not be on earth to experience that, in Jesus’ name.

There will be some people who will miss the rapture and who will be determined not to worship the beast or take his mark. It will be really tough for them because the antichrist will do everything possible to break them. They will be tortured in every way possible - emotionally, financially, physically, and so on. Worse still, almost everyone in the world will be worshipping the beast, and so they will be loners in a very perverse world. There will be no church meetings and gatherings because almost everyone in the church will have been raptured. There will be no pastor to encourage them and no brother or sister to strengthen them; it will be just them against the world and the government - it will be very tough. Many of the people who determine not to worship the beast will eventually yield and end up in hell. Those who stand their ground will be beheaded by the antichrist. However, when Jesus comes back with his saints to defeat the devil, He will give them another chance to be judged, and they will join Him to reign over the earth for a thousand years.

Beloved, surrender your life to Jesus Christ if you haven’t and commit to living holy for the rest of your life so that when your time is up here on earth or when Jesus returns, you will be with Him without having to experience the ordeal of the first resurrection.

KEY POINT:
It will be very difficult to make it to heaven after the rapture, and as such, it is foolish to risk missing it. Live holy now to be assured of your place in heaven.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalms 104-106

HYMNAL:
Hymn 23 - Take my life, and let it be

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