Sunday, August 12, 2012 Text: Revelation 14:13-20 Ref. O.T. Joel 3: 13-16 Gospel: Matthew 5: 13-16 Epistle: Philippians 2: 14 – 16 Theme: “Brighten Your Corner” Last Friday, we climaxed the message with the statement that “God will bless us and forgive our sins”. Today, we will begin with similar statement, which says, “A voice from Heaven pronounces a blessing upon those who die in the Lord”. Henceforth, yes, says the spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds or works will follow them.
As we go through the study of the Book of Revelation Chapter 14, kindly permit me to quickly draw your attention to one of the reference verses, which is Matthew 5: 13-16 which says:
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds or works and praise your Father which is in heaven”? From this passage, we understand that God has placed us here on the earth for a purpose and the purpose is to serve Him and keep His commandments.
The same way God is our heavenly father, we also have our earthly master that assigns us some duties or responsibilities. Even within our churches we all have been allotted certain tasks to be performed. Besides the churches, in the private and public sectors, the leader appoints people to lead the masses. The masses also use their will power to vote leaders into positions of trust. That job or task your master or the masses have given you is your Corner and you are the Light.
Your commitment, dedication, devotion, and honesty, in handling the duties brighten your corner, make your light to shine before men and the glory and praises go directly to your master, thus making your master to be proud of you. The position of trust you have been placed in, you have a task to perform and there are crowd of witnesses watching you, either to praise or condemn you.
Revelation 14:13 says: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, or from now on, yes, says the spirit.
They will rest from their labor and their works do follow them”.
Could you pause a bit and remember from this point, that whatsoever performance you carry out in that office or that position of trust, will definitely follow you, be yea good or bad. You will give account of it. Revelation is giving description of blessing for those who die from that point in the Tribulation. For them, during the tribulation death will be a wonderful escape from the terrors of the Antichrist’s Kingdom. Never before could such a word be spoken. Always it had been better heretofore to live out the full time of a Saint’s pilgrimage on earth both for the sake of others and for the learning of obedience by daily Divine discipline. Now the fearful days of Antichrist are on. Death is better than life.
We see that our works follow us beyond death. This is true both for the saved and the unsaved. God will hold you accountable and those who placed you in that position will hold you accountable and your generation unborn will reap the benefits. The benefit could be generational blessing or curse. Consider the lever of works you are doing right now and the one you have done in the past. You and your God should briefly X-ray your performances taking into consideration your honesty, devotion, commitment and the interest or feeling of the suffering masses, less fortunate and those within our churches that need assistance.
Let’s dwell little bit on this illustration concerning brightening your corner. It all happened in the month of March 2009, when I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a passport. I saw a lady who stood before the gathering that sat patiently awaiting to receive passport forms to be filled in.
That lady said: “I have come to educate you on the procedures and requirements for obtaining your passport.
The first thing is you must have your birth certificate you will be issued a form to fill in the cost of the passport is twenty United States US$20.00. No more, no less. If anyone calls you to pay any amount in the corner to speed up the process say no. Say madam Mary Broh says no”. So I paid the twenty United States dollars and at the designated time I got my passport. What I am driving at is that that lady brightens her corner by been honest making sure that there was no foul plays in the process.
When I got the passport, I came out praising God for such an honest lady for brightening her corner, making a great different within our society. I wonder how many of such a character do we have within the government. A fellow saw me and wondered whether I was going mad. I told him I am not going mad but rather, giving God the glory for the level of honesty and I believe that the person who placed that lady in such a position is proud of her. If we could have ten of her within our country, Mama Liberia would shine and people will see the brightness, and praise or glorify God and our leader, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. But go to that Ministry for passport today and observe the process and do your own investigation.
“Brighten your Corner by learning to do well”, ISAIAH 1:17. Today for God’s Name to be glorified and those who entrusted you with the position you now occupy will have no regret. Leave a legacy that will forever be a blessing and remembered. May God shower His blessing upon us as a church, a nation and a people with common interest, in Jesus Precious name. Amen.
