Devotion 1 of 2: Jer 22
Jeremiah prophesies against the kings of Judah in this chapter. In the endtime, these could represent denominational leaders with millions of members in their churches. Let’s uphold them in prayer because they bear a great responsibility to hear God’s voice and make important decisions that greatly affect all the members in their denominations.
The 3 kings that are mentioned by name are Shallum (v.11-17), Jehoiakim (v.18-23), and Coniah (v.24-30). If they obeyed God, ruled in righteousness, helped the weak, did not shed innocent blood, etc., God promised they would enter the gates of the city riding on horses, but if they didn’t listen to God, their nation would be desolated (v.3-5).
How does this apply to the endtime? Obeying God today could mean hearing His voice about how He wants to restore the church in the last days to become a powerful, revival church in order to overcome AC, bring forth a great endtime revival and reveal His glory before this world age ends! But if we don’t listen to God, churches will remain weak and will be destroyed through AC’s persecutions. Let’s pray for Christian leaders to hear God’s voice!
デボーション1/2：Jer 22
エレミヤはこの章でユダの王たちに対して預言しています。終末の時代には、彼らは教会に何百万人もの信者がいる教団組織の指導者たちを代表していると言えるでしょう。彼らは神の声を聞き、教団のすべての信者に大きな影響を与える重要な決定を下すという大きな責任を負っているので、祈りの中で彼らを支えましょう。
名前が挙げられている3人の王は、シャルム（11-17節）、エホヤキム（18-23節）、コヌヤ（24-30節）です。彼らが神の言葉に従い、正義を行い、弱者を助け、罪のない血を流さなかったら、神は彼らが馬に乗って町の門に入ると約束しましたが、神の言葉を聞かなければ、彼らの国は廃墟となると約束しました（3-5節）。
これは終末にどのように当てはまるでしょうか？今日、神に従うということは、神が終わりの日に教会を回復して力強いリバイバル教会にし、反キを克服し、偉大な終末のリバイバルをもたらし、この世の時代が終わる前に神の栄光を現すという神の御声を聞くことを意味するかもしれません。しかし、神の声に耳を傾けなければ、教会は弱いままで、反キの迫害によって破壊されてしまいます。キリスト教指導者が神の声を聞けるように祈りましょう。
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Acts 22
This chapter relays Paul’s testimony before the Jews at Jerusalem. In the end, they rejected Paul (v.22-23)! So, the commander brought Paul back into the barracks to protect him (v.24). Upon talking, the commander found out Paul was born a Roman citizen, whereas he had bought his citizenship with a large sum (v.25-28).
This exchange shows how coveted and important Roman citizenship was. Citizens had privileges like:
*Freedom of travel within the empire, which enabled Paul to travel freely to spread the gospel;
*Right to appeal to Caesar, which Paul used to testify to Caesar and prominent people in Rome (25:12).
Like Paul used his Roman citizenship to spread the gospel, let’s claim our heavenly citizenship, which we have now, but God will restore completely in the LDR! Through this citizenship, let’s do the works of Jesus and even greater works to spread revival throughout Japan and every nation on the earth! Amen!
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku