God's Living Witnesses
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Introduction
Introduction
Word Definition
Word Definition
The word ‘witness’ is the translation of the Greek word ‘martys’ or ‘martyr’.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume μάρτυς, μαρτυρέω, μαρτυρία, μαρτύριον
mártys [witness], martyréō [to bear witness], martyría [witness, testimony], martýrion [testimony, proof], epimartyréō [to attest], symmartyréō [to bear witness with], synepimartyréō [to confirm], katamartyréō [to bear witness against], martýromai [to affirm], diamartýromai [to charge], promartýromai [to bear witness beforehand], pseudómartys [false witness], pseudomartyréō [to bear false witness], pseudomartyría [false testimony]
the word ‘witness’ is a legal term; it is used properly in trials and legal transactions
What is a ‘witness’?
A witness is one who, having observed something take place, is able to give accurate and full account of what has happened.
God’s witnesses are those who saw Him and His works.
John 15.27
And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
A witness is one who, having seen something take place, is appointed to testify.
Main Points
Main Points
Not everyone is called to give witness to God.
Not everyone is called to give witness to God.
All of us will bear witness to God when the situation arises. But only a few are truly called to bear witness to God with their entire lives.
Acts 10.38-43
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
the apostles were witnesses of Christ’s life and ministry
the witnesses were ‘chosen’ for the work
the prophets of old were also witnesses to the coming gospel
God did not leave Himself without witness throughout history.
God did not leave Himself without witness throughout history.
Acts 14.14-17
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
God has “passive witnesses” - His “creation” they were created and appointed to declare His Godhead and might.
Psalm 19.1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Romans 1.20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Acts 14.14-17
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
God has “living witnesses”!
Prophets, Judges, men and women who lives God has appointed to bear witness to His acts, past, present and future.
Acts 10.43
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Hebrews 12.1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11 bore witness to the faith
God appointed living witnesses at significant times in history
God appointed living witnesses at significant times in history
The prophets appeared at “significant times” in the history of Israel
- - - [See Chart]
Creation was God’s “passive” witness to the Gentile nations.
but they did not recognise it.
Romans 1.20
In the N.T. God raised up “living witnesses” who will bring the Message to the world.
the 12 apostles, Paul
Acts 10.39
And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
Peter
2 Peter 1.16
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
the 7 star-messengers
Revelation 1.10-20
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,
and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Paul
Acts 22.14-15
Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 23.11
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Three strategic times in church history:
the birth of the church
the 12 apostles
prophets and teachers
Paul as the star-messenger
the Reformation period
Martin Luther - the star-messenger
dozens of “Reformers”
the return of Christ (Rapture)
Willam Branham - the star-messenger
hundreds of select 5-fold ministers
the 7 thunders of Revelation 10.3-4
and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.
Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
- - - [See Quotes from WMB]
Why so many?
BECAUSE GOD WANTS TO MAKE HIS WORKS KNOWN IN ALL THE WORLD!
Conclusion
Conclusion
What this lesson tell us?
The fact that God is raising hundreds of “living witnesses” today, means God is up to SOMETHING GREAT today!
God also wants His works to be proclaimed all over the world, so that everyone will know!
Revelation 1.7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
What kind of witness are you today?
We can be a “living witness” of the Message of God!
by living the Word of Go everyday.
Shout the Truth by your words and actions wherever you are!
Walk in the same faith!
Display the Endtime Message in all you do!
Share this Message to your friends and neighbours!
How can you give a faithful and powerful testimony?
The apostles drew strength from the TRUTH of their testimony!
they saw the truth!
they were eye-witnesses of majesty and glory!