Accelerating the harvest: Be the one to tell people about Jesus

Text: Revelation 5:1-14.
Key Verse: Revelation 5:5, “Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (NIV)

The need of the hour is to accelerate the 21st Century harvest of souls into the kingdom of God before the Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Great Commission Mandate must be fulfilled before the end will come.

The major challenge in fast tracking this mandate to its fulfilment is the shortage of labourers that are to go into the mission field and evangelise the world for Christ (Mathew 9). God Has committed to all believers in Christ the message of reconciliation that is reconciling sinners back to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians Chapter 5, the Bible made us know that God made Jesus, Who never sinned to be offered for our sins. Jesus took our place and died a shameful death, so that the world shall be saved.

As John was in exile on the Greek Island of Patmos, which lies off the South West coast of Turkey, as a result of anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian; God took him away in revelation. He saw in the right hand of Him, Who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.

Apostle John saw an Angel, asking a question in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” But John wept because there was no one on earth or under the earth that was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside. The scroll contains the revelation of God’s plan for the world. It contains the redemption plan for mankind. It contains answers to the world problems. Then one of the elders in Heaven said to John, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Revelation Chapter 5 reveals the tragic weakness of civilization. Civilization is totally and terribly weak. Great people in the world like Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, etc. and even great presidents of powerful nations have not been able to proffer solutions to world problems. Citizens of different countries are yearning for liberation and a great leader that shall emancipate them.

Apostle John realised that there is no hope in this world except in Jesus. No one is able to revive the broken world and solve mankind’s problems. Jesus has the power to rule and reign over every circumstance that we face in this world. What qualifies Him above other persons in the world is His sinless nature.

Jesus Has triumphed and His triumphant worthiness cannot be challenged. The Bible says, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”Jesus was the only Leader, Who could rise and champion the cause of redemption for mankind. No one else did or has the capacity to do so. Everything in this world is crumbling before our eyes and the only way out is Jesus.

Jesus alone is worthy because He has the right of conquest. Jesus is a slain lamb, but also a standing lamb that stands at the centre of the throne. He is the centre of all things. He is the key of all that is ahead for the world today. Jesus is the only answer to the call of history. He conquered Satan and stripped him of his power. He made a public spectacle of them. He has authority by the right of Calvary (Rev. 5:9-10).

The questions come, is Jesus worthy of your total commitment and loyalty? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Paul said, I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation. Are you witnessing for Him, Who is only able to break the seals and open the scroll? You are the one to go and tell people about Jesus. Boast in the triumph of Jesus. Triumph belongs to Jesus and everyone who believes in Him.

Today’s Nugget: There is no hope in this world except in Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to be ashamed to proclaim about the Worthy Lamb.
Prayer line: Send text only to 09078154261.

Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria. E-mail: evangelgospel@yahoo.com