Celebration of the Father
“Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke 24:13-18, 25-27, 32-34 WEB)
Did you ever wonder why out of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, only one of them was named while the other remained anonymous?
Therefore, I believe that the name “Cleopas” is crucial to understanding the significance of this passage.
Cleopas is an abbreviated form of the name Cleopatros, made of the two Greek words “kleos” (to celebrate) and pater (father). Cleopas means “celebration of the father”.
Let us see what Jesus did in the passage. He told the two discouraged disciples all about the things concerning Himself in the Old Testament Scriptures, and how He fulfilled them all at the cross.
It was a celebration of the Father, praising Him for His glorious plan of salvation that was once hidden and is now revealed through the prophets, apostles, and the other writers of the Scriptures.
When Jesus celebrated the Father with the two disciples, their hearts “burned”, likely with faith, hope, and love in response to the love and grace of God. They experienced an “Emmaus” (meaning: hot springs) in their hearts, washing away the unbelief and refreshing their spirits.
They were no longer depressed and despondent. Instead, they were filled with hope, and energized in their bodies and souls. Having just walked a long way from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they immediately set off on a journey back to announce the good news they had seen and heard.
This world needs “Cleopas”—a celebration of the Father. They need to hear about a Father God who is gracious and full of love, who freely offers salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. They need to hear that He wants to be a Father near to them and not a Judge far off; that He is reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus, welcoming them home.
“But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21 WEB)
Anytime you are feeling down, you can initiate a celebration of the Father. It will cleanse you from unbelief, refresh your spirit, fill your heart with hope, and energize your body and soul!
If you are new to reading the four gospels for yourself, or you have some questions about difficult passages in there, I would like to recommend you read my four-ebook bundle called “Understand the Four Gospels Through the Lens of Grace”.
As you read it, many confusing pieces of Scripture will be unlocked to you, and things that used to scare you will be read in the right light. Order the bundle and you can download and read it right away:
https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable
have faith in yourself meaning 在 Milton Goh Blog and Sermon Notes Facebook 的最佳解答
Prospered after the Night of Lockdown
I shared this post back in April this year, but I am led to share it again, with new details. Read carefully and prayerfully!
“You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.” (Exodus 12:22-23 WEB)
In Egypt, the children of Israel were commanded by Yahweh God to be on lockdown in their homes to take shelter from a final plague. Sounds familiar?
It wasn’t the front door that protected them from the last plague, but the blood of the Passover lamb applied on the doorpost and lintel, forming a Hebrew letter “Tav” which represents a cross.
When the destroyer swept through the land of Egypt, the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians died, but the children of Israel were unharmed because of the blood.
Dear brethren, be wise, stay at home in this season, but without fear.
The bunch of hyssop which the children of Israel used to apply the blood of the lamb is a picture of our tongue.
When we believe and declare that by the shed blood of Jesus we are under God’s protection from plagues and pestilences, we will experience it.
Protection won’t happen by default. You have to apply the blood on your heart’s door, and it will happen through faith.
Do you know what happened after the plague had passed? The children of Israel were chased out from Egypt in a hurry because the Egyptians were fearful of them.
“The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:33-36 WEB)
They plundered the Egyptians and came out of Egypt with silver and gold. After having no salary for hundreds of years, they were repaid and restored suddenly in just one night!
Later on, the children of Israel used the gold to build the tabernacle to worship God.
Speaking prophetically about our times, after the COVID-19 lockdown, the wealth of the Egyptians (the world; Gentiles) will be transferred into the hands of God’s covenant people (the church of Jesus Christ).
For the world, it’s a recession, but God’s children will see the wealth of the nations added unto them.
This is for those who have faith—remember that anyone of the children of Israel who didn’t apply the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and lintel ended up with a dead firstborn child.
God gave favor to the children of Israel so that the Egyptians gave the children of Israel “what they asked”.
If you don’t ask, you will walk out of this pandemic with no increase.
Those who have a revelation of this will ask boldly and receive in abundance.
How much will you ask for when you know that the answer will always be “Yes” and “Okay”?
Personally, I’d take as much as I can on my way out of Egypt, loading them on carts and wagons with animals pulling them.
This financial enrichment will happen by God granting us favor. We will be prospered for a purpose.
Just like the children of Israel used the silver and gold to build a place of worship unto God, we will be enriched so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be sponsored to go further and fastest than ever before.
Don’t be one of those who say they don’t need to prosper or that it’s not God’s will to prosper His people. Forgive me for being so blunt, but that’s self-centered, unbiblical and lazy thinking.
This is not about you. It’s about the growth of God’s kingdom. Receive in abundance for Jesus’ sake, and give all the extra money away to fund evangelism efforts if you don’t need it—the increase in wealth is not for your own hoarding purposes.
Use your wealth to be a blessing to others and show God’s heart of love.
“Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. There will arise after them seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, and the plenty will not be known in the land by reason of that famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. The dream was doubled to Pharaoh, because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” (Genesis 41:29-32 WEB)
Either last year or the year before, as I was studying the Book of Genesis, the Holy Spirit opened my understanding to see the prophetic meaning of the passage above.
It is about Pharaoh’s dream. In the end times, the seven years of plenty represent the seven years before the Rapture, and the seven years of famine afterwards represents the seven years of Tribulation for the world. Before the Lord returns, it will be a time of great prosperity and blessedness that ends upon the church’s departure from this world.
God’s kingdom is going to expand at an unprecedented speed! Are you ready for a great outpouring of God’s blessings before Jesus returns to receive His church? Make sure you position yourself to receive in abundance!
I believe God showed me a clear sign to confirm what I knew inside—the financial vehicle by which this wealth transfer will happen, besides physical gold and silver (which are always good to have).
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor and this is not financial advice, so do your own research before making any decisions with your resources. I need to share this and not selfishly keep this knowledge to myself. That being said, you can see the details of the sign on my tweet: https://twitter.com/miltongohblog/status/1405652799258390529?s=21
have faith in yourself meaning 在 Milton Goh Blog and Sermon Notes Facebook 的最佳解答
Signet Ring of Authority
“Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had. They cried before him, “Bow the knee!” He set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without you shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”” (Genesis 41:39-44 WEB)
Before Pharaoh put on the signet ring on Joseph’s hand, he spoke, giving Joseph authority over the nation of Egypt. The ring therefore represents the authority of the King. Whoever wears the ring has been authorized to act on the King’s behalf, and the Kingdom’s resources are at this person’s disposal.
In the story of Joseph, Joseph is a picture of Jesus, who was accused of committing a crime that He did not commit, and then subsequently raised to the right hand of God, having all authority and power, as well as the name above every other name.
Jesus endured the greatest humiliation in order to purchase the greatest salvation for mankind. That is why Abba God gave Jesus the “signet ring”—all authority, glory, honor, and power.
We don’t really find any significant thing about rings until Jesus mentions it in His parable of the prodigal son. I believe He was drawing a reference to the story of Joseph because the “best robe” also parallels with the “robes of fine linen” that Pharaoh gave to Joseph.
““But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-24 WEB)
In the parable, we find that the ring is given to the prodigal son who is a picture of us who are saved by Grace through faith. We did not do anything to deserve forgiveness, but God forgave and restored us to sonship because of His love and Grace.
So Jesus was the original recipient of the ring, and then Jesus said that Abba God gave the ring to us.
In the context of the parable, a family ring like that would have an insignia of the rich family, and when buying things, the prodigal son could just show the signet, meaning to say, “Charge the bill to my father’s tab.”
The ring being given to us tells us that we have received authority from God to act in His name, and to receive good things because of being in His family. We enjoy all these benefits at God’s expense, and He is most willing to provide what we need.
“The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.” (John 17:22-23 WEB)
Before Jesus was arrested and eventually crucified, He prayed to the Father that the glory which belonged to Him (Jesus) should be given to us as well. This is like giving the signet ring which was His, to us.
See yourself as one with God, and make no distinction between what is His and what is yours. We have been joined to Christ through the new birth and the New Covenant of Grace.
““He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” (Luke 15:31 WEB)
Do you believe this, that everything that belongs to God also belongs to you? You are so wealthy because God gave you every spiritual blessing so that you lack nothing.
Whenever you feel like you have nothing, use the signet ring as a visual aid. Imagine Abba God placing it on your finger and reminding you that all authority that belongs to Jesus has also been given to you. In Christ, you have everything that you need!
The four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John contain many powerful truths that will help you in life. Understand them through the lens of Grace: https://bit.ly/understandeveryparable