He Begins With A Sound

 

Scripture, from Genesis to the book of Revelation, highlights the importance of sound in the plan and purpose of God. From speaking Creation into existence, to the trumpet blasts of Revelation, God has ordained sound to precede or accompany major events throughout Scripture.

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The examples of sound “from Heaven” are specific and numerous. Yet, there is also a sound “of Heaven” revealed directly and indirectly. This Sound of Heaven is our focus here. We will examine the “what, why and how” of God’s purpose both in and through it. In doing so we will make the case for of the Sound of Heaven being the great bridal response of the Church that Scripture shows is destined to increase in power throughout the Earth.

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We pray that you will be drawn to seek, see and understand how the Sound of Heaven is pivotal and foundational to your life in Christ, as well as vital in the culmination of God’s plan and purpose for mankind.   

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A Crucial Responsibility

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The purpose of Matthias Ministries here is to “write the vision plainly” as we explore the essential power of the testimony of Christ. Our goal is to bring increased understanding to this less than fully understood, but crucial, responsibility all Christians share. Jesus assures us that there are specific people who our Heavenly Father seeks (John 4:23). These are worshipers living in the spirit and truth of an ongoing and ever-expanding testimony of Jesus Christ. It is here, in our life expression of trusting God, and in the Bride’s adoration of her Groom, that we can find power to become the over-comers who obtain the blessings God has purposed for us.

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The crucial response we call the Sound of Heaven will not only accompany and precede the unfolding plan of God, but it also must increase within ourselves. It is a growing response to the growing revelation of Him that is meant to increase through the fullness of time. At present it is neither a completed work or something which exists in its potential fullness. Yet, the sober question is to what degree the Sound of Heaven has place in and through us.  

 

 

The Spirit of Prophecy

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Consider the correction an angel gave to the Apostle John in Revelation 19:10. John’s heavenly guide emphasized the truth that the testimony of Jesus Christ is central to our worship of God. Yet, surely angels stand in wonder at the testimony of the Redeemed who live and worship by the Grace of His redemption. Having been purchased and adopted at Heaven’s highest cost creates a unique aspect and depth of gratitude and worship that only His Redeemed can know.

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Jesus spoke of the great parallel between forgiveness and love in Luke 7:47 as the woman He had forgiven washed His feet with her tears. In similar manner the Redeemed have a testimony of Jesus that is forever fused with unending gratitude. Because gratitude is the substance of our testimonies, it is the hallmark of the Sound of Heaven that begins in this life and will continue forever.

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Surely one of the greatest wonders that lays ahead is the unfolding revelation of how deeply and uniquely blessed we are among all of the Heavenly host as His Redeemed. A foreshadow of that great reality is evidenced in the expression of gratitude we live out of now. It is the foundation of worship that will continue to increase along with the unfolding revelation of Him. This glorious worship response to the goodness of God is the substance of the Sound of Heaven that we are privileged to share together.

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The testimony of Jesus absolutely is the spirit of prophecy. Our testimonies are the “forth telling” of who Jesus is to us. Our own heart for testimony will always be as deep as the depth of our own gratitude and worship. Those who are wise understand that God desires to answer our prayers for a heart that yearns to give our testimonies to the precious souls He has prepared to bring before us. Those who seek and find such a heart will always find open doors to release the testimony that honors Jesus.

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A Very Significant “And”

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The power of testimony is seen in the word “and” in this powerful Scripture. It never ceases to amaze that both His blood AND the word of our testimony is what we are told is necessary for us to overcome our adversary. Revelation 12:11 is one of many Scriptures that shows the glory of our salvation simply must go beyond our assurance of Heaven.

 

We are saved for the purpose of living an exchanged life with Christ as over-comers in this world. We must never forget that His desire is for over-comers, and that our personal victories as over-comers are of great eternal benefit to others in this world God loves.

 

The very notion that the effective nature of the believer’s testimony co-labors with the blood of Christ for this end truly is a sober thought. It should galvanize our faith and remove and doubt that the testimony of Jesus, in and though our lives, is of critical importance.

 

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Overcoming – Not Optional, But Essential

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The maturing Christian understands that the Lord is concerned about what we are saved unto as well as what we are saved from. The faithful work of the Holy Spirit, in no small way, is to highlight life’s continual reminders that our Salvation is for much more than to merely keep us from spending eternity in hell. Failure to understand our responsibilities in regard to Kingdom service and stewardship is failure to comprehend the nature and cost of our Salvation that Jesus paid so extravagantly for.

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It is for this reason that living in the will of God involves overcoming the life trials and challenges that otherwise impede our ability to carry out the responsibilities He has entrusted us with. Each of us has been called to understand that it is the good servant, not the unprofitable one, that receives his Master’s reward. The Word shows that our testimony is invaluable and crucial to all this. As we consider our indispensable testimony ahead, will see the “how, when and why” of what makes it both essential and effective.

 

 

A Scriptural Contrast of Overcoming Testimony

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Consider the brethren of Revelation 12:11. Even through deep satanic struggle they become the over-comers He desires. These faithful brethren are role models in how they clearly understood the effective nature of their testimony in overcoming the Satanic kingdom. They valued the importance of their testimony to the point of the laying down of their lives for the truth of such.

 

A very stark contrast emerges as we compare the role of overcoming testimony in Revelation 12:11 to the sober warnings the Lord gave the churches of Revelation 2 and 3 about their dire need to overcome. We will consider these Scriptures side by side as they underscore the importance our own overcoming testimonies. There is no doubt that we clearly have a serious responsibility regarding our testimony we’d do well to not forget. Let’s consider this calling next.

 

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Called to Continual Increase

 

The ever-precious blood of Christ is as powerful today as the day it was spilled for us and our testimony is our recognition of His sacrifice! As growth in Christ brings greater revelation of His faithfulness to strengthen and enable, should not our testimony of His faithfulness and greatness increase as well?  It absolutely should, and there should be no end to its increase!

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As sure as life brings maturity and growth, our desire, ability and calling to bring honor and glory to Him through testimony can and should increase as well.

 

Some may ask “how is our testimony meant to grow and mature”? There are a number of things we will touch upon. Above all we’ll see how cooperation and yieldedness to the Holy Spirit are primary keys to the many powerful and transparent testimonies of an exchanged life. We are now touching upon a very real aspect of our contribution to the great Sound of Heaven.

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What is a Testimony  And What is Yours, Today?

 

Let me ask a simple question. If you were to ask for a testimony, what would you expect to hear from the majority of brethren who you love and fellowship with?

 

My own experience over years has been an eye opener. When asked for a testimony many instinctively default to how they were saved years ago. For too many this is the notion of what “testimony” is. Perhaps others will recount a prior powerful spiritual experience.

 

While these can be wonderful testimonies, we are making the case for testimony to be much more. In reality, our testimonies are the foundational fabric of God’s intended work within the Church and through the Body of Christ to this world. In no small part it is through our testimonies that we function as the living epistles we are called to be to others.

 

 

How, Why and What

 

The revelation of Jesus through our lives can and should shake this world. Consider the very first “people group” who were saved as the Samaritan women at the well ran back to her community with her testimony of Jesus (John:29). It is likely that this famous but un-named woman was well known locally for her manner of life. But it was her testimony, her account of how the Man she met overwhelmed her soul by what and how He spoke to her, that compelled a town to seek Him.

 

In a similar manner our testimonies are meant to grow beyond the “how” of our salvation to the realities of the “why” and “what” of our personal relationship with Jesus. Testimonies of what God is currently doing today, in our current season of our life, can bring light that others need. Our testimonies when real, transparent and communicable are also the means by which “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17) in the Body of Christ. The underscored words (links) in the previous sentence speak briefly to the important wisdom of what makes our testimonies effective and enjoyable to others.

 

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Testimonies of a Living Epistle

 

At the root of our Salvation is the call to be a living epistle. It is a significant portion of what Jesus called us to in being salt and light to a darkened world.

 

Life is fluid and in some ways our testimonies should be the same. There are numerous types and examples of testimonies. Some “carry life” forever and others are like Manna in that are only effective in the season they are relevant. As living epistles we are meant to live a relevant life. We are purposed to “live ready” regardless of season, and this is only really possible as we learn to continually grow in Christ. Still, some may wonder how we grow in Christ.

 

We grow by maintaining a Word life, Prayer life, living out of a Scriptural worldview, and by learning to ask, seek and knock after the heart and mind of God. These are the foundational blocks of a life of growth that produces life giving testimony.

 

The question is “are we growing”? Growth is, and always will be, essential. Without growth many remain unprepared and less than fully able to give timely, recent and effective testimony.

 

 

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It may help to look at a few of the many examples of testimony every, and any, Christian can be living out in life. There are many examples, but we will take a look at a few ahead. Consider them in regard to your own life and walk with Jesus.

 

 

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