They shall see his face. Revelation 22:1-5 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. We read of those who will see his face - the saints, the redeemed people of God, and of Him whom they will see – our Saviour. This is a vision of our permanent dwelling – it is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. John saw a pure river of Water of Life – there is an absence of sin and its effect. There is a river of unending streams, of abundant blessings and joy from our Lord. Also, we see the Tree of Life, and it brings forth fruits. And all the redeemed are welcome to enjoy the fruits of this tree - the joy and sweetness of eternal life. The leaves tell of the healing of the nations - there will be no sickness, no more curse. There is, in the midst of it all, is the throne of God – and he is reigning supreme and unrivalled. And we will serve him and worship him. He is the chief of blessings in heaven. This the joy of all Christians - to see, and behold, and commune with Jesus our Saviour. The saints of God have this joyful anticipation. Notice, the exclusivity of this vision - it was they that will see the face of God - it's not for everyone to see the face of our Lord. It is an exclusive event – only for those who belong to the Kingdom. Admission to this royal event is by invitation only. Only those who have trusted in God will be a citizen of Heaven. Some will not see the gracious countenance of our Lord, but will only see the face of God in judgment, as subjects of his wrath. For the meantime, our Lord graciously invites you. The door of God's mercy is yet wide open. Will you respond to the invitation from the King? Would you respond in faith and trust him now? Notice, also, the certainty of this vision - they SHALL see. It is sure. It is certain. We know that when he shall appear we shall be like him. For some, the love for this world turns their face away from this glorious vision. Sin, like a cataract, blinds them. Thank God, the great Physician of our soul has opened many eyes. There’s also the gaiety – the joyfulness here, of this wonderful vision. Every one who believes will be gathered together with the saints, from all across time, from all over the world. What a joyful gathering - to be with the Lord. Our Lord God will bring redemptive history to a close. The saints are anticipating this great event - as if seated in a theatre, as the curtain opens for the final act. We eagerly wait, anticipating to see the face of God. What joy and comfort and longing for all Christians to be with their Lord! To be at home with the Lord. This joy is forever – a communion and fellowship that is unceasing and sweet. Some of us may be going through many trials, but be encouraged, one day it will cease. We shall see his face. One day we will wake up in the arms of God. When we all see Jesus - what a day of rejoicing that will be! Notice, also, the one whom they will see - our Saviour. It will be such a sight – of glorious beauty. It will mesmerise us. We will see our King, reigning in glory - infinitely majestic – outshining all the wonders of this world. We expect to see the face of the one who has showered us with such infinite blessings, and showed us his mercies and goodness. It captivates our hearts that our Lord has loved us so. How marvelous, how wonderful! It is a sight of pure holiness that will not consume us. Moses asked one day, Lord, show me your Glory. He was told, thou canst not see my face, for there shall no man see me and live. Yet there is coming a day when you, his saints, shall see his face. Our Lord says, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. It will be a sight - to see his face - that admits us into an unending communion. To think, that he will be with us! We will enjoy an unending communion with our Lord, with no more threats of separation away from him. Nothing will sever our communion with him. It will be a sweet fellowship, forever. May our gaze be upon him. Look unto our Lord, the author and perfecter of our faith. The joy of all Christians is surely to see, and behold, and commune with him - Jesus, our Saviour. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftrpQbFFukc

Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. He ended up in a whole lot of trouble. How much compromise is OK? Zero. Compromise is deadly - a mix of truth and error. It's a double mindedness. We need uncompromising amen and women. People of convcition. Uncompromising churches, where the Word is soundly, strongly preached. Compromise can start small. Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. We should speak against compromise, and be urgent against it - and for the truth. Compromise can happen on a practical level. If something is not wise, avoid it. You are his temple walking about… You're a holy place. The Lord wants to direct our steps and lead us in the right direction. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and walk in obedience to Him. Be a Non-conformist. Don't compromise with the world and its lusts. Walk in the truth of God's word - do what you know is right. Lot is an example of compromise. Lot chose what pleased himself. Genesis 13:10-11 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan… Before long, he was living in the city of Sodom. We can get hardened to sin – we get influenced by the culture of Sodom. Lot became spiritually dull. He didn't have much of a testimony. God sent two angels. They came and literally dragged Lot out by the hand before the Lord destroyed the city. Lot wanted to save his two sons-in-law. He urged them - but they'd watched him compromise so often, and repeatedly lower his standards. His witness had long since lost its authority. He'd lost his testimony with his own family. Still, Lot lingered. Sodom is damned. We must get out! Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven. Lot wanted to linger in sin. As Lot and his family fled, his wife, who could not leave the city of sin that easily, looked back toward Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). A little compromise became a big compromise. It had happened by degree. Lot had compromised with sin and now he reaped a bitter harvest. He had compromised his faith. With each move he came closer to sin, accepting it more and more. He had become hardened. Lot’s conscience was dullened. So, it is with all Christians that compromise, and lower their values. You start lowering your standards, by compromising, a little here, a little there. We can let things slip. - You spend a little less time in the Bible. - You start coming to church when it's convenient, rather than being faithful. - You spend more time doing other things. - You relax your grip and begin to backslide. - And your witness for God also decreases. - Your joy vanishes. Daniel was a man of God who would NOT compromise. Daniel shows us how to make hard choices. He was not a friend of the world. He was a friend of God. Daniel and his friends didn’t get totally absorbed by Babylonian culture. Daniel made the very hard choice NOT to eat the king’s choice food or drink his wine. Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank... Daniel’s loyalty was to God. His heart was after God. Make a stand. Have convictions that you stand by. Do what your convictions tell you to do. Let your behaviour be guided by principle rather than the thoughts of the moment. Make the hard choice - be in the world but not of the world. Be a person who lives by conviction in a world of compromise. Solomon is another example. 1 Kings 11:6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father… 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, Will you be a LOT or a DANIEL? We are called to be CONSISTENT in word and walk. Make a decision. Don’t give an inch. Not even a little leaven. Don't choose what's convenient and easy. Don't get in fellowship with the world - have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. What you feed on gives you more appetite. If we feed on the world we get a worldly appetite. Rather, let's get an appetite for what's going to do our soul good. Be a Daniel. Purpose in your heart. Lot was still called righteous, despite all his foul ups and failures, and so can we. God told Lot, escape for thy life. Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. We can learn from the testimony of Lot. We can learn from him how NOT to live. God, by His grace, can turn things around and help you to be in His will. Daniel and his friends purposed in their heart - how to live and to be a testimony… May we dare to be a Daniel - to impact the very culture that we live in and walk with our Lord, such that others will be drawn to know the Saviour. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lfsQAFou2Y