And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. —Revelation 20:12, KJV

The most wonderful thing that ever happens is when Jesus reveals Himself to a person. If it happens to you, then remember that He is bestowing on you an honor and a dignity higher than anything the world affords, for none other than the Son of God has revealed Himself to you.

It is He who gives you life. You may think that you arrived in this world by some freak chance and life has no purpose or meaning: things happen at random, there is chaos, and you are a part of it and you conclude that when you die, you will be annihilated like any other animal. But God created you in His own image (Gen. 1:27), and He says, “I gave you life and I put you on earth for a purpose.”

Yet not only is God the Creator, but also it is He who will bring all things to an end. Material things are not permanent. Life itself is transitory in nature: we meet friends for a while, and then we no longer see them. However, the ultimate thing to realize is that it will be God who will end all things and who will dissolve the whole of creation unto Himself (2 Pet. 3:10).

However, one part of His creation will survive when the judgment is over: that part made in His likeness. The human race is the pinnacle of God’s creation. We are not plants; we are not just animals; we are men and women! And someday God will summon us to give an account of the way we have lived.

What will happen then? We find the answer in Revelation 20. We discover there that some people will die twice. Nobody disputes that we die once, but have you heard of the second death? No matter how important we are or how insignificant, everybody will stand before God. 

Excerpted from A Vision of Jesus (Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 1999).

Holy Spirit sweeps over 14,000 conference attendees from 49 nations who gathered in Indonesia

Fourteen thousand people from 49 nations recently convened in the world’s most populous Muslim nation for a single purpose: to unite the Spirit-filled movement across Asia to focus resources on the harvest. 

After the dust settled on the four-day Empowered21 Asia Congress, Spirit-filled Christian leaders spoke out about what they experienced in Jakarta, Indonesia, and what it means for the global church.

“I believe those who were present received the fire of revival and will bring that fire to the nations,” says Empowered21 Asia host Niko Njotorahardjo, senior pastor of Gereja Bethel Indonesia. “This fire of revival was initiated by prayer, praise and worship, and unity over the past four days.”

Marilyn Hickey, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, also made the trip to Jakarta and called the event “wonderful.”

“Its vision and passion has really touched my heart. I feel this is a destiny time,” Hickey says. “I see all of these people from all over Asia and I know they are going to go back home with a fresh anointing and in ‘attack mode.’”

Ricardo Sanchez, international worship leader and Christian recording artist, compares Empowered21 Asia to a “transfer zone” of cultures and generations, and he notes that the zone is the place where the baton is passed in a relay.

“The danger in a relay is not running with the baton but rather the transfer of the baton in the transfer zone,” Sanchez says. “That is where the baton sometime gets dropped, and that is the most dangerous and yet most successful place.”

“The roots of the NAR were Christians in small groups. When we gather together so we can influence the world, true relationships form.”

—Linda Jones

Forming the reformation

I enjoyed “The Truth About the New Apostolic Reformation” (by C. Peter Wagner, November), but my view of the church world is that the basic building block is not in its right place. The roots of the NAR were Christians meeting in small groups where people knew each other, and there were personal relationships. When we gather together to be refilled so we can influence the world, then the result is that true godly relationships are formed. 

Linda Jones, Panama City Beach, Fla.

Classifying catholics

I am a Catholic priest who has enjoyed reading Charisma for 20 years. The article “So Help Us, God” (by Stephen Mansfield & David A. Holland, November) speaks of odd teachings, and groups together Muslim teachings about Gabriel and Mohammed, Mormon teachings about spirit babies and spirit bodies, and two Roman Catholic teachings. The authors might not agree with Catholic theology, but to group this with the other teachings is unfair. 

Monsignor Vincent M. Walsh, Darby, Pa.

Outreach versus inclusion 

I have to adamantly object to the article, “Out, But Not Disqualified” (by Richie Hughes, November). The writer said we should accept homosexuals into our churches and let them be involved in sharing their gifts. Homosexuality, along with adultery, thievery and other strongholds, are not of God’s design. Yes, we need to reach out to all those in “lifestyles.” We need to inform them that God is ready to deliver them from any bondage they do not like.

Roy Proctor, Enterprise, Ala.

Messy ‘housekeeping’?

Disturbed. That’s how I felt after reading Kimberly Daniels’ “Spiritual Housekeeping” (November). The easy way she attributes misguided giving, oppressed youth, traditions of men and elders becoming “demonically old” as manifestations of demonic spirits  is disturbing. Jesus said religious leaders made God’s Word ineffectual by their traditions, not “generational religious spirits.” Paul attributed his Pharisaical works to zealous ignorance, not demonic activity. 

Jim Mackey, Duncanville, Texas

After years of personal experience with the demonic realm, prophetic minister Kris Vallotton has penned Spirit Wars: Winning the Invisible Battle Against Sin and the Enemy, which couples his testimony with relevations from the Word of God. A transparent account of anxiety attacks, demonic visitations, physical sickness and battling fear, Spirit Wars identifies why the behavior of the spirit world is so difficult to define.

After 25 years as a full-time chiropractor working with thousands of patients, Joseph Vetere has crafted a diet that helps people get fit quickly and teaches habits for overall wellness. Vetere details the plan in his book, The Genesis Diet, which explains how the ideal body fat percentage can be achieved primarily through correct nutritional habits and a proper balance of aerobic, strength, power and endurance exercises. He also highlights the need to drink plenty of water, get adequate rest, eliminate stress and keep your nervous system functioning properly. Aligned with the timeless biblical covenants that govern health, The Genesis Diet was written not to promote personal vanity but to give glory to the Creator.

In Dare to Be Uncommon, Super Bowl-winning coach and best-selling author Tony Dungy dispenses wisdom on leading a successful team—whether at church, at home, at work or on the field. The four-part small group study set has two tracks, one tailored to sports teams and the other for churches, each emphasizing the importance of character in attaining success. The study is supplemented by a Playbook for an Uncommon Life paperback, available in packs of six.

Chuck Pierce’s ministry, Glory of Zion, invites believers to “Cross Over Into the New Day” with a prophetic gathering that ends on New Year’s Day. The conference begins Dec. 29 and, in the ministry’s words, offers “the opportunity to gather and hear what the Spirit of the Lord is declaring to the church as we transition from 2011 to 2012.” Held at the Global Spheres Center in Corinth, Texas, meetings will include speakers such as Pierce, C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Dutch Sheets, Alemu Beeftu and more.

Richard G. Lee, general editor of The American Patriot’s Bible, believes that many of the same social and religious provocations that spurred the colonists toward the American Revolution are present today. Believing that America is on the brink of a new revolution, Lee seeks to inspire his readers to fight and win the battle for personal and national freedom inThe Coming Revolution: Signs From America’s Past That Signal Our Nation’s Future. The book includes a foreword by Mike Huckabee.

Tonya Larson’s Power Stretch & Sculpt offers a 47-minute workout from the Christian fitness coach who promotes “Body, Mind, Spirit, Fit.” Intended to help relieve stress and back pain and to condition, the exercise segments build on each other but can be followed separately, with no equipment needed other than a mat. The Bridgestone Multimedia Group release includes an optional “spiritual warm-up” session, featuring Bible meditation and prayer.

Matt Sorger Ministries believes “the church is in a fresh hour of anointing, glory and commissioning.” Sorger is hosting the Discerning the Times conference, which will include extended times of worship to hear what God is saying about the new year. Being held in Melville, N.Y., on Jan. 13 and 14, the event will featue John Paul Jackson, and worship will be led by Julie Meyer.