To Whom Has the Arm of the Lord Been Revealed?

This chapter opens with a question: To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Today, we must understand: The mighty arm of God is revealed to people like Jesus. Some might say: How many Jesuses are there? Only one, right? I am not Jesus; I cannot do what Jesus did. If you do not understand the Bible, you might think this sounds perfectly reasonable. For example, how many masters are there like our Master today? But I have a thought: Every one of our brothers and sisters should become vessels of God's power, so that God's mighty arm may be revealed to us.

Today, we must know for certain: God’s arm has never been shortened. The things God did through Jesus in that era, He is still doing in this era, because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God’s will never changes; His mighty arm is revealed to His servants. God says: My servant will be wise, will be exalted, and become very high.

Everyone should begin to understand what is written in the Bible. God’s mighty arm is not only revealed to Jesus alone; it is also revealed to those who emulate Jesus. Today, in my journey of faith, I long to be like Jesus. I feel that only Jesus can solve people’s problems. When I see the things of this world, I feel the great need for Jesus.

In my pain, I sought God, and God’s mighty arm was revealed to me. Then He delivered me, freeing me from that state of poverty and suffering. Today, the testimonies we hear from our brothers and sisters are all like this. Sister H’s testimony, for example, her salary increased from over two thousand to over six thousand. How could it increase so much in one year? Because the mighty arm of God was manifested to Sister H.

Later, many of our brothers and sisters may not have experienced God’s miraculous blessings. Why haven’t they experienced God’s blessings? Because God’s mighty arm is revealed to those who are like Jesus, so we must all yearn to be like such people, to do as Jesus did. We must begin to emulate Jesus. In the Bible, there are a few people we can emulate: first, Jesus; second, Paul.

So today we must begin to learn to emulate such people. In the New Testament, Paul was also like this; the arm of God was revealed to him. You must know that what Paul did was similar to what Jesus did, because Paul was like Jesus, and God’s mighty arm was revealed to Paul. I find this very interesting: To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem (Isaiah 53:2-3).

The mighty arm of God is revealed through such people. If you are ostentatious and arrogant, God cannot manifest His mighty arm through you. The brothers and sisters in our church must know for certain the things God works through my hands. Some masters really want to have my abilities and use them to make money, but I never use such abilities to make money.

In fact, the Bible records many such things. Paul said that his physical appearance was unimpressive and his speech contemptible (2 Corinthians 10:10), yet God’s mighty arm was manifested through Paul. So today I come to this conclusion: God’s mighty arm is revealed to those who follow the path of Jesus Christ. Some may say: He is not like Jesus now. God will say: He will be like Jesus in the future, because God searches the hearts of men. So today we must circumcise our hearts, cutting away the evil desires of our flesh.

The Path Based on Faith

Today, our brothers and sisters must know for certain that you will find that these people are blessed very simply and quickly. But some have given their tithes and still have not seen it, because what they lack is faith, for God seeks those who have faith. If one gives tithes through faith, that person will surely be blessed. So everyone must learn to walk the path based on faith. The path based on faith is very miraculous. If your thoughts and ideas have not yet changed, but your bones are filled with the thinking of a small farmer, that is fatal!

Why are brothers and sisters cursed today? Because we go our own way, have our own logical system, and do not do many things according to God’s ways, so we experience curses. God is a God who blesses us; there is no doubt about that. But can you see with the eyes of faith? In fact, doing things according to God’s logical system is very simple. If you choose to believe that God will surely turn you around, you will surely experience a turnaround.

Some may have sown seeds of curses for a long time, so even though they have begun to turn around, they are still weeding, and the weeds have not been completely removed. If you give tithes at this time, you may not be able to see God’s blessings in the short term. But it doesn’t matter; hold on to your faith and continue to believe!

When I first believed in the Lord, I needed to change jobs and faced financial difficulties. God miraculously enabled me to find a job, and then I gave tithes. But in the first year, my salary increased very slowly, and life was still a bit tight. Some people might get anxious at this point, thinking that giving tithes is useless. But I still believed that God would bless me. So miraculous things happened next: In the years that followed, God greatly favored me, blessing me financially, and to this day, I have never lacked financially. God’s mighty arm was revealed to someone like me, because I emulated what Jesus did: believe in God, do according to God’s logic, and God’s mighty arm was revealed to me.

Jesus said: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). Today, we who believe in Jesus must do what Jesus did; this is the basis in the Bible. So I must do as Jesus and Paul did, and then God’s mighty arm will be revealed, to set the captives free and to release the oppressed.

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for God's Sake

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:9-11).

Next, let’s look at verses 9 to 11. There is not a single sentence in this passage that sounds like a blessing; it is all about suffering. Do you see that what is written here is all about Jesus suffering for the sins of the world? This is describing Jesus being crucified, as well as Jesus’ death and burial, and this also applies to us Christians.

When I study the Bible, I don’t like to talk about the past; I like to talk about the present. Can this statement be used on us today? In fact, it can. How do we apply this statement?

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body (2 Corinthians 4:8-11).

In fact, this passage speaks of Paul often encountering difficulties, but not for his own sake. He was for Jesus Christ. What Paul experienced in his ministry was truly miraculous. He performed miracles wherever he went, but he was persecuted wherever he went. As a result, after he fled from there, he was very anxious and wrote 1 Thessalonians.

He eagerly wanted to know the situation there, so he sent his disciples to see them. The news he brought back was that the faith of the people in that place was built up even though they had only heard Paul preach the gospel for two weeks. Although they encountered some persecution, their faith was still very strong. Such stories spread throughout the churches. I think people often see that there will be persecution, but they do not see why they are persecuted. What is persecution all about?

Why People Are Persecuted

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church (Colossians 1:24).

If you want to emulate Paul as a Christian, you will suffer for your brothers and sisters and rejoice in it. The key is not the suffering, but the fact that he still rejoices after suffering. Some people do not rejoice even though they do not suffer. But these people rejoice in suffering, and for the sake of Christ’s body (Christ’s body is the church), I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions.

Many people think Paul is very arrogant: Is the suffering on Jesus’ body not enough? Do you still need to make it up? I tell you: If you are called a servant of the Lord God, you must experience these things; this is what Jesus said. But many people suffer some hardships for their own selfish desires, not for the sake of Jesus Christ’s body, nor for the hardships suffered by the church.

The Bible says: If you encounter some persecution for emulating Jesus, and you encounter some pain for serving the brothers and sisters of the church, you cannot but be glorified. God’s glory and God’s mighty arm will be revealed to these people, and even the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead will be revealed in these people.

Brothers and sisters must begin to come out of that kind of state, not that I want to be blessed, but that today I must begin to embark on a path of service, and the mighty arm of the Lord will be manifested to you. Even if you suffer some pain, you are still joyful and happy.

The pain you suffer makes up for the suffering that Jesus Christ suffered. Why does it make up for it? Because Jesus Christ is the head, the church is the body, and we who serve God will also emulate His death together in Jesus Christ, so that the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection will also be manifested in us, and then we will become a blessing to this generation.

A person can die for himself or for God; a person can live for himself or for God. The answer to the question of why you live determines whether you will see the manifestation of God’s mighty arm.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted (Isaiah 53:4).

Jesus never said that He bore His own pain; He bore our pain. So do we have to bear the pain of others? Today we must begin to emulate Jesus Christ and emulate the Apostle Paul. What Paul said is very interesting. He said: My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

It is said that childbirth is very painful, but such pain is now manifested in the Apostle Paul. Why is this? Because what he worries about every day is the building up of the church: Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:29) But he no longer lives for himself.

Contending for the Kingdom of God

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:5-7).

We must begin to emulate Jesus. I can tell my brothers and sisters very frankly: Although we are a church, we will absolutely not resist, absolutely not take to the streets, and absolutely not cause trouble. When have you ever seen Paul leading Christians to protest in the streets? No.

When oppressed, do not open your mouth, do not argue for yourself, only argue for the kingdom of God. Even when facing the officials who were judging him, he would bless them in the name of Jesus. This is Jesus Christ. So today, if we suffer a little grievance, just swallow it; it’s nothing great. Speaking of grievances, I have suffered many grievances; speaking of them brings tears to my eyes. Many people go their own way, are ungrateful, and have no affection. You treat them well, but they treat you harshly. But do you want to keep these things in your heart and become a bitter person? Don’t. We who serve will surely experience ingratitude. We are experiencing it in our service. When the fleshly nature of the people we are shepherding is revealed, we will experience an injury of ingratitude once.

Paul often experienced hardship during his ministry because he often experienced the ingratitude of those he had served. Paul said: I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you. Those who caused Paul so much pain were not the kings of the world, but the brothers and sisters he had served. The people in the Corinthian church were so muddled! Paul personally established this church and served them for a year and a half, never taking a penny from the church. He relied on his own work to earn money to serve this church. As a result, after he left, another group of people came and said that Paul was just trying to take advantage of you, and the people of the church actually believed that Paul had taken advantage of them.

It’s really strange; I don’t know what was going on in their minds. So Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. After writing it, those people hated Paul even more. Paul wrote a second letter, but this letter was not included in the Bible. The 2 Corinthians we see later is actually the third letter. Paul’s experience was very painful. The church he personally established opposed him. Think about it, the people you personally served and personally blessed are opposing you; how much sorrow that is! They were truly stricken and afflicted by their sins.

But we who are servants of God must be prepared and not be hurt by these things. We came into this world for this purpose; we came to bless this generation. Even when they were still sinners, we were willing to die for them, let alone when they are willing to turn back to Jesus Christ.

In the process of their life growth, there will often be some small recurrences. It doesn’t matter. No matter what kind of person they are, I believe that this person will change. Even if I have never successfully transformed one person, if I encounter such a person again, I still tell myself: Don’t make this conclusion; start to serve these people with all your strength until they are completely transformed.

Sometimes I really feel pain. There is a struggle in my heart. In my logical thinking, I think these people may never change because I have never successfully changed such a person, but in my service, I still declare with faith that they will definitely change.

Aspire to Have an Eternal Perspective

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.(Isaiah 53:10-11)

I relish reading such words, and I apply them to myself. They speak not only of Jesus but also of those who emulate him. Those who emulate Jesus and Paul tread the same path. Today, I stand content, though tears have flowed and hardships endured—a paradox, indeed!

Someone shared with me the profound nature of Chinese characters, particularly the word 痛快 (tòng kuài) – joyful. It suggests that without pain (痛), there can be no joy (快); joy is born from suffering. I find this sentiment resonant. Seeing the fruit of one's labor is akin to a farmer sowing seeds, toiling throughout the year, and finding contentment in the autumn harvest. The seeds you sow, the sweat and tears you shed, will one day bear witness to the fruits of your labor.

We shall witness the Lord's desires prospering in our hands, and our descendants shall be as numerous as the sands on the seashore and the stars in the sky, with our days extended indefinitely. Our existence transcends this earthly realm; it stretches into eternity.

We must recalibrate our perspectives. Even Jesus Christ, though incarnate, felt the sting of nails piercing his hands and the agony of his life being taken. Yet, imbued with the concept of eternal life, he chose to persevere in service, even amidst suffering, until his mission was accomplished. Without this eternal perspective, sustained service is impossible. To fixate solely on this earthly existence is vanity of vanities.

Brothers and sisters, may we find the strength to discern why some of our endeavors falter—it is because we lack this long-term vision.

If our focus remains solely on this life, how can we please God? If you profess faith in Jesus, yet waver in your belief in eternal life, anchoring your hopes in this world, how can you prosper? At your baptism, did you not profess belief in eternal life? If you lack this belief, baptism is akin to merely taking a bath. Why undergo baptism if you disbelieve in eternity?

Believe that you shall witness your descendants. Was Jesus not crucified? Yes. Yet, he now sits at the right hand of the eternal God, beholding us. Even as we examine this scripture today, Jesus Christ sits upon his throne, observing us. He shall surely see us.

I believe in the existence of a heavenly grandstand, where all the saints gather daily to observe us. We stand before them, transparent as if in a play. As mentioned in 1 Corinthians. They surround us like a cloud, witnessing our performance. When our play is well-acted, their applause resounds—though we cannot hear it, it would be wonderful if we could.

Jesus there sees us as his descendants. He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. Through his discipline, we find peace; through his wounds, we are healed. We, like sheep, have strayed, each pursuing our own path. Jesus enables us to turn from this and return to his righteous way. He shall see the fruit of his labor and be satisfied.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.(Isaiah 53:12)

If you are such a person, God’s mighty arm will surely manifest itself to you. God will grant you a portion among the great and allow you to divide the spoils with the strong. Regardless of the opponent’s strength, you shall share equally. What does it mean to divide the spoils? It means the strong party fought alongside you, and you jointly share the spoils of victory.

In the midst of the strong, you become strong, you become prosperous, and you plunder the enemy. Did the Israelites plunder the enemy upon their exodus from Egypt? They did. They plundered gold and silver treasures—genuine, not mere imitations.

During our earthly sojourn, we too shall divide the spoils with the strong because we pour out our lives unto death. The Bible recounts that Jesus Christ, though incarnate as a king, chose to be crucified, choosing obedience unto death, and God exalted him to the highest place.

The words of the Bible are not exclusively for Jesus; they are for us. They do not merely recount a historical event from two millennia ago but convey events that shall transpire in our lives today. Those who emulate Jesus Christ and Paul shall experience similar outcomes.

Today, some brothers and sisters witness many visions during prayer. Do not find this strange. In our present circumstances, as one wave departs another arrives, I am content. May you prosper. Though those you serve may stray like sheep, each pursuing their own path, bringing them back is arduous, yet you shall witness the fruits of your labor, and these fruits shall endure eternally in your life.

The Book of Revelation clearly states: their deeds will follow them (Revelation 14:13). Such service is not required in heaven. Only while we dwell on earth does God intend for us to manifest his glory becoming partners with the great and sharing the spoils with the strong.

Do not compromise; pour out your life! Faith cannot be conditional: Lord, I am willing to give you my head, but I am unwilling to part with a foot. Such faith is insufficient. True faith requires pouring out one's life entirely, a complete offering. Will you suffer loss by offering your life wholly? Absolutely not. Trust my words, for this is the manner in which I serve.

Pouring out one's life means allowing nothing to hinder our service to God. Complete dedication, even unto death, should be our unwavering commitment, thus becoming partners with the great and sharing the spoils with the strong. Such individuals attain the highest position, seated on the throne of the eternal God. We shall surely receive crowns of glory, for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

I eagerly anticipate witnessing this glory, for within my faith, I know it to be true, though unseen. I witness God's mighty arm manifested through me during my earthly existence. What they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. (Isaiah 52:15)

This immeasurable and eternal glory is perceived through our vision and faith. Though we have neither heard nor seen, we perceive as if we have, and with such hope, we serve in this world, experiencing the continuous manifestation of God's mighty arm. For one to be an instrument in God's hands, to manifest God's mighty arm, one must begin to learn humility.

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.(Isaiah 53:1-2)

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He appeared unremarkable. Many among us can offer prayers that obliterate demons in an instant, yet appear ordinary on the streets. Who would know you are a divine being?

The essence lies in who resides within us. We must genuinely bear the sins of others. We must serve with hearts of mutual love, bearing one another's sins. What constitutes mutual love? It is when, despite offenses, you refrain from holding grudges. Without mutual love, offenses lead to retaliation. A lack of mutual love begets hatred and bitterness.

Who has believed our message? Isaiah lamented. This is the gospel of God's mighty arm, the gospel of liberation for the captives and freedom for the oppressed, the gospel that enables us to see our descendants, prolong our days, and attain eternal life. Who believes it? To whom is the Lord's arm revealed? It is revealed to such individuals. We must begin by yearning to be like Jesus, and you shall be content. In this fleeting existence, you can attain immeasurable and eternal glory. Amen!