Introduction

Greetings, everyone. Genesis chapter 22 is truly remarkable and deeply resonates with me. I am profoundly grateful to God, not because He demands our offerings, but because He Himself offers. Each time our brothers and sisters experience God's grace through my ministry, I am moved to tears, thanking our God for giving us His Son, Jesus Christ. Were it not for God's gift of Jesus Christ, we would all be living under a curse today, without redemption, unsure how to pray, and uncertain what to offer. Therefore, when brothers and sisters are liberated from bondage, I am immensely thankful to God!

In this era, people must learn a crucial lesson: to offer our most precious possessions to God. Not because God needs them – He lacks nothing and desires nothing. God tests us, and after the trial, He bestows great blessings upon us. What are these blessings? In fact, several important concepts of Chinese Mingding Destiny originate from Genesis chapter 22. The blessings of all nations through us, the possession of our enemies' gates, and the attainment of victory all stem from this chapter.

The theme of this chapter is "Offer the Most Precious to God." Avoid being foolish and reluctant to give when asked to offer to God. Some verbally claim to offer to God, but at crucial moments, they disappear. This may provoke some, but even dedicating time to studying the Bible, both individually and in groups, is something many fail to do. Whether one can or cannot do it doesn't prove anything, but the location of your heart is what matters. I'm not asking you to do anything; do it if you wish, or don't if you don't, for God lacks nothing.

From the day I first believed in the Lord, I have cherished the truth that Jesus Christ bore my curse and carried my sorrows and pains. My healing came because my sickness was placed upon Jesus Christ. If my life is given by God, what is there to withhold, unwilling to offer to God?

Had I not believed in God, I might have ended my life by jumping off a building, as life was so hard and meaningless. Thankfully, I encountered God on my search, and my life belongs to Him. I made a covenant with God that everything I own belongs to Him. From that day until now, I have never missed a Sunday service. If I need to move, I avoid scheduling it on a Sunday, postponing it to another time. If that's not possible, I take leave from my boss, which is not a big deal.

Because I am thankful to God, my life comes from Him, and what is there that I am unwilling to offer to God? I know clearly that offering to God is the best, for after offering, God will surely bestow great blessings upon me. So, when we talk about offering the most precious to God, are you willing to forsake what you value most for God? It's not my demand, but your choice.

God is a God Who Tests People

Only when truly tested does one know their worth, whether they are gold. Pure gold remains gold after burning, not turning into iron oxide or copper oxide. Understand that God's tests are severe; in this chapter, God tests Abraham with his most precious son. Abraham had longed for the son God promised him, Isaac. God had personally told him that Isaac's descendants would be his, as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.

But when Isaac was in his twenties or thirties, God commanded Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice. If I were Abraham, I might argue with God, saying, "I am old, wouldn't you rather have me? Don't take my son; take me instead!" But no! Never negotiate with God; give what He asks for.

Some always ask why they don't hear God's voice. I say it's better not to hear it, for if you hear it and can't do it, wouldn't that be a tragedy? Abraham obeyed without hesitation, without waiting to consult his wife or suggesting that he could offer everything else, including his entire household, in exchange for Isaac. He knew God wanted what he valued most, what he would give his life to protect, and God would surely ask for it.

How should you respond to God at that moment? If you don't know God is a God who tests people, you're in trouble. From Genesis chapter 12 to chapter 22, all blessings are received after trials. Without trials and victories, there are no blessings. Brothers and sisters, become people who offer their most precious possessions to God. If your business or your child is what you value most, make way for God, let God be your most precious possession. Give it to God, offer it to Him, and God will surely bless you.

Many, including myself, offer to God while thinking about what they will receive in return. There are many like this, focusing on the blessings and wondering when they will receive them. If your heart is set on blessings rather than offering, your offering is in vain. Many are called, but few are chosen.

The Bible records one Abraham, but there are many "Abra-scare" who are not mentioned, because they fail the test. "Abra-scare" and "Abra-where" are not recorded, as it would be pointless. God chose only one Abraham because many would negotiate with Him. Many cannot withstand the test, unable to offer even what is not precious. Reaching the "Abra-scare" stage is already commendable, as it means they falter only when asked to offer their most precious possession.

Some haven't even reached "Abra-scare"; they turn "Abra-green" at the "Abram" stage, unable to reach "Abra-scare." Many believe, but few are chosen. Will you be among the chosen or the rejected? Besides "Abram," there must have been many "Abra-yellow," "Abra-red," and "Abra-green," but the Bible doesn't record them. There is only one Abraham, but many "Abra-scare," because they cannot withstand the test. Among those I know, many are called by God, given grace, and invited to serve Him, but they fail at the hurdle of wife, son, money, or woman, and turn "Abra-green."

What matters is whether you and I are willing to accept God's test and forsake everything for Him. Those chosen by God are those who forsake for God: parents, spouse, children, land, and houses. If you are truly willing, you will receive great blessings! This is a matter of life and death. Don't constantly desire God to speak to you; before desiring that, prepare your logical framework. If you feel that life is full of hope and not emptiness, you don't need God. If you feel you don't need God, live your life. If you believe your affairs are important, hold onto them and don't expect God to speak to you. If God does speak and asks you to offer your most precious possession, you will turn "Abra-green," and the Bible doesn't record "Abra-green."

There was a man named Reinhard Bonnke, who said God called him to preach the gospel in Africa. I saw a video of his meetings, which drew over a million people, quite frightening. If God called me to do that, I would be scared. Managing the toilets alone for a gathering of millions is a logistical nightmare, not to mention traffic control. God told Bonnke that he was not the first or second chosen, but the fourth.

So Bonnke told God not to look for a fifth. Actually, adding a fifth or sixth wouldn't matter; God doesn't care about adding a few more who want to hear His voice. If you truly want God to speak to you, prepare to offer yourself completely. I have always dreamed of being with the Lord one day, which is infinitely better. Even I, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, often groan inwardly, longing for redemption. Our church has seen many fall away. And in the days to come, there will be more. But whether you and I are willing to choose to be those who don't fall away is what matters.

What Abraham Believed in His Heart

When Bonnke said not to look for a fifth, I was deeply moved. If God told me I was not the first but the fourth, I would tell God that I hope the fifth and sixth are also chosen. There is no harm in having more Abrahams in this world; God has plenty of room. But what did Abraham think when he offered his son?

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)

Can you imagine how painful that was for the old man? What did he believe in? God had Abraham take Isaac on a three-day journey to Mount Moriah. He had three days to consider, regret, struggle, and even turn back.

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. (Genesis 22:3-4)

The place where Abraham offered Isaac was where Jacob later took a stone, lay down, and dreamed of a ladder to heaven. It was also where the Temple of Jerusalem was built during the time of Solomon and David, which is today's Temple Mount. They didn't need to take so many days to get there, but they walked slowly. The journey was difficult, each step heavy. Abraham wondered if God might say He didn't need Isaac.

But day after day passed, and God said nothing. It wasn't until Abraham raised his knife to kill his son that God spoke to him again. But by then, the knife was raised, and the son was bound and placed on the wood. We can't imagine what Abraham did; it was real.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:9-12)

Abraham had waited long for God to say this. God dragged it out until Abraham's mind was breaking down. It truly hurt! But would God want it if it didn't hurt? God wants what hurts us, what is most precious. And along the way, he had Isaac carry the wood, and Isaac asked.

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. (Genesis 22:6-8)

Abraham was being pierced by arrows. This test is not something ordinary people can endure. The old man said God would provide, but he thought differently, afraid that if he said the lamb was Isaac, the boy would run away. But it's amazing! A miraculous Abraham, plus a miraculous Isaac. When they arrived, the wood was arranged, and Abraham bound Isaac. Although the Bible doesn't say it, I guess Isaac lay down on the wood himself.

Since Isaac was born, the two had always talked about God's promises. A person who doesn't believe life is empty cannot realize that life is meaningless, and cannot offer themselves. So I encourage you to read Ecclesiastes carefully. If you feel that life is truly meaningless, you can offer your most precious possessions to God. Because all the meaning we have in this world lies in one thing: passing God's test, being chosen by God, and being selected.

Isaac's complete offering of himself was wonderful! When we imagine this scene, don't think Abraham and Isaac were crying. One joyfully offered his most precious possession, and the other joyfully offered himself. I tell myself to be such a person. Living in the flesh, even with the firstfruits of the Spirit, I still groan inwardly until now. If you take living too seriously, you cannot offer yourself to God. I wish brothers and sisters could all know that living is empty and meaningless. Not only is your life meaningless, but your children's lives are also meaningless. What are you still struggling with?

Today, if you see through the meaning of life, you will truly be chosen and selected. You will not become "Abra-green" or "Abra-scare," but you will become Abraham. A person must know that living without God, without offering to God, is meaningless. Living must be completely offered to God; it is an infinitely good choice. If that is the case, you will struggle for God's kingdom, not for your own gains and losses. You will endure the pains of childbirth again for God's kingdom. This is the hope and logic we should have: to understand that living is meaningless. Then you will no longer struggle with whether to do a live broadcast, do business, or meet customers, and whether you have time to offer to God.

When I tell everyone to do practical things, many agree, and then they forsake God. Business, customers, and children are the things we struggle with. You haven't really understood life, going back and forth without any results. I don't know if you can hear this. Where I am today, although I am not as "Abraham" as Abraham, I am definitely not "Abra-scare." I see many things more clearly.

If the work gets done, it gets done; if it doesn't, it doesn't. No one will die. If it gets done, it's my grace. Even if it doesn't, my God still upholds all things with His hands. I have only come to this world to experience a test, and I must be chosen. Building a church cannot become my bondage. Doing anything, even practical things, cannot become my bondage. I want to offer the best to God.

If God wants to take me today, I don't want to stay on earth until tomorrow. But to be honest, I still have many worries. Because I see the people I shepherd, who, even when nothing is happening, still make themselves miserable over trivial matters. What we believe should be the same as what Abraham believed. Why can't we joyfully offer to God?

Offering to God with a heart-wrenching feeling, as if you are dying, is it really that serious? I encourage you to know that God is a God who tests people, and also to know that we can withstand the test because we know what we believe in our hearts. If the logic in your heart is wrong, correct it quickly, or you will definitely not become Abraham.

Do you know what a burnt offering is? It's cremation. God once said that only Isaac's descendants would be Abraham's. So, burn the thirty-year-old child? But Abraham believed that God would resurrect Isaac from the ashes and make him a glorious person. Isaac had been taught from childhood that God can raise people from the dead.

God can raise people from the dead, and God can give people eternal life. Living is meaningless; returning to God is infinitely better. It takes time to explain Abraham's logic clearly. But I tell you, Abraham's logic is the logic of Ecclesiastes: the whole duty of man is to fear God. Once you fear God, will you still act willfully?

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

If you fear God, fear being rejected by God, fear "scaring" when tested, you will not follow the desires of the flesh and act willfully. But if you "scare" when tested, that's trouble. Know what your logic is. If a person is constantly entangled and calculating over trivial matters, where they did more or less, you cannot withstand the test. If our most precious possession is God, we must practice fearing God. The whole duty is to fear God. If a person can often fear God, you are less likely to fall away.

The most terrible thing today is to fear nothing: not death, not God, not even being thrown into hell. People will follow the desires of the flesh and act willfully. You don't know when you will fall, when you will fall away, and when you will be rejected by God.

It is Not God Who Wants Us to Offer, But God Himself Who Offers

It is not God who wants us to offer, but God tests us. In fact, it is God Himself who offers. Later, God Himself offered His only Son, Jesus Christ, to us. What a wonderful God! He truly bore our curse and carried our sorrows and pains. Today, know that God is a God who gives, and He wants us to be like Him, to be people who give, doing as if doing for God. Many want blessings, but don't know where they come from. Blessings come from imitating God, because God gave us His own Son, and we offer our most precious possessions to God, including ourselves, and you will receive great blessings.

God Will Surely Bless You Abundantly

God will surely bless you abundantly. Some might say, what's the use of a great blessing when the son has already been offered? It's not to be seen that way. God declared to Abraham in eternity.

Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:15-18)

Abraham obeyed God's word. God had prepared for decades, and he had passed tests both big and small. It took him 26 years to have Isaac, and Isaac grew to 30 years old, totaling 56 years. After one test after another, whether it was famine or other things, offering Isaac at this time was the greatest test. From then on, God did not test Abraham again. God would henceforth bestow great blessings on him, multiplying his descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, and his descendants would possess the gates of their enemies.

In fact, Abraham did not see it while he was alive. He saw his descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore in the eyes of faith, in eternity, and that is us. If all of us become people who emulate Abraham, who become givers, you will catch people like fish in eternity, and your descendants will be like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. There are too many people you will bless, and all nations on earth will be blessed through you.

You will possess the gates of your enemies, which is to rub the devil and enemies on the ground, that is, to be victorious! Not only will you possess the gates, but everything in the city will be ours. You will possess the inheritance because your descendants all emulate Abraham. Abraham's descendants all emulate Abraham, not Abraham's physical descendants, but Abraham's descendants in the spiritual realm. All those who emulate Abraham, who are willing to offer the most precious to God, become Abraham's descendants. Originally, there were many people on earth like Abraham.

Chinese Mingding Destiny does demand a bit much, which is to be like Abraham, because our vision is to build a victorious church and become a blessing to all nations and peoples on earth. We are not speaking according to the flesh, but according to the spiritual realm. What God declared to Abraham is being fulfilled among us today. We are to possess the gates of our enemies, overcome every obstacle in the spiritual realm, and trample on the devil and enemies in order to bless all the peoples on earth. This is a great blessing.

If you want to share a testimony, don't talk about what you have gained, but talk about who we have blessed. Over the past years of continuous growth, I have become increasingly clear that this generation will be blessed because of us, and we are to give out. So what do you have to give? It is to offer the most precious to God and bless them with such a logical system. Let those who are like Abraham receive great blessings from God. That is a great blessing. Then what is a small blessing? With one prayer, my son went to a good school, or I found a good job, or my salary increased... Of course, I hope everyone will be blessed financially, but that is not our goal in life.

If we have been believers for many years and all we think about is that little thing, and we still use it as a testimony, it is very strange. Today we must know that victory is the main axis of Chinese Mingding Destiny. Many people share testimonies and don't even know the name of the church, only that it is called the victorious church, and they say thank God for letting them come to the victorious church. Then I also thank God that you have come to the victorious church.

Your Descendants Will Possess the Gates of Their Enemies

When we have offered our most precious and given up our most precious, the devil can no longer control us, and we will surely possess the gates of our enemies, and we will surely be able to press the devil and enemies on the ground, and we will definitely be able to hold them down. The enemies will definitely become slaves that we can use to work for us. Chinese Mingding Destiny is a theological system for building a victorious church, because there is a large group of people here who are willing to give everything and give up everything for the Lord Jesus Christ and for the kingdom of God. How can you not be victorious?

If you have experienced healing among us, then you owe God a favor. You have received grace among us because there is a group of people here like the Apostle Paul, like the Lord Jesus, who have offered themselves, so this place is a victorious place, and the devil and enemies will be completely trampled underfoot. Are you willing to be someone who gives up your most precious things for God? If you are willing, I congratulate you, you have become a victorious person, and the devil can no longer control you!

Why are there still so many people among us who often call to say they are uncomfortable? It is all because their children are not doing well, their husbands are not doing well, or their businesses are not doing well, so they are uncomfortable. Unfortunately, no one has ever called to say they are uncomfortable because the kingdom of God is desolate. They are uncomfortable all day long for those broken things in the world, and they still think they are very victorious. In fact, that is a state of being rubbed on the ground by the devil, and they will definitely be uncomfortable. I rarely hear anyone say that they are suffering the pains of childbirth again for the kingdom of God. From today onwards, if you are uncomfortable, be uncomfortable for the kingdom of God, and that has God's glory.

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19)

Just like the Apostle Paul said, he suffered the pains of childbirth again for those brothers and sisters, because he could not bear to watch them being ravaged, oppressed, and controlled by the devil again. Why? It is because some people always have a reserved area in their hearts, always have something they are unwilling to give to God. All I can do is earnestly persuade you to not care and let go, but the choice is still yours. Some people also say that they owe God too much. In fact, it is not that you owe God, but that you owe yourself too much. Some people often make the wrong choices, and that is what they owe themselves.

In fact, God does not care about our stinky tofu. We are not even a dish in God's eyes. Don't think you are a dish. I will tell you something from the bottom of my heart. Don't misunderstand what I say, or you will be in trouble. Don't think that I have done the right thing. The voice in my heart often thinks that I have not done enough, often thinks that I have not done it right. I feel that I have not offered enough for God, and I always feel that I should give more. It seems that I have not given the most precious to God, so if I have anything more precious, I will offer it to God again.

In the past years, I often thought that I did not understand, so I have come to this day. Even today, I often struggle with some things, that is, I don't know where to go in the future, where to break through. Of course, we cannot stay at the current stage, but some theology has remained at the stage of three hundred years ago, and that theology of three hundred years ago is still regarded as a treasure today. We must still strive to pursue, so I always feel indebted when I serve my brothers and sisters. I serve you not for anything else, but to serve willingly and gladly as if serving God, because this is what God has entrusted to me.

In the future, when I come before God, I can be praised by God as a faithful and good servant, not only called but also chosen. I don't want to fail, and I don't want to let myself fail because someone else is not doing well enough. It will be a little difficult for you to overthrow me. Even if I am contradicted or despised, it is for God's sake, and it is nothing.

Because I want to possess the gates of my enemies and rub the devil and enemies on the ground, I must start to stand firm and stand in God's grace. It is not by my own strength, but by God, which is infinitely good. The road we are running today is full of all kinds of tests. Every time we encounter a test or feel uncomfortable, we must choose to be victorious. Brothers and sisters, start telling God, I want to possess the gates of my enemies, I want to offer the most precious, which is infinitely good!

May God bless everyone!

Genesis Chapter 22

22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
22:2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
22:5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
22:7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
22:8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
22:9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
22:11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
22:12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
22:15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time
22:16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
22:18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
22:19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
22:20 Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to Nahor, your brother:
22:21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
22:22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.”
22:23 (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
22:24 Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.