The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness

June 6, 2007

Dear Friend of Mary Craig Ministries,

Writing unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, Jesus says, "These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know your works…" (Revelation 3.14, 15a) Here is something we desperately lack today--a faithful and true witness, someone who has integrity, someone we can trust.

Most of us have been betrayed sometime or other in our lives. We find ourselves in what should be a trusted relationship, and wham, shock and denial. We fall in a heap on the floor. Sometimes we make a promise to ourselves that we will never trust anyone again ever. (This, of course, is what the devil wants!)

Who can we trust? "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20.6) Sooner or later, we find out we cannot even trust ourselves, as the Scripture says. "He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered." (Proverbs 28.26)

Jesus Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness. Now "amen" derives from a Hebrew root word meaning "to build up or support," "to nourish or make strong." "Amen"(avmh.n) means to be firm or faithful, to trust or believe. It means to be true or certain. So, we say, "Amen" to mean "let it be granted, let it be done, let it be unalterably so." Jesus said, "avmh.n avmh.n le,gw soi," "truly, truly I say unto you…". "Amen" means "surely, of a truth, truly…" or "assuredly," or "absolutely" or "I solemnly declare to you…" And then a truth would be confirmed. At the close of a statement, "Amen" is used to mean "so it is, so be it, let it be as you said."

Deuteronomy 7.9 "Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." "Faithful God" literally means "God the Amen."

1 Kings 1.34-36 King David comes up with a plan, to which Benaiah answers, "Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too." This is agreement. The people showed their agreement to the reading of the law and especially the praise of God with an "Amen" in Nehemiah 8.3-6. Paul sometimes concluded his letters with "Amen," as in 1 Corinthians 16.24 and Galatians 6.18. Sometimes there is a double Amen, as in Psalm 41.11-13, Psalm 72.17-20; Romans 1.25; 9.5; 11.36.

Jesus is the Amen, the faithful God, God the Amen. He knows my works. He is the First and Last and wields a sharp two-edged sword. He can always be trusted to say and do what is true.

There is nothing wishy-washy about Jesus Christ. He doesn't waffle on the issues. He doesn't go political on us. He doesn't change. He has integrity. That means He is incorruptible, complete and undivided, and firmly adheres to what He knows to be true. There is no duplicity, no hypocrisy, no double-mindedness, no masks, no cover-ups. He is the same in private as He is in public.

Jesus' words are true. He is the faithful and true witness. Everything He says and does is a show and tell about the Father. He gives an exact representation. (John 14.8, 9) Jesus is faithful and true in all His dealings, in all His declarations. He honors His commitments, does not mislead, follows through on His promises, carries out obligations, keeps the laws and ways of God faultlessly, is never wrong in His opinions, and knows your works.

He knows you. He knows everything about you. And when He tells you something in His Word, when He makes you a promise, you can rely on it. He will tell you like it is. He won't lie to you, even if listening to truth may be painful or challenging to your current beliefs. He doesn't make idle threats; so you need to pay attention.

Jesus Christ has integrity. If truth leads to persecution, slander, getting a bad rap in the press, or even death, amen. You can trust Jesus with your life, go to Him for wise counsel, ask Him things and get a straight answer, lean on Him in hard times, and know He will not rake your heart over a cabbage grater when you tell Him your deepest thoughts, fears, dreams, joys, and feelings.

Jesus doesn't make mistakes. Dying on the cross for you and choosing to set His love upon you, to save you to the uttermost, wasn't a mistake. Forgiving your sins is to Him being "faithful and just" (1 John 1.9) because He has taken the penalty for your sins, borne the wrath of God, and defeated Satan on the cross. He bought you with His Blood. You can trust Him, truly.

As omnipotent Creator and gracious Redeemer, Jesus Christ faithfully undertakes to save His own, providing everything needed to live effectively. "The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil." (2 Thess.3.3) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly…Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it."
(1 Thess 5.23, 24) Even when we are unfaithful, Jesus remains faithful. He is true to His Word, and will keep it; therefore, we are to heed His counsel and hasten to let Him make us whole.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:
Be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3.19

The safest place to learn relationship is in your relationship with God in Christ. You will not be harmed; and you can give yourself to Christ fully without fear of being betrayed. Truly, it is so.

We praise God for your gifts that speak volumes of your generosity and dedication to Christ. Thank you!

Testifying to the Faithful Amen,

Mary Craig

P.S. July 21st we will have our next Barnabas distribution in Belle Glade, FL. Help us, please. Go to www.marycraig.org, for more on God's faithfulness. Order from our Catalog section, using PayPal Worship with us 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Grow and flourish in small group ministry at Craighouse®, located in the Pompano Plaza at 114 E. McNab Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Log on to www.craighouse.org for a map and more events and Bible studies. Reach MCM at 954-491-7270. Send in your prayer requests.

To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne,
Even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.
He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.
Revelation 3.21, 22