Rejoice Because Your Names Are Written In Heaven

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subjest to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because you names are written in heaven.” In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”  Luke 10:17-24

If your a Christian today, Look at what Jesus said we ought to be rejoicing in, not that we have authority in His name to overcome our enemies, but rather that we are citizens of His kingdom. And our names are written in heaven. Let’s have a closer look. They returned with joy—In this context, Jesus appears to be giving them a greater insight, “Don’t be so surprised that the demons are subject to you; I saw their commander Satan cast out of heaven, so it is no wonder if his minions are cast out on earth.” Two things I see here, first, Jesus is our authority. Without Him, we can do nothing: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Meaning God has already given believer’s total blessings through the grace resources given to us to live here on earth. The other point of view I see is, perhaps Jesus is reminding them don’t get too prideful. Warning them against pride, the same reason for Satan’s fall. Serpents and scorpians—These appear to be figurative terms for demonic powers. Rather than being so enthralled with extraordinary manifestations such as power over demons and the ability to work miracles, they should have realized that the greatest wonder of all is the reality of salvation—which is Jesus whole point of the gospel message delivered through these disciples, the central issue through which all the supernatural works of miracles point to.

Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit—Now this is an interesting phrase. He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. Have you ever rejoiced in the Spirit of God? When God’s Spirit is moving upon your heart, it’s exciting indeed. You feel so overwhelmed with a joy and peace that’s a remarkable work of His grace towards you. And so we read, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, “I thank You Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hid these things from the wise and the prudent, and You revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for it was good in Your sight. (Luke 10:21) And here is why Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, the working of God the Father in the hearts of men, enabling them to see a perspective that could not be seen by the hire-ups, if you will, the so called leaders in the synogogues. Jesus is looking at these simple men, fishermen, tax collectors, etc. He sees their excitement, they weren’t the rulers, the Pharisee’s in their synongogue’s. Just plain simple people. Exactly what Scriptures say are the ones God loves to reveal Himself to: Eye has not seen, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revaled them to us through the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) As the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to reveal these matters to us, our faith develops so we might access them by faith. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

No one knows who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son wills to reveal Him— No one knows who God really is, except those whom Jesus has revealed the truth of the Father to. No man can come to the Father, except he be drawn. So if you have been drawn to God through Jesus Christ, be thankful. Because unless there was that work of God’s Spirit in your life, you would still be in your sins, and eternally separated from God. And the Jesus said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see” (v.23) — How blessed we are to have this relationship with the One who created the heavens and the earth! And wants us to know Him: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) to have understanding of these things which pertain to God, which Jesus says, many prophets who did not live during the time of Jesus would have loved to have seen. Even the kings of the earth—We’re all familiar with the story of Herod, Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” (Matthew 2:7-8) Herod had actually wanted to kill the Christ Child, whom he saw as a potential threat to his throne.

Beloved friend, If any of you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have indeed experience with spiritual warfare. I have to admit, when I am being tempted, it is the first voice that usually wants to lead me astray, and the second voice I hear is from God’s Word. This indicates the working of the Spirit of God in my life. He will never leave me alone to face any adversity, but rather will bring to mind God’s Word. This pattern in my life is and indicator that I am a child of God, and that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Having said that, It is my conviction that I have’nt done enough warning to others, that the Lord’s return is soon. Those who are serving faithfully, steady on. Those who are not, need to return to their first love. The Lord delights to give heavenly spiritual insight to the humble of heart, and not to those who trust in their own wisdom might.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him!