The Reign of Christ | Tuesday 28 Nov 2023: Psalm 28; Zechariah 11:4-17; Revelation 19:1-9 ~ Jesus Christ, the Lord our God, reigns.

The Reign of Christ | Tuesday 28 Nov 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and
enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his
most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”

(Revelation 19:6)

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From Psalms: Psalm 28 – Carry Me · My Soul Among Lions

To You, O LORD, I lift my voice
My Rock, oh, be not deaf to me
But hear my cries and calls for help
Your silence is as death to me

I lift my hands up with my voice
And bring to You this urgent plea
Don’t drag me off with wicked men
But like a shepherd carry me

To all the men who speak false peace
Who plot against their nearest friend
And all those who forget their God
Oh, bring them to a bitter end

And all who lift their fists to God
Who having eyes refuse to see
Yes, give to them their due reward
But like a shepherd carry me

Now bless the LORD, my shield, my strength
Who hearkens to the mourner’s voice
In Him my soul will ever trust
In Him my heart will now rejoice

I lift my song up to His throne
For He has never lost His own
But seeks me out though far I flee
And like a shepherd carries me

My God, my Shepherd, carries me

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OT Reading: Zechariah 11:4-17 (NLT)

The Good and Evil Shepherds

11:4 This is what the Lord my God says: “Go and care for the flock that is intended for slaughter. The buyers slaughter their sheep without remorse. The sellers say, ‘Praise the Lord! Now I’m rich!’ Even the shepherds have no compassion for them. Likewise, I will no longer have pity on the people of the land,” says the Lord. “I will let them fall into each other’s hands and into the hands of their king. They will turn the land into a wilderness, and I will not rescue them.”

So I cared for the flock intended for slaughter—the flock that was oppressed. Then I took two shepherd’s staffs and named one Favor and the other Union. I got rid of their three evil shepherds in a single month.

But I became impatient with these sheep, and they hated me, too. So I told them, “I won’t be your shepherd any longer. If you die, you die. If you are killed, you are killed. And let those who remain devour each other!”

Then I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, showing that I had revoked the covenant I had made with all the nations. That was the end of my covenant with them. The suffering flock was watching me, and they knew that the Lord was speaking through my actions.

And I said to them, “If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.” So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.

Then I took my other staff, Union, and cut it in two, showing that the bond of unity between Judah and Israel was broken.

Then the Lord said to me, “Go again and play the part of a worthless shepherd. This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.

“What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd
who abandons the flock!
The sword will cut his arm
and pierce his right eye.
His arm will become useless,
and his right eye completely blind.”

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Shepherd – CityAlight (Breathe Back Ministries)

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NT Reading: Revelation 19:1-9 (NLT)

Songs of Victory in Heaven

19:1 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting,

“Praise the Lord!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.
His judgments are true and just.
He has punished the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality.
He has avenged the murder of his servants.”

And again their voices rang out:

“Praise the Lord!
The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”

Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord!”

And from the throne came a voice that said,

“Praise our God,
all his servants,
all who fear him,
from the least to the greatest.”

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Let us be glad and rejoice,
and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and his bride has prepared herself.
She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

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“Come Yeshua” by The Voice of One Calling, Hebrew, Arabic and English worship.

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers

- He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.
- May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighters from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.
- May He lead our enemies under our soldiers’ sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is the Lord your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Set free the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, as well as those who will restore Israel politically and spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Reign of Christ | Monday 27 Nov 2023: Psalm 28; Numbers 27:15-23; 2 Timothy 2:8-13 ~ Jesus Christ is a descendant of King David.

The Reign of Christ | Monday 27 Nov 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Always remember that Jesus Christ,
a descendant of King David,
was raised from the dead.
This is the Good News I preach.

(2 Timothy 2:8)

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From Psalms: Psalm 28 (Blessed Be the Lord) (feat. Benjamin Ady) – The Psalms Project

To You, O Lord, I call
Do not be deaf to me, my Rock
Lest if You be silent to me
I become like those who go down to the pit

Hear the voice of my plea for mercy
When I cry to You for help
When I lift my hands toward Your holy place

Draw me not away with the wicked
With the workers of evil who speak peace to their neighbors
While evil is in their hearts

Give them according to their works, the evil of their deeds
According to the work of their hands
Render unto them their just and due reward

For they do not regard the wonders of the Lord
Nor the work of His hands
He will tear them down and build them up no more
He will tear them down and build them up no more
No more

Blessed be the Lord
He has heard the voice of my plea for mercy
He is my strength and shield
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped

My heart exults and with my song I give thanks to Him
My heart exults and with my song I give thanks to Him

The Lord is the strength of His people
He is the saving refuge of His anointed
Save Your people! Bless Your children!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever
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OT Reading: Numbers 27:15-23 (NLT)

27:15 Then Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. When direction from the Lord is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the Lord—to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.”

So Moses did as the Lord commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses.

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התפילה לשלום חיילי צה״ל – The Prayer for the IDF Soldiers | Shai Abramson – Official Channel

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NT Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)

2:8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.

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Son of David – Ryan Ellis (ft. Brandon Lake)

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Traditional Prayer for IDF Soldiers

- He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God, from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.
- May the Almighty cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighters from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.
- May He lead our enemies under our soldiers’ sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is the Lord your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Reign of Christ | Sunday 26 Nov 2023: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95:1-7; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 ~ “as you did it to the least of these”

The Reign of Christ | Sunday 26 Nov 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these
my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me!’
(Matthew 25:40)

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Rejoice, the Lord Is King! – Norton Hall Band

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From the Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (NLT)

The Good Shepherd

34:11 “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!

34:20 “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!

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From Psalms: Psalm 95 – ‘Come let us’ | Half a Mile

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From the Epistles: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

1:15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

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“Above All” in Hebrew, Arabic & English (Live Worship, Jerusalem)

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Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)

The Final Judgment

25:31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

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Whatsoever You Do (To The Least Of My Brothers) – (klengs channel)

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen. (Benedict of Nursia)

+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. Amen. (Thomas à Kempis)

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After Pentecost | Saturday 25 Nov 2023: Psalm 100; Ezekiel 34:25-31; Matthew 12:46-50 ~ Do what the Sovereign Lord wants.

After Pentecost | Saturday 25 Nov 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people,
that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works,
they may be abundantly rewarded
when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus: “Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants
is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”

(Matthew 12:50)

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From Psalms: Psalm 100 – | (Enter In) Charity Gayle feat. Indiana Bible College

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OT Reading: Ezekiel 34:25-31 (NLT)

24:25 I will make a covenant with them that guarantees their security. I will get rid of all the dangerous animals in the land, so that my sheep can live safely in the fields and sleep in the forests.

“I will bless them and let them live around my sacred hill. There I will bless them with showers of rain when they need it. The trees will bear fruit, the fields will produce crops, and everyone will live in safety on his own land. When I break my people’s chains and set them free from those who made them slaves, then they will know that I am the Lord. The heathen nations will not plunder them any more, and the wild animals will not kill and eat them. They will live in safety, and no one will terrify them. I will give them fertile fields and put an end to hunger in the land. The other nations will not sneer at them any more. Everyone will know that I protect Israel and that they are my people. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken.

“You, my sheep, the flock that I feed, are my people, and I am your God,” says the Sovereign Lord.

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Holy One Of Israel – GC Worship (Ft. Jaclyn Belford)

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NT Reading: Matthew 12:46-50 (NLT)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

12:46 Jesus was still talking to the people when his mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside, asking to speak with him. So one of the people there said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak with you.”

Jesus answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look! Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”

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If Ye Love Me | Music by Thomas Tallis | SATB Choir with Lyrics – Sunday 7pm Choir

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on the Middle East, that your faithful people may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven,
bring us to reign with him in glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After Pentecost | Friday 24 Nov 2023: Psalm 100; Isaiah 40:1-11; Revelation 22:1-9 ~ Jesus is coming soon!

After Pentecost | Friday 24 Nov 2023

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon!
Happy are those who obey
the prophetic words in this book!”

(Revelation 22:7)

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From Psalms: Psalm 100 – Shout for Joy – Untiring Love | APC Music

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OT Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 (NLT)

Words of Hope

40:1 “Comfort my people,” says our God. “Comfort them!
Encourage the people of Jerusalem.
Tell them they have suffered long enough
and their sins are now forgiven.
I have punished them in full for all their sins.”

A voice cries out,
“Prepare in the wilderness a road for the Lord!
Clear the way in the desert for our God!
Fill every valley;
level every mountain.
The hills will become a plain,
and the rough country will be made smooth.
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people will see it.
The Lord himself has promised this.”

A voice cries out, “Proclaim a message!”
“What message shall I proclaim?” I ask.
“Proclaim that all human beings are like grass;
they last no longer than wild flowers.
Grass withers and flowers fade
when the Lord sends the wind blowing over them.
People are no more enduring than grass.
Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,
but the word of our God endures forever.”

Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain
and proclaim the good news!
Call out with a loud voice, Zion;
announce the good news!
Speak out and do not be afraid.
Tell the towns of Judah
that their God is coming!

The Sovereign Lord is coming to rule with power,
bringing with him the people he has rescued.
He will take care of his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs together
and carry them in his arms;
he will gently lead their mothers.

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Comfort, Comfort All My People – Koine

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NT Reading: Revelation 22:1-9 (NLT)

22:1 The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowing down the middle of the city’s street. On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Nothing that is under God’s curse will be found in the city.

The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. There shall be no more night, and they will not need lamps or sunlight, because the Lord God will be their light, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.

The Coming of Jesus

22:6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are true and can be trusted. And the Lord God, who gives his Spirit to the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen very soon.”

“Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”

I, John, have heard and seen all these things. And when I finished hearing and seeing them, I fell down at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things, and I was about to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do it! I am a servant together with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all those who obey the words in this book. Worship God!”

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Revelation Song – From the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem (2020) | International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, ICEJ