“These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” —Revelation 3:14
THINK ABOUT IT
The English language is full of expressions that we use to describe something that is absolutely certain. For example we have expressions like “you can count on it” or “you can take it to the bank.”
There was a time when “a handshake between gentleman” was all that was needed to negotiate a deal. In fact that was how my father bought our first home. He never even changed the title to prove that he owned the house, so sure was he of the integrity of Mr. Bailey, the man he bought it from. At my father’s death the only proof we had that any deal had been struck was the existence of the bank book where each payment was faithfully recorded. Happily for us, Mr. Bailey’s sons were as honourable as their father. But those were different times. Any deals made today require a battery of lawyers, credit checks, bank, personal and business references, and endless signatures before witnesses to guarantee that a deal has been struck.
While we operate on a level of distrust, God operates on a much different level when He makes a promise. The “Amen” is His “handshake between gentlemen”. He said it and that’s the way it is.
In fact, in both the Old Testament and the New, “Amen” means such things as “sure, faithful, firm, trustworthy, true”, and our most common translation of the word: “so be it”.
In the scriptures the “amen” becomes a sort of extra emphasis just so that the reader understands how sure and certain the deal is.
Read the following verses. What is being emphasized that deserves an “AMEN” or a “so be it”? (There are some doubles!)
What do you think the writers are counting on when they add “Amen” to their statements about God?
They are sure that what they have written about God is true, based on what God has said about Himself and what He does, things which these writers have, in many cases, experienced personally. Paul understands that men don’t always live up to their end of the “gentlemen’s agreement” but God always does.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:18-22. What is Paul saying here about men? About God?
Paul says that God is faithful. Who proved that faithfulness according to Paul? And what is the result of this faithfulness as applied to us?
John says that same thing in Revelation 3:14. If the “AMEN” said so, then that is exactly what will happen. He is faithful and will keep His promises
PRAY ABOUT IT
Express to the Lord your thanks for all the things you can trust Him with because He is the “so be it” the “Amen”, the guarantee that what He says He will do.
ACT ON IT
God wasn’t the only one to say “amen”. The “Amen” was used in doing business between mankind and his God throughout the Old Testament. The trouble always was that on man’s part, the handshake was sometimes rather shaky and insincere.
Look up the following references. What “business deals” were going on?
Deuteronomy 27:9-26
1 Chronicles 16:1-36
Nehemiah 5:1-13
Is there “business” that you have done with God where your part of the “gentlemen’s agreement” hasn’t been kept?
Read 1 John 1:9. What is the promise mentioned here that is “Amen” in Christ?
If there are issues between you and the One on the other side of the handshake, confess them. The best part of the deal is that even when we are not faithful in keeping our end of the bargain, God is!
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