Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do You Overcome Satan's Accusation?

   Just like Christian in Pilgrim's Progress our journey isn't always smooth sailing.  On the contrary, John Bunyan shows us through his allegorical tale that we will often meet trials and accusations that hurl us into either the Slough of Despond or Doubting Castle. Through Christian's journey we learn that we are in a spiritual battle against God's enemy.  

Sunset this week on our bay.

   John Bunyan was born in England in 1628, and in a biography that I have called To Be a Pilgrim, I learned that Pilgrim's Progress is in part his own spiritual biography. He much like Christian was loaded down with feelings that God couldn't forgive him because as a young man he was pretty wild and blasphemed God continually.  

    And during this time in England it was against the law to meet outside of the Church of England.  God led him to meet a minister named John Gifford, who was a Nonconformist,  and his group of believers met a lot like the early churches did in Acts. Through this man's personal story of salvation, John was brought to believe that the Lord could save even him!

     Though just a poor mender of pots and pans, John had a natural gift for preaching.  When believers gathered together in their homes, John would often talk to them about the Bible.  Eventually John ended up going to court for preaching without being ordained.  He was actually in prison for 12 years, and it was during this time that he wrote his beautiful, enduring classic Pilgrim's Progress.   

    After three months in prison John could have been released if he would promise never to preach again, but he couldn't.  At that time he had three children and a young wife, and his oldest child was blind.  I think he must have often felt the fiery darts of Satan, that he writes about.  It doesn't take too long to find out that God's enemy is cruel and fights against us at every turn.   

    This past week I read a Life-Study on Revelation 12  and there's a verse in this chapter  on how to overcome Satan:  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their soul life even unto death.  Revelation 12:11

     In chapter 36 of the Life-Study of Revelation Witness Lee gives practical help how to deal with the Devil's accusation.  He explains that the difference between condemnation and accusation is that after our conscience condemns us for doing something wrong and we confess it, we should have peace in our heart.  If we still feel like there's a barrier between us and God,  then we are probably under Satan's accusation.  I really got help from the excerpts on pages 428-429 on how to deal with these accusations:

"The blood of the Lamb, which is for our redemption answers before God all the accusations of the Devil against us and gives us the victory over him….If you have done wrong, you need to clear it, but do not take the accusations of the enemy….Rather, you must say, 'Lord, cover my conscience, thoughts, and realizations with Your prevailing blood.  Your blood defeats the enemy.'…Any apparent condemnation that does not stop after we have confessed and applied the blood must be of the Devil. Once we realize this, we should tell Satan, 'Stop! I will not confess anymore. This is not me; it is you. Devil, this is not God's enlightenment--it is your accusation. I am not perfect, but you must realize that I am under the blood of the Lamb, and the blood is my perfection. Don't you realize that I am under the blood?  I am one of the brothers who overcomes you, not because of my perfections, but by the blood of the Redeemer'"(Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1976, Print). 

I've had to come back to this many, many times.  This word has become the sword of the Spirit that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6.  I've learned over the years that it's very important to speak the truth when the enemy's arrows are flying.

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?

Other Posts on Men/Women From Church History:

G. H. Pember - Why are There Two Trees in Genesis 2 Anyway?
On George Mueller  - From the Life-Study of Philippians - What's the Theme of the Bible?   
On Martin Luther, Johann Guttenberg, Moravian Brethren,Watchman Nee -  Why Did God Abolish the Ordinances in Ephesians 2:15?
On Watchman Nee & Witness Lee -  What is the Mystery of Christ in Ephesians 5:32?  
On M.E. Barber  - What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?
On John Newton - God's Love in 1 John 4 Seen in the Life of John Newton
On the Apostle John  - Touching Account From Church History on the Apostle John

The Best Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce

   BBQ sauces can be tricky to make from scratch.  And  this one is definitely one of the best I've ever made. In fact, during the past month I made it twice.  This recipe is from my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook. 

Both times I cooked it a bit longer and at a lower temperature than called for in  the recipe.   We all liked how tender and full of flavor the chicken was.   I served this chicken with my Aunt Janie's baked beans, some mashed potatoes, and cole slaw.  That's one of my favorite dinners!

Homemade Chicken  BBQ Sauce - Enough for 12-16 pieces

1.  Prepare vegetables:
(1)  Mince 2 cloves of garlic
(2)  Dice 1 small stalk of celery.

2.  In a saucepan mix together and then simmer for 10 minutes:
(1)  1 cup of ketchup and  1/4 cup of salsa
(2) 2 T Worcestershire sauce, 2 T brown sugar, 1 T dry mustard,  and 1 t salt, 

3.  Prepare chicken:  
(1)  Skin 12 pieces of chicken and put into a 9 x 13 pan and bake for 30 minutes at 325.
(2)  Drain off any liquid.
(3)  Spoon the BBQ sauce over the chicken and bake at 250-275  for 1 1/2-2 hours.

List of other  recipes with chicken legs/thighs on this blog:

Asian:
Gluten Free Soy Sauce Chicken   (Modified from Internet search)
Tasty Gluten Free Filipino Chicken Adobo  (Modified from Internet search)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Italian & Greek:
Chicken Souvlaki   (Marinade for chicken from my son-in-law)
Gluten Free Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms  (Modified from my mother-in-law's recipe) 
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Mexican:
Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter's family)

American Favorites:
Amazing BBQ Chicken    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Oven Fried Chicken   (From my sister-in-law)
Fantastic Gluten Free Chicken Kabobs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Great for Summer BBQ - Lemon Rosemary Chicken Legs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Country Apple Chicken  (From my church cookbook Come & Dine)

How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?

    Revelation ends with a detailed description of the New Jerusalem. I've learned from my reading of the Life-Study of Revelation that as a book of signs, the New Jerusalem portrays God's spiritual building with His redeemed people.  This is very apparent in Revelation 3:12:

He who overcomes, I will make Him a pillar in the temple of my God…And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, The New Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from My God and My new name.  

I enjoyed Witness Lee's explanation of about this writing  on pages 372-373 in chapter 32 of the Life-Study of Revelation:  

The writing of the name of God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and the new name of the Lord upon us actually refers to the working of God into us, to the working of the New Jerusalem into our being, and to the working of the attributes of Christ into us as His new expression. Eventually, through His working, these three names will be written upon us….The New Jerusalem is the ultimate consummation of God's working in both the old creation and in the new. Every book must have a conclusion. Although a book may contain many things, the final word is the most important word. What is the conclusion of the Bible?  It is God's ultimate consummation, the holy city, New Jerusalem, as God's eternal habitation (Lee. Witness. Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1976, Print).

   The heart of his sharing in this chapter is on how God makes us this holy city by His transformation work.  He uses his classic illustration of petrified wood to explain how God accomplishes this.  In our natural man we are just like wood, and as we drink the Lord in His word, Christ flows into our heart like water.  And by this divine flowing, our natural element is being replaced in the same way that the minerals in water turn wood into stone.  He says that you could write on this stone--petrified wood.  

   I saw through my reading that God's flowing Himself into our hearts enables Him to write on our hearts.   He said maybe so far God has only written N-e-w J-e-r-u-s  on your heart. But bit by bit every letter of the holy city, God, and our own unique name will be written on us. And probably what stood out to me the most was when brother Lee tied all of this fellowship to Revelation 22:17 which gives the key to this transforming and writing work:  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come!  And let him who hears say, Come!  And let him who is thirsty come; let him who wills take the water of life freely.

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?

Red Quinoa, Black Bean & Corn Salad

I like quinoa.  Not only is it gluten free, but it's full of protein--in fact 6 grams in 1/4 cup!  One of our international students had a nutrition assignment--they needed to eat a grain they never ate before.   So we went to Trader Joe's and looked at all the grains, and we found this bag of red quinoa with a yummy sounding recipe on the back. 

 We were all looking forward to trying something new.  Instead of the cilantro dressing it called for I used my son-in-laws balsamic.  It was a great side salad to go along with the chimichangas I made for Cinco de Mayo .  This is a great recipe for  adding any of your own favorite summer vegetables. 

This salad was the perfect side!

Red Quinoa, Black Bean & Corn Salad - for 6

1.  Prepare black beans - You can also make these the night before:   
(1)  Soak 1 cups of black beans.overnight. 
(2)   In the morning drain and add water to cover.  
(3)  Add 1 t of chili powder and 1 t of salt and cook until tender about 1 1/2 hours.  Watch them to make sure they have enough water. 
Note:   You can also just use a can of black beans, but I like to make my own beans. 

2.  Prepare red quinoa:  
(1)  Cook 1 cup of red quinoa in 2 cups of broth.  
(2)  First bring to a boil and then reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. 
(3)   Put in a small  bowl and let the quinoa cool.
(4)  Toss with a bit of olive oil, 1 t salt salt and 1/2 t of black pepper. 

3.  Prepare vegetables:
(1)  Cut 1 avocado in cubes.
(2)  Slice 1 cup of grape tomatoes (or I used cherry) in half.
(3)  Dice 1/2 cup of a red onion.
(4)  Chop 1/2 bunch of cilantro

4.  Combine vegetables - In a medium sized bowl put:
(1)   The drained black beans, 1 can of corn kernels, avocado, tomatoes, and onion.
(2)  Toss with enough balsamic vinaigrette to coat:   This is a recipe my son-in-law came up with (He's half Italian):  1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/2 t salt, 1/2 t black pepper, 1/2 t dried oregano, and 2 cloves of minced garlic.  

5.  Assemble salad before serving:  Put the red quinoa into a salad bowl and toss with the vegetables.  Then stir in the cilantro.  Taste and add any additional dressing.  

List of Other Salads on this Blog:

Greens/cabbage:
Make it Yourself Thai Peanut Dressing for Mandarin Salad  (My friend Judi's recipe)
KFC Copycat Cole Slaw   (A friend shared this with me)
Belizean Coleslaw    (From Internet search)
Antioxidant Rich Kale Super Salad  (A copycat from a deli, dressing from Syre School Cookbook)

Main Dish Salads
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (A remake from something I ate at a restaurant)

Mexican Grilled Salmon & Mango Salad   (From a Betty Crocker summer cookbook)
Jackson Square Shrimp Salad   (From my Syre School cookbook)

Pasta & Quinoa:
Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad  (Something I picked up over 20 years ago!)
Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad Bowls   (From an Internet search)
Michelle's Greek Quinoa Salad   (My foodie daughter's own delicious creation!) Another Great Salad with Quinoa - Janah's  Original Quinoa, Cranberry & Feta Salad  (a recipe my daughter came up with)

Vegetable:
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Grandma's Perfect Potato Salad   (Family recipe)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad   (From a Chinese friend)
A Great BBQ side Salad - Curried Pea Salad  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Dot's Easy Bean Salad  (Recipe from an  83 yr old friend of my father's)

Fruit:
Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad  (My mother-in-law's recipe)

From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1?

   The Lord told us that He would return. But if we're not a careful student of the word, we may think that the rapture of the believers has nothing to do with our Christian life.    I learned from the Life-Study of Revelation that how we live actually matters a lot!   

     In chapters 27-30 Witness Lee presents a comprehensive study on the rapture by bringing together verses from Daniel 9, Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4, and Revelation 12 and 14.  The truths he presents in these chapters are both eye-opening and sobering.  Here's one of the verses on rapture he covered that's in Revelation: 
   

 And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand having His name and he name of His Father written on their foreheads…These were purchased from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.    Revelation 14:1, 4b

    He says that sometimes people might think that in order to prepare for the Lord's coming all they need to do is just read the Bible and pray.  In these chapters he gives a very balanced view about the Lord's coming.  This section on pages 344-345 in chapter 29 of the Life-Study of Revelation touched me a lot:

"As those who are waiting for the Lord's coming back, we must have a proper living without being snared by anything.  Our heart is on nothing but the Lord Jesus. However, this does not mean that we do not study, conduct business, and take care of daily chores, such as cleaning.  Do not say, why must I keep my clothes neat and clean?...I have the assurance that many young people have this attitude.  They do not even make their beds in the morning considering it to be a waste of time....Their sloppiness may delay the Lord's coming back.  The Lord may tell them, 'You must learn to make your bed early in the morning, comb your hair, and shine your shoes.  Then you must arrange all your books in good order'....We must learn to be diligent, keeping everything in good order....However, when the Lord says, 'Behold I come quickly,' we must be able to forget everything….We are normal people living a normal life, but nothing of this life can touch us….These two sides of the matter will force us to be one with the Lord" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1976, Print).

From reading this chapter I learned that not only are we those who love the Lord and seek Him, but we're also living a normal daily life in the light of the Lord's appearing.  This  fellowship has helped give me a more balanced view of the Lord's coming.

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?

Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies

 Yummy is the best way to describe these whoopee pies!   Sandwiched between two layers of rich chocolate is a delicious custard filling.  This recipe is from a friend's mother.   I made these on May 1 for a fun Friday night dessert.  They were a big hit! 

Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies

Makes 14 Large 

1.  Mix together 1/2 cup of cocoa with 1/2 cup of hot water and stir to combine. 

2.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a medium-sized mixing bowl put:
(1)  2 2/3 cup of gluten free flour-- I used 1 cup or rice flour, 1 cup of sorghum flour, and 2/3 cup of tapioca flour.
(2)  Stir in 1 t of baking powder, 1 t of baking soda, and 1/2 t of salt.

3.  Prepare sour milk:  Put 1 t of milk into 1/2 cup of milk and let it sit for at least  5 minutes.

4.  In a large mixing bowl put:
(1)  Cream together 1/2 cup butter with 1 1/2 cups of sugar.  
(2)  Then add  2 eggs ONE at a time and beat well after each.
(3)  Add the 1/2 cup of cocoa and beat in.

5.  Combine ingredients:  Add alternately to the creamed butter and cocoa mixture the flour and the 1/2 cup of sour milk.  

6.  Baking:  Drop these cookies by the tablespoon onto a greased baking sheet or parchment paper.  Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.  

Whoopie Pie Filling

1.  In a small saucepan put:
(1)  3/4 cup of milk and whisk into it 3 T of rice flour.
(2)  Cook a few minutes until thickened and then take off the stove.

2.  Cream together: 1/2 cup of butter with 1/2 cup of sugar.  (The original recipe calls for 3/4 cup of butter and 3/4 cup of sugar, but I'm always reducing!)

3.  Combine:  Add the cooled milk mixture to the creamed butter/sugar and beat until light and fluffy.

4.  Make whoopie pies:  Put about a tablespoon on one side and spread it with a spatula.  Then add the top.

What is the Controlling Vision of the Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?

   Although the Bible was written over a period of almost 1,600 years by more than 40 writers, it has one controlling vision.  Does this not amaze you?  It's pretty remarkable and proves that the Bible is the inspired Word of God because who else could have done that?  

   I was a college student when I heard that Genesis 1 and 2 mirror Revelation 21 and 22.  After God created man in Genesis 2:7, the biblical record turns in verses 10-14 to describe certain aspects of the area around the Garden of Eden. 

In verse 9 it mentions gold was there and in verse 10 that bdellium (a pearl-like material produced by tree resin), and onyx stone were also there.  While reading you may think what does that have to do with anything, and then just keep reading. 

   It wasn't until I heard Witness Lee share this Life-Study of Revelation that I saw the connection here.  Flip to Revelation 21, in verse 18 it says the city was pure gold and in verse 21 that the street was pure gold.  Then also in verse 21 it says that each gate was a pearl, and in verse 19-20 it says that the walls of the city were precious stones (just like onyx is the precious stone mentioned in Genesis).

   On page 269 in chapter 22 of the Life-Study of Revelation he explains this:

At the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, we have the tree of life and the flowing river producing gold, bdellium (pearl), and precious stones (Gen. 2:9-12).  At the end of the Bible, in Revelation, we have a city built with these precious materials, with gold, pearl, and precious stones (Rev. 21).  Hence, the whole Bible is for God's eternal purpose of securing His eternal dwelling place by dispensing Himself as life into His chosen ones.  This is the governing vision (Lee, Witness.  Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, Print 1976).  

In this chapter he mentioned on page 267 that the controlling view of the Bible is God's building.  And without seeing this, it's really hard to understand the Bible. I've learned through hearing and reading these Life-Studies that in order to understand this vision you have to connect it to what both Paul and Peter share in their epistles that God is building a spiritual house (Ephesians 2:22; 1 Peter 2:5). Like all the other books of the Bible, Revelation focuses mostly on how God finally gains His building!!

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?

Jackson Square Shrimp Salad

  Sometimes when I scan my cookbooks, certain ones catch my eye.  Last summer I saw this recipe for Jackson Square Salad in my Syre School Cookbook. On Mondays I usually make a fish dish, and so on the beautiful 70 degree day we had last week, I decided to make this salad.

    I tweaked it a bit because I didn't have any crab, tomatoes, or roquefort cheese, so I made some comparable adjustments which you will see below.  This entire bowl of salad  was eaten by 5 people!  I think that's the biggest compliment I could have gotten!

     There was a dressing that went with this salad that I will list below, but I used a balsamic dressing that my son-in-law came up with, and it went perfectly and brought out all the flavors.

Jackson Square Shrimp Salad

1.  Prepare lettuce:  Wash 1 head of green leaf lettuce, spin, and then tear into bite-sized pieces.

2.  Prepare vegetables/fruit:
(1)  Cube 1 large avocado.
(2)  Recipe calls for  2 tomatoes cut into quarters, but I didn't have any so  I cubed 1 1/2-2 cups of papaya.
(3)  Dice up 1/2 cup of red onion.  I added this to the recipe.
(4)  Slice 12 olives (I didn't add, so you can decide if you want olives in it or not)

3.  Boil 2 hard cooked eggs.  Chop or slice according to your preference.

4.  Prepare salad:
(1)  Put the lettuce in the bottom of a large salad bowl.
(2)  Top with tomatoes or papaya.
(3)  Scatter red onion over the top.
(4)  Sprinkle 1/4 pound of baby shrimp over the top. (I used a bit more, so add what you like!)
(5)  Then add 2 oz of roquefort cheese or feta over the top.
(6)  Arrange sliced eggs around the edge.

List of Other Salads on this Blog:

Greens/cabbage:
Make it Yourself Thai Peanut Dressing for Mandarin Salad  (My friend Judi's recipe)
KFC Copycat Cole Slaw   (A friend shared this with me)
Belizean Coleslaw    (From Internet search)
Antioxidant Rich Kale Super Salad  (A copycat from a deli, dressing from Syre School Cookbook)

Main Dish Salads
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (A remake from something I ate at a restaurant)

Mexican Grilled Salmon & Mango Salad   (From a Betty Crocker summer cookbook)
Jackson Square Shrimp Salad   (From my Syre School cookbook)

Pasta & Quinoa:
Tasty Gluten Free Pasta Salad  (Something I picked up over 20 years ago!)
Vietnamese Vermicelli Salad Bowls   (From an Internet search)
Michelle's Greek Quinoa Salad   (My foodie daughter's own delicious creation!) Another Great Salad with Quinoa - Janah's  Original Quinoa, Cranberry & Feta Salad  (a recipe my daughter came up with)

Vegetable:
Jeremy D's Sensational Greek Salad   (My son-in-law's recipe)

Grandma's Perfect Potato Salad   (Family recipe)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad   (From a Chinese friend)
A Great BBQ side Salad - Curried Pea Salad  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Dot's Easy Bean Salad  (Recipe from an  83 yr old friend of my father's)

Fruit:
Grandma Marilyn's Frozen Fruit Salad  (My mother-in-law's recipe)

What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?

      C. S. Lewis and Tolkien must have learned how to write their allegories from the book of Revelation. To be honest I don't always understand the symbolism in the Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings.  In the same way, the symbolism in Revelation can be baffling at times.  And I'd be totally lost understanding the book of Revelation without the enlightening chapters of this Life-Study!

At the bay  yesterday with two of my grandkids.

     Last week I read chapter 18 that covered Revelation 5 which portrays the heavenly scene after the Lord's ascension.  As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God, Christ is presented here as the One who is worthy to open the scroll, which contains the mysteries of the universe.  When the Lord receives this scroll, we see a scene rich in symbolism:

And when He took the scroll, the four living creatures and at the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb; each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which bowls are the prayers of the saints.  Revelation 5:8 

   I like this excerpt on the bowls and incense given on page 228:  The bowls are "the prayers of the saints" brought to God by the angelic elders (cf. 8:3-4), whereas the incense is Christ added to the saints' prayers. That these worshipers are holding the bowls means that they, as priests, are ministering to God by bringing the saints' prayers to Him. This reveals that before the Christians become priests in the millennial kingdom, the twenty-four elders are priests today (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Revelation. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1976, Print). 

    In this heavenly scene we see how important our prayers are for the fulfillment of God's purpose.  And in the cross reference in Revelation 8 that verse says:  And the smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of the saints out of the hand of the Angel before God.   The footnote in my Recovery Version of the New Testament (You can order your free study Bible that has over 13,000 helpful footnotes). says that the incense is Christ with all of His merit added to the believers' prayers so that they would be acceptable to God. Without Christ added to our prayers, they're worthless.  And in another footnote I learned that only the prayers that cause the incense to rise are effective.  

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Revelation and some excellent commentary on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. 

Other Posts on the Book of  Revelation:
What is the Focus of the Book of Revelation?
What Does the Book of Revelation Show Us About Loving the Lord?
What Does Revelation 4:11 Tell Us About the Purpose of God's Creation?
What are the Golden Bowls of Incense in Revelation 5:8?
What is the Controlling Vision of he Bible Seen in the Book of Revelation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - What are the Two Sides of Rapture Seen in Revelation 14:1
How Does Transformation Produce the New Jerusalem Mentioned in Revelation 3:12?
Taking a Look at Revelation 12:11 - How Do you Overcome Satan's Accusation?
From the Life-Study of Revelation - The Connection Between Revelation & Ephesians 
Why is There is A Rainbow Around God's Throne in Revelation 4:3?
How Do you Get Ready for the Marriage of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-8?