Revelation 3:14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:”
The word ‘Amen’ has collectively been seen as a conclusive statement at the end of a prayer. Defined with the phrase “so be it”, the term has been used as a form of stamp or seal of affirmation.
Throughout the Bible, we see a revelation of the nature and character of God. Many times and in many places this revelation is given through His name. It intrigues me when God uses a term such as ‘Amen‘ as a term for Jesus like we see in Revelation 3. I believe the more we understand the reasons for using such terms, the more we will be able to peer into the vast expanse of God’s revelation of Himself. The further we see into who God is, the more we will understand meaning to life, we will understand the order by which He created it, and we will know why He has lavished such love toward His people.
Deuteronomy 27:11 “And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying, “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin; and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.“
In Deuteronomy 27 we see a series of accusations and curses followed by an expectation of response from the people.
“And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’
This pattern of commandment followed by an acknowledgement of the people was like sitting down to sign a contract. By acknowledging and signing it, you affirm that you understand and accept the conditions being applied. The contract was the covenant God made with Abraham. God upheld His agreement, the people flourished and the promised land was where God had planned to establish them, the expectation now is that the people uphold it as well.
The conclusive statement in verse 26 went on to say: “‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ ”
Amen—So be it. When two parties made a covenant agreement, they joined together and identified with each other. Covenants involved families and bloodlines, God was often brought in as charge over the agreement, therefore they were not easily broken.
Covenants between men were often symbolized by the slaughtering of one or more animals, to symbolize what would occur if one were to break the solemn agreement. Jacob and Laban, David and Jonathon, or Abraham and Abimelech all formed such agreements.
Genesis 31-50-54 “If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob swear by the fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.”
These covenants between people were often honored in subsequent generations out of respect for the men who forged the ties before them.
Covenants between man and God took on a whole different level of importance.
Hebrews 6:13 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself”
When God made a covenant agreement with Abraham, it was unconditional. Abraham had already proven himself faithful, there were no other expectations placed upon him that God required. The Covenant God made with David in 1 Chronicles 17 had no stipulations either.
Covenant agreements have shaped nations and history from the dawn of time. When Adam and Eve were cast forth from the Garden of Eden, the curse of sin had taken hold of all Creation. The Covenant of God’s law became paramount for how mankind was expected to live. It was an impossible task that made men subservient to a system that reflected the Holiness of God which was impossible to attain.
The Covenant of Grace was made manifest through Jesus Christ. What had been impossible had now become possible. A reprieve had been given, God had upheld His bargain and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God was made. The old Adam which brought death was replaced by the new Adam which brought life.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
The Final Word was given by Jesus….It is Finished. The Covenant agreement had been carried by God alone. For those who follow Jesus they have been given a spiritual heritage as heirs of Abraham and likewise, heirs of the promise—the expectation is now to uphold it.
Whatever God starts…He finishes. What He has begun in you, He will see to completion. No matter what the world says, no matter how dismal the prospect of your future might seem, God’s plans will not change.
When the final contract is concluded, it is Jesus–the great Amen, who will have endorsed your life for eternity. It was by His perfection, it was sealed by His blood, and it was by His obedience by which we have been kept within this sacred covenant we call Salvation.
Jesus is the author. You are His tablet. He will write your story if you let Him.
When you step out in obedience to God’s leading you are declaring your Amen. The Lord spoke, you agreed, and now your life is a representation of your faith.
He has promised great things for those who obey. One day we will get to see the fulfillment of all those promises.
U.T. 