The Fear of the Lord—The Book of Revelation
This week we will cover Revelation 14:9-12. As we are told repeatedly in Scripture, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, so let us embrace this as the wisdom that it is.
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
"he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger. He will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
"And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
One warning about the last generation is that they can only hear things that “tickle their ears” or make them feel good (see II Timothy 4:3-4). It is hard to imagine a generation that better fits that description than the one now emerging. They have been conditioned to reject, and even be offended by, anything that challenges the humanistic propaganda they have been fed through education, entertainment, and the media. Previous generations have had their own fits of worldliness and carnality, but never have we seen the kind of violence and outrage that the emerging generation displays toward ideas that challenge their safe spaces and comfort zones. Such a “safe place” mentality could not be a more dangerous place, and this will ultimately lead to the most terrible consequences of all.
Is there anything we can do to help those in such eternal jeopardy? Yes, we can do what Jesus exhorted His followers to do at the end of this age:
1) Stand up
2) Look up
3) Rejoice
Let’s look at how these can help those trapped in the great veil of deception called “political correctness” that is being cast in these times.
Stand up:
We must be bold with the truth and not be affected by how our boldness and clarity will offend many today. It will bring accusations and persecution, but this is an honor and glory for all who follow the King. Find one thing Jesus said or did for which He was not attacked. He said that His followers would be treated the same way. He told us to expect the same if we abide in Him and speak His truth. We are told that “all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (see II Timothy 3:12). Therefore, we should be alarmed if we are not getting accused, slandered, and persecuted. Stand up!
Look up:
If we know that God approves of us, then we should not care what anyone else on earth thinks. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If I were still seeking the approval of men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (see Galatians 1:10). If we have seen the King on His throne, how can we be impressed with or fear any man? The fear of man, or seeking the approval of men, is the number one factor that will compromise or nullify our service to the King. Look up to Him, not down at men.
Rejoice:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (see Nehemiah 8:10). If our joy is centered in the Lord and His approval, not man’s, we will be strong in the faith and for the truth. Never let anything steal your joy in the Lord.
If we have the true and holy fear of the Lord, then we will not fear anything or anyone else on earth. Therefore, to live in the holy fear of God is the greatest liberation from the shackles the world would try to put on us.
The only hope for the emerging generation to be free from the shackles of fear and conformity is to see the bold strength of those not bound by it—those who do not live in the fear of man, or anything. Their King's perfect love casts out all perverted, evil fear.