Fear God

So much has been said about God throughout the ages. The times we live in are no different. We hear people describe God and torturing and killing humanity and the sacrifice of Jesus was done so that His needs could be appeased. We also hear that God needs to be reminded of that which Jesus has done for us so that when sins are confessed that God will not punish us. There are others that says the death of Jesus was a payment to an offended God a God who is a cosmic executioner and that we need to be protected from Him. Also, the legal, or judgment sense described in Scripture are said to describe God as one who is coercive or intimidating. But, is this who God is? If scripture describes God as having a law by which He operates, and a legal system are we to discard them because people have described God through these biblical truths as a tyrant and blood thirst and therefore discard Him. Or should we not rather look at how the Scriptures express how God operates within His law and legal system.

The book of Revelation starts out “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This means that what we read in this book is to points us toward Jesus. It is to draw us to Him. To be drawn to Jesus cannot be done through force or threats as only love draws. so, can we find Jesus in the message of . As this is a verse that if not understood correctly can easily be misunderstood or can easily describe God as a dictator and one that coerces or forces us to worship Him on fear of pain and death. We need to be careful that when we read the Bible and it does not make sense in how God is described that we throw out that which we do not like. Instead we should undertake to better understand the original usage of words and ideas penned by the various writers of God Word also we need to make sure that we understand from scripture stand in unison with the rest of Scripture.

Many people have had taken offence to the wording of because there is some very strong language used such as “fear” and “judgment.” Due to these words people have said that God is only worshiped because we fear Him and the judgment.

is a verse that if not understood correctly can easily be understood or can easily describe God as a dictator and one that coerces or forces us to worship Him on fear of pain and death. We need to be careful that when we read the Bible and it does not make sense in how God is described that we throw our that which we do not like. Instead we should undertake to better understand the original usage of words and ideas penned by the various writers of God Word.

This single verse does not stand in isolation from the passage that precede it and follow it. When we look at , there is a description of a fearful system it is a system that originates from satan So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Satan goes out to deceive the whole world. It is his purpose to get people to believe in him through deception. Satan attempts to achieve this is described in Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. Satan give this beast power and authority.

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In it says that this beast will blaspheme against God, which mean to act as God or to take the place of God. continues to explain the means by which the beast will operate. It will make war with the saints and to overcome them. This system that is being described sounds very coercive and forceful. Kind of how God was described earlier.

Satan goes out to deceive the whole world. It is his purpose to get people to believe in him through deception. Satan attempts to achieve this is described in :1Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. Satan give this beast power and authority. In it says that this beast will blaspheme against God, which mean to act as God or to take the place of God. continues to explain the means by which the beast will operate. It will make war with the saints and to overcome them. This system that is being described sounds very coercive and forceful. Kind of how God was described earlier.

Satan continues his onslaught against God by raising another beast this time from the earth. This beast found in and is described as causing all those who dwell on the earth to worship the first beast. says, and he deceives those who dwell on the earth… Satan’s means of getting people to worship him is through a means of deceit, force, signs and wonders, persecution.

Aha: Disclosing the clue to resolution

Many people have had taken offence to the wording of because there is some very strong language used such as “fear” and “judgment.” Due to these words people have said that God is only worshiped because we fear Him and in turn the judgment.

starts out in absolute contrast to the previous two chapters. It allows God to set the stage for who He is and how He operates. These is no beast no dragon no serpent. All we see is a Lamb. Verse 4 says, these are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Those that went after the Lamb followed it. Verse 5 describes this groups as having not deceit in their mouth. This is a contrast to the other power that were operating only on deceit. This would mean that because the followers of the Lamb have no deceit the Lame would lead with no deceit.

starts out in absolute contrast to the previous two chapters. These is no beast no dragon no serpent. All we see is a Lamb. Verse 4 says, these are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Those that went after the Lamb followed it. Verse 5 describes this groups as having not deceit in their mouth. This is a contrast to the other power that were operating only on deceit. This would mean that because the followers of the Lamb have no deceit the Lame would lead with no deceit.

Those who followed the Lamb were not afraid. But how do we reconcile their lack of fear when says fear God. The lack of fear that these followers have must be related to an understanding of God. Verse 6 says that there is an everlasting Gospel to preach. The explanation of that Gospel is given in the next verse. As we look at which says, saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

Whee: Experiencing the Gospel

“needs a legal payment to keep him from” torturing and killing humanity.

This single verse does not stand in isolation from the passage that precede it and follow it. When we look at , there is a description of a fearful system it is a system that originates from satan So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Satan goes out to deceive the whole world. It is his purpose to get people to believe in him through deception. Satan attempts to achieve this is described in Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. Satan give this beast power and authority. In it says that this beast will blasphemy against God, which mean to at as God or to take the place of God. continues to explain the means by which the beast will operate. It will make war with the saints and to overcome them. This system that is being described sound very coercive and forceful. Kind of who God was described earlier.

saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” and think of the Gospel what do we think the Gospel is? Or who is the Gospel. “Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer.” Manuscript Releases [Nos. 1501–1598, 1990–1991], vol. 21 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 37.

As we look at which says, saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

and think of the Gospel what do we think the Gospel is? Or who is the Gospel. “Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer.” Manuscript Releases [Nos. 1501–1598, 1990–1991], vol. 21 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 37.

When you think of the Gospel what do we think the Gospel is? Or who is the Gospel. “Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer.” Manuscript Releases [Nos. 1501–1598, 1990–1991], vol. 21 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 37.

As Christ is the Gospel as He is the good news should we be afraid? By no means should we be afraid. I would like to stretch your idea regarding this word “fear”. The term “fear not” is found 75 times in the Old Testament and is often associated with God Himself. So, if God says fear not why are we to fear now in ? Could it be that people have misrepresented Scripture and its understanding of God and by extension His plan of salvation? Because, there are those who are afraid of God and even of salvation, however, we are not even to fear God or is His plan of salvation , says, Fear not, for I am with you;… v13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Within the boundaries of a relationship all hampering anxiety is rejected but a fear of God cannot be separated from faith as a basic attitude of people who depend wholly and utterly rely on God. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 208–209. This says that the fear of God is an attitude of total dependence on Him. When we read the New Testament, we need to see that God wants to remove our anxiety, so it relates fear of God to faith as total trust. This says that the fear of God is an attitude of total dependance on Him. When we read the New Testament, we need to see that God wants to remove our anxiety, so it relates fear of God to faith as total trust.

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3

Satan continues his onslaught against God by raising another beast this time from the earth. This beast found in and is described as causing all those who dwell on the earth to worship the first beast. says, and he deceives those who dwell on the earth… Satans means of getting people to worship him is through a means of deceit, force, signs and wonders, persecution.

Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

As Christ is the Gospel as He is the good news should we be afraid. Yes, by now means should we be afraid. I would like to stretch your idea of this word “fear”. The term “fear not” is found 75 times in the Old Testament and is often associated with God Himself. So, if God says fear not why are we to fear now in ? Could it be that people have misrepresented Scripture and its understanding of God? We are not even to fear in the plan of salvation , says, Fear not, for I am with you;… v13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Within the boundaries of a relationship all hampering anxiety is rejected but a fear of God cannot be separated from faith as a basic attitude of people who depend wholly and utterly on God. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 208–209. When we read the New Testament, we need to see that God wants to remove our anxiety so it relates fear of God to faith as total trust.

Anxiety means to uncertain of an outcome, excessive uneasiness. It would mean to be scared of something that we do not have control over. God is wanting to say we do not need to be scared we can trust in Him. Fear of God takes the form of reverent and submissive recognition in trust and obedience. The fear of God conveys the thought of absolute loyalty to God, of full surrender to His will. Because they have fully surrendered to God there is no fear of the judgment and His children worship Him.

I will strengthen you,

We are often scared of a countries judicial system and the means by which judgments are arrived at. However, God’s means of judging is not to be fear, downplay or removed as it is a central theme of Scripture. , shall not the Judge of all the earth do, right? he shall judge the peoples righteously, v13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth. But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. is a key chapter to understanding the judgment of God. What is interesting is that it says, Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

We are often scared of a countries judicial system and the means by which judgments are arrived at. However God’s means of judging is not to be fear, down played or removed as it is a central theme of Scripture. , shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? he shall judge the peoples righteously, v13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth. But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. is a key chapter to understand the judgment of God and what is interesting is that it says, Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

If God’s judgment was a bad thing, why would there be people following the Lamb and why would they worship God? What does worship mean? When we look at the origin of this word, we see that it is made up of two words worth and ship. This means that that which we worship is worthy of it. I am not sure of the word ship. Worship is an acknowledgment of worth. Those who fear God for the hour of His judgments has come and worship Him find worth in God. They are not scared or tremble or downplay God and His judgement. Why? Because, He is worthy of worship. He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages, vol. 3, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 22.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth.

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

These two chapters set the stage for God to say who He is and how He operates. starts out in absolute contrast to the previous two chapters. These is no beast no dragon no serpent. All we see is a Lamb. Verse 4 says, these are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Those that went after the Lamb followed it. Verse 5 describes this groups as having not deceit in their mouth. This is a contrast to the other power that were operating only on deceit. This would mean that because the followers of the Lamb have no deceit the Lame would lead with no deceit.

These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

Those who followed the Lamb were not afraid. But how do we reconcile their lack of fear when says fear God. The lack of fear that these followers have must be related to an understanding of God. Verse 6 says that there is an everlasting Gospel to preach. The explanation of that Gospel is given in the next verse. As we look at and think of the Gospel what do we think the Gospel is? Or who is the Gospel. “Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Saviour, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer.” Manuscript Releases [Nos. 1501–1598, 1990–1991], vol. 21 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 37.

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3

from” torturing and killing humanity. Then

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

1 Ellen Gould White, The Desire of Ages, vol. 3, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 22.

We do not fear for the sake of being scared, forced, or having anxiety no. Or fear is to know that our salvation is totally dependent on God and His saving work. Those who stand in the the are those who totally trust in that which Jesus did for us on the cross. When He became the cures for us , when He became sin for us when He died the death we deserve, the second death. When we fully trust in that then there is fear of God.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

Here is were the rubber meets the road or where the Gospel meets life. This verse speaks of a group of people that live a life constantly in the presence of God. They do not allow other gods to dominate. They live a life in constant acknowledgment of the presence of God in their life. They found God so worthy that all they did was for and to God. Do we fear God enough? As with our prayer this past week that the Holy Spirit dwell within us we should pray that God will allow us to see that all we do should be to glorify His name.

He argues that the common view is that when we pray for forgiveness, Jesus reminds the Father of what he has done.15 As if the Father needs to be reminded!

Amen

pray for forgiveness, Jesus reminds the Father of what he has done.15 As if the Father needs

to be reminded! Jennings

Jesus died to pay our legal penalty to an offended God” it is in the context of horrific statements such as “God is the cosmic executioner”, and sinners must be protected from God, and God executed Jesus.

died to pay our legal penalty to an offended God” it is in the context of horrific statements

such as “God is the cosmic executioner”, and sinners must be protected from God, and God

if the is a legal aspect of the atonement, beyond design law, then God is coercive, and we must be protected from him. God is burning with rage and it is only his Son who pays him off with his blood.

executed Jesus.

design law, then God is coercive, and we must be protected from him. God is burning with

rage and it is only his Son who pays him off with his blood.

Fear God

Fear God

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Ugh: The Plot Thickens