Responding to Judgment
Today, I was back to my routine in a much quieter house. Perhaps my morning nap was a needed recovery time from yesterday and the days before. I did get to the fitness center for a workout. It was my first of this week and the first on since last Friday. I guess I had a good excuse with company, but I did notice my energy level wasn’t what it had been the previous week.
I mentioned that yesterday Stephanie, McKenzie and I stopped at Fort Logan National Cemetery to go by the grave of Debbie’s parents. I wanted to share this picture of Stephanie and McKenzie, because Stephanie believes McKenzie is going to grow up to be another “Isla.” I’m not sure what all that means, but those of you that knew Isla can guess.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 13:10; 14:12
As the Book of Revelation unfolds there are some things that are very clear. These include the types of judgments that occur as the seals of the scroll are broken and the scroll unfolds. Another is the extent of the impact of the plagues on the earth and people. Another is the focus on the activity in heaven, the worship around the throne, the words of exaltation even as the plagues come. Another aspect that is not so focused on is the reaction to these events and the response that God is looking for.
During these events followers of Christ will be tested for their devotion and even willingness to die a martyrs death. The response the Lord is looking for is one of endurance, obedience and faith. This is a reoccurring theme that is seen in the New Testament letters to churches.
Peter talks about the importance of endurance in connection with the “trying of faith…” He goes on to say, “Don’t feel as though something strange is happening to you…” (1 Peter 4:12) Paul wrote to Timothy and said, “…endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 2:3) He goes on to say, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 4:12) Persecution calls for endurance because time is in God’s hands and we are destined for an eternity in His presence.
Obedience, Jesus said, will be our test of love for Him. The events of the end of the world will test hearts of love and loyalty like nothing else. John warned, “Do not love the world or anything in the world…” (1 John 2:17) Love for Jesus must be first. And this love will be tested when family members betray family members as the fire of persecution heats up.
Finally the proper response to judgment is to “keep the faith.” That is our faith in God and our faith in God’s Word. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the “…shield of faith….can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph. 6:16) There are those who will deny the faith, walk away from the faith, falter in their faith. But those who keep on believing and trusting in the Lord are the ones we see pictured in white robes as over-comers and victors, worshiping the Lord around the throne in heaven. Faith does become sight and has a payday.
Once again, we see that scripture challenges us in the greatest area of need when the going gets tough. We will be tempted to give up, to give in and to stop believing. The opposite of that is to endure, obey and keep the faith. The good news is we don’t it on our own strength but on the strength that comes from God’s Holy Spirit who is in us.