Fear God???

6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead with eternal good news to proclaim to those who live on earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second one, followed and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She made all the nations drink the wine of her lustful passion.” 9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them and said in a loud voice, “If any worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or their hands, 10 they themselves will also drink the wine of God’s passionate anger, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will suffer the pain of fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of their painful suffering goes up forever and always. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, and those who receive the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for the endurance of the saints, who keep God’s commandments and keep faith with Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Favored are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their labors, because their deeds follow them.” (Revelation 14:6-13, CEB)

Don’t we have enough fear in the world do I really need to fear God? That is a question I know I have heard and answered more times than I want to admit. Fear is something we see as bad and we try not to have, but why do we fear?

It has to be an emotion we need or God would not have created us with it. Fear is a way to help us know that things could be bad and we should be on alert. We should be prepared for what is coming.

Fear God is also have awe for God, but be aware of what God is doing and alert to where God is moving.

Fear is an emotion we need and God is always there to help us move forward.

Witnesses to Jesus

19 Jesus responded to the Jewish leaders, “I assure you that the Son can’t do anything by himself except what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he does. He will show him greater works than these so that you will marvel. 21 As the Father raises the dead and gives life, so too does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father doesn’t judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son 23 so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him. 24 “I assure you that whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and won’t come under judgment but has passed from death into life. 25 “I assure you that the time is coming—and is here!—when the dead will hear the voice of God’s Son, and those who hear it will live. 26 Just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 He gives the Son authority to judge, because he is the Human One. 28 Don’t be surprised by this, because the time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice. 29 Those who did good things will come out into the resurrection of life, and those who did wicked things into the resurrection of judgment. 30 I can’t do anything by myself. Whatever I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just. I don’t seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony isn’t true. 32 There is someone else who testifies about me, and I know his testimony about me is true. 33 You sent a delegation to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 Although I don’t accept human testimony, I say these things so that you can be saved. 35 John was a burning and shining lamp, and, at least for a while, you were willing to celebrate in his light. 36 “I have a witness greater than John’s testimony. The Father has given me works to do so that I might complete them. These works I do testify about me that the Father sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me testifies about me. You have never even heard his voice or seen his form,38 and you don’t have his word dwelling with you because you don’t believe the one whom he has sent. 39 Examine the scriptures, since you think that in them you have eternal life. They also testify about me, 40 yet you don’t want to come to me so that you can have life. (John 5:19-40, CEB)

Jesus can’t do anything of his own will and has to be in one accord with the Father.

How do we live life? Is it whatever we want to do with no regard for anyone else? We can do what we want but all actions have consequences.

So do we live in the will of the Father and only do what the Father leads us to do or are we lone rangers doing whatever brings us joy?

We should live as Jesus does, connected to the Father and getting our life from God.

Celebration

After this I heard what sounded like a huge crowd in heaven. They said, “Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power of our God! 2 His judgments are true and just, because he judged the great prostitute, who ruined the earth by her whoring, and he exacted the penalty for the blood of his servants from her hand.” 3 Then they said a second time, “Hallelujah! Smoke goes up from her forever and always.” 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God, who is seated on the throne, and they said, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 Then a voice went out from the throne and said, “Praise our God, all you his servants, and you who fear him, both small and great.” 6 And I heard something that sounded like a huge crowd, like rushing water and powerful thunder. They said, “Hallelujah! The Lord our God, the Almighty, exercised his royal power! 7 Let us rejoice and celebrate, and give him the glory, for the wedding day of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 She was given fine, pure white linen to wear, for the fine linen is the saints’ acts of justice.” 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Favored are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.” He said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:1-9, CEB)

When the end comes and all the powers of evil have been destroyed there will be a celebration like no other!

God’s kingdom will be in full capacity and we will all be with and see God face to face!

There will be no more tears or pain or anything that takes us from the presence of God.

Amen! Hallelujah!

Died together

8 Remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead and descended from David. This is my good news. 9 This is the reason I’m suffering to the point that I’m in prison like a common criminal. But God’s word cannot be imprisoned. 10 This is why I endure everything for the sake of those who are chosen by God so that they too may experience salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 This saying is reliable: “If we have died together, we will also live together. 12 If we endure, we will also rule together. If we deny him, he will also deny us. 13 If we are disloyal, he stays faithful” because he can’t be anything else than what he is. (2 Timothy 2:8-13, CEB)

Christ is always faithful because he can’t be anything than what he is.

No matter how disloyal we are and how many times we walk away, Christ will always be there because Christ is faithful.

And because Christ is faithful, Christ died for us and we have died with Christ and also will be raised with Christ.

So know you are a new creation and go into the world to share Christ’s Love.

Final Judgment

31 “Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left. 34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. 35 I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 “Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ 45 Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46, CEB)

What you have done to the least of these you have done it to me…

Whatever you do to anyone it is something you have dome to Christ.

Every time you act, every time you speak, you are doing it to Christ.

Think on that before you do something to say something. Every action you do is doing it to Christ, and everything you say, you are saying to God.

Jesus’ Family

46 While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside trying to speak with him. 47 Someone said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak with you.” 48 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. 50 Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50, CEB)

We are all a part of the family of God.

This reminds me of a song, Family by Todd Agnew. Here are the lyrics:

Who’s my brother in Nashville, Tennessee?
Who’s my sister in the village in Malawi?
Who’s my lover in Washington DC?
Who’s my neighbor, who’s my loved one, who’s my friend?

We are all family, we are all family
We are all family, we are all family

If we’re all under one Father that makes us all brothers
We are all family

Who’s my brother in a different kind of turf?
She’s my sister struggling with her work
She’s my mother, gave me all at birth
Who’s my neighbor, who’s my loved one, who’s my friend?

We are all family, we are all family
We are all family, we are all family

If we’re all under one Father that makes us all brothers
We are all family

Who’s my neighbor, who’s my loved one, who’s my friend?
Who’s my neighbor, who’s my loved one, who’s my friend?

We are all family, we are all family
We are all family, we are all family

You don’t have to look like me for us to be brotherly
And you don’t have to be like me for us to be family
You don’t have to think like me for us to speak intimately
Don’t have to agree with me for us to be family

You don’t have to live near me for us to be neighborly
You don’t have to dress like me for us to be family
You don’t have to speak like me to love each other, you see
You don’t have to be like me for us to be family, oh no

If we’re all under one Father that makes us all brothers

We are all a part of God’s family and siblings of Christ. We need to act like it and show the love God has given us to the world.

And here is a video of Family:

Jesus is coming soon

Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, shining like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb 2 through the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life, which produces twelve crops of fruit, bearing its fruit each month. The tree’s leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more. They won’t need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will rule forever and always. 6 Then he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. 7 “Look! I’m coming soon. Favored is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy contained in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I’m a servant just like you and your brothers and sisters, the prophets, and those who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:1-9, CEB)

When Jesus comes there will be no more curse or fear. We will see face to face and have no need for light, for He is the light of the world. Not like the sun or stars, but a light to illuminate everything and show all there is to know about us.

All will be revealed and we will not worry or be ashamed.

All will be made known and all will be known and all will be in the light and love of God.

So be prepared and know we will always be loved.

Messages

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion. With him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from heaven that was like the sound of rushing water and loud thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sing a new song in front of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 They weren’t defiled with women, for these people who follow the Lamb wherever he goes are virgins. They were purchased from among humankind as early produce for God and the Lamb.5 No lie came from their mouths; they are blameless. 6 Then I saw another angel flying high overhead with eternal good news to proclaim to those who live on earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second one, followed and said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She made all the nations drink the wine of her lustful passion.” 9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them and said in a loud voice, “If any worship the beast and its image, and receive a mark on their foreheads or their hands, 10 they themselves will also drink the wine of God’s passionate anger, poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will suffer the pain of fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of their painful suffering goes up forever and always. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, and those who receive the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14:1-11, CEB)

Worship God and give God glory. That is the message.

God loved you when you were unloveable.

Therefore we should hold God in awe and give God glory and worship God.

All others will fall and be made to the wine of God’s passionate anger and that is cheap bitter wine.

Love God as God loved you and share the message with the world!

bad servant

45 “Who then are the faithful and wise servants whom their master puts in charge of giving food at the right time to those who live in his house? 46 Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes. 47 I assure you that he will put them in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose those bad servants should say to themselves, My master won’t come until later. 49 And suppose they began to beat their fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunks? 50 The master of those servants will come on a day when they are not expecting him, at a time they couldn’t predict. 51 He will cut them in pieces and put them in a place with the hypocrites. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51, CEB)

A wise man told me a long time ago that integrity is everything. People will despise you because you are a person of integrity.

Integrity is doing what you say, and living how you say you will. Integrity is doing the right thing even when someone is not looking.

It is not that difficult to be a person of integrity, it actually takes more work and energy to lie and cheat because you have to have a good memory to remember all the lies you told and to who.

So be a person of integrity. It is easier and shows love to all!

Final instructions

12 Brothers and sisters, we ask you to respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you. 13 Think of them highly with love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are disorderly. Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. 16 Rejoice always.17 Pray continually. 18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-18, CEB)

This is basically the instruction manual for following Christ.

respect those working with you
live in peace
warn the disorderly
comfort the discouraged
help the weak
be patient
do not repay wrong with wrong
pursue good for others
rejoice always
pray without ceasing
always give thanks

Jesus is always with us, and we need to help the world see that.