Sabbath: Fear God and Give Glory to Him
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Revelation 14:1-20; Genesis 22:12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Colossians 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
Memory Text: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV).
Danish author Søren Kierkegaard told a parable about the end time. It went something like this:
A fire broke out backstage in a big theater. A clown, who had been part of the performance, came out to warn the audience: Get out; the place is on fire! The audience thought it was just a big joke, part of the show, that’s all, and just applauded. He repeated the warning: Get out! Get out! But the more emphatically he warned them, the greater the applause. For Kierkegaard, that was how the world is going to end; that is, to the general applause of wits who believe it’s a joke.
The end of the world, and events leading up to it, are, as we know, no joke. The world faces the most serious crisis since the Flood. In fact, Peter himself uses the story of the Flood as a symbol of the end, warning that just as the world of old perished by water, in the end times, “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV). Having been warned about what is coming, we now need to be prepared for it, as well.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 22.
(24)
As Christians, we need to teach the world we have an urgent message. If we want our message to change the world, the world must see the change in us. Ellen G. White stated:
As a church, we need to be active in our community in order for our message to make an impact. As a movement, we need to leave our comfort zone and building to “GO.” We expect the world to come to us, instead of going to them. When they come to us, they better see our love in full display, instead of us telling them they are in Babylon.
Blessings and Happy Sabbath.
Greetings, Jude!
That is a powerful and very meaningful response. Thank you for reminding us of our mission to constantly be witnesses of God.
Fear God and give glory to Him.
Interestingly the Bible tells us in the last days men's hearts will be failing them for fear, because of the things coming upon the earth. (Luke 21:26) Yet here the first angel urges us to "fear God". Could the "fear of the Lord" relieve the fear of things coming upon the earth?
We may wonder, why doesn't the angel say, "trust God"?
Most people, when they read texts about "the fear of the Lord" do their best to explain away any nuance of fear. But, then why would the text say "fear God"?
Could it be that humans lose the concept of the awe filled grandeur and power of God, and fail to regard His sovereignty and holiness? God is not to be trifled with; He is absolutely serious about cleansing and restoring a holy universe.
His great love has provided abundant grace and means to save every person from sin, but sin will not enter heaven; it will be destroyed.
To fear God is to worship Him in reverence and grateful love, and yes, fearing to bring dishonor to His holy name by our sinful behavior.
Thus -- fear God and give Him glory. That glory is not only our praise; it is our godly conduct, which is possible only by His presence and transforming power in our lives.
I struggle to really understand what the Bible means by fear. I tend to agree with you that if it really meant something else it would say that. At the same time, I John tells us there is no fear in love and perfect love casts out all fear. So fear as we know it is not a good thing.
Also, does God want us to obey because we're afraid of Him? That's better than not obeying, but it isn't exactly great. I also feel that all the fear in the world won't make our heart right. Perhaps the fear is meant to drive us to God.
I believe that, if I'm allowing fear to govern my life, God wants to be in my reckoning of what is fearful:
Christina, since learning in college that the word “Fear”, as used in the Bible when proceeding God, can also be and may better be translated respect/revere, I have always replaced fear with respect whenever I read it. I believe it is more consistent with the intent that we live in AWE of God and His power, justice and mercy.
The Bible tells us: 1 John 4:18: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment . But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Since God is love, we do not need to fear God but respect Him and love who He is and all about Him. 1 John 4:8.
The word "fear" in Greek has more than one meaning. The Blue Letter Bible will give you the meaning of the way the word is used in different verses. Luke 21:26 fear means fear, dread, terror. In Revelation 14:7 Fear God and give glory to him means to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience
Thank you, Jude. You have said it well.
As a church, we need to be active in our community in order for our message to make an impact.
It will be easy to reach those around us frequently.
No joke! The end of this planet, as we see it, may be near, but we ought to believe in a God Who offers us free and eternal life! The passport to this is simply the acceptance of His Son's sacrifice! A Love like that is no joke!
Now on the other fear, such as end time events, Christ gave us the ultimate comfort.
I understand Christ's words to mean that, if I die before He comes in the air, I will be in the resurrection to eternal life, And if I am alive when He comes, I will never die, except I, like Paul said, die daily -- of course of a different death, which is a death to sin, being resurrected into a relationship with Him.
I, like you, JC, believe it is no joke; we are in end time events, just before Christ's second coming. And yes, no joke, now is the time to turn to Him as our Saviour. And no kidding, He will love us with His everlasting love. Wait a minute! We left out a vital aspect. No kidding, we need to also share this with others.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 Fits our present times.
Romans 13:11-14. Now is the time.
Jude 1:21. Everlasting love.
Mark 5:19. Go tell others.
God bless you, JC.
In his comment, Jude Auguste included a paragraph from Ellen White’s writings contained in the book by the title: “Ministry of Healing”. That the rescued ones need to continue to engage in the 'ministry of healing' in all its various forms is, in my opinion, the fulcrum on which our salvation by faith rests.
The warning that “man’s love will grow cold” has always struck me as a very solemn warning – Matt. 24:12. How can man’s love grow even colder than it already is? I see mankind having escalated violations of the laws of God and man to set a new ‘norm’ for us to accept as normal.
For man to love each other, to treat each other with kindness and deference, acknowledging the fact that we are all created equal in God’s eyes, is difficult even in the best of times. Now it appears that unrighteousness/depravity has reached new heights in which some dare to depict 'evil as good' in the eyes of the lost - Isaiah 1:20-21; Rom. 1:17-21.
When surrounded by evil, I flee to the only safe retreat - the presence of God, praying for Him to sustain me, to keep me from responding unkindly, and meditating on His comforting words that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Especially in these, our difficult days of the end of time, we need to draw closer to Him than ever before, and He will draw ever closer to the child seeking His strength to overcome – John 16:33; James 4:8; Jeremiah 29:12-14.
The general population believes that something is going to, or needs to, happen in this world for it to reset. But things ending, as Peter and Revelation warn, not so much. The flood is a poignant example of how not believing does not stop the pending event.
God's grace is so amazing! ...how He partners with us...we who often act as clowns. The metaphor in today's lesson, a clown tasked with warning the whole theater full of people of true danger. To go from an unimportant role to an unrehearsed, life-and-death important role.
How many of us undermine the gospel message we are privileged to bear through our clownish lives. Do people think we are joking when we talk about God? Look at Samson, living a foolish life all the way through, and then God answered his prayer at the end and let him do something important for God and God's people. He's even mentioned in the Hebrews chapter Hall of Faith! Heb. 11:32-34..."whose weakness was turned to strength".
This past Saturday, I attended a close family friend's funeral. This man had been an Episcopal priest and dean for 50 years. The last 15 or so years of his life he made some serious mistakes that hurt many and landed him in prison for a period of time. As my brother planned the funeral, many needed to vent their pain and frustration. And yet, at the funeral service, so many spoke from their hearts of how this man had led them to ministry in Christ's name. How this man had showed compassion for the poor of the city. How this man had been a tremendous counselor and empathetic listener. All present at his funeral were there together with an opportunity to sing hymns, hear Bible readings, and share communion...all there together - believers and unbelievers - exposed to the gospel message once more, because of this man's life. Wow, God is so amazing to reveal Himself through us, if we have even the slightest desire to "fear God and give glory to Him" !
Why did people in the theater never take the clown seriously?
Lot went to his sons-in-laws with a message of salvation and they thought he was joking. (Genesis 18:14)
I believe at times we are partly to blame for the indifference that is seen in people when we go to them with the Advent message. We live a life of clowning and they never take us seriously when we then decide to preach to them. Our lives are not exemplary.