2023-Q2-L04

2023-Q2-L04: Fear God and Give Glory to Him

Read for This Week’s Study: Revelation 14; Gen. 22:12; Eccles. 12:13, 14; Col. 3:1, 2; Heb. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 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).

Chiastic outline

Revelation 14:1-5. 144,000 before the throne. New song.

Revelation 14:6-11. The 3 angels' messages

Revelation 14:12-13: Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” 13 I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”

Revelation 14:14-20. Two harvests at the Second Coming. (1) harvest of the righteous (144,000) and (2) the harvest of those who followed the beast.

Revelation 15:1-8.

Notes:

Worship is mentioned by the 1st and 3rd angels.

3 angels in vss 6-11 and 3 angels in vss 14-20. The first 3 fly in mid heaven, while the last 3 come out from somewhere.

The 1st and 3rd angels speak with a loud voice. Then 1st and 3rd angels of the second set speak with a loud voice.

Notes

2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Righteousness by faith is the 3 angels' messages in verity.

Did God take away the punishment for sin? No, God took away the power of sin. "Sin will no longer have dominion over you."

Galatians 6:8: For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

James 1:15: Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Submission. It is not about submission, but the "type" of submission. We can submit in fear or defiance, rather than love and trust.

Fire of Judgment. In actuality, the Great White Throne Judgment will be dual in nature. The first is the manifestation of God's glory, which will be torture to the wicked. The second will be the consuming fire which will cleanse the earth. While the earth exists in its current fallen state, God is withholding his full glory, lest the earth be consumed by His glory. However, at the end of time, God's glory will no longer be restrained.

Legalism. An obsession with legal standing. Legalism is attractive because it's easy. You don't have to think things through, you don't have to be dynamic. Just tick off the boxes of what you need to do and you're set with God. Institutions rob people of humanity, because institutions think of people as a number. No institution can take the place of God.

Romans 1:5: by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

1st angel's message is a warning against legalism. A life with God is not ritualistic, but relational.

Our problem with God is not legal, although it can be described in legal language. Our problem with God is relational.

Compliance is not meaningful unless it engages the whole person. It's like pushing a car, rather than getting inside and starting the engine, putting it in gear and pressing the accelerator.

3 masons are working on stone. Each is asked, "What are you doing?" The first says, "I'm chipping away at stone." The second says, "I'm feeding my family." The third says, "I'm building a cathedral."

SUNDAY. Fear God.

Scriptures

Revelation 14:7: And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Genesis 22:12: He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

Psalm 89:7: a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

Proverbs 2:5: then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ephesians 5:21: submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

From the lesson: The Greek New Testament word for “fear” in Revelation 14:7 is phobeo. It is used here not in the sense of being afraid of God but in the sense of reverence, awe, and respect. It conveys the thought of absolute loyalty to God and full surrender to His will. It is an attitude of mind that is God-centered rather than self-centered.

(***) The essence of the great controversy revolves around submission to God. Lucifer was self-centered. He refused to submit to any authority except his own. Rather than submit to the One upon the throne, Lucifer desired to rule from the throne. Put simply, to fear God is to place Him first in our thinking. It is to renounce our self-centeredness and pride and to live a life wholly for Him.

Definition of Fear

Definition of fear: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

There are different ways that humans acquire fear — some fears are innate while some are acquired from our experiences or through social learning.

Fear is defined as a fundamental emotion promptly arising in the context of threat and when danger is perceived. Fear can be innate or learned. Examples of innate fear include fears that are triggered by predators, pain, heights, rapidly approaching objects, and ancestral threats such as snakes and spiders.

Physiological response to fear: Heart rate and blood pressure increase, pupils dilate, more blood is sent to major muscle groups, blood-sugar levels increase, muscles tense up, digestion stops, the brain is directed to focus only on the threat.

Definition of phobia. A phobia is an intense and persistent fear that is not based on any rational sense of imminent danger and prevents participation in activities that might arouse it.

Claustrophobia, fear of confined or crowded spaces

Acrophobia, fear of heights

Arachnophobia, fear of spiders

Autophobia, fear of being alone

Notes

Fear of God's presence because we would be consumed.

Judgment will come in God's presence.

A change of reference.

A plant looks toward the Sun because it has a means, a mechanism, to harness the power of the Sun. A lifeless object, like a piece of plastic, will deteriorate before the Sun.

Three commands: Fear God, Give Him Glory (for the hour of His Judgment has come), and Worship Him.

Fear God is about departing from evil.

Hebrews 12:1: Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Judgment. The end time events will lead the Remnant to cry out for judgment, for vindication, for an end to all of this. Enough is enough, they will cry out, this insanity must stop.

While the cup of His indignation is filling up, our cup of patient endurance will be filling to overflowing.

Fearing God in the face of Judgment. Typically, this is the first step in the direction of obedience and service to God. We fear God, because we fear walking in the way of evil. We fear the consequences of doing wrong. It is not because God is punishing us when we do wrong, but because the act of sin has its own consequences, nevermind what God will do with you, it's what the Devil is allowed to do with you when he has you in his power.

We understand Fear. It's an innate character quality in man. Human beings are naturally fearful and the older you get the more fearful.

MONDAY. Fearing and Obeying God.

Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:1-3: Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess; 2 that you might fear Yahweh your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Romans 1:5: through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

From the lesson: There are some people who have the strange idea that salvation by grace somehow negates the law of God or minimizes the necessity for obedience. They believe that any talk about obedience is legalism. They have declared, All I want is Jesus. The question is, “Which Jesus?” A Jesus of our own making, or the Jesus of Scripture? The Christ of Scripture never leads us to downplay His law, which is the transcript of His character. The Christ of Scripture never leads us to minimize the doctrines of the Bible, which reveal more clearly who He is and His plan for this world. The Christ of Scripture never leads us to reduce His teaching to pious platitudes that are nonessential. Christ is the embodiment of all doctrinal truth. Jesus is truth incarnated. He is doctrine lived out.

Revelation’s final appeal calls us through faith in Jesus to accept the fullness of everything He offers. It calls us to “fear God,” which is expressed by faith in His redeeming power to empower us to live godly, obedient lives.

Notes

Jewish teaching: Obey and understand. That is, even if you don't understand, obey.

To serve God out of the wrong kind of fear is unhealthy.

We keep the laws of men, out of fear of fines and imprisonment.

We keep the commandments of God, out of fear of what?

TUESDAY. Living a God-centered Life.

Scripture

Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Colossians 3:1–2: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Hebrews 12:1–2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 3:16–17: Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31: So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

WEDNESDAY. Giving Glory to God.

Scripture

Joshua 7:19: Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

1 Samuel 6:5: So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land.

Jeremiah 13:15–16: Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the LORD has spoken. 16 Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness.

Malachi 2:2: If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

From the lesson: A study of the use of the phrase in the Old Testament “to give glory to God” (Rev. 14:7) shows that it, interestingly enough, often (but not only) appears in the context of divine judgment.

Notes

If you're not giving glory to God, then you are giving glory to yourself or Satan. And God will not allow His glory to be given to another. After all, it is God who provides all things. Why should someone else get the glory?

Giving glory to God has to do with how I live. You glorify God by your life.

THURSDAY. Revelation's Overcomers

Scripture

Revelation 14:12 (WEB): Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (WEB): May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From the lesson: Notice our text does not say, “faith in Jesus,” although that is extremely important, but this expression, “the faith of Jesus,” is something more. It is the quality of faith that enabled Christ to be victorious over Satan’s fiercest temptations. Faith is a gift given to each believer. When we exercise the faith that the Holy Spirit puts in our hearts, that faith grows. We overcome, not by our willpower, but by the power of the living Christ working through us. We overcome not because of who we are but because of who He is. We can overcome because He overcame. We can be victorious because He was victorious. We can triumph over temptation because He triumphed over temptation.

[Friday's thought fits in with this]: Think about the amazing words of Paul in Hebrews 7:25, which, talking about Jesus as our High Priest, says that “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (NKJV). Save to the uttermost. The Greek word for “uttermost” means “full, complete, total.” It is Jesus who saves us; our job is to surrender to Him, claiming His victory for us. Our trust must be in Him, not in ourselves.

The word “overcome” in one form or another is used 11 times in the book of Revelation. In the vision of the seven churches representing the Christian church from the first century to our time, there are believers in every generation who, John says, “overcame.” At the end time those that “overcome” inherit all things (Rev. 21:7). This is not legalism. It is victory through Jesus Christ, whose perfect life of perfect righteousness, and that alone, is what gives them the promise of eternal life. It is faith in action. It is transforming, lifechanging, miraculous grace in the life of the believer.

Notes

perseverance (G5281: hypomonē; patience, enduring, patient continuance, patient waiting). In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

"faith of Jesus." In all Greek: pistin Iesou. Righteousness by faith is by the faith of Jesus, not faith in Jesus.

Galatians 2:16 (KJV): knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV): I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

We cannot rightly define our faith, because it is variable and flawed. But we can define Christ's faith, because it was perfect.

Overcome (G3528: νικάω, nikaō; overcome (24x), conquer (2x), prevail (1x), get the victory (1x))

Romans 12:21: Be not overcome (niko) of evil (kakou), but overcome (nika) evil (kakon) with good.

1 John 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome (nenikekate) them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh (nika) the world: and this is the victory that overcometh (nike) the world, [even] our faith.

1 John 5:5: Who is he that overcometh (nikon) the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 12:11: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 21:7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

FRIDAY. Further Thought:

APPENDIX

Revelation overview

Revelation 1. Introduction to the players with a focus on Christ.

Revelation 2-11. The 7 spirits, 7 churches, 7 seals, and 7 trumpets.

Revelation 12. The center of the chiasm.

Revelation 13. Beasts

Revelation 14. Three angels' messages.

Revelation 15-16. 7 last plagues.

Revelation 17-18. Woman + Scarlet Beast.

Revelation 19-20. Coming of Christ.

Revelation 21-22. New Heavens and New Earth.

7 lampstands are the 7 churches.

7 stars are the teachers:

AA 586.3: “These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand.” Revelation 2:1. These words are spoken to the teachers in the church—those entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities. The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are bound up with God's ministers, who are to reveal the love of Christ. The stars of heaven are under His control. He fills them with light. He guides and directs their movements. If He did not do this, they would become fallen stars. So with His ministers. They are but instruments in His hands, and all the good they accomplish is done through His power. Through them His light is to shine forth. The Saviour is to be their efficiency. If they will look to Him as He looked to the Father they will be enabled to do His work. As they make God their dependence, He will give them His brightness to reflect to the world.

Seven spirits of God

Revelation 4:5: Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

Revelation 5:6: And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 8:2: Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

"the seven angels". Greek, tous hepta angelous. The definite article, "the" is in the Greek text. The same is true with the word "God". When it is "the God" it is referring to the Father. Thus, it is not any 7 angels, but "the" 7 angels before the throne. It is a specific group of 7 angels. The only question remains is if these 7 angels are different from the 7 spirits.

Around the throne. Per Revelation 4, there are 4 living creatures, 24 elders, and 7 spirits (7 lamps/torches). No other beings mentioned besides the myriads of angels around the throne (Revelation 5:11). When Revelation 8:2 mentions the 7 angels, they cannot be equivalent to any other group than the 7 spirits.

7 spirits = 7 lamps (or torches) of fire = 7 eyes of the Lamb = 7 angels who stand before God and blow 7 trumpets (8:2)

7 spirits. Interpreted as (1) sevenfold ministry of the Spirit. or (2) seven angels with special duties that they play out in the book of Revelation. That is, the 7 spirits are the 7 angels with trumpets and/or 7 angels that pour out the 7 last plagues.

Book of Enoch 9:1 and 40:9 (apocryphal, apocalyptic Hebrew book) lists 7 angels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Suriel, and Phanuel.

Book of Enoch (1 Enoch before Christ era; the other two 2 and 3 Enoch are post-Christ era). The Book of Enoch contains unique material on the origins of demons and Nephilim, why some angels fell from heaven, an explanation of why the Genesis flood was morally necessary, and prophetic exposition of the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. None are canonical scripture by either Jews or Christians. A short section of 1 Enoch (1:9) is cited in the New Testament Epistle of Jude, Jude 1:14–15, and is attributed there to "Enoch the Seventh from Adam" (1 Enoch 60:8)

It has also been alleged that the First Epistle of Peter (1 Peter 3:19–20) and the Second Epistle of Peter (2 Peter 2:4–5) make reference to some Enochian material.

In 1 Enoch 46:1-2 a reference to "the Lord of the spirits" and says:

"There I beheld the Ancient of Days, whose head was like white wool, and with him another, whose countenance resembled that of man… Then I inquired of one of the angels, who went with me, and who showed me every secret thing, concerning this Son of man; who he was; whence he was and why he accompanied the Ancient of days. He answered and said to me, This is the Son of man, to whom righteousness belongs; with whom righteousness has dwelt; and who will reveal all the treasures of that which is concealed: for the Lord of Spirits has chosen him; and his portion has surpassed all before the Lord of spirits in everlasting uprightness."

This common Enochian phrase, “the Lord of the Spirits,” may be connected with, “…the seven spirits who are before his throne,” in Revelation 1:4.

A third interpretive possibility, however, presents itself when we once again compare the book of Revelation to 1 Enoch. The seven spirits may also be seen as seven angelic figures who serve before the throne of God. This is a concept found in some such Jewish extra-canonical texts. It is significant that these seven figures appear not only in 1 Enoch, but also in other Jewish books – both Biblical and para-biblical.

It is at least conceivable that first-century Jews (including John, the Jew, who authored the book of Revelation) had a similar concept in mind when he spoke of the Seven Spirits that are before the throne of God (compare Revelation 1:4-5 with 1 Enoch 20:1-8). In so doing, John may have been describing the Heavenly Court assembled and ready to act.

Israel’s God, His Anointed Messiah, and these seven powerful angelic beings were sending both a message of hope and a challenge to endure to the first century followers of Jewish Christ who were struggling under extreme pressure to find their social identity in the unapologetically and forcefully polytheistic Roman society (Rev. 1:4-5).

Psalm 103:19-20: The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

Chiasm of Revelation 14:9-11

A “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

B 10  he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger;

C and he will be tormented

D with fire and brimstone

E in the presence of the holy angels

E’ and in the presence of the Lamb.

D’ 11  “And the smoke   [Comment by me: the smoke comes from the fire and brimstone]

C’   of their torment goes up forever and ever;

B’   they have no rest day and night   [Comment by me: the punishment/torment is full strength: i.e., there are no breaks; it continues both day and night],

A’ those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Angels that cry in a loud voice (phone megale)

A. The Initiation of the Investigative Judgment (Rev. 5:2)

B. The Sealing of the 144,000 Before the Four Winds Are Let Loose (Rev. 7:2)

C. The Three Woes Against the Unsealed (Rev. 8:13)

D. A Call to Prophesy to the Inhabitants of the Earth (Rev. 10:1, 3)

E. The First Angel: A Call to Worship the Creator and be Sealed (Rev. 14:6-7)

F. The Second Angel: A Celestial Verdict Against Babylon/Followers (Rev. 14:8)

E1. The Third Angel: A Warning Not to be Marked/Worship Beast (Rev. 14:9)

D1. The Harvest of the Sealed (Rev. 14:15)

C1. The Harvest of the Marked (Rev. 14:18)

B1. The Last Call to be Sealed Before Babylon is Desolated (Rev. 18:1,2)

A1. The Destruction of the Unsealed/Marked (Rev. 19:17)

Respect

clue1: You can't give glory to God without this.

clue2: All good relationships must contain this.

RESPECT: esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personl quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability.

to pay proper attention to; not violate.

Keyword clue: Jesus mentions this word in the parable of the wicked vinedressers - Matthew 21:33-45.

Matthew 21:37: But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

Matthew 21:37 (KJV): But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, ‘They will reverence my son.’

The wicked vinedressers did not show respect to the master of the household, the servants of the master and then the son.

What does respecting God look like?

True or False. You cannot overcome without trying with all your might.

Hebrews 12:4. You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin.

What is the battle that we are to fight? The battle of trust in God. It is a battle of faith.

Revelation 13 on the Beast is that everyone is in awe of him. There is fear and respect to the Beast. Revelation 14 is the antidote to this misguided fear and respect.

The 3 angels' messages is to those who are fearing and respecting the Beast, which is a false worship, a deception.