The Eternal Gospel

Yesterday I was asking the Lord what He wants His Church to look like. The “eternal gospel” came to mind. It is found in Rev 14:6-7, which reads “Then I saw another angel flying midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Three phrases from this scripture seem to be our focus, and the enemy’s target during the end times; Fear God, Give Him Glory, and Worship God (the true God our Creator). Simply put, those who fear God obey Him. Those who give God glory give Him credit for the good works He enables us to do. And those who worship God have their highest affections set on Him. These are the ingredients of a successful walk with God and a successful church. Disobedience to these principals will cause men to lose sight of their faith and what Church is about. These three areas become the target of satan who, simply put, wants to get all men to make themselves into their own image, be satisfied with themselves, and become their own gods. This is known as the “self-made man.” In scripture the man who is perfected in his own image is the one who receives the number of a man, 666 (Rev 13:18). Today we will look at the first part of the eternal gospel; Fear God. The opposite of fearing God is to be casual, on a friendship basis alone with Him. This allows one to take God’s commands as suggestions from one friend to another, therefore eliminating the need to obey what they contain. However, Jesus states that it is necessary to obey His commands in order to remain in His love (Jn 15:10). In fact, Jesus set the example by obeying His Father’s commands. Lack of fear of God may also cause one to reserve the right to disbelieve Him. Our unbelief then becomes a convenient excuse to not do God’s will, and in fact, to remain in our own will. But God does not reward our unbelief, and when we shrink back from doing His will, we are destroyed (Heb 10:38-39). Our knowledge of God and His ways becomes a witness against those who refuse to do the good they know is required of them (Jms 4:17). Jesus found that some men feared men more than God. His advice was “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him, who after killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.” (Lk 12:4-5) It is interesting that pastors seldom want to mention fear of God in their sermons, however, Jesus mentioned it in His. Why? Because He was dedicated to telling the truth, doing His Father’s will, and He did not fear men. Fear of men will eventually lead one to consider the opinions of men as more valuable than God’s. When addressing the Pharisees, who loved men’s praises, Jesus told them that they actually justified the wrong they did by using the acceptance of those who praised them as validation of their righteousness (Lk 16:15). What is heart-breaking is that some of the Jewish leaders actually believed in Jesus, but because they feared the Pharisees, did not confess their faith; “for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (Jn 12:42-43). The acceptance they coveted from their fellow man undid their faithfulness to God. If men do not fear nor obey God, they eventually they will make the rules and guidelines of their religious beliefs to be reasonable to their own understanding. They will be easier to achieve, and these men will therefore become confident in their own righteousness. Paul was faced with choosing between a man-pleasing righteousness, or the righteousness that “is by faith” (Phil 3:7-9). But Paul chose to know God through the suffering appointed to him. Jesus also chose submission to God’s will over having an easier road to follow. “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and he was heard because of His reverent submission.” (Heb 5:7). Reading further, we see that Jesus Himself learned obedience from what He suffered (vs 8). Jesus set an example for us of obedience to God at the cost of personal preference. That is why He could invite obedient saints to sit on the throne with Him; “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3:21) I reviewed many scriptures that uphold the admonition contained in the first part of the eternal gospel; fear God. Next, I will review the second admonition; give Him glory. My hope is that, in studying God’s commands, we will better realize how to please God with our faith, and will avoid the pit falls common to all men who disbelieve. God bless, Helen