Throughout this year, we will be studying various segments of the three angel’s messages given to us in Revelation, with the intention of understanding the meaning, the implementation, and ultimately, the consequences of us accepting, or rejecting the everlasting gospel given to our generation.
Thus, in harmony with this specific purpose, it will be necessary for us to be deliberate, and careful, so as not to overlook any detail God intended for us to see. Therefore, we will begin by studying the first two words spoken in these messages, “Fear God”. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God.
To fear God, has several different connotations, and meanings, but it does not mean to be afraid of Him. Instead, it carries those overtones such as supreme reverence, worship, godly wisdom, and hating evil, amongst others. Let’s read:
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
To “Fear God” also includes our admiration of His perfect character, and wisdom. It involves correctly valuing all human life, respect for the elderly, and parents, and all those to whom God has delegated authority, in the secular and the religious realms; the hating of covetousness, and the keeping of God’s commandments.
It also includes the deliberate, personal decision to esteem God’s laws, His statutes, and instructions as being the absolute, and vastly superior standard of righteousness, even when they may be at odds with our finite understanding, and concepts of morality. In other words, whatever we may think or say must be subservient to whatsoever God declares to be right, from food to business to worship to marriage. All this is involved in fearing God.
The fear of God also includes avoiding favoritism, or biased respect of certain persons based upon one’s privilege, rank, financial holdings or celebrity status. It debunks all distinctions of caste, and views every individual as belonging to God, both by creation and redemption. The fear of God leads us to understand that the ground around Mt. Calvary is a level playing field, where any and everyone from every creed and race, can find an equal place, and all are more than welcome to partake of God’s grace.
It also leads us to be careful about making vows to God or man, it also causes us to consider carefully, before taking offices in church, much more so if we are prone to make excuses, when things do not go the way we expected. The fear of God also enters into our business transactions, instructing us against such practices as haggling, undercutting each other in bids for contracts, hostile takeovers, bribery, and fraud, teaching us to execute sound judgment, and mercy, and equity in our interactions with persons.
The fear of God also affects the way we would carry ourselves in His presence, the eating, and drinking during worship services, the walking, or running up, and down in the sanctuary during worship, or even when there’s nothing taking place at church. It also addresses the use of cell-phones and other personal gadgets in God’s presence, whilst we are petitioning Him. In general, it translates into treating God with infinitely greater respect than we would do, in the presence of any earthly ruler.
Indeed, whatsoever we would not dare to do in any earthly ruler’s presence, we should never, ever do in God’s presence. More than anything else the fear of God would lead us to acknowledge, and honor Him as The Creator of the heavens, and the earth. All of these, and more, are included in those first, two cryptic words, “Fear God”. Thus, because the instruction to fear God is holistic in nature, we must address several branches of the phrase. Let’s read:
[1] Fear God --- In His capacity as Creator.
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
The popular notion that we are accountable only to ourselves, and that there is no absolute truth, are two offshoots of the “big bang” theory. Hence, the reason why the first angel’s message addresses the Creatorship of God, for without first acknowledging this fact, all of the other down-stream connotations will become irrelevant, in the minds of those who are thus disposed.
Much of the world’s current problems today, from our educational systems, to our social, political and religious systems, are the result of individuals, and nations not recognizing this first fact, that we are created.
[2] “Fearing God” addresses the issue of walking up and down in church, and talking verbally or digitally on casual topics while church service is in progress. Speaking in tongues, excessive noises, and church-goers falling down upon the ground has become a phenomenon that’s quite acceptable in our day; but if we were to read carefully, we will soon discover that any such worship is antithetical to fearing God. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more, ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Habakkuk 2: 20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
[3] Fear God, in making rash vows without careful thought, and making spontaneous financial pledges when stirring appeals are made. When we go home, and calmly consider what we committed to in the heat of the moment, impulsiveness is not an excuse for any negligence, or delay on our part, in fulfilling that which we committed to do, on the spur of the moment.
In other words, rash vows are just as valid in God’s sight as are those which may be carefully thought out. If two persons fall in love at first sight, and in the heat of the moment they get married hastily, without careful thought and due consideration, the marriage is considered just as binding in the sight of God, as other folks who prayerfully considered the matter before tying the knot. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore, let thy words be few.
4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
[A.A pp 74>78] When the heart is stirred by the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vows has no longer any right to the consecrated portion. When divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and power, habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp and there is a disposition to give to the cause of God.
But none need think that they will be allowed to fulfill the promises then made, without a protest on the part of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Redeemer's kingdom on earth built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the desires of their families.
[4] Fear God…. In business transactions. As it stands currently, many business transactions conducted in the world and in the church, are void of the fear of God. The notion that we will not be undersold, that we will beat any advertised price, may sound good to the consumer, and we may actually benefit from such advertisements. But at their core, is another principle in operation, other than “Fear God”.
The practice of submitting unreasonably low bids on a contract, so as to procure a job does not proceed from the fear of God. The Christian who fears God will price his/her bids in harmony with the standard of the industry, once such standards are within the bounds of reason, justice, and equity. Then he/she will trust God to provide in due season. But for any Christian to become the sport of circumstances, just to make a buck, is nowhere encouraged in the Bible. Let’s read:
Luke 10:7 The laborer is worthy of his hire.
Leviticus 19:35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in mete-yard, in weight, or in measure.
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God.
[Test vol. 7 pp 163] In the effort to secure outside patronage in order to relieve the publishing houses from financial embarrassment, prices have been set so low that the work brings no profit. Those who flatter themselves that there is a gain have not kept strict account of every outgo. Do not cut down prices in order to secure a job. Take only such work as will give a fair profit.
At the same time there should be in our business deal no shadow of selfishness or overreaching. Let no one take advantage of any man's ignorance or necessity by charging exorbitant prices for work done or for goods sold.
That word “Exorbitant” is relative to the standard of the industry, and is never to be understood as one’s personal discretion. When David offered Ornan to purchase his threshing floor, he was offered it at no price, but David, who feared God, refused. Instead he paid the full price that was standard at that time. A three-bedroom house, with 2500 square feet, on fifth Ave New York city, will not cost the same as a similar home with the same square footage in rural Georgia.
Thus, the Christian is nowhere commanded to use personal discretion in pricing, as far as any business transaction goes. Discretion is optional, relative to the standard of the industry, and like Ornan, he may choose to give his house to the salvation army for free. That’s all well and good but he is nowhere commanded to do so, because that will be his own personal choice. Let’s read:
1st Chronicles 21:21 And as David came, Ornan went out of the threshing-floor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshing-floor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
[5] Fear God… In Marriage. In recent years marriage has come under attack by secular forces, and as it stands currently it incorporates almost any variation folks may come up with. Marriage is considered as an umbrella to now cover the most deviant concept or interpretation of what God originally intended.
Polygamy, co-habiting, shacking up, same-sex unions, bestiality, and having additional misters and mistresses, are all options considered to be viable in the sight of millions, as it pertains to marriage. But to fear God in marriage is to esteem it as the sacred institution it was meant to be, as the foundation of society, and intended for the stability communities, as well as nations.
But alas! We have fallen very low, for the sacred institution has been dragged in the dust, and holds little weight in the minds of many, as far as one’s commitment goes. In places high and low, and even within our own borders, the fear of God is strangely absent in many instances, as it pertains to marriage, and thus, for the record, it is necessary to state very implicitly, what God’s standard, and ideal is, on the matter. Let’s read:
Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
God also gave us a vivid revelation of how He views the sin of adultery. When Sarah was inadvertently taken by the Egyptian king, and again by Abimelech, God showed His great displeasure in sending a very grievous plague upon those households, signaling to them and ourselves in the 21st century that adultery and hush-money, flirting, and swingers in kings and in princes will not be tolerated, but instead, those who participate in such nocturnal activities, will be held accountable. Let’s read:
Genesis 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
4 But Abimelech said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know
that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife, and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
[6] Last, but not least is “Fear God”….. In respect of persons. Let’s set the record straight by observing what the scriptures have to say:
Acts 8:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.
On this point, we are lost in a maze of ideologies, political maneuvering, and social engineering, to the point where the lines between truth and error on this point, have become quite blurred. All ethnic cleansing, caste systems, racial profiling, and all preferential treatment given only to those in the upper echelons of society, or to the wealthy are variations of “Respect of persons”.
On this point God warns us, as He did with the Jews, not to forget where we came from, so as not to misunderstand where we are going. Immigrants in our day are the equivalent of “strangers”, and when they are treated inhumanely, and when families are torn apart as a result of respect of persons, then we will open the door for God’s retributive judgment to fall upon us.
All individuals have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, thus, in lieu of the infinite price paid for our redemption, God expects us to treat each other with human dignity, just as Christ did when He walked upon the earth. With this sole purpose in mind, let’s read our final few passages.
Deuteronomy 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's.
Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
2nd Chronicles 19:4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city.
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord.
7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon
you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, “FEAR GOD”.
God Bless!