Title: Don't Be Afraid and Don't Be Afraid
Revelation (51) What to fear and what to fear (Revelation 11:14-19)
1. Don't Be Afraid of Judgment
In the book of Revelation, there are three judgments: the judgment of the seven seals, the judgment of the seven trumpets, and the judgment of the seven bowls. Among the seven trumpet judgments, the remaining three trumpet judgments that will occur when the three angels blow after the fourth trumpet judgment is over are expressed as ‘woe, woe, woe’ (Revelation 8:13). The trumpet judgment gradually became more severe as it went on to the next one. If so, I think the final judgment of the seventh trumpet will be the most severe. However, if we look at the text, we see that when the seventh angel blows his trumpet, the image of heaven overflowing with praise and worship appears first.
So far, the book of Revelation has unfolded that way. From chapter 6, the judgment of the seven seals is described. Before that, chapters 4-5 describe the kingdom of heaven and prepare your heart. And in chapter 6, the judgment is described as the six seals are continuously opened, but before the seventh seal is opened in chapter 8, the heavenly kingdom is described again in chapter 7 to prepare the heart. And as the judgment of the seventh trumpet begins, as in the text, we first describe the kingdom of heaven and prepare our hearts again.
What does this scene suggest? Judgment is prepared for those who have turned away from God, and for those who believe in God, it gives a hint that the time of judgment will be the time to witness the glory of God the most. For sincere believers, judgment is not something to fear, but rather something to look forward to. Therefore, whenever you think of God's judgment, let your joy take precedence over your fear.
2. Don't be afraid of hardship
Looking at the description of the kingdom of heaven in the text, you can feel vividly that even the saints will have difficulties but will eventually be victorious. At first glance, people associate the book of Revelation with scary things in the future, but the image of heaven should be clearer. The book that best describes the life in heaven in the Bible is the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is a book that speaks of tomorrow's victory through the process of suffering. Such sincere faith inevitably leads to victory, so no matter what circumstances you face, do not lose your peace of mind and learn to relax in the Lord's leisurely sleep in a ship raging with storms.
I have no way of knowing the exact reason why there is trouble in my life. All you have to do is think of suffering as God's providence that demands change in your behavior and aim for a change for good. The reason God scatters His people is to eventually gather His people together. If we keep our faith, God will take responsibility and protect us. So, even if you have a hard time now, have an overflowing hope for tomorrow's victory. The first thing to do during difficulties is to cling to the Lord so that that hope does not become a vain hope.
Sometimes a saint with conscience and responsibility thinks like this. “I am not bearing much fruit as a child of God!” If you think too much about the fruit like that, you are more likely to have a spiritual breakdown. The first question that believers need is not “Am I bearing much fruit?” but “Am I clinging to the Lord?” In other words, you must become a branch saint that is attached to the Lord's vine. Then, in due time, it will bear much fruit.
3. Fear Only God
In the description of the kingdom of heaven in the text, we realize the importance of worship once again as we see the 24 elders worshiping God and speaking words that exalt the great God. Worship is to honor God without fearing anything other than God because we know how to fear God. Even prayer is no longer necessary in heaven, but worship continues. After all, the center of life in heaven is worship. That is why worship is so important.
The greatest joy of the saints is worship. You must have that joy to be a true saint. Those who know the joy of worship, even if they are hospitalized, cannot endure it when it comes to worship on Sunday. That's why I ejaculate to the doctor and come to church, sometimes sneaking out. This is because without worship, we cannot feel the joy of living properly for a week. Even if you eat well and dress well, you can experience true grace and joy if you don't do your best to worship.
As an investigator, for more than 30 years, dealing with only sinners and living harshly, one person came to know the joy of worship and shed tears of shame every time we worshiped for three years. Where does such tearful joy and happiness come from? It comes from worship in spirit and in truth. When worship dies, all die; when worship lives, all live. Through true worship, you will receive the greatest grace, healing, power, and blessings from God. Worship is the foundation of all blessings.