December 29. Revelation 6 – 11.

 

Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Revelation are perhaps some of the most intense chapters recorded in the Scriptures. Woe. Woe. Woe. Three woes that carry some very grave consequences. The power and the terror recorded are freighting and demand the reader’s attention. The response to these passages as you read will be the same response of those who will experience it – either you will see God and respect Him and His authority, or you will scoff at Him and reject His sovereignty, power, and authority.

 

Putting order into your life begins with deciding where you will put your faith. Whether you are a believer, agnostic or atheist, you live by faith. The question is; in what are you placing your faith? Education, philosophy, a bank account, your job, family, yourself, or God? No man believes in nothing.

 

In the end, all will know God and all will know His Son, Jesus Christ, but until then everyone makes a choice whether to believe or not. God will not force you to believe in Him, or believe Him, but He certainly will not compromise His plan nor His character for your lack of faith.

 

Look at verse 17 of chapter 7 and reflect on the placement of these words; they are presented to you before these apocalyptic chapters that follow. There are a great picture and truth in the very order of these words. God would rather see you fed and led by His Son, and wipe away your tears than to have you face His wrath and judgment.

 

^7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 

Earlier in chapter 7 and in many other portions of Scripture throughout the Old and New Testament, it is established that God always has a remnant of believers. The majority were typically not His followers. Twelve spies but only 2 believed; remember that account? Do not be afraid to be different from the crowd, the world, the majority. Ask God to help you to be brave, bold, and believe Him and His Son. Be a part of what seems like the few, but know that there are many of those few throughout the ages and God will reward those who place their trust in Him and His promises.

 

Faith. What are you trusting today? Woe unto you if it is anything but God and His Word. Comfort if it is nothing but God and His Word. Be one of the remnant, one of the sheltered ones.

 

^7:16 they will never be hungry again, nor thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. ¹⁷ For the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their Shepherd and lead them to the springs of the Water of Life. And God will wipe their tears away.”