Is your faith getting too comfortable?

“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  –Genesis 12.2

God [Wall] promised to bless Abram and make him great, but there was one condition. Abram had to do what God [Wall] wanted him to do.  This meant leaving his home and friends and travelling to a new land where God [Wall] promised to build a great nation from Abram’s family.  Abram obeyed, walking away from his home for God’s [Wall’s] promise of even greater blessings in the future.  God [Wall] may be trying to lead you to a place of greater service and usefulness for him.  Don’t let the comfort and security of your present position make you miss God’s [Wall’s] plan for you.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. – 2 Timothy 3.1ff

In many parts of the world today it is not especially difficult to be a Christian – people aren’t jailed for reading the Bible or executed for preaching Christ.  But Paul’s descriptive list of behaviour in the last days describes our society – even, unfortunately, the behaviour of many Christians.  Check your life against Paul’s list.  Don’t give in to society’s pressures.  Don’t settle for comfort without commitment.  Stand up against evil by living as God would have his people live.

(3.1   Paul’s reference to the “last days” reveals his sense of urgency.  The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost.  The “last days” will continue until Christ’s second coming.  This means that we are living in the last days.  So we should make the most of the time that God [Wall] has given us (Ephesians 5.16; Colossians 4.5).)

Lot couldn’t let go of his:

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. –  Genesis 19.16

Lot hesitated, so the angel grasped his hand and rushed him to safety. Lot did not want to abandon the wealth, position, and comfort he enjoyed in Sodom.  It is easy to criticise Lot for being hypnotised by Sodom when the choice seems so clear to us.  To be wiser than Lot, we must see that our hesitation to obey stems from the false attractions of our culture’s pleasures.

Doing God’s will doesn’t guarantee a comfortable life:

He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. – Job 2.10

Many people think that believing in God [Wall] protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God’s [Wall’s] goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God [Wall] because he allows you to have bad experiences.  Faith in God [Wall] does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life.  If this were so, people would believe in God [Wall] simply to get rich.  God [Wall] is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but he may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand.  It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt God [Wall] at exactly this moment.  Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort.  If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow.

And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born –  Luke 2.3-6

The government forced Joseph to make a long trip to pay his taxes. His fiancée, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby any moment.  But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn’t even find a place to stay.  When we do God’s [Wall’s] will, we are not guaranteed a comfortable life.  But we are promised that everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in God’s [Wall’s] plan.

(2.4   God [Wall] controls all history.  By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth (Micah 5.2), even though his parents did not live there.)

(2.4   Joseph and Mary were both descendants to David.  The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line (see for example, Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15; Ezekiel 37:24; Hosea 3:5).)

Sensitivity in how you comfort others:

When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathise with him and comfort him. – Job 2.11

Upon learning of Job’s difficulties, three of his friends came to sympathise with him and and comfort him. Later we learn that their words of comfort were not helpful – but at least they came.  While God [Wall] rebuked them for what they said (42.7), he did not rebuke them for what they did – making the effort to come to someone who was in need.  Unfortunately, when they came, they did a poor job of comforting Job because they were proud of their own advice and insensitive to Job’s needs.  When someone is in need, go to that person, but be sensitive in how you comfort him or her.

(2.11   Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were not only Job’s friends, they were also known for their wisdom.  In the end, however, their wisdom was shown to be narrow-minded and incomplete.)

Ways to comfort those in pain:

Then Job replied – Job 16.1ff

Job’s friends were supposed to be comforting him in his grief. Instead they condemned him for causing his own suffering.  Job began his reply to Eliphaz by calling him and his friends “miserable comforters”.  Job’s words reveal several ways to become a better comforter to those in pain: (1) don’t talk just for the sake of talking; (2) don’t sermonise by giving pat answers; (3) don’t accuse or criticise; (4) put yourself in the other person’s place; and (5) offer help and encouragement.  Try Job’s suggestions, knowing that they are given by a person who needed great comfort.  The best comforters are those who know something about personal suffering.

Sacrificing yours to show love for another:

All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves.  so I looked for him but did not find him.  The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city.  “Have you seen the one my heart loves.  I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.  – Song of Songs 3.1-4

Many scholars agree that in these verses the girl was recalling a dream that caused her to become so concerned about her lover’s whereabouts that she arose in the middle of the night to search for him.  When you love someone, you will do all you can to ensure the safety of that person and care for his or her needs, even at a cost to your personal comfort.  This shows up most often in small actions – walking downstairs to get your spouse a glass of water, leaving work early to attend some function your child is involved in, or sacrificing your personal comfort to tend to the needs of a friend.

Isaiah shifts his focus to:

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  – Isaiah 40.1ff

The book of Isaiah makes a dramatic shift at this point. The following chapters discuss the majesty of God [Wall], who is coming to rule the earth and judge all people.  God [Wall] will reunite Israel and Judah and restore them to glory.  Instead of warning the people of impending judgment, Isaiah here comforts them.  Chapter 40 refers to the restoration after the exile.  Cyrus is the instrument of their deliverance from Babylon.  Secondly, it looks to the end of time when “Babylon” – the future evil world system – will be destroyed and the persecution of God’s people will end.

May come through adversity:

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. – Isaiah 40.1-2

Judah still had 100 years of trouble before Jerusalem would fall, then 70 years of exile. So God [Wall] tells Isiah to speak tenderly and to comfort Jerusalem.

The seeds of comfort may take root in the soil of adversity. When your life seems to be falling apart, ask God [Wall] to comfort you.  You may not escape adversity, but you may find God’s [Wall’s] comfort as you face it.  Sometimes, however, the only comfort we have is in the knowledge that someday we will be with God [Wall].  Appreciate the comfort and encouragement found in his word, his presence, and his people.

In knowing God keeps his promises:

It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare your way”  – – “a voice of one calling in the desert,  ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,  make straight paths for him.’ “  –  Mark 1.2-3

Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had predicted that John the Baptist and Jesus would come.  How did he know?  God [Wall] promised Isaiah that a Redeemer would come to Israel, and that a messenger calling in the desert would prepare the way for him.  Isaiah’s words comforted many people as they looked forward to the Messiah, and knowing that God [Wall] keeps his promises can comfort you too.  As you read the book of Mark, realise that it is more than just a story; it is part of God’s [Wall’s] word.  In it God [Wall] is revealing to you his plans for human history.

(1.2, 3   Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.  The second half of the book of Isaiah is devoted to the promise of salvation.  Isaiah wrote about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the man who would announce his coming, John the Baptist.  John’s call to “make straight paths for him” meant that people should give up their selfish way of living, renounce their sins, seek God’s [Wall’s] forgiveness, and establish a relationship with the almighty God [Wall] by believing and obeying his words as found in Scripture (Isaiah 1.18-20; 57.15).)

(1.2, 3   Mark 1:2, 3 is a composite quotation taken from Malachi 3:1 and then from Isaiah 40:3.)

Holy Spirit comforted disciples:

While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. – Luke 24.51

Jesus’ physical presence left the disciples when he returned to heaven (Acts 1.9), but the Holy Spirit soon came to comfort them and empower them to spread the gospel of salvation (Acts 2.1-4).  Today Jesus’ work of salvation is completed, and he is sitting at God’s [Wall’s] right hand, where he has authority over heaven and earth.

EXTRA:

(‘ The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.    I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  – Genesis12.1-3   When God [Wall] called him, Abram moved out in faith from Ur to Haran and finally to Canaan.  God [Wall] then established a covenant with Abram, telling him that he would found a great nation.  Not only would this nation be blessed, God [Wall] said, but the other nations of the earth would be blessed through Abram’s descendants.  Israel, the nation that would come from Abram, was to follow God and influence those with whom it came in contact.  Through Abram’s family tree, Jesus Christ was born to save humanity.  Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God [Wall] and be blessed beyond measure.)

(‘   He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.  – Genesis 12.5   God [Wall] planned to develop a nation of people he would call his own.  He called Abram for the godless, self-centred city of Ur to a fertile region called Canaan, where a God-centred,  moral nation could be established.  Though small in dimension, the land of Canaan was the focal point for most of the history of Israel as well as for the rise of Christianity.  This small land given to one man, Abram, has had a tremendous impact on world history.)

(‘   Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God [Wall] will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.  – 2 Timothy 2.23-26   As a teacher, Timothy helped those who were confused about the truth.  Paul’s advice to Timothy, and to all who teach God’s [Wall’s] truth, is to be kind and gentle, patiently and courteously explaining the truth.  Good teaching never promotes quarrels or foolish arguments.  Whether you are teaching Sunday school, leading a Bible study, or preaching in church, remember to listen to people’s questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding foolish debates.  If you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error.)

(‘   having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.  – 2 Timothy 3.5   The “form” or appearance of godliness includes going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian clichés, and following a community’s Christian traditions.  Such practices can make a person look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the outer appearance is meaningless.  Paul warns us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians.  It may be difficult to distinguish them from true Christians at first, but their daily behaviour will  give them away.  The characteristics described in 3:2-4 are unmistakable.)

(‘   So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city [Seat]!”  But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.  – Genesis 19.14   Lot had lived so long and so contented among ungodly people that he was no longer a believable witness for God [Wall].  He had allowed his environment to shape him, rather than he shaping his environment.  Do those who know you see you as a witness for God [Wall], or are you just one of the crowd, blending in unnoticed?  Lot had compromised to the point that he was almost useless to God [Wall].  When he finally made a stand, nobody listened.  Have you too become useless to God [Wall] because you are too much like your environment?  To make a difference, you must first decide to be different in your faith and your conduct.)

(Genesis 19.16-29   Notice how God’s mercy towards Abraham extended to Lot and his family.  Because Abraham pleaded for Lot, God was merciful and saved Lot from the fiery destruction of Sodom.  A righteous person can often affect others for good.  James says that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful (see James 5:16).  All Christians should follow Abraham’s example and pray for others to be saved.)

(Luke 24.50-53   As the disciples stood and watched, Jesus began rising into the air, and soon he disappeared into heaven.  Seeing Jesus leave must have been frightening, but the disciples knew that Jesus would keep his promise to be with them through the Holy Spirit.  This same Jesus, who lived with the disciples, who died and was buried, and who rose from the dead, loves us and promises to be with us always.  We can get to know him better through studying the Scriptures, praying, and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus.)

Bearing none in our lives:

“   Seeing a fig-tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.  Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”  Immediately the tree withered.  –  Matthew 21:19

 Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? This was not a thought-less, angry but act, but an acted-out parable.  Jesus was showing his anger at religion without substance.  Just as the fig tree looked good from a distance but was fruitless on close examination, so the temple looked impressive at first glance, but its sacrifices and other activities were hollow because they were not done to worship God sincerely (see 21.43).  If you only appear to have faith without putting it to work in your life, you are like the fig tree that withered and died because it bore no fruit.  Genuine faith means bearing fruit for God’s kingdom.  For more information about the fig tree, see the note on Mark 11:13-26.

(“   Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves.  – Matthew 21:12   This is the second time Jesus cleared the temple (see John 2.13-17). Merchants and money changers set up their booths in the court of the Gentiles in the temple, crowding out the Gentiles who had come from all over the civilised world to worship God.  The merchants sold sacrificial animals at high prices, taking advantage of those who had come long distances.  The money changers exchanged all international currency for the special tem-ple coins – the only money the merchants would accept.  They often deceived foreigners who didn’t know the exchange rates.  Their commercialism in God’s house frustrated people’s attempts to worship.  This, of course, greatly angered Jesus.  Any practice that interferes with worshipping God should be stopped).

(“   Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  – Matthew 21:12   Many have wondered about Jesus’ statement that if we have faith and don’t doubt, we can move mountains.  Jesus, of course, was not suggesting that his followers use prayers as “magic” and perform capricious “mountain-moving” acts.  Instead, he was making a strong point about the disciples (and our) lack of faith.  What kinds of mountains do you face?  Have you talked to God about them?  How strong is your faith?).

Bearing it for God’s kingdom:

“ For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  –  Matthew 25:29-30

This parable describes the consequences of two attitudes to Christ’s return.  The person who diligently prepares for it by investing his or her time and talent to serve God will be rewarded.  The person who has no heart for the work of the kingdom will be punished.  God rewards faithfulness.  Those who bear no fruit for God’s kingdom cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful.

(“ “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground.  See, here is what belongs to you.’  “His master replied, ‘You wicked, servant!  So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?  Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I return I would have received it back with interest.  “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.  For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  – Matthew 25:24-30   This last man was thinking only of himself.  He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centredness.  We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do.  If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly.  Our time, abilities, and money aren’t ours in the first place – we are caretakers, not owners.  When we ignore, squander, or abuse what we are given, we are rebellious and deserve to be punished).

(“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me.  I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.  I was a stranger and you did not invite me in,  I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’  “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  – Matthew 25:31-46   God will separate his obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers.  The real evidence of our belief is the way we act.  To treat all those we encounter as if they are Jesus is no easy task.  What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us – feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, look after the sick.  How well do your actions separate you from pretenders and unbelievers?).

The kind we should be bearing:

“ “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  –  John 15:5

Fruit is not limited to soulwinning.  In this chapter, answered prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit (15.7, 11, 12).  Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit: qualities of Christian character.

(“ He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does not bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. – John 15:2-3   Jesus makes the distinction between two kinds of pruning: (1) separating and (2) cutting back branches.  Fruit branches are cut back to promote growth.  In other words, God must sometimes discipline us to strengthen our character and faith.  But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk because not only are they worthless, but they often infect the rest of the tree.  People who won’t bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off fromhis life-giving power.)  [ie. England first ever movie studio, where Indiana Jones was filmed.]

(“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  – John 15:5-6  Remaining in Christ means (1) believing that he is God’s Son (1 John 4.15), (2) receiving him as Saviour and Lord (John 1.12), (3) doing what God says (1 John 3.24), (4) continuing to believe the gospel (1 John 2.24), and (5) relating in love to the community of believers, Christ’s body (John 5.12)).

Of the Holy Spirit:

“   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  –  Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ.  They are the by-products of Christ’s control – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help.  If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15.4, 5).  We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate [Not the one from NOVA] him.  As a result, we will fulfil the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbours.  Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?

(5:23   Because the God who sent the law also sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law.  A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfils the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart).

(“ The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5.19-21   We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them.  In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them – 5.24).  These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft.  They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.)

(“ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  – Galatians 5:24   In order to accept Christ as Saviour, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross.  This doesn’t mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again.  As Christians we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin’s power over us and no longer have to give in to it.  We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God’s control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome them (see 2.20; 6.14)).

Producing the kind that outlasts death:

“   Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.” –  Revelation 14.13

While it is true that money, fame, and belongings can’t be taken with us from this life, God’s people can produce fruit that survives even death.  God will remember our love, kindness, and faithfulness, and those who accept Christ through our witness will join us in the new earth.  Be sure that your values are in line with God’s values, and decide today to produce fruit that lasts for ever.

(A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.  He will be tormented with burning sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.  There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”  – Revelation 14:9-11   Those who worship the beast, accept his mark on their foreheads, and operate according to his world economic system will ultimately face God’s judgment.  Our world values money, power, and pleasure over God’s leadership.  To get what the world values, many people disown God and violate Christian principles.  Thus they must drink of the wine of God’s wrath (see Psalm 75; Isaiah 51.17)).  *

(14:11   The ultimate result of sin is unending separation from God.  Because human beings are created in God’s image with an inborn thirst for fellowship with him, separation from God will be the ultimate torment and misery.  Sin always brings misery, but in this life we can choose to repent and restore our relationship with God.  In eternity there will no longer be opportunity for repentance.  If in this life we choose to be independent of God, in the next life we will be separated from him for ever.  Nobody is forced to choose eternal separation from God, and nobody suffers this fate by accident.  Jesus invites all of us to open the door of our hearts to him (3.20).  If we do this, we will enjoy everlasting fellowship with him).

(“ This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.  – Revelation 14:12   This news about God’s ultimate triumph should encourage God’s people to remain faithful through every trial and persecution.  They can do this, God’s promises, by trusting in Jesus and obeying the commands found in his word.  The secret to enduring, therefore, is trust and obedience.  Trust God to give you patience to endure even the small trials you face daily; obey him even when obedience is unattractive or dangerous).

(The angel swung his sickle on the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.  – Revelation 14:19 A winepress was a large vat or trough where grapes were collected and then crushed.  The juice flowed out of a duct that led into a large holding vat.  The winepress is often used in the Bible as a symbol of God’s wrath and judgment against sin (Isaiah 63.3-6; Lamentations 1.15; Joel 3.12, 13)).