Revelation 14 - 07.11.24
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 14:9-11 NLT
“Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.””
OBSERVATION
John saw three angels flying through the sky of heaven.
The first angel said, “Fear God, for the time has come when HE will sit as Judge.”
Francis Chan wrote a book called “Erasing Hell”. It seems somehow our world has done a fairly good job of erasing the concept of hell.
Even among professed Christians-Pew research shows a surprising disparity regarding belief in the concept of heaven and hell and why someone might be headed for hell or not make it into heaven.
This portion of scripture brings front and center what Jesus said,
“You can enter God’s Kingdom ONLY through the narrow gate [Jesus]. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
APPLICATION
Choose wisely-The consequences last an eternity.
Reading the book “A Voice in the Night” had the most profound effect on me. Pastor Sithole had come from a long line of witch doctors when one night a Voice [God] spoke to him in the most remote poverty-stricken jungles of Africa, telling him to get up and leave his village. He knew he had to follow that voice and his adventures took him so far beyond anything he ever could imagine existed to become an agent of hope and a transforming presence in a continent that was war-torn and spiritually oppressed.
One of the things I will never forget in his book, is how he so vividly describes an occurrence where God gave him a vision of hell and suddenly how the people before him became such an urgent matter to share the gospel with. He couldn’t bear to think about them suffering and burning in this unspeakable way. He was experiencing their pain.
This was a part of my drive to share the gospel.
In addition, Pastor Levi shared a stunning message on Following Jesus.
His message included an unforgettable part about believers being compared to Titanic survivors in the boats “rowing away” from ALL the drowning people. These Titanic survivors could hear the cries of those who were drowning.
““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
HE cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that DOES bear fruit HE prunes
so that it will be even MORE fruitful.
Remain in me, as I also remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
(John 15:1-2, 4 NIV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
You saved us SO that we would be Your disciples and witnesses.
I am in a season of pruning and refining. Help me Lord to receive and learn and grow and mature. Help me to stay close to You. Have YOUR way. Thank YOU for giving me such a gift as loving people to stand with me and pray for Larry and I in this season.
We are strengthened and deeply encouraged.
Father, help me to not get distracted and to keep my focus to be about Your business.
Keep this memory about “hell” front and center in my heart and etched in my mind—so that I will be sharing Your Good News every chance I get.
Forgive me for not being more bold to share with the young man at the grocery on Sunday.
You gave us this gift of Salvation TO Share-not to selfishly “row away”.
Here I am Lord. Send me.
In Jesus Name, amen
Tina L Kudelka