A MESSAGE WORTH SHARING : PART 2

 

The gospels primarily center on Christ’s first coming. They tell the story of his birth, His life and ministry, and His death and resurrection. Although they speak of the second coming, that is not the main emphasis. The book of Revelation focuses however on the climax of the centuries-long conflict of the ages. Each of its major prophesies ends up in the glorious return of the Lord.

The preamble of Revelation 21 gives a summary on the deliverance from the nightmare of sin when Christ returns and taking them home to glory. The great controversy between good and evil will have ended. The earth will have been made a new, and the redeemed will live with the Lord forever.

Thus, Jesus’ final appeal as in Revelation 22:7, is for all humanity to respond to His love, accept His grace, and follow His truth to be ready for His soon return. Revelation concludes with Jesus’ invitation, “And the spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ (Revelation 22:17, NKJV). Our Lord invites all of those who seek eternal life to come to Him.

 

The epicenter of the book of Revelation is chapter 14. This chapter is of paramount importance to God’s people living in the last days of human history. It unfolds God’s last day message to human kind. This end-time message is crucial to the people of God and to all humanity.

 

The symbolism of harvest is used throughout the bible to describe Christ’s return (Mark 4:29). In Revelation 14, the harvest of ripe grain represents the redemption of the righteous, and the harvest of overripe grapes depicts the destruction of the wicked. Revelation 14:6-7 contains some urgent last-day message to prepare men and women for the earth’s final harvest.

The message of the first angel in Revelation 14 appeals to a twenty-first-century generation longing for purpose in their lives. It represents a gospel of God’s grace that provides forgiveness for all. It cleanses us from the guilt of sin and gives us the power to be overcomers. This message provides the basis for all self-worth in the fact that Christ created us and redeemed us. It points out that one day all injustices will come to an end in God’s final judgment.

 

The message of Revelation 14 invites us to ‘fear’ God and give Him ‘glory’. To “fear God” has to do with how they think. It is an appeal to please God and to place Him first in all our thoughts. It is also an attitude of obedience that leads us to live godly lives. To “give glory” to God relates to what we do in every aspect of our lives.

 

In an age of moral irresponsibility, when millions of people feel that they are accountable to no one but themselves, this judgment-hour message reminds us that we are accountable for our own actions. There is a relationship between an attitude for reverence for God, obedience to God, and the judgment. Obedience is the fruit of a saving relationship with Jesus.

 

 This message calls us back to worshipping Jesus who created us and who gives us a sense of our true worth in Him. Therefore it is worth sharing.