"I know all the things you do and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word…Because you have obeyed My command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world…All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of My God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write my God’s name on them and they will be citizens in the city of My God – the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from My God. And they will have My new name inscribed upon them." Revelation 3:8, 10, 12
"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white…He said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. That is why they are standing in front of the throne of God, serving Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will live among them and shelter them. They will never again be hungry or thirsty and they will be fully protected from the scorching noonday heat. For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears." Revelation 7:9, 14b-17
At the end of Revelation, Chapter 6, Jesus, the Lamb worthy to remove the seals from the scroll, broke the sixth seal and set off a series of cataclysmic events. You’ll recall that it all started with a great earthquake, then the sun and moon changed color, followed by the stars falling from the sky, the sky rolling up like a scroll, and the mountains and islands disappearing. Fear struck everyone from the most powerful to the free to the slaves. The question was asked, "Who will be able to survive?"
Well, the answer to that question comes from an earlier passage which can sum up what God requires from His creation, the very works of His hands. This all powerful, all wise, all loving God has given every one He created everything He has, to include His only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. And yet, most of us fail to even give Him a fraction ourselves back in return. Jesus in our passage from Revelation, Chapter 3, emphasizes that obedience is what will move you toward eternal life and a place in God’s temple with Him and our Father in heaven. Jesus promises that He would "protect you (the obedient) from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world." He then affirms that, "All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of My God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write my God’s name on them and they will be citizens in the city of My God – the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from My God. And they will have My new name inscribed upon them."
Question: Are you living in obedience to the Father and His Son Jesus Christ? If judgment were to come down this very minute, would you find yourself marked to be with God and Jesus in the throne room of heaven, serving as "pillars in the Temple."
Christian living is not easy. We are weak and sinful by nature when left to our own devices. That is why Jesus would say you HAVE to become obedient…because apart from Him you DON’T have the strength to stand against Satan. You CAN’T make it on your own. You CAN’T save yourself. That’s why we have a Savior and His name is Jesus. Place Him first in your mind, first in your heart, and first in your soul and He will always be FIRST in your life. It’s the only way you can and will survive when judgment comes. Don’t delay.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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