WHEN FEAR IS GOOD! Fear is often viewed as something bad. It can cause excessive or irrational behavior. Such fear can interfere with daily living. It could also cause individuals to avoid engaging in enjoyable or even necessary activities. If fear is so destructive, then why does the Bible call for us to fear God?
In this series of videos, we look at fearing God in the context of the times in which we are living. As we consider fear, we must remember that our orders for the present day are centered in the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter 14.
These messages make up the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are the present truth for our time. Therefore, in this series, we are studying the messages surrounding the three angels of Revelations 14 and their relevance to the gospel and the times in which we are living.
If you want to review any of our previous videos, you can find them at SabbathSchoolDaily.com. Additionally, you can obtain the study guide for these lessons at Sabbath.School or ssnet.org.
Inviting God’s Presence
Heavenly Father, fear can be debilitating, yet you have commanded us to fear you. Help us to understand just what that means. This we humbly ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen
Fear negatively impacts our physical health, and it can impair our mental health. Moreover, fear is commonly used as a tool of manipulation and control.
Many fear the end of the world. The end of the world and the events leading up to it are no joke. Our world is on the verge of a crisis. It is a crisis more serious and will be more dreadful than the time of the Flood.
Peter uses the Flood as a picture to show what will happen during the end times. Using the Flood as an example, Peter warns us in 1 Peter 3:10 that just as the world of old perished by water, in the end times:
“the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10, NKJV).
The Bible warns us of what’s coming. It is our duty to adhere to the warning and prepare for this terrible crisis coming upon us.
Revelations 14:12 describes those who have prepared for this final crisis. It says: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV).
The book of Revelation is for our generation. It is the present truth for our time. It is designed to help us get ready for Jesus’ soon return. And it reveals the special work that we must do to prepare for His return.
God is calling for his people to unite with Jesus in sharing His end-time message with the entire world.
In this message is an urgent appeal to fear God. What does it mean to fear God?
Continue watching – view Part 2 of this Video. Day 2: Fear God
The book of Revelation shows God’s plans and shows us Satan’s evil plans, too. The book of Revelation shows us God’s final message and warning for everyone on earth.
The Apostles John’s urgent appeal to the last generation on this earth is found in Revelation 14:7
7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7)
Though Revelations 14:7 makes this urgent appeal to fear God. Fearing God has always been an expectation for the people of God. Notice what it says about fearing God in the following verses:
Genesis 22:12
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (Genesis 22:12)
Psalms 89:7
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him. (Psalms 89:7)
Proverbs 2:5
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5)
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Ephesians 5:21
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:21)
What does it mean to fear God?
The Greek word for “fear” in Revelation 14:7 is “phobeo.” It means “to fear” or “to be afraid of.” It is derived from the Greek word “phobos,” which means fear or terror.
In English, “phobia” is a noun that refers to an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something. So, while “phobeo” is not commonly used in English, it is related to the concept of fear and the development of phobias.
However, fear in this verse does not mean we should be afraid or terrified of God. Fear here means we should reverence, honor, and respect Him. In other words, our loyalty and honor should be to God and Him only. (Split)
Contrary to the attitude of Lucifer in which Isaiah 14:13-14 tells us he aspires to be exalted above God.
13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 14:13-14)
In contrast to Lucifer, we put aside pride, and we give our lives fully to God and do what He wants. We live for God and not for selfish ambitions.
The point is: When we “fear” God, we will live the way Jesus did.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 2:6 and 8 that Jesus
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6, 8)
The cosmic conflict between God and Satan is centered around our submission to God.
It boils down to this: Will we obey God or be like Lucifer? Rather than submit to God on the throne, Lucifer wants to rule from the throne.
Simply put, to fear God is to place Him first in everything, in our thinking, and in our doing. We renounce our self-centeredness and pride and live a life completely for God.
Lucifer refused to respect anyone but himself. Lucifer refused to bow down to God.
But different from Lucifer, when we “fear” God, we put Him first in our thoughts and actions. We will say no to selfish desires and selfish pride. We will seek to live fully for Him.
It is evident that fearing God is very important to Him because “fear God,” is the first words in the message of the First Angel.
Therefore, we must put God first in everything. We fear God not in the sense of being terrified of him but in the sense of reverence and respect for Him! Thus “the fear of God” is good.
“Holy and reverend is His name,” the psalmist declares in Psalm 111:9. Angels, when they speak that name, veil their faces. With what reverence, then, should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips!—Prophets and Kings, pp. 47, 48.
Fearing God is more than mere words; it is action. Fear is demonstrated in what we do. How do our actions show that we fear God? Watch Part 3 of this series. Fearing and Obeying God
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
7902 Wheatly Street
Houston, TX 77088
Watch Past and Present Lessons at SabbathSchoolDaily.com
