The Reporter     Volume 46 # 1,  --  January 6, 2006

 

Die In The Lord

– Revelation Fourteen –

 

   Revelation Fourteen allows us to take another look at the Lamb of God and at the righteous judgment of God. These are two great forces for righteousness. Revelation Thirteen pictured two forces for evil, the sea beast (the civil persecu-ting power of Rome), and the land beast (emperor worship). We are again reminded that God's faithful people will be victorious.

 

   In Revelation Fourteen the Lamb appears with the 144,000. This number represents the redeemed of all ages. The angels warn against accepting the mark of the beast through giving in to Rome. The Lamb or the Son of God appears with a sickle to harvest the earth. This is a picture of God's wrath coming on the disobedient. They are taken to a wine press outside of the city. So much blood pours out that for two hundred miles, it is as deep as a horse's bridle. In contrast "the dead which die in the Lord rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13)

 

   The Lamb on mount Sion – Revelation 14:1-5: The Lamb is the Christ of God. It is through Him that salvation is possible. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Our robes are made white in the blood of the Lamb. "These are they which came out of  great tribulation,  and have  washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14) 

 

   Mount Sion is symbolic for Jerusalem. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Psalm 48:1-2) Later this same expression was used to picture the church. "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:22-23) God is still with His church in Sion, therefore the faithful have nothing to fear.

 

   The 144,000 represent all the saved. (Revelation 7:1-8) These have left the earthly life and are with God in Heaven. Satan had put a mark on the forehead of those that belonged to him. The 144,000 have the "Father's name written in their foreheads." John hears a voice from heaven with the rhythm of many waters, the volume of great thunders and the melody of harpers harping with their harps. The redeemed also sung a new song. (Revelation 5:9-10)

 

   These people are spiritually pure and faithful to God. (Revelation 14:4-5) They lovingly follow the Lamb in complete obedience. "These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." The first fruits belong to God! The first fruits and the 144,000 are the same people. These are the ones separated to God for His service. All others will be separated for judgment and wrath. "In their mouth was found no guile." They are not guilty of teaching untruths.

 

   The angel and their messages – Revelation 14:6-11: Three of God's headline statements are found in this section. We have already learned that God's people are victorious. Now we hear it in BOLD headline type statements.

 

   Statement one says “the faithful win.” It makes sense to worship God and not the beast. Statement two says “Babylon is fallen.” Satan's city has lost the battle. Statement three says “those that worship the emperor face judgment." These "drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture.” “The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” Those that serve Satan will be separated from God forever.

 

   The blessedness of those that die in the Lord – Revelation 14:12-16: The fourth headline statement has to do with those that have kept the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. This statement says “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” “Blessed are those who meet death in spiritual union with Jesus Christ.” The faithful are blessed, they rest and their works follow them.

 

   To be “in Christ,” is to be in spiritual union with Him. The Bible teaches that we are baptized into Christ. (Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:26-27) No one can die in the Lord who has not been baptized “into Christ.” To be in Christ is to be in His spiritual body, the church. Therefore it is false to believe that one could go to heaven without being a faithful member of the church. We must remember that the same obedience which puts us in Christ put us in His spiritual body. No one can die in the Lord without first being in the Lord.

 

   This text provides a wonderful picture of God's judgment on the righteousness. It is like gathering ripe grain into the barn. “Going home” for the Christian is a very peaceful time. There is “a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man.” It is like gathering the ripe grain into the barn. It is a time of joy and victory.

 

   The great winepress of God's wrath – Revelation 14:17-20: The second picture of God's judgment is very sad. It is a picture of the judgment of the wicked. This is the same judgment as the first but we are merely looking at a different group of people. Look at some of the symbols: (1) Fire, (2) Winepress of the wrath of God, (3) Trodden without the city, and (4) Blood came out of the winepress.

 

   This judgment pictured destruction because of iniquity or evil. God used the picture of grapes being crushed to show His punishment of the wicked. It is outside of Sion or a judgment on the non-Christians. The extreme amount of blood that was pictured was not literal but was used to picture the horrible judgment awaiting the wicked.

 

   Judgment is coming. “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Are you ready for the righteous, revealing judgment of the Almighty? At judgment your works will follow you. Christianity must be much more than talk. It must be marked by our good works done in the name of the Lord and for His glory.

 

   The wonderful blessing awaiting the faithful and the horrible punishment awaiting the wicked should move us to obey the gospel and serve God faithfully. To obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (Romans 10:17), be­lieve in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21) After baptism one must serve God faithfully regard-less of circumstances. Under any condition, we are always better off to serve God because of the heavenly reward that awaits the faithful.

 

- - - - Charles Box

 

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Charlie Brown & Nell Davis. In Need Of Prayers: Bill Autrey, Christopher Bagents, Jerry Barr (surgery January 16^th), Malachi Beauchamp (parents Dan & Bree at ynnad4172@yahoo.com), Shirley Boutwell, Marie Curlee, Nelson Daughtry (knee surgery soon), Carolyn Duncan, Randy Fullington, Ethel Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell, Jessie Kennemore, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Ray Moorer (following surgery), Margaret Munro, Margaret Phillips, Mary Powell, Osalene Smithson, Doris Taylor, Mary Lou Terrell, Alton & Corrine Till. Crowne Health Care: Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond Lowery, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, Mary Lou Phelps, and Mary Tindal.

 

2. Requesting Our Prayers: Tony Bozeman responded to our Lord’s invitation. Please remember him in your personal, private prayers.

 

3. Remember To Pray: Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he serves in Iraq. His address is Eric Bagents, 3/117^th FWD1 APO AEO9378. Pray for him and write to him often. Also pray for Allan Jackson.

 

4. Assistance Needed: Dan & Bree Beauchamp are in need of finical help. They have had many expenses because of the cancer of their baby Malachi. Please give any contributions to Jimmy Walker.

 

5. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week is: January 9^th Justin Pierce.

 

6. Sign-Up Sheets For 2006: The sign-up sheets for preparing communion and greeting visitors for 2006 are on the bulletin board. Please sign-up to help – NOW!

 

7. Use Of All-Purpose Room: If you plan to use the all-purpose room, please post the date and time on the calendar which is on the bulletin board in the hall. If you know of groups or clubs who use the room these dates and times also need to be posted. Hopefully, with this calendar, we can avoid conflicting dates and time this year.

 

8. Kitchen Shower: We are in need of several items to make our new kitchen more functional. Everyone is invited to a “Kitchen Shower” on February 5^th after the evening worship service. Please bring finger foods and an item from the list posted on the bulletin board. If you are unable to shop for an item from the list money will be appreciated; someone will see that items are bought. Several families may want to go together to purchase them. If anyone has any questions please contact Barbara Walker, Tiffany Till or Ann Cauthen.

 

9. Bible Class Teachers Needed: The church always needs good Bible class teachers. See Mike Bagents if you have an interest in teaching.

 

11. Thank You: Walnut Street Youth Group, Thank you so much for the fruit basket and cookies. What a nice group of young people you are. Sincerely, Jean Gafford

 

12. Area Events: January 20-22, 2006 – University Church of Christ – Third Annual Singles Seminar “Standing on the Promises” – Keynote Speaker: Terry Wheeler – See bulletin board for time and registration fees.

 

13. Pictorial Church Directory: We are excited to announce that we will be publishing a new church directory. We know that the new church directory will be a keepsake and will help our families to know one another and draw closer together. This is especially important to new families. Family portraits for our new directory will be taken February 26, 27, & 28, 2006.  Your portraits will be made with a digital imaging camera so that you will only have to make one visit for the directory. We want everyone to be sure to participate so that this will be our finest directory ever. We would not want you to be the only one not in the new book so please begin to make your plans now to be a part of this valuable ministry tool.

 

Drop Outs

 

   Adults who care about young people begin to encourage them at a young age to be diligent in their school work, and to stick with their education through high school and even college.  Education can help young people grow up to be more productive in their communities, get better jobs, and become better providers for their families. But I remember some of my class-mates who quickly became bored or dissatisfied with schooling, and who decided that life had more to offer than classrooms, teachers, and administrators. They walked out the school doors and never returned…drop outs. This is sad because of the missed opportunities that likely resulted, and the problems that may have been caused. But as I bring to mind those who quit their worldly education, I realize how much more severe and detrimental it is when people, young or old, “drop out” of the Lord’s church.

   Sometimes it seems to work the same way that dropping out of school does.  Specifically young people may begin attending church services upon the wishes of their parents, and later be added by the Lord to His body (Acts 2:41, 47).  But soon they begin imagining what worldly (Titus 2:12) living would be like, and they start the turn away from the Lord and His children, towards sinful life. 

   It is much like the mindset that the prodigal son exemplified in Luke 15. The son was oblivious to the riches he had at his very fingertips, and he longed to explore the “far country,” where the sinful pleasures of the world awaited him. But his eyes were opened by the harsh reality of worldly living.  Devoid of food, friends, and family, he cast his mind back to his home where his devoted father had loved and cared for him his entire young life. 

   Maybe you have been yearning for the far country, or perhaps you are residing there now.  I beg you to cast your mind back to the rock-solid reality of Christ’s love, and the inevitability of an eternity in either heaven or hell. Don’t do the Lord any “favors” by going through the motions of Christianity, while your heart is in the “far country” (Matt 15:8). If you’ve dropped out of the life you once lived for God, the door is still wide open, and the father stands watching, waiting for your return (Luke 15:20).                    

  - - - - Darrell Powell

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)