For many people, money means security. The lack or abundance of money is a constant test of the affections and character of a person and especially is it so in these last days. In fact, the Bible speaks of an ultimate test for every human being on the planet that will directly affect what may or may not be done with one's money...
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16,17)
In contrast to this, a message from the Bible in Revelation 14 is going forth even now warning human beings to not fear man but to fear God....
THE FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE - ...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:7)
In our previous post we began to study the first angel's message of Revelation 14. We began with learning what it means to fear God by looking at the life of one who feared God. By examining the life of Job, the Bible helps us to see what it truly means to fear God...
1. To fear God means practical Christianity at home. It means being a Christian in the family.
2. To fear God means to be able to stand alone with God on your side when friends and family may not always be on your side. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few
As we continue considering the life of Job in this post, we will learn that fearing God means doing what is right and being humble and this can be especially applied to the possession and use of ONE'S MONEY.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF JOB WE LEARN A THIRD LESSON ABOUT HOW TO FEAR GOD
The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right--because right doing is pleasing to God. The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. It is always best and safe to do right because it is right. {RHJ231894 par6}
(JOB 27:6) My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
(JOB 29:14) I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Said Job: "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out." This was an evidence that Job had righteousness that was after Christ's order.
JOB DID AND SAID WHAT WAS RIGHT WHEN HE HAD WEALTH AND WHEN HE DID NOT HAVE WEALTH.
To fear god means that a person is wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness because he or she is in the habit of thinking right and speaking right and doing right by God’s enabling grace.
SOMEONE MAY ASK - HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLE ?
Think right thoughts, and you will perform right actions.
The thoughts will be of the same character as the food we provide for the mind.--
BUT JOB’S EXPERIENCE IS SIMILAR TO THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS IN THE CLOSING SCENES OF CHRIST'S LIFE
SATAN WORKED THROUGH PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO PERSECUTE JOB FOR DOING RIGHT
SATAN WORKED THROUGH PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO PERSECUTE JESUS FOR DOING RIGHT
DURING THE TRIAL OF JOB HE QUESTIONED WHY HE WAS BEING SMITTEN
DURING THE TRIAL OF JESUS HE QUESTIONED WHY HE WAS BEING SMITTEN
JOHN 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
JOHN 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
JOHN 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
JOHN 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
JOHN 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me ?
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF JOB WE LEARN A FOURTH LESSON ABOUT HOW TO FEAR GOD
The more one sees of the character of God, the more humble he becomes, and the lower his estimation is of himself. This indeed is the evidence that he beholds God, that he is in union with Jesus Christ. The nearer the soul comes to God, the more completely is it humbled and subdued. In beholding God we behold the One who poured out His soul unto death.
(JOB 42:5) I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
(JOB 42:6) Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
When Job caught a glimpse of his Creator, he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord was able to bless him abundantly and to make his last years the best of his life.
TO FEAR GOD MEANS TO CONTINUALLY BEHOLD GOD IN CHRIST AND BECOME MORE AND MORE HUMBLE
JOB DID SOMETHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE AN EXAMPLE TO US AS WE LEARN TO FEAR GOD.
JOB DID SOMETHING THAT SHOWS HE WAS CONNECTED TO CHRIST.
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (JOB 42:10)
Jesus said: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU (LUKE 6:28)
How is it with us ? Are we praying for or have we been praying for those who despitefully use us or have despitefully used us or hurt us ? Are we forgiving or are we held in bondage by an unforgiving spirit ?
FORGIVENESS IS THE INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO FEAR GOD
WHICH IS THE CALL OF THE FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE
THERE IS FORGIVENESS WITH THEE THAT THOU MAYEST BE FEARED
(PSALMS 130:4)
JOB’S EXPERIENCE IS SIMILAR TO THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS WHEN HE WAS DYING ON THE CROSS
GOD TURNED THE CAPTIVITY OF JOB WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS
JESUS TURNED THE CAPTIVES LOOSE WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS ENEMIES
The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed, not only for himself, but for those who were opposing him. When he felt earnestly desirous that the souls that had trespassed against him might be helped, he himself received help. (Letter 88, 1906).
JOB’S SUFFERING REVEALS TO US THE AUTHOR OF SIN
CHRIST’S SUFFERING IS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THE PENALTY, POWER AND ULTIMATELY THE PRESENCE OF SIN
JOB’S SUFFERING WAS BECAUSE HE WAS DOING RIGHT
CHRIST’S SUFFERING WAS IN ORDER THAT WE WOULD HAVE BOTH THE DESIRE AND THE POWER TO DO RIGHT.
The centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many; the combinations of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims; the spirit of unrest, of riot and bloodshed; the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution--all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France.
If you have not done so already...
Please...surrender your heart to Christ while there is still time; surrender your thoughts and feelings to Jesus Christ the one who loves you and died in order for you and I to be able to obtain victory over sin and selfishness in our lives...
God loves you..
God wants you...
Not just to be forgiven...
Not to play church..
But to truly become Christlike
A Christlike person is the only kind of person that could enjoy heaven
and the only kind of person that could be trusted in heaven.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16,17)
In contrast to this, a message from the Bible in Revelation 14 is going forth even now warning human beings to not fear man but to fear God....
THE FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE - ...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:7)
In our previous post we began to study the first angel's message of Revelation 14. We began with learning what it means to fear God by looking at the life of one who feared God. By examining the life of Job, the Bible helps us to see what it truly means to fear God...
1. To fear God means practical Christianity at home. It means being a Christian in the family.
2. To fear God means to be able to stand alone with God on your side when friends and family may not always be on your side. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few
As we continue considering the life of Job in this post, we will learn that fearing God means doing what is right and being humble and this can be especially applied to the possession and use of ONE'S MONEY.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF JOB WE LEARN A THIRD LESSON ABOUT HOW TO FEAR GOD
The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right--because right doing is pleasing to God. The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. It is always best and safe to do right because it is right. {RHJ231894 par6}
(JOB 27:6) My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
(JOB 29:14) I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
Said Job: "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out." This was an evidence that Job had righteousness that was after Christ's order.
JOB DID AND SAID WHAT WAS RIGHT WHEN HE HAD WEALTH AND WHEN HE DID NOT HAVE WEALTH.
To fear god means that a person is wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness because he or she is in the habit of thinking right and speaking right and doing right by God’s enabling grace.
SOMEONE MAY ASK - HOW CAN THIS POSSIBLE ?
Think right thoughts, and you will perform right actions.
The thoughts will be of the same character as the food we provide for the mind.--
BUT JOB’S EXPERIENCE IS SIMILAR TO THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS IN THE CLOSING SCENES OF CHRIST'S LIFE
SATAN WORKED THROUGH PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO PERSECUTE JOB FOR DOING RIGHT
SATAN WORKED THROUGH PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO PERSECUTE JESUS FOR DOING RIGHT
DURING THE TRIAL OF JOB HE QUESTIONED WHY HE WAS BEING SMITTEN
DURING THE TRIAL OF JESUS HE QUESTIONED WHY HE WAS BEING SMITTEN
JOHN 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
JOHN 18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
JOHN 18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
JOHN 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
JOHN 18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me ?
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EXPERIENCE OF JOB WE LEARN A FOURTH LESSON ABOUT HOW TO FEAR GOD
The more one sees of the character of God, the more humble he becomes, and the lower his estimation is of himself. This indeed is the evidence that he beholds God, that he is in union with Jesus Christ. The nearer the soul comes to God, the more completely is it humbled and subdued. In beholding God we behold the One who poured out His soul unto death.
(JOB 42:5) I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
(JOB 42:6) Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
When Job caught a glimpse of his Creator, he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord was able to bless him abundantly and to make his last years the best of his life.
TO FEAR GOD MEANS TO CONTINUALLY BEHOLD GOD IN CHRIST AND BECOME MORE AND MORE HUMBLE
JOB DID SOMETHING ELSE THAT SHOULD BE AN EXAMPLE TO US AS WE LEARN TO FEAR GOD.
JOB DID SOMETHING THAT SHOWS HE WAS CONNECTED TO CHRIST.
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (JOB 42:10)
Jesus said: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU (LUKE 6:28)
How is it with us ? Are we praying for or have we been praying for those who despitefully use us or have despitefully used us or hurt us ? Are we forgiving or are we held in bondage by an unforgiving spirit ?
FORGIVENESS IS THE INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO FEAR GOD
WHICH IS THE CALL OF THE FIRST ANGEL'S MESSAGE
THERE IS FORGIVENESS WITH THEE THAT THOU MAYEST BE FEARED
(PSALMS 130:4)
JOB’S EXPERIENCE IS SIMILAR TO THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS WHEN HE WAS DYING ON THE CROSS
GOD TURNED THE CAPTIVITY OF JOB WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS
JESUS TURNED THE CAPTIVES LOOSE WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS ENEMIES
The Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed, not only for himself, but for those who were opposing him. When he felt earnestly desirous that the souls that had trespassed against him might be helped, he himself received help. (Letter 88, 1906).
JOB’S SUFFERING REVEALS TO US THE AUTHOR OF SIN
CHRIST’S SUFFERING IS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THE PENALTY, POWER AND ULTIMATELY THE PRESENCE OF SIN
JOB’S SUFFERING WAS BECAUSE HE WAS DOING RIGHT
CHRIST’S SUFFERING WAS IN ORDER THAT WE WOULD HAVE BOTH THE DESIRE AND THE POWER TO DO RIGHT.
The centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many; the combinations of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims; the spirit of unrest, of riot and bloodshed; the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution--all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France.
If you have not done so already...
Please...surrender your heart to Christ while there is still time; surrender your thoughts and feelings to Jesus Christ the one who loves you and died in order for you and I to be able to obtain victory over sin and selfishness in our lives...
God loves you..
God wants you...
Not just to be forgiven...
Not to play church..
But to truly become Christlike
A Christlike person is the only kind of person that could enjoy heaven
and the only kind of person that could be trusted in heaven.