praying effectively: Fear God (Rev.13:18-14:12)

(Revelation 13:18)  Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

(Revelation 14:1-12)  Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

6 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 7 and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.”

8 And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” 12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we know there will be a time when Satan is allowed to rule the earth through the Antichrist, after the rapture and up until the second coming of Jesus;  and those who worship the Beast (and Satan) will be judged and thrown into hell (13:18, 14:9-11)

- that those who put their faith in Jesus will be saved (14:12)

- that those who are believers, keep the commandments of God (14:12)

- that people worship Jesus (14:7)

- that people fear God (14:7)

- that people give God glory (14:7)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for desiring all to come to You for salvation.  Even during the Tribulation, You will still desire people to turn to You, and You will give people full and fair opportunity to do so.

Help all believes now to desire to share the gospel message with those around us, so that others too will be saved, and be saved from going trough the Tribulation.  And when we share the good news, may it not be with a fear-driving motive, but with Your love.  All to Your glory, amen.