Thursday, October 1, 2020

Close Look at Rev.14:12

"The result of preaching the three angels' messages of Revelation 14 is clearly stated in verse 12: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." 
 
The fruit­age, therefore, of the three angels' messages of Revela­tion 14 is a people who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." 
 
The preaching of these messages is not alone the preaching of some
particular doctrine, like the law, or some peculiar practice which may be right in itself, but is pre-eminently the preaching of the plan of salvation in such a way that, when obeyed, it will produce a peo­ple who obey the law of God and have the faith of Jesus.
 
The third angel's message is a full gospel. It produces fruitage that fits for heaven those who accept it. It is not one-sided; it omits nothing essential for salvation; it preaches the law of obedience and the faith necessary for salvation. 
 
The law and the gospel unite and are in per­fect accord in bringing salvation to sinners.
 
The performance of one duty to the neglect of others is not Christlikeness. 
We are so to preach that men may be saved. 
Extremes are not healthful to the soul. 
*In these days of disobedience to the law of God, we must preach obedience to the law. 
*In these days of doubt and unbelief, of evolution and self-saving, Christ must be lifted up as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Christ is our perfect pattern. 
 
We are to live as He lived. 
His life is to be our life. 
We are to obey our heavenly Father as He obeyed. 
Therefore it takes the whole gospel to make the kind of Christians who "keep the com­mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." I.H.R.