Stay Faithful To God At All Times
BRD REFLECTIONS
Revelation 6 and Psalm 122, 123 (NIV)
(Patrick Chua, Pastoral Team Member, Witness & Evangelism )
READ:
Revelation 6 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The breaking of the first 6 seals will unveil major events on earth and the heavens.
John’s vision was similar to Jesus’ warning about the terrible judgments to come, for example, “wars and rumours of wars” (Mark 13:7, NIV), “wars and uprisings” (Luke 21:9, NIV), “great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11, NIV), “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7, NIV). Jesus said that such disasters were “the beginning of birth pains” (Mark 13:8, NIV). “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:7, NIV).
APPLY:
Just as Jesus Christ warned His disciples about the coming of false prophets, wars, famines, plagues, disasters etc, similarly Apostle John warned the seven churches in the province of Asia during his time that all these would happen to them as well.
Likewise, to Christians in this modern age we are not spared from all these too and they might be worse than the past! I should not assume that being a Christian I am insulated from all these, but should be prepared to stay faithful to God if any of these happens to me. Since Jesus’ time till now, suffering is part of the discipleship journey as Jesus told His disciples: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, NIV). I need to stay vigilant to be careful about teachings on just receiving blessings from God such as health and wealth, but not the trials. On the contrary, to stay faithful to God while going through suffering is to bear witness for Jesus Christ just like the martyrs. Yet take comfort in Jesus Christ while going through suffering, as He said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV). Jesus Christ, the Lamb who breaks the six seals, provides me peace while I am going through trials in life.
DO:
To stay faithful to God while I am going through suffering and trial in life, in this way to bear witness for Jesus Christ.
PRAY:
Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are
In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen
(From the song “Even If” by Kutless)
