Today, I considered the description of
the fifth seal as, "I saw under the
altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the
witness they had borne".[1] I
realized that this description would have included John's brother, James, who
had been put to death for his preaching and witness quite early on in the life
of the church.[2]
By the time John was given the Revelation, all the other apostles had also been
slain for their proclaiming of the word of God.
This reminded me that, whether or not we are personally connected to the Christians who are slain, as it continues to this day, we are to see that all these people are heard, noticed, and loved by God.
This reminded me that, whether or not we are personally connected to the Christians who are slain, as it continues to this day, we are to see that all these people are heard, noticed, and loved by God.
Jesus
exhorted us, "And do not fear those
who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy
both soul and body in hell".[3]
Because these people feared God instead of man, their souls were safe and
secure under the altar, their voices were heard, they were clothed in the white
robes of God's righteousness, and encouraged to rest and wait quietly for the
day of God's justice to be fulfilled.
The example for me is to rest in Christ today, no matter what is going on, knowing that all God's promises for the good of his children, and his justice against the enemies of the cross, will be fulfilled in due time. I am sure that, if I leave such matters of justice in God's hands, I will find that he has set up some Monte-sized things for me to think about, focus on, and put into practice. So, my day begins looking for this gracious work of God, thankful to have a church family to pray with tonight.
The example for me is to rest in Christ today, no matter what is going on, knowing that all God's promises for the good of his children, and his justice against the enemies of the cross, will be fulfilled in due time. I am sure that, if I leave such matters of justice in God's hands, I will find that he has set up some Monte-sized things for me to think about, focus on, and put into practice. So, my day begins looking for this gracious work of God, thankful to have a church family to pray with tonight.
© 2014 Monte Vigh ~
Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com
Unless otherwise
noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible,
English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway
Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)
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