Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 14:12-13

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“Revelation 14:12-13”
by Art Sadlier
December 6th, 2009

Vision five The Patience of the Saints

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God. and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

We know that many will not worship the beast, those that refuse will be killed. I personally believe that these tribulation saints that will be killed will be gentiles who will be saved during that time. I believe that the Jewish believers who will be saved at that time will be preserved through the tribulation. Zechariah tells us that they will make up one third of the Jewish population with the other Jews, whom God foreknows will not respond, being killed during that time, Zechariah 13:8-9.

John Phillips gives us a graphic description of that hour as the beast tries to intimidate the believers into submission. "I'll make you suffer screams!" the beast. "You'll make us saints!" reply the overcomers. "I'll persecute you to the grave,!" roars the beast, "You will promote us to glory", reply the overcomers. "I'll blast you!!" snarls the beast. "You'll bless us!" reply the overcomers. The beast's rage against these noble martyrs will be all in vain. He will utterly fail.

I see a parallel between this situation and the situation with Job. Satan said to the Lord, Job only serves you for what he gets out of you. He implied that God was not worthy of a man's worship. Job proved Satan wrong as will these tribulation martyrs. Job suffered for the glory of God and God richly rewarded him. The same will be true of the tribulation martyrs, their reward will far exceed the suffering. The suffering will be temporary, but for a fleeting moment, in which God will give grace, the glory will be forever and ever.

For those who will still be living during that time and will come to Christ, the Lord has a word of comfort. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth", what a happy contrast with the eternal doom of those who blaspheme God by worshipping the beast. Our situation is similar, although not as dramatic.

This world of sin and rebellion against God is a very sad place, though Satan tries to paint it as attractive as he can. To escape this present world for heaven is the ultimate blessing, to be in the presence of God and Christ, what a blessing awaits us who know Him!

"Here is the patience of the saints", Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, this generation of saints will give a marvellous demonstration of this fruit of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are the manifestation of the life of Christ, at that time in the Tribulation period Christ will be manifest to the world in the lives of these patient believers. This is the calling of God's people all down through the ages, but like many other situations in the last days this will be emphasized and magnified. How pleased God will be with these special children of His.

The question that comes to our hearts, "is it fair for those tribulation martyrs to suffer so terribly when we in our calling have had no such trials?"

Let me give my answer. I knew a man when I was younger, his name was Robert McClintock. This man came over to Canada from Ireland in the late thirties. He began to build houses, a few at a time. When the second war ended there was a building boom and Mr McClintock became a very rich man. He was also one of the most godly humble men I have ever known, he was constantly trying to help those who had needs.

I also read about another man in Russia. This man was separated from his family and sent to the labour camps of Siberia because of his faith in Christ which he refused to renounce. He suffered for many years as he laboured in the freezing cold. Finally he froze to death.

Contrast his life with the life of Robert McClintock, Mr McClintock lived in the best house, drove the best car, ate in the best restaurants, wore the best clothes and never suffered persecutation. I ask you, is that fair of God? The answer comes ringing back, it has nothing to do with fairness, it has everything to do with the purpose of God in their lives. Both men glorified God in the calling of God on there lives.

The same situation applies to the tribulation Martyrs. The same applies to you and I, God has a purpose in our lives and that purpose is to glorify His name in and through us. God will reward us according to our faithfulness to His purpose.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13