And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed by the earthquake, and the remnant became afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has gone away, the third woe is coming quickly. Rev. 11:13, 14.
The word "remnant" in this passage anticipates the use of the same word in Revelation 12:17. I believe it also foreshadows the work of the 144,000 in Revelation 14. Let me explain. Both the remnant (Rev. 12:7) and the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5) are the same group. And both concepts echo Joel 2:32, in which a remnant on Mount Zion calls on the name of the Lord. In Revelation 14 the 144,000, represented by an angel, proclaim: "Fear God and give glory to Him" (Rev. 14:7). Now, it is possible that the remnant of our text is merely "afraid." But I think it is more likely that they are responding to the message of Revelation 14:7. The remnant of Revelation 11:13 fear God and give Him glory, just as the first angel calls on the world to do.
There are at least three types of fear. The first is the fear of financial ruin. I remember March 14, 2000. On that day the financial markets in the Untied States reached a monumental peak. Many stocks and mutual funds had risen hundreds of percent from where they had been in 1995. But on that March 14a slide began that lasted nearly three years, wiping out about half of all the money invested in the stock market. A magazine lamented, "Say goodbye to the all-powerful venture capitalists and dot-com millionaires and hello to bankruptcy lawyers, turnaround specialists, and liquidators." The good news is that many failed investors found their true value, not in money and possessions, but in the kingdom of God.
A second type of fear is concern about physical harm. And such fear is legitimate. No amount of healthy living and safe driving can guarantee that earthquake, disease, criminal elements, or something else will not harm us. But God has promised to be with us when we pass through the "valley of the shadow of death" (Ps. 23:4, NIV). Knowing that He is in control gives us the confidence to live one day at a time, savoring each moment as a gift
I believe that the third type of fear is the one illustrated in this text. It is the most important kind of fear, one that leads us to God. The Lord can use our natural fear (as when we confront things too big for us to control--such as a great earthquake) to lead us to an awareness of His presence and a desire to be right with Him. Paul talks about working out our salvation "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12, NIV). Godly fear will lead us not only to a recognition of His presence, but to the appropriate awe and reverence.
Lord, help me to have a healthy appreciation of the fact that You are always watching me. I want to be accountable to You in everything I do.
The word "remnant" in this passage anticipates the use of the same word in Revelation 12:17. I believe it also foreshadows the work of the 144,000 in Revelation 14. Let me explain. Both the remnant (Rev. 12:7) and the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5) are the same group. And both concepts echo Joel 2:32, in which a remnant on Mount Zion calls on the name of the Lord. In Revelation 14 the 144,000, represented by an angel, proclaim: "Fear God and give glory to Him" (Rev. 14:7). Now, it is possible that the remnant of our text is merely "afraid." But I think it is more likely that they are responding to the message of Revelation 14:7. The remnant of Revelation 11:13 fear God and give Him glory, just as the first angel calls on the world to do.
There are at least three types of fear. The first is the fear of financial ruin. I remember March 14, 2000. On that day the financial markets in the Untied States reached a monumental peak. Many stocks and mutual funds had risen hundreds of percent from where they had been in 1995. But on that March 14a slide began that lasted nearly three years, wiping out about half of all the money invested in the stock market. A magazine lamented, "Say goodbye to the all-powerful venture capitalists and dot-com millionaires and hello to bankruptcy lawyers, turnaround specialists, and liquidators." The good news is that many failed investors found their true value, not in money and possessions, but in the kingdom of God.
A second type of fear is concern about physical harm. And such fear is legitimate. No amount of healthy living and safe driving can guarantee that earthquake, disease, criminal elements, or something else will not harm us. But God has promised to be with us when we pass through the "valley of the shadow of death" (Ps. 23:4, NIV). Knowing that He is in control gives us the confidence to live one day at a time, savoring each moment as a gift
I believe that the third type of fear is the one illustrated in this text. It is the most important kind of fear, one that leads us to God. The Lord can use our natural fear (as when we confront things too big for us to control--such as a great earthquake) to lead us to an awareness of His presence and a desire to be right with Him. Paul talks about working out our salvation "with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12, NIV). Godly fear will lead us not only to a recognition of His presence, but to the appropriate awe and reverence.
Lord, help me to have a healthy appreciation of the fact that You are always watching me. I want to be accountable to You in everything I do.
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