The Fear Of God: The Key To End Time Revival

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Sam

It is my understanding that the "fear" of God is more a respect and not "being afraid" of Him.

Our original parents were afraid of God after they disobeyed Him so they hid when He came as the Angel of YHWH to walk and talk with them.

If we are not disobedient we do not need to be afraid of God, but we should respect Him at all times.

I agree completely.

Unfortunately, I seem to sense a lack of this sort of respect in many charismatic church's and the only real fear in conservative apostolic ones revolves around not touching God's anointed (for purposes of control).

The thing missing from both is the extreme respect for God Himself and what He represents in everything in a day to day walk.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I dont see any great move of the Spirit coming to the Earth until the fear of YHWH is restored to the Church.
...

There are great moves of the Spirit going on all the time in various parts of the world. We just don't recognize them as such because they are not happening in our little part of the Body that we have fenced off and keep under our control.

There are more Jewish people acknowledging Jesus as Messiah and Lord right now than at any time in church history. Muslims are coming to Jesus. In Africa there are throngs of people coming to Jesus. House churches and believers are multiplying in China. God is really pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Sam

There are great moves of the Spirit going on all the time in various parts of the world. We just don't recognize them as such because they are not happening in our little part of the Body that we have fenced off and keep under our control.

There are more Jewish people acknowledging Jesus as Messiah and Lord right now than at any time in church history. Muslims are coming to Jesus. In Africa there are throngs of people coming to Jesus. House churches and believers are multiplying in China. God is really pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh.

Perhaps these places still teach the fear of YHWH?

[Michael The Disciple]

The Greek words for fear confirm the primary meaning.

Strongs 5401 phobos-to put in fear, alarm or fright.-be afraid+exceedingly, fear, terror

This word is used many times in the New Testament. It does not have any shade of meaning that is just reverence.

Strongs 5399 phobeo- to frighten, to be alarmed, to be in awe of be sore afraid, fear exceedingly, reverence.

This word is also used many times. Its primary meaning is the same as the first word. It has a secondary meaning of to hold in awe or reverence.

Men have been brainwashed into believing the fear of God is just "awe". What damage this doctrine has done to the saints in light!

The true fear of YHWH is being sapped away. YHWH is not to be feared they say.

The scriptures offer abundant teaching to the contrary. Yes do hold him in reverence. But understand one sin can bring a multitude of consequences.

Cleave to Jesus. Love him. Respect him. Understand he can if he thinks it needful do you harm.

[Michael The Disciple]

Let us address a very serious fact. The Lord Jesus, loving and kind as he is will not overlook sin. In recent years a new cliche has become firmly entrenched in the minds of believers.
It goes something like this:

"Well some people out there think of God as a tyrant with a big club just waiting to hit them over the head".

If you have been in church long you have probably heard that.
Now it is true God is Love. He is kind, merciful, and longsuffering. But a big mistake is being made by many today.
They cant believe he is also a "consuming fire". They teach God would not punish those he loves. What does the bible
say?

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Heb.12:5-11

If God is your Father BE CAREFUL! He promises to punish his own. He SCOURGES every son he receives. Why does he do it?
To correct us when we go astray. To make us partakers of his holiness.

If sin were to go unpunished most of us would probably never give it up! An argument is usually made, "That was the Old Testament God". Well what about the New Testament God?

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Heb. 2:2-3

Scripture says we will not escape any more than Old Testament Israel escaped.

Does God ALWAYS give people MANY warnings before he strikes in judgment? Before you say YES think about Anannias
and his wife Saphirra. They deliberatly LIED before God. God struck both of then dead the same day!

Do you realize Jesus taught it would be better to cut off your hand or pluck out your eye than to commit one sin?

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Mark 9:43-47

I shudder at times when I hear preachers treat sin so lightly!
They do not comprehend that Jesus is THE MIGHTY GOD! The God of POWER and HOLINESS.

This is one of those topics that doesn't seem to get many responses. But if you have read this far be sure of this. Jesus is against sin. He has commanded his people to BE HOLY as HE IS HOLY. He gives grace to overcome sin. If we have the Holy Spirit and the good word of God we have NO EXCUSE to sin.

Yes if you do sin you may be forgiven IF you have time. But there is no promise you will. Christians should see any sin as possibly leading to an Anannias and Saphirra immediate judgment. It happened to them didn't it? God made an example out of them in their day. How can you know he will not make one of YOU in your generation?

[Michael The Disciple]

The Lord Yeshua warns his New Testament sons and daughters for their own benefit. He does not enjoy punishing them. Nevertheless he draws lines or boundaries for acceptable living. Here is good example.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10:5-11

Although this judment fell on Old Testament people notice who is supposed to take heed to the example.

Those upon whom "the ends of the world are come" verse 11.
Isn't that us?

The warnings are to show God can bring QUICK JUDGEMENT upon his people if they sin. If people take this seriously it will drastically cut down on sin in the Body of Christ.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

I've heard it said that the "fear of the Lord" isn't being afraid or scared of God; it is just respect, honor, and reverence. But I say baloney! You are right, Michael. You should be scared!

Fear is one of the oldest tools of the church. Great fear spread throughout the infant church, when Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead at Peter's feet. Spreading fear was the reason for their deaths. Instilling fear in followers and prospective converts has been one of the main tactics ever since. Fear of hell, punishment, death. Fear to keep them in line. And be very careful, when it's time for taking communion. If you partake unworthily, you might get sick, and might even die!

What about Spirit-filled believers? Do they have reason to be afraid? Of course! They can't know for sure what their spiritual status will be when they die, so they have no way of knowing if their eternity will be a good one or a very bad one. And any one of them could be among those who will be surprised to hear "I never knew you: depart from me."

Of course, they will have no basis to complain: everyone deserves eternal death, anyway. Nobody deserves to be saved from it. Nobody deserves that unmerited favor.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

What, in the above post, is wrong?

At least one point was definitely a matter of opinion: "Spreading fear was the reason for their deaths." If you disagree, then what is your opinion on the reason? Punishment, sure. But did it have to be immediate (no mercy, no patient and loving correction), and public?

Any correction of the factual statements? How about this one: "And any one of them could be among those who will be surprised to hear 'I never knew you: depart from me.'" Is there anyone who knows for certain that they will not be among the many who will, after pleading "Lord, Lord, have we not . . . ?"

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The Lord Yeshua warns his New Testament sons and daughters for their own benefit. He does not enjoy punishing them. Nevertheless he draws lines or boundaries for acceptable living. Here is good example.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10:5-11

Although this judment fell on Old Testament people notice who is supposed to take heed to the example.

Those upon whom "the ends of the world are come" verse 11.
Isn't that us?

The warnings are to show God can bring QUICK JUDGEMENT upon his people if they sin. If people take this seriously it will drastically cut down on sin in the Body of Christ.

You mean God's judgments alone aren't enough to cut down on sin in the Body of Christ? Does God beat his children or correct them? Are we supposed to fear our Father as if he is out to get us? What kind of fear are you preaching Michael?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Let us address a very serious fact. The Lord Jesus, loving and kind as he is will not overlook sin. In recent years a new cliche has become firmly entrenched in the minds of believers.
It goes something like this:

"Well some people out there think of God as a tyrant with a big club just waiting to hit them over the head".

If you have been in church long you have probably heard that.
Now it is true God is Love. He is kind, merciful, and longsuffering. But a big mistake is being made by many today.
They cant believe he is also a "consuming fire". They teach God would not punish those he loves. What does the bible
say?

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Heb.12:5-11

If God is your Father BE CAREFUL! He promises to punish his own. He SCOURGES every son he receives. Why does he do it?
To correct us when we go astray. To make us partakers of his holiness.

If sin were to go unpunished most of us would probably never give it up! An argument is usually made, "That was the Old Testament God". Well what about the New Testament God?

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Heb. 2:2-3

Scripture says we will not escape any more than Old Testament Israel escaped.

Does God ALWAYS give people MANY warnings before he strikes in judgment? Before you say YES think about Anannias
and his wife Saphirra. They deliberatly LIED before God. God struck both of then dead the same day!

Do you realize Jesus taught it would be better to cut off your hand or pluck out your eye than to commit one sin?

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Mark 9:43-47

I shudder at times when I hear preachers treat sin so lightly!
They do not comprehend that Jesus is THE MIGHTY GOD! The God of POWER and HOLINESS.

This is one of those topics that doesn't seem to get many responses. But if you have read this far be sure of this. Jesus is against sin. He has commanded his people to BE HOLY as HE IS HOLY. He gives grace to overcome sin. If we have the Holy Spirit and the good word of God we have NO EXCUSE to sin.

Yes if you do sin you may be forgiven IF you have time. But there is no promise you will. Christians should see any sin as possibly leading to an Anannias and Saphirra immediate judgment. It happened to them didn't it? God made an example out of them in their day. How can you know he will not make one of YOU in your generation?

Micheal you speak as if Christians have made up in their minds that they will go out and sin and then later ask for forgiveness... Do you honestly believe that? Cause I'm pretty sure that every church I have ever heard preaches against that kind thing.

If you want to say that sin carries consequences then that is fine. We all agree with that. But the moment you begin to imply that someone will not make it to heaven that is trying, and you did this, then that gets to be a major problem. I think everyone sins (at least depending on how it is defined.) If you define sin as the 10 commandments or something similar then I think very few people sin. In which case I wonder why this is even such a big deal to you. So I think sin must mean much much more than the 10 commandments to you. And I don't think its possible using a that kind of a definition of sin for anyone to say they don't. So is God only going to be concerned with whether a Christian didn't flub up at the end of his life? In other words, is the only moment of our lives that God cares about the last one? I don't think so. So, I think that if we follow after Christ then nothing shall keep us from God.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Micheal you speak as if Christians have made up in their minds that they will go out and sin and then later ask for forgiveness... Do you honestly believe that? Cause I'm pretty sure that every church I have ever heard preaches against that kind thing.

If you want to say that sin carries consequences then that is fine. We all agree with that. But the moment you begin to imply that someone will not make it to heaven that is trying, and you did this, then that gets to be a major problem. I think everyone sins (at least depending on how it is defined.) If you define sin as the 10 commandments or something similar then I think very few people sin. In which case I wonder why this is even such a big deal to you. So I think sin must mean much much more than the 10 commandments to you. And I don't think its possible using a that kind of a definition of sin for anyone to say they don't. So is God only going to be concerned with whether a Christian didn't flub up at the end of his life? In other words, is the only moment of our lives that God cares about the last one? I don't think so. So, I think that if we follow after Christ then nothing shall keep us from God.

Maybe I've had it wrong, all these years, but I think that is exactly what Christianity teaches. (The details of how that final status is determined is up for discussion, of course.)

(OK, not exactly the only thing He cares about, as He certainly seems to care about what happens in one's life before that, but I was referring to what determines one's final reward or punishment.)