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REVELATION - Behold, I am Coming Soon
Studies in the Book of Revelation
BOOK 6 - BABYLON THE HARLOT AND THE WORSHIP OF GOD(REVELATION 17:1 - 19:10)
PART 6.1 - THE JUDGMENT OF GOD UPON THE HARLOT BABYLON (REVELATION 17:1 - 18:24)

4. The Lamb of God's Victory Over the Antichrist - Proclaimed in Advance! (Revelation 17:9b-14)


Those who will Accompany the Coming Savior (v 14): Not only has the Antichrist gathered kings, lords and helpers to his side, but the Lamb of God, as well, who will return to our fallen world with the “called, chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14). Since the Almighty Lord comes as a Lamb and not as a lion, those accompanying Him will carry no swords, machine guns or laser weapons. As weapons they will possess spiritual attributes. They will have been stamped through- and- through by the Lamb of God. They will have allowed themselves to be transformed from ravenous wolves and clever foxes into meek lambs, and willfully practice humility and gentleness. Their three honorary titles symbolize their special characteristics:

The called were at first the “called-out” of Jesus Christ from the blasphemous worship of idols and gods in Hellenism. Their spiritual calling corresponded to the worldly “ekklesia” in Hellenistic culture, which in every city, as a “citizens assembly of the called out”, had to discuss and determine the happiness or woe of their people. The “called” themselves had to, for the most part, bear the financial costs arising from their decisions! They bore responsibility for the remaining city residents and for the entire well-being of their community.

In accordance with this example of “ekklesia”, the church of Jesus Christ cannot be a one-man business, in which a pastor or a priest organizes, at his discretion, everything by himself. Much more, there exists a living and vital church, consisting of all proven members in the body of Christ, working together. In love and truth the one is responsible for the other.

In the world of Islam or in Israel, a “calling through Christ” for some of the chosen means a disconnecting from the tribe, the family, and the society. A new Spirit has transplanted them into the church of Jesus, into their new family. It can become very lonely for these chosen ones where there is still no functioning church. Sometimes they must suffer persecution.

The chosen are the born-again that have, through continuous faith, made certain their calling (Romans 1:17). The love of Christ compels them to be evangelistic, as well as to be socially active in thought, prayer and service. A living church is a group of chosen ones that tries to determine and do the will of their Lord, united and harmonized by love. Many have been refined by their Lord through suffering and wait for His coming.

These chosen ones are not, on the basis of their striving and achievement, sinless saints. But in repentance and faith they are practiced servants, who let themselves be called by Jesus for suffering service in the church, missions and in ministries of help. In fulfilling their Lord's leading they prove themselves to be faithful. That goes for those praying in the church, as well as for the shepherd, for the called women as well as for co-helping men. Love for one's Lord can really take effect in whoever truly repents, and in brokenness and humility confesses his sins to Jesus. Therein is seen the truth that the first are often the last, and the last are often first! Without holiness through the blood of Christ in the power of His Holy Spirit no one will see the Lord. A constant focusing on Jesus means that His Spirit continually probes and drives us, so that we might be able to share in the joy of our being chosen in Christ. The measure of the grace of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that is realized in a person is a measure of the amount that one is exercised in daily self-denial. The chosen ones become more like their Lord.

The faithful are, linguistically understood, the same as the “believers”, for in Greek the word “pistis” is the same for “believe” and “faith”. Probably this title is intended to specially honor the martyrs, who remained faithful to Christ unto death. Their Lord was more important to them than their own lives. They regarded their faith-connection to Jesus higher than their own well-being and security. Perhaps they lost everything for the sake of Christ, but in so doing gained Him. Jesus said to the relatively poor church leader in Smyrna: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

These are the one who will accompany Jesus when He returns: Called, Chosen, Faithful! The Lamb will not have fighters and specialists to accompany Him, but those who testify to His victory. They are kept in faith, hope and love, not in aggression and plundering, like the ones who accompanied Mohammed. Because the followers of Jesus had largely relinquished their honor and earthly goods the Lord took them into His fellowship. They experience the great privilege to be with the Lamb of God and to be transformed into His likeness.

Which church advisory board or body of elders out of individual churches will at some future time accompany Jesus at His second-coming? Will we ourselves, as failures, yet who have been pardoned, be with Him? Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).

The Antichrist, too, tries to form his worshipers into his likeness. At the second-coming of Christ two diametrically opposite cultures will clash with each other. But the light drives out the darkness. The radiating joy and jubilation of those set free from Satan's cunning and power will overcome the hatred of those possessed with fear and mistrust.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise that Your beloved Son Jesus will return to our world as the Lord of Lords and King of Kings to judge the living and the dead, and deliver the world from the antichrist and his followers. We also thank You because the called, the chosen and the faithful will accompany Him in His return that His spiritual victory may appear in the exposition of their justification and sanctification by grace. Amen.

QUESTION:

  1. What characteristics will appear in those who accompany Jesus upon His return?

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