Ashamed of Jesus?
The Lord Jesus anticipated that some of His followers would be ashamed of Him and/or His words. In that case, it will be mutual: Christ will be ashamed of all such. And that just at the hour when He comes with infinite glory, His own, His Father's, and that of the holy angels!
With the judgment of the Tribulation rapidly approaching do we ever feel like apologizing for Jesus, the coming Judge? Natural disasters today kill innocent children, as well as devil-worshipers. Is that fair? What about the much worse affliction soon to commence? (As for the children, we can believe that they are covered by the blood of Christ, so are spared far worse judgment.)
The seals will be opened, the four horsemen appear, the seven trumpets sounded by angels, the bowls of wrath poured out. Will this be the considered action of God, or His permissive will in allowing demons to do their worst? Either way, God is sovereign and supreme. Is this the God of love as revealed by His Son? Is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world the same as the Lamb whose wrath instills gruesome fear in kings, generals, and all men?
A world class Bible scholar said that, if so, it represents a change of character. But Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And the view of a gentle Jesus, too dainty ever to hurt anyone, is not biblical. Read His sharp castigation of Pharisee hypocrites, well knowing that they were about to engineer His death.
A man was accused in court of a certain offense. The judge asked him if he pleaded guilty or not guilty, and if he had anything else to say. He said not guilty and, "I waive the hearing." What do you mean? "I don't want to hear any more about it."
Of course. Sinners do not want to hear about the judgment of God, whether in the time of Tribulation, or in the eternal state. Hence the thriving popularity of Universalism. Many suppose it is rational to say a loving God would never let His children agonize in darkness forever. "It would spoil the joy of heaven for those who are there." It is true that the smoke of the torment of Satan's followers will ascend for ever and ever. But Heaven, the holy apostles, and prophets will rejoice when God judges the wicked system of religion. They can see the entire picture. The only eternal standards of righteousness are God's.
We sometimes praise God for all that He is and all that He has done and will do. To say this without reservation requires a cognizance of the holiness of God. His children should have absolute empathy with their Father and God as He is revealed in Scripture.
God cast out the rebel Lucifer who craved equal prestige on the throne. God's righteousness necessitates that He deal with all rebels alike. He must, to maintain His integrity, judge all sin. But He based His plan of redemption on Himself becoming the Savior and Substitute for sinners. He invites all men to enjoy His Heaven with Him. But the enemy incessantly deludes people by maximizing God's love and minimizing His righteousness. Men persist in their revolt. They would be exceedingly unhappy in Heaven, even if they ever got there. Anyone with one unforgiven sin would flee from the presence of the thrice-holy God.
God's purpose in the Tribulation includes a grand opportunity for salvation to the millions who have never rejected the Gospel. One authority says that half the world has never heard even the name of Christ. An army of believing Jews will be protected by the seal of God on their foreheads. Their simple message is Fear God and give glory to Him, Revelation 14:7. Millions will believe this and obey. An innumerable company, Revelation 7:9,14 (and therefore over 100 million, cf. the number in Revelation 5:11) will die for their faith. Some will survive, the sheep of Matthew 25:32.
There may be 100 million believers today (25% of the roughly 400 million Protestants). It would be grand, when we are in glory, to see an immense multitude saved during the Tribulation. Would this be the great harvest of Revelation 14:14,15?
What God does must be right. Perhaps we do not understand some of His actions. Let us never be guilty of harboring any reservation about the Lord's fairness or goodness. He might be ashamed of us if we do.
New Year's resolution: Never to be ashamed of the Lord Jesus.
R.E.Harlow, from MISSIONS MAGAZINE