What practical steps can we take to honor the "hour of His judgment"? Setting the Scene: Why the Hour Matters Revelation 14:7 urges every nation, tribe, language, and people to “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” Because that hour is already “at hand” (cf. Romans 13:11-12), real-life responses are called for, not abstract ideas. Cultivate a God-Fearing Heart • Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” • Daily acknowledge His holiness (Hebrews 12:28-29). • Let awe shape decisions: before you speak, buy, post, or click, ask, “Does this reverence Him?” Give Him Glory in Everyday Choices • 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” • Practical ways: – Speak words that honor, not belittle. – Handle money, work, and leisure as stewardship, not self-indulgence. – Reflect His character so “they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Worship the Creator Intentionally • John 4:23-24 calls for worship “in spirit and in truth.” • Schedule undistracted time to bow, sing, read, and listen. • Include creation praises—walk, observe, and say with Psalm 95:6, “Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Live in Continuous Repentance and Holiness • Acts 17:30-31 ties repentance to the coming judgment. • Keep short accounts: confess quickly (1 John 1:9). • Pursue purity: “Be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Remove entertainment or habits that dull spiritual sensitivity. Announce the Coming Judgment Compassionately • “Since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). • Share the gospel plainly (Matthew 28:19-20), not angrily. • Act as watchmen (Ezekiel 33:7-9): warn but also point to the cross where judgment fell on Christ. Steward His World Responsibly • Genesis 2:15 shows God’s original charge: “cultivate and keep.” • Because He “made the heavens and the earth,” caring for His creation honors Him (Psalm 24:1). • Practical ideas: minimize waste, treat animals humanely, support sustainable practices that respect the Owner. Redeem the Time as the Hour Nears • Ephesians 5:15-16: “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” • Prioritize eternal over trivial: limit mindless scrolling, invest in relationships, study Scripture. • Live alert: “Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11-12). Anchor Your Assurance in Christ • John 5:24 promises believers have “crossed over from death to life.” • Romans 8:1 affirms “no condemnation.” • Confidence in His finished work fuels joyful obedience, not fearful paralysis. Gather and Encourage One Another • Hebrews 10:24-25 urges meeting together as “the Day approaches.” • Use church gatherings, small groups, phone calls, and texts to spur one another toward faithfulness. Summing It Up: A Life That Honors the Hour • Stand in awe. • Glorify God in the mundane. • Worship the Creator with heart and voice. • Keep repentant and holy. • Proclaim judgment and grace. • Care for His world. • Use time wisely. • Rest in Christ’s finished redemption. • Encourage believers to stay ready. Living this way declares to the watching world—and to our own hearts—that “the hour of His judgment has come,” and we will be found honoring Him when it fully breaks upon the earth. |
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