Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:29–32 (emphasis added)

It would be quite something to have a promise so fulfilled that you were released from what was holding you back. You don’t see it a lot in scripture because there were few promises that big made to humanity. But this was one of the biggies. It had been four hundred years since there was an active, nation-wide prophetic voice. They were under oppression by the Romans which included both oppressive taxes and the rule of an outsider. Hope was high for the promised ‘Anointed One’ who would deliver Israel from all oppressors and lead them into a new golden age. They were looking for another King David. A conquering hero who would establish his perfect kingdom, kick out all oppressors, and place Israel not only at the centre of the Middle East, but the centre of the world where Jerusalem would be the capitol and all would come to worship the Lord in a restored temple.

Simeon was an older God-fearing man. He is referred to as righteous, devout, and had the Holy Spirit upon him (Luke 2:25). His name means ‘hearing’, which is appropriate. Simeon was a Jew and not one to neglect the scriptures, so he would have been familiar with the promises of the Word regarding the Messiah. The timelines given in Daniel (Daniel 7:13–14) meant that the time of Messiah was approaching. Could be any day now. Simeon had been promised that he would SEE the Messiah’s arrival. Can you imagine how HUGE that would be? He was told he would not pass away until he saw Messiah. When was the promise given? How many years, months, or days had he been waiting? We don’t know. We do know that he was looking forward to the consolation of Israel. The one who would lift their spirits. Comfort and console them. Help and encourage them. The one who would bring them relief.

I don’t know where he started the day, but the Holy Spirit moved him to head into the temple courts. Can you imagine the excitement? Now, it’s possible Holy Spirit had led him to go places before. To pray for something or someone. To witness something. To speak something to someone. I don’t know. I really don’t. But we DO know that THIS day he was led into the temple courts. That is when he saw Jesus. I assume Holy Spirit led him close enough to feel Jesus’ presence. Maybe the baby was pointed out to Simeon. The details aren’t important. But Simeon KNEW that THIS baby was THE ONE. This was who they were waiting for. This was the one who would redeem them. This was the one who would free them. This was the one who would finish the work and save them all. This was the Anointed One in a drooly, chubby, cute little package of gurgles. But Simeon wasn’t just looking with human eyes. He was also viewing this child through prophetic eyes.

Simeon spoke to God and said, “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” Then he blessed them all. But he had words just for Mary. “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Hard words, but they would prove to be true. They would take thirty-three years to fulfil, but they would all be fulfilled. Some of them continue to be true. Jesus is still appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel (and beyond), and a sign which many still speak against. Truly a special child.

We are in a similar time period today. We are waiting for Messiah to come a second time — if you believe in Jesus. If you are an Orthodox Jew, you’re waiting for Messiah — period. Expectations are high. We don’t have a timeline like Daniel gave. We have a serious of signs to look for: “Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:4–8).

The Jews who do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Anointed One, Messiah, do not have this clear warning. Yet, they are NOT in the dark. in the Talmud in Sanhedrin 97a it reads: ‘Rabbi Yochanan said, In the generation when the son of David [Mashiach] will come, the number of Torah scholars will dwindle, and as for the rest of the people, their eyes will be wearied through anguish and grief. Every day will bring new adversities and harsh decrees. No sooner is one trouble over than another one appears’. The Kabbalistic scholars (Jewish Mystics) say the world will rise up against Jerusalem, nations will band together to try and remove Jews from the world, but that the Jews will be saved from it. One work quotes Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it! It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he will be saved out of it.”

When we look around the world, we see these things. Wars. Rumours of wars. Disruption of economies and supply lines. Terrible earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and storms. People desperately fleeing from dictators, war zones, punishments, and death. The Middle East will be in turmoil as more and more groups (some political and some religious) rise up to take a stand against Israel. Social upheaval, changes, and a lack of morality also will be a feature of these times. “But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. For some of these are people who creep into houses and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith are rejected. But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be” (2 Timothy 3:1–9).

Not everyone will believe these signs. It will be another case of ‘religious crazies’ making predictions and the rational, reasonable people will keep steady heads. Peter warned us of the distrust of the signs. “This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation”” (2 Peter 3:1–4). No one will believe except maybe believers in Jesus. But we might not all believe. After all, Jesus did ask whether He would find any faith on the earth when He returned (Luke 18:8).

Unlike with Jesus’ birth, we are not going to have a bunch of miraculous signs followed by thirty years to get used to the idea, followed by three years of intense ministry, followed by a big event (crucifixion and resurrection), followed by forty days of teaching, followed by a big event (Holy Spirit descending). No. It is going to be quite different. “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7). It will happen suddenly. “But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. As the days of Noah were, so will be coming of the Son of Man be. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:36–39).

That would be a HUGE cause of worry. Of fear. Of anxiety. Except that this isn’t Jesus’ first time around the block. The first time He was here He told us two significant things. First was John 14:1–4 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. You know where I go, and you know the way.” The second thing is found in Matthew 5:14–16 “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

We are the light that shines out for the world to know that Jesus IS the Messiah and that He IS coming again and that He HAS paid the price for sin so that we ARE all capable of accepting it and being SAVED. How can we fear the coming of the Lord when we know that it is an eager meeting of loving partners? Us the bride and He the bridegroom (John 3:29)? He is not coming to judge the righteous, but the unrighteous. “Therefore we know no one according to the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:16–19). With this Good News, how can we let fear in in ANY way?

We are commanded not to fear. Over and over again. When we look at the bright and shining light of salvation, redemption, help, comfort, renewal, and total BLESSING that is Jesus Christ, how can we fear? There is no shade in His light (James 1:17–18). The Gentile believers in Christ will be caught up with Him. The nation of Israel will be bathed in His glory and all the Jewish believers in Jesus will also be caught up with Him (maybe even before the Gentiles, who knows?). His obedient children who have been sharing His light will be shown to have been telling the truth. That the reason that they have been walking without fear, overcoming the world, and being victorious in their spirits is that Jesus IS the MESSIAH. But remember, it is coming soon. The signs are getting more and more clear. The expectation is rising higher and higher. It will be soon. So remember to shine, remember not to fear, and remember that the Holy Spirit will guide us, correct us, comfort us, and as long as we continue to be humble and submit to the Lord God Almighty, help keep us ready for His coming. Us and all who we disciple in the spirit and truth of the Lord.
“He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen” (Revelation 22:20–21).

Daily Affirmation of God’s Love: Revelation 22:17

The Lord is coming soon. He is coming with His reward. It will be either good or bad. He is going to repay all humanity according to their work (Revelation 22:12). If we follow His commandments, we will have the right to the tree of life and to enter the gates of heaven with Joy and Thanksgiving (Revelation 22:14). If we love Him, we’ll be keeping those commandments (John 14:15). We can take great joy in this. Great peace. Great hope (as in the eager expectation of a guaranteed event). As the book of Revelation closes, the Lord cries out one more time: salvation! He cries out the Good News the angels reported: Peace on earth! He offers again to ANYONE and EVERYONE the chance to take the water of life freely. To receive what the Lord Jesus manifested in His body on the tree: the redemption of the relationship between God and humanity. After all the talk of judgment. After all the talk of punishment. After all the talk of the ending of things. After all that, God speaks again of His most fond desire: that ALL humanity come back to Him (2 Peter 3:9). That ALL men and women believe that Jesus died for their sin and confess that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour. That all men and women humble themselves and submit to Jesus as their Lord. To submit to the Father God Almighty. To be saved, redeemed, washed clean, and ready to walk in His paths, His will, His Joy, His Blessing, and His Kingdom. He is calling. He is offering. He isn’t here yet! It isn’t too late! Not too late to accept Him. Not too late to believe His promises. Not too late to walk in His Blessing. Not too late to humble yourself and be obedient in all you find in the Word. Not too late for any and everything the Lord has for us. It isn’t too late! Until He comes again, He will be fighting for you. For those around you. For everyone that breathes on this good earth. THAT is love.

Your Daily Confession of God’s love to YOU:

Today God loves that I _______.