Summer 2001
The Choice Before Us
EV Baker 1895

The Lord divides the people in Revelation into two groups; Those who are overcomers, and those who have been overcome. May we be among the first group.

The Lord deals with us, not only concerning our life circumstances, but also about our feelings and attitudes toward others. These things must be dealt with, either by us in this life, or at the judgment seat of Christ.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each one may receive the things done
in his body, according to that which he hath done,
whether good or bad” 2 Cor 5:10.

The Lord’s people are called into account, not for the sins that have been put under the blood, but for their stewardship; as to what they have done with light and grace; as to how they have used their money, time, and service. Conybeare and Howson translates this verse, “We must all be made manifest without disguise before the judgment seat of Christ.” The Lord knows the thoughts of our hearts and that which motivates our actions, and He will deal with us in absolute justice.

The Lord judges us according to our real worth. Just as salvation is wholly on the basis of grace without merit, our works will be dealt with on the basis of merit and worthiness. God cannot reward us for what we have not done. He will give us every last thing we deserve, but He cannot crown us if we do not deserve the crown.

The letters to the churches in Revelation were written to churches that were in existence at that time; but these seven churches in type cover the entire church age, so that the faults and the good works spoken of in regard to each of these churches exists throughout the entire Christian dispensation.

The Lord begins His message to each church with, “I know your works.” He who has eyes as a flame of fire knows the motive that lies behind the sacrifices and the service rendered. He will commend everything He can. To those within each of these seven churches, the Lord promised a reward commensurate to their works. Today, it may be that someone deceptively receives the reward for what we have done, but it cannot happen there. The One who judges is He whose eyes are as a flame of fire. No one will need to tell Him one word, as He will know, whether these works were done to the glory of God, or for the glory of self; whether we have spared our life or laid it down; or whether we have been living selfishly.

It may mean that we will lose our reward, and perhaps lose our part in the Millennial kingdom. Some will have a great reward, some a small reward, and some no reward; some will be saved just by the blood of Jesus and will suffer loss. There will be those who will have an abundant entrance, and some who will be shamed at His coming, and shrink back. May each of us desire to do better than we have been doing, and ask the Holy Spirit to bring us up to becoming a full overcomer.

It is the love of God for His people that He tarries, until we can make up for lost time. We must make speed, that the Son of God may not be kept back from His kingdom. Out of love for His Church, the Lord is bearing for a little longer and giving us a few more years, that we may get ready.

May the Lord stir us today to make good where we have slipped and failed. The Lord is saying that if we will judge ourselves, we will not be judged then. May the Lord save us from any self-deception that we may become a joint heirs with Christ, and share all things with Him in that day.