In the following verses, Moses, the great leader of Israel, hid his face from God, because he was afraid to look upon Him.

“1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:1-6)

In the last book of the Bible, the last living Apostle, John, fell at His feet as dead.

“10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:10-20)

God says by the prophet Isaiah that He is God, there is none else and there is none like Him.

“9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

God says again by the prophet Isaiah that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear unto Him.

“22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Isaiah 45:22-23)

King David was called by God “a man after mine own heart.” (Acts 13:22) God had David write,

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10)

The greatest of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul said of God,

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

These are but a few examples, throughout God’s Holy Word, of the many times that the absolute holiness of God is brought to our attention. Men and women, even fallen angels, displayed their reverence, their respect, before a Holy God. What reverence do we show Him today? He has been called “the man upstairs,” “the old boy upstairs,” “Mr. G,” “pal,” “buddy,” “the big guy,” etcetera. Movies such as Bruce Almighty and Oh, God have mocked His supreme righteousness. It should make one cringe in fear when He is so disrespected and mocked, but do we?

In Revelation 14:7 we read these words,

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

Notice that these words are for the hearing of every person, nation, kindred and language on the face of this earth. We are to fear God and give Him glory.

 

Did we become lax by looking at Jesus and thinking that God is a softie? Jesus made it clear that He and the Father are one. In other words, He is God.

“9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” (John 14:9-11)

“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)

We look at God in the flesh, Jesus, and see someone we can be close to, someone full of love, someone who died for us, someone we can talk to, and someone who became one of us. Does this mean that God has changed in some way? God says,

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)

Since this is in the Old Testament, perhaps it doesn’t apply to God as Jesus. In the New Testament God says,

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

The real issue here is that God is the same, whether we are reading the Old or New Testament. It is all His Word, the Bible, and He does not change. Also the word “LORD” in Malachi 3:6 is the same Jesus we know in Hebrews 13:8. Jesus said,

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

In Exodus God identifies Himself to Moses,

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14).

In John we read,

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

Therefore, whether we are speaking of Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit, they are one. They are God, and God demands our respect. Some talk like they are going to pat Jesus on the back when they get to Heaven and get real chummy. I believe we will be so overwhelmed by His glory; we will fall to our knees in worship.

Those of the world commonly use the name of God in blasphemous ways, but at the White Throne judgment, there will be nothing but cowering reverence. What about the Bema judgment of Christians (Judgment Seat of Christ; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)? We will not cower before Him in fear, but we will fall to our knees in reverence and love for the one who is our God.

God has more love for us than we could ever imagine, and those who are His do not need to fear Him, except in reverence. We do need to keep in mind though, He is God.

 

Grant Phillips

Hebrews chapter eleven is called the “faith” chapter of the Bible. It begins by saying,

“1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report.”

It goes on to list men and women of faith, giving examples of their faith in action. Notice that I said, “Men and women of faith.” The terminology “of faith” is very loosely used today by one and all. The church uses it, and those outside the church tack this little phrase after the name/s of people who wouldn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ if He stood right in front of them and slapped them in the face.

“Of faith” to the world obviously means something totally different than the kind of faith God is referring to. For example:

·        Real faith knows that God created the world. He tells us all about it beginning in the first chapter of Genesis. (Hebrews 11:3)

·        Real faith knows that Moses and the children of Israel went through the Red Sea on dry ground. They did not skirt around it.

·        Real faith knows that the Bible is the Holy written Word of God.

Well I’m sure you get the point. So what is this “of faith” dribble the world speaks of? Words. Just that. Words. There is nothing behind it. There is no essence to it. It is just letters put together in such a way to make two words; i.e. “of faith.” Unfortunately, this same analysis seems to be applicable to many so-called Christians as well.

God seems to think faith is very important, for He says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him (emphasis mine): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

I started out talking about “faith,” but now I want to put the saddle on the other horse and speak about “diligence.” It is by this faith we seek God, and we should seek Him diligently. Faith and diligence go hand in hand. The Greek word for diligently in Hebrews 11:6 means:

1.     To seek out, search for

2.     To seek out, i.e. investigate, scrutinize

3.     To seek out for one’s self, beg, crave

4.     To demand back, require

It is understood that politicians, Hollywood mouthpieces, the media and religious apostates think they are righteous people because they have faith in something (not God of course). The frightening aspect is those who think they are righteous because they are members of a local church, they walked the aisle, they attend church, and they make all the right noises once a week and genuflect to the right moves. Other than that, their interest in God and all things related to Him are nearly non-existent. Once again, the Lord says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” How many of us truly seek the Lord with all diligence?

The Lord says through the Apostle Paul,

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, … Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. … Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

He also tells us through the Apostle Peter,

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9)

If our faith is genuine we will believe these Scripture passages that our Lord has provided, and in our belief, we will diligently seek His face. We will long to know Him more by knowing His Word. We will long for His coming for us, as a bride eagerly awaits her bridegroom. Where is the proof of this in most of our churches? Where is the proof of this in the lives of most who call themselves Christians? Do we fit the definition of faith as demonstrated over and over in the faith chapter; i.e. Hebrews 11? Are we diligently searching the Scriptures for His truth He would have us to know? Are we looking upward for His soon return?

Most who call themselves Christians today, show very little interest in a personal relationship with the one who died for them. There is no anticipation that His shout may be at any moment for His bride, the Church, to come to Him and meet Him in the air. God’s own people were not ready when he came the first time. Is the same true today? I believe it is.

“I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

How much diligence would be applied to finding a lost piece of jewelry, or money, or some other treasure in our house? Would we turn the place upside down looking for it? Would we panic? Should not the same diligence, at least, be applied to “seek Him?” Jesus said,

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

The Church today is just as sorry and pathetic as was Israel when Jesus came over two thousand years ago to give His life on the cross for all who would come to Him. Most were not ready. We have come full circle. We criticize Israel for not recognizing who Jesus was when He came at that time and not being ready, but how many of us are diligently looking for Him today? How many today are eager to discuss anything to do with Jesus, especially His most imminent return? The truth is, even in the Church circle, most have other things on their minds. Most are shallow people with shallow lives reaching for their next fix among the world’s enticing treasure trove of goodies.

When Jesus came the first time, it was a somewhat silent event. The world was not aware. This time everyone will know. Events will soon take place on this earth that have never happened before, as was the flood in Noah’s day. He will first protect His bride by removing her to His Father’s house. Then all hell will be unleashed on this planet by the judgment of God. Those who diligently seek Him will not be surprised.

 

Grant Phillips