“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come…” Rev 14:7 (NASB)

The call to “fear God and give glory to Him” is proclaimed in the context of the “everlasting gospel.” A realization of what Christ has done for our salvation results in a positive response to Him.  Respect, awe and obedience!

In the Bible, fearing God and giving glory to Him are closely related (Ps. 22:23, Rev. 15:4). Together, they designate a right relationship with God (Job 1:8) and obedience to Him. To fear God does not mean to be afraid of Him but to take Him seriously and allow His presence in our lives. God’s end-time people are the ones who fear God (see Rev. 11:18, Rev. 19:5). God desires His people to love Him (Deut. 11:13, Matt. 22:37), obey Him (Deut. 5:29, Eccl. 12:13), and reflect His character (Gen. 22:12). Thereby giving Him glory

 “The hour of His judgment has come.” The ambiguity here is intentional – is God acting as judge or is He being judged? Both have important theological messages. Paul told the Ephesians that in the context of the church something was being revealed to the principalities and powers in the heavens (Eph 3:9-10 and 1 Cor 4:9.) He also said God will “have His day in court.” (Romans 3:4NLT.) In the great controversy theme played out in Revelation, we need to remember that regarding this planet’s rebellion (and before that lucifer’s,) God put Himself on trial before the universe. When God is judged, those who are his followers are judged also. “Judgment begins at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17) This was the message of the Old Testament sanctuary’s Day of Atonement.

Judgment in Revelation 14 is a part of the gospel. To those who are in a right relationship with God, judgment is good news; it means vindication, salvation, freedom, and eternal life. However, it is bad news for the disobedient, unless they repent and turn to God by accepting this end-time, judgment-hour message. God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

When Christ returns, He will bring His reward with Him (Matthew 16:27) – which means that every case will have been decided. (Revelation 22:11,12). For Christ to hand out rewards, judgment must have already taken place in the courts of heaven (remember the conceptual language we have already discussed.) Before Jesus returns your case and its outcome will have been determined. Do you fear God – that is the question?