July 24, 2022
These are of one mind, and . . . will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:13a-14
This glimpse of the future is much closer now than when John penned the vision. It is the duty and privilege of every Christian to personally engage and actively help others prepare for the return of Jesus. Per Satan’s strategy (which is no secret to God), events in religion, politics, and economics are swirling to bring many different people together in a unified effort to save the planet. They will be of one mind. The carefully worded rhetoric will sound very good, especially by contrast to the rapidly deteriorating conditions we see all about us. The talking points will be worded to predict great success about what man can accomplish to fix this broken world (if only we will all work together).
The passage above tells us that man’s grand plan has a major flaw: it will compel people to disobey God. The plan will hinge on breaking one of the Ten Commandments. These are also known as the law of liberty (James 2:12). Satan’s strategy is built upon the idea that freedom means breaking God’s law, but in actuality that is the very opposite of freedom.
As we help others to understand this, let us be crystal clear as to what it means to be called, chosen, and faithful, for these three words describe those who will emerge victoriously—alive!—from this worldwide conflict. God loves all people. Everyone is called:
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9
The word in our opening passage translated chosen also means elect. This refers to everyone who answers God’s call to salvation. When you heard God’s merciful, gracious invitation and chose to accept it, a two-way choosing occurred. He loves everyone, but it is our individual choice to love Him back. Newspaper wedding announcements refer to the woman as the “bride-elect” of the man, meaning he has asked her to marry him and she has accepted. In Paul’s fervor to lead people safely and fully into God’s kingdom, he said:
Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
The third descriptive word for those who are with [the Lamb] is faithful. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit’s power, we can—we must!—be faithful to our Beloved. Our enemy has doubled down on his efforts to delude the elect of God, teaching that it is unnecessary to faithfully keep His commandments. Sadly, too many of God’s people live in disobedience to one of the simplest, clearest, and plainest of instructions given in His word—the fourth commandment—while claiming to be “under grace.”
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Romans 6:1-2