To Fear or Not to Fear
Written by: C. Gray Adams
October 12th, 2024
Psalm 128:1:
“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.”
Living during the closing moments of the Age of Grace is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Two distinct groups exist at this time, and each one has chosen either “To Fear” or “Not to Fear” – God. Those who have chosen to fear God are fascinated as they witness the fulfillment of the many things God has so thoughtfully described in His Word about the last days. The other group, the fear-nots, will one day soon realize that they have chosen a position that ensures that they will witness the terrifying events of the coming Apocalypse.
With this in mind, we will first consider why it is so important to be in the group that fears God. We will then turn our attention to the beginning and the end of each group. Lastly, we will discuss how one becomes a member of either of these groups.
Through this endeavor, we will come to realize that those who choose “To Fear” God ‘now’ have no reason to fear the coming Tribulation. However, the exact opposite is true of those who choose “Not to Fear” God; they have every reason to fear what is to come in the most trying period to ever come upon the earth. Jesus had this to say about the time that rapidly approaches:
Matthew 24:21:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” [1]
Notice that Jesus said the coming Tribulation is great. In fact, He proclaimed it would be the greatest Tribulation ever. We can take this statement at face value and, from it, realize that all of the previous wars, famines, floods, earthquakes, and calamities of any other sort pale in comparison to what is right around the corner. Oh, but those who choose to fear God now have no reason to fear what is to come… for He has provided a way of escape for the faithful, the rapture, which takes place before the Tribulation to come. We will discuss this in detail shortly.
To understand these two groups, we must go back to the beginning of each. God made man and placed him in the garden to tend it. Adam and Eve were the first of us, and they feared God, as indicated by the fact that they hid themselves from Him when they had done wrong by eating of the forbidden fruit (Gen 3). This wrong was instigated by the first entity that chose “Not to Fear” God. Scripture indicates that Satan was actually the first to lose the fear of God. Isaiah notes his actions:
Isaiah 14:12-15:
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
Sadly, Satan’s rebellion entangled one-third of the angels and the human race as a whole as the first of us fell into his delusion. [2]
Thankfully, after the fall of man, many have chosen to fear God and walk with Him, one of the first examples being Enoch. We see in Genesis chapter five that Enoch walked with God and was not because God took him (Gen 5:24). The fact that God took Enoch before the devastation of the flood makes his account a type and shadow of the coming rapture of the church. The church being the universal body of believers made up of all who have ever believed on the name of Christ, whether dead or alive, when He comes to receive to himself those that have chosen to walk with God. [3] First Thessalonians chapter four describes this event:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Ponder this: we are currently those who are alive and remain. If the rapture happened today, we are the only group that will never die physically. All because we choose “To Fear” God and believe on His Son. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13):” Sadly, many will not be called up in the rapture because they choose “Not to Fear God.” Their plight will be truly terrifying as they will enter into and most likely die physically in the Tribulation. [4]
Now that we have a keen understanding of the groups at hand, their origin, and their end, let us ponder how one becomes a member of either of these groups. We know from our primary Scripture passage that choosing to walk with God brings about blessings, and the exact opposite is true of those who choose not to walk with God; they, according to Scripture, have chosen to be cursed:
Deuteronomy 11:26-28:
“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”
Before Jesus’ atoning death, man could only find grace by being obedient to God. We now know that Enoch accomplished this. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and because of this, the human race survived the great flood (Gen 6:8). Abraham was another who demonstrated the ability to be obedient through faith, as he believed God to the point that he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God; thus Abraham is often affectionately referred to as the father of faith (Rom 4:16-22). Thankfully, God stayed Abraham’s hand and provided a perfect sacrifice, His only Son – Jesus. This is, without question, the most important point made in this article. God made a way, through the obedience of Jesus, where there was no way for the salvation of all who believe:
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Let us now turn our attention toward how one comes to the place of desiring “To Fear” or “Not to Fear” God. Scripture spells this out for us:
Romans 10:13-15:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [Emphasis mine]
Notice that faith comes by hearing, not doing. Faith that leads to salvation is simply that we believe what God did through Jesus is sufficient. We need not add anything to the mix and attempt to make our salvation special because of… xyz. Many have fallen prey to the idea that we must “do” something to be saved. This notion has been around since the very inception of the church, as demonstrated by the actions of many of the first Christians who wished to rely on former practices under the law. This same inclination persists in those groups that insist on having special recipes for salvation.
Encapsulated in the message of salvation just noted, we see the prescription for becoming one who decides “Not to Fear” God. I will restate this verse for clarity: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” (Rom 1:16).
When one hears and rejects the Word of God, they automatically become one that does not fear God. Why? Because God has provided a way for all who believe to be saved. Rejection of His message of salvation puts one on the path of utter destruction. Perhaps this is why the Apostle Paul trembled when he preached to the unsaved (1 Cor 2:3); he knew the ramifications of their rejection of the gospel.
Paul describes this process in detail in Romans chapter one; here, we will focus on the latter part of the passage. This lengthy section of the passage is necessary as it speaks directly to what we see manifesting in our very midst as the signs of the end of the age abound all around us. These are perhaps the most indicative signs of our nearness to the coming judgment of man during the Tribulation.
Romans 1:18-32:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
While reading this passage, you likely found yourself thinking of today’s headlines and news broadcasts, or maybe you reflected on what is readily available on almost every TV show of our time. The length and breadth of what was just stated affirms the fact that people have pleasure in celebrating the debauchery of our day. This behavior is typical of those who choose “Not to Fear” – God.
Conclusion
God gave us all the ability and free will to choose to follow Him or not. Here, we have identified those who hear God’s Word and follow Him as those who choose “To Fear” God, and those who hear God’s Word and do not follow Him as those who have chosen “Not to Fear” God. Blessing and assurance belong to those who obey God. Cursing and uncertainty belong to those who refuse to obey God. With these things in mind, I pose the following questions and provide my thoughts in response: What are we to do with this knowledge? How are we to navigate these last of days?
The way I see it, we have three chief responsibilities. Until He calls us up, we must watch for His return. Simultaneously, we must warn others that He is on His way, and above all, we must win souls. [5]
Proverbs 11:30:
“He that winneth souls is wise.”
Special Note: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). Therefore, we who fear Him are the only ones who have any chance of winning souls. So, let us be very busy doing just that.
Website: In His Commission
[1] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”
[2]For greater understanding, see the article, “The Greatest Lie Ever Told: The Origin of All Lies.”
[3] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Five W’s of the Rapture.”
[4] For greater understanding, see the webpage, “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “Watch – Warn –and Win Souls.“