Give God Glory

Why is the message of the first angel addressed to those who “dwell on earth”? How can we “give God glory” by our words? How can we “give God glory” by how we live?


Sermon Summary:
 

Those Who Dwell on the Earth. This message is given particularly to alert those who “dwell” on the earth, those who are making this “world” their home. In the Scriptures, God’s followers are not of those who “dwell” here. We are called to be “pilgrims,” “strangers” and “aliens” as we “sojourn” in this world, recognizing that this world is not our home. We are called to look by faith, as did Abraham, to the kingdom above, the city “which has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10. 

To Every Nation, Tribe, Tongue, and People. This message is a global message; it is to go everywhere. God wants everyone to know the content of these messages before He comes back in glory. Just as Noah warned his world before the flood, so these messages are designed to alert the entire world of what will soon take place.

Saying With a Loud Voice. These messages are to be given prominence and emphasis. The word in Greek translated “loud” is mega, a term with which we're familiar. It means “huge,” or “big.” The word in Greek translated “voice” is also familiar to us, its root appearing in words such as telephone, microphone and phonograph. This message is to be given with a loud (“mega”) voice (“phone”); a “megaphone.” God wants everyone to hear and understand these messages!

Fear God. The “angel” cries out, “Fear God and give glory to Him.” To “fear” God in the biblical sense does not mean to cringe in abject terror. God is our heavenly Father, Who seeks a relationship with His creatures based on appreciation, not dread. To “fear God” in this context means to respect, reverence, love and obey Him. Said the wise man Solomon as he closed his sermon, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13. Within this phrase is encapsulated the basic issue that is the under-structure of God’s kingdom. It is that which testifies as to our relationship with our Creator. It is a very simple issue! It is the issue that surfaced in the Garden of Eden and will be the issue that will face the world at the end of time. The issue is simply this: Will we, as creatures from God’s hand, render to Him the loyalty and allegiance He deserves as our Maker? Will we trust Him and heed His Word? Will we love and obey Him at all costs? Regarding this issue, the Bible tells us that Adam and Eve failed. They disregarded the express Word of God in the Garden and ate the fruit which had been forbidden. They set aside His commandment and listened to the devil, masquerading as the serpent. The issue of loyalty to God expressed by loving obedience will be the prime issue of the last days.

Give Glory to Him. What is meant by the angel saying, “Give glory to Him”? We do that by our lips, but more importantly by our lives. The Bible is calling us to holy living in these last days. Yes, we should “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15. But giving “glory to Him” goes far beyond what we say. It impacts our whole lifestyle. We honor God when we live in a way that gives evidence that His Spirit is operating in our lives. Paul wrote, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31. We glorify God when we obey the laws of health and don’t poison and pollute our bodies through intemperance; when we treat our bodies as God’s temple. “You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:20. We glorify God when we think, act and behave in a way that is in harmony with His principles. God will enable us to do this if we ask Him.