[[@page.2.4.4]]2.4.4 - A Worldwide Revival
It should not be missed that in accordance with God's desire that all should come to repentance (2Pe. [[3:9|bible.82.3.9]]), the events of the book of Revelation are intended to serve as a final call to those who God knows will yet respond to the message of the gospel. This can be seen in the special ministries of the 144,000 Jewish servants (Rev. [[7|bible.87.7.1]]+, [[14|bible.87.14.1]]+), the two witnesses (Rev. [[11:3|bible.87.11.3]]+), and the angel proclaiming the gospel message worldwide (Rev. [[14:16|bible.87.14.16]]+). In response to their testimony, a large number of people will come to faith in Christ, although many will be martyred (Rev. [[6:9-11|bible.87.6.9-87.6.11]]+; [[7:13-14|bible.87.7.13-87.7.14]]+).1 Those who refuse to respond to the gospel message are shown to be unbending in their rejection of God and without any hint of repentance (Rev. [[9:20-21|bible.87.9.20-87.9.21]]+; [[16:9|bible.87.16.9]]+, [[11|bible.87.16.11]]+, [[21|bible.87.16.21]]+). Thus, the events preceding the Second Coming of Christ serve as a global "threshing" where the wheat (believers) is separated from the chaff (unbelievers) by the extreme tests which come upon the world (Luke [[21:34-36|bible.63.21.34-63.21.36]]; Rev. [[3:10|bible.87.3.10]]+). In our sorrow over the destiny of the chaff, let us not overlook the wheat which is harvested to the glory of God (Rev. [[14:14-16|bible.87.14.14-87.14.16]]+).
Notes
1 "By means of the 144,000 Jews, God will accomplish the second purpose of the Great Tribulation, that of bringing about a worldwide revival." -- Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of Messiah, rev ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), 179-180.
Copyright © 2004-2005 by Tony Garland
(Page generated on Sat Nov 12 12:27:57 2005)
contact@SpiritAndTruth.org