The “fear” in Heaven

Revelation 19:5

Years ago I took my son to an amusement park so we could have some fun father/son time together. He convinced me in a weak moment to go with him on a ride called “free fall” (now I was raised by a man that went through the great depression and the term “free” was always attractive). We stood in a seemingly endless line where there would have been ample time to reconsider the wisdom in what we were about to do. Eventually we got tour turn. A nice looking young man ushered my son and I with another couple into a little box with four seats in it. After securing us he stepped away and the box began to rise into the sky. I don’t know how far we were about the ground but the bird were flying below us. We finally got to the top. It was at that time that the box moved forward until there was nothing underneath it and then there was this little “click.” That was when I realized that I had made a mistake … I didn’t want to do this! It was too late.

I heard things from the girl sitting next to me that I never knew girls ever said. We were dropping at the speed of light and we were all highly engaged in feeling the grip of complete terror. When I got to the bottom I questioned my intelligence. Why would anyone do what I had just done? There are much more sane methods of doing a cardiac test. Fear and pain are two of my arch enemies. I do not understand anyone who volunteers for either.

The subject of fear is very complex. The intensity of fear is difficult to measure. Concern can slide into anxiety and then shift to worry and finally end up being pure fear. The Scriptures teach that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” (Ps. 11:10 & Prov. 9:10) and yet John tells us that “perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18). Close to His departure, Jesus tells His disciples “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

At the crucifixion the believing thief interrogates the unbelieving criminal with the question “don’t you fear God?” (Lk. 23:40). We must conclude from what the Scriptures give us that there is a proper time to be afraid and an improper time. Part of the distinction is not merely in the timing but the object of our fear.

When we come to the text of the hour the great and the small are divided by something other than size or significance. The division is made by fear. The fearing ones are the winners and the overconfident are the losers. What does it mean to “fear God” in the redemptive sense and it is possible that modern man has all but lost His fear of God?