ARE YOU WITH ME (GOD)?
Revelation 17:14
“This (Antichrist) will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the CALLED and CHOSEN and FAITHFUL!”
Today, we all are in red-alert because we are in the state of war. We are not in war with “flesh and blood,” but with our true enemy, the Devil and His followers. Can you imagine for a while, that in the end time, there will be a war between The Lamb and His followers against the Devil and his followers, what a great war it will be? And my friends, this is for real! That’s why Jesus is asking to us, “Are you with Me?” What is your answer? Who is worthy to be His follower, the one who will fight hand-to-hand and taste the Great Victory with God?
1. God’s followers are those who are CALLED.
Generally, we, as a Christian, were called with God’s Word.
There are 3 stages of Calling we must go through:
1.1. A calling to be a believer.
A calling to freedom from all sins and flesh.
Galatians 5:13, “For you WERE CALLED to freedom, brethren; …” We were called to be free from all sickness, all fear, all poverty, all worries, and all the works of the Devil. Sin always puts someone in bondage, but salvation always puts someone in freedom.
This is a past calling. This must be our nature as believers.
1.2. A calling to come into the fellowship with Christ.
Phil. 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
We were not just called to be free from everything that not pleases God, but also we are called to have a fellowship in Him. We are called to take everything that he prepared for us. You can read many passages in the Bible, especially in Pauline Epistles, about what we are in Christ. Eph. 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places IN CHRIST!” also, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory IN CHRIST JESUS!” Phil 4:19
This is a present calling. This is must be our life as believers.
1.3. A highest calling
Hebrews 3:1, “Therefore holy brethren, partakers of A HEAVENLY CALLING, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”
This is our future calling. This is must be our heritage as believers.
2. God’s followers are those who are CHOSEN.
The next step is, Matt 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The cause why weren’t chosen are:
2.1. We reject God’s choice in our life;
2.2. We are not faithful to remain in God’s choice.
I personally believe that God’s choice is talking about God’s plan in our life, which is, “You didn’t choose Me but I chose you and appointed you that you would GO and BEAR FRUIT, and that your fruit would remain, …” John 15:16.
God’s plan for us, so we can GO and BEAR much fruit, and REMAIN in that fruitful life. Verse 7 said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit…” If we call ourselves as GOD”S CHOSEN, so we must glorify Him in every aspects of our life.
3. God’s followers are those who are FAITHFUL.
Many who were called and chosen, stumbled in their ways just because they didn’t have a faithful life. 1 Peter 1:10, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” Many people being so reserved, or conservative, after they follow Jesus for so many years in their life. That’s not what God meant for us, God didn’t want us to be just like Lucifer.
My brothers, don’t stop when you got His calling or in His choice, but also walking in faithfulness before Him. If everything seems not too good for you, and if you can’t see His arms, keep trust His heart to us. He will not let you alone; He will walk just beside you, even when you can’t see Him.
