Lesson 108. Worship

Why has God chosen love in particular as the victor’s weapon for the last days? In essence, one could devise any means from the positive qualities of character and call it an instrument of spiritual warfare. Love could be made merely one component among the many qualities of the human soul. And how can we prove to an uninformed person, or persuade him, that he needs to acquire love, learn how to use it, and direct it?

We have already established that this is Christ’s prophetic command, which He clothed in the symbols of gold tried in the fire and oil for the lamp, in which He Himself is also concealed.

But in order to understand the full and correct answer, we must determine what kind of conflict will take place in the last days. Against whom and for what will this war be waged? And how can we stand?

In chapters 12, 13, and 14 of the book of Revelation, we read about the history of Christ’s church, persecution, the power of the beast, and the message of the three angels warning the world. In chapter 13 we read verses 3–4: ‘...and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?’ Then verse 8: ‘And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’ Verse 12: ‘And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.’ And verse 15: ‘And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.’

All these verses have one word in common—‘worship’—which is repeated in a special way in different circumstances. The purpose of the conflict Satan is waging on Earth is to compel or persuade the world to worship him or the power that represents and serves him. In the very last days, all the political, religious, economic, and executive structures of our society will enter this conflict on the devil’s side in order to use secular power to accomplish the designs of the wicked one. The culmination of this conflict will be that everyone who does not worship the beast and the dragon will be declared an outcast of society and put to death.

In order to stand in such a war, we must know what kind of war it is, what it is directed against, where it takes place, and how to resist it. We must possess the whole armour with which we will have to fight in the final battle.

I will say at once that this is a spiritual war, and there will be no tanks, airplanes, or machine guns in it.

We read the First Angel’s message in Revelation 14:7: ‘Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.’ And verse 9: ‘And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand...’

Here we read that God Himself, through His messengers, warns this world about the danger of false worship and about the severe punishment for those who worship Satan and receive the mark of the beast. We see God’s punishment in verse 11: ‘And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.’

There will be no peace for those who choose Satan, and these people will perish forever.

Worship is the expression of special reverence, respect, and preference, and the dedication of time to something or someone. It is connected either with compulsion or with the conscious choice of a person who esteems the object of worship above himself. One may worship in spirit by mentally agreeing with the demands of a higher power, or literally by bowing the knees and performing the deeds commanded by the ruling authorities.

A very similar example of worship can be seen in chapter 3 of the book of the prophet Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image and commanded everyone to worship it. We read verses 5–6: ‘...ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.’

These words and commands are very familiar.

The whole world watched this event, and everyone worshipped the image except three young men who were faithful to God. They were brought before the king and were respectfully asked once more to worship, but the young men firmly refused and were delivered to death in the flames of the furnace. Yet they did not perish, for the Lord Himself came to them in the fire and preserved them, allowing them to pass through this trial.

All these things are symbols of the final battle for us. Just as these three young men overcame because they loved God, worshipped Him alone, and obeyed only His requirements, so in the last days only those who obey God in everything and thereby demonstrate their love for Him will overcome. Such people will stand firm in trials.

And what does love have to do with this?

Let us look at Calvary. The cross upon which Jesus hung was the most convincing proof of God’s love for humanity. In this conflict, sin and the Creator’s love met. The destiny not only of all humanity but also of the entire universe depended upon the outcome of this conflict. Does God truly love fallen human beings so much that He is willing to die in their place and for them? Love went to death and by its death conquered death. It took power away from him that had the power of death. Christ overcame in this conflict. He is the true Victor. And what was His weapon in this war? Love for God and love for humanity. He did not worship Satan and did not violate a single one of God’s commands. The law of God’s love was written in His heart, and He was faithful unto death.

Training in this law continued throughout Christ’s earthly life, and at Calvary, in the fiery furnace of suffering for our sins, the final test of the purity of this love took place. But in this flame there was no one beside Jesus to strengthen Him, and only one thief on the neighboring cross became a man who believed in the crucified Saviour and supported Him during the difficult hours of trial.

And in the last days, the Lord Himself has come again to teach His people love and to be with them during the trials, when all who do not worship the beast will be put to death. But love for God will help them stand and overcome the enemy in this conflict. And love for people will form the victor’s character for the proper strategy of warfare in the last days.

It will be impossible to gain this victory over the beast and the dragon by chance. It will be impossible to obtain it by merely choosing whom to worship.

Jesus once said to the Samaritan woman in John 4:23: ‘But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.’

If I do not worship God throughout my entire life, my decision during the trial will not change my sorrowful destiny.

The mark of the beast will already be upon me, while those who love God will bear the seal of God. They will already have been tested and admitted to the final baptism of death in order to conquer it forever. And the Lord Himself will be beside me in this conflict so that the flame will not scorch me. This war is taking place now between my right and left ears, and my victories now are preparing me for the final battle. And Love will triumph.

1. What new things did you learn from this lesson?

2. Why is it important to worship God in spirit and in truth? How do you understand this?

3. What goal is Satan pursuing in the last days? Who will be on his side?

4. Where does the war take place? And why is love needed in the last days more than ever before?

5. What helped Jesus overcome at Calvary? And what will help us?

6. How can I determine now whose side I am on?

7. How does love help me decide the issue of worship?

8. Please read Psalm 95:6; Psalm 132:7; Daniel 3:18; John 4:22–23; 5:24; Revelation 14:7–12; 17:12–14; and 12:11 in the light of our lesson.