“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of THE LORD, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.’” Job 28:28.

YES, Proverbs 9:10 says that the fear of THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom. But much more than that, Job doubtless says that the fear of THE LORD is actually wisdom.

Therefore, to have wisdom — The Wisdom of GOD, and not the wisdom of the world, one MUST of necessity always have the fear of THE LORD.

Thus, if one does not have the fear of THE LORD, one does not have wisdom.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have Grace, by which we may serve GOD acceptably with reverence and GODly fear. For our GOD is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29.

“For” in the above Scripture indicates that because GOD is a Consuming Fire, we should fear Him with GODly fear. Not morbid fear, but GODly fear.

Even firefighters fear fire although they are bold and brave in dealing with fire. Likewise, although we come boldly to GOD, we must still fear Him to obey Him, because He can destructively burn the disobedient for eternity!

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show yo u Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” Luke 12:4-5.

It will be a very fiery show of POWER “when THE LORD JESUS is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know GOD, and on those who do not obey The Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from The Presence of THE LORD and from The Glory of His Power,” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

Many teach a false doctrine by saying that to fear GOD is about reverence for Him, not actual fear (as in terror). This a grave error!

Although we have reverence for GOD, He has also expressly stated that we should fear Him.

Undoubtedly, GOD is infinitely fearsome, and must thus be feared.

Even when THE LORD appears in His level of Glory that man can handle in this fallen state, the beholder’s reflex action is to hit the ground in fear.

For example, when He came down to Mount Sinai, “so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.” (Hebrews 12:21).

John was one of the three eyewitnesses of The Majesty of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST when He was transfigured before them, and GOD spoke to them audibly. They were greatly afraid when they heard GOD’s Voice:

“Now after six days JESUS took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His Face shone like the sun, and His Clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Then Peter answered and said to JESUS, “LORD, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three Tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a Bright Cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a Voice came out of The Cloud, saying, “This is MY BELOVED SON, in Whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But JESUS came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”” Matthew 17:1-7 emphasis added.

And so, John experienced it all. Yet, years later, when He saw THE LORD in another encounter, He was exceedingly afraid:

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His Right Hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I AM The First and The Last.”” Revelation 1:17.

This is the disciple whom JESUS loved. This is the disciple who cosily rested His head in the bossom of JESUS at the table.

GOD is fearsome! GOD is to be feared! And it is WISDOM to do so.

“GOD is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” Psalm 89:7.

Indeed, as aforesaid, THE LORD Himself made it clear that we should fear Him because He can cast the disobedient into hell!

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!“ Luke 12:4-5.

THE WORD categorically makes a distinction between reverence and GODly fear; but they go hand-in-hand.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have Grace, by which we may serve GOD acceptably with reverence and GODly fear. For our GOD is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 emphasis added.

In a recent dream, I was FERVENTLY preaching to two school friends of decades ago. In a FIERY message, I was holding my big Bible up and saying: “If Christians would go by this Book, they will fear GOD! If Christians would go by The Scriptures, they will fear GOD!”

After having the dream, I understood it was time to release this message which I have had for years, waiting for THE LORD’s say-so, to publish it.

Increase by the fear of THE LORD

GODly increase/multiplication can only be achieved by a life immersed in the fear of THE LORD and The Help of THE HOLY SPIRIT.

This was how The Church succeeded in the book of Acts.

“Then The Churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of THE LORD and in The Comfort of THE HOLY SPIRIT, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31.

The Church today would likewise succeed if we do what they did to succeed.

True prosperity/ growth of The Church will not happen by worldly marketing, smoke machines and sleek conference production. Success in CHRIST JESUS comes by “walking in the fear of THE LORD and in The Comfort of THE HOLY SPIRIT“.

Following the events on The Day of Pentecost, “fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” (Acts 2:43).

The early Church took delight in fearing GOD. But today’s Church habitually dishonours GOD with much worldliness and self-seeking. This ought to STOP immediately!

As He did with Ananias and Sapphira, THE HOLY SPIRIT will likewise do in these wrap-up days of The Church as a deterrent. JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday, today and forever.

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to THE HOLY SPIRIT and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to GOD.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all The Church and upon all who heard these things.” Acts 5:1-11 emphasis added.

Many conduct themselves today in The Church like Ananias and Sapphira. They lie, they impress the leadership, but GOD sees their hearts. They are laid back in coming before GOD.

Ananias and Sapphira could not even go to church together. In fact, Sapphira was three hours late to church!

The account above is an example of why JESUS said we should FEAR Him.

“Knowing, therefore, The TERROR of THE LORD, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:11.

Peter, whom THE HOLY SPIRIT used in dealing with Ananias and Sapphira, says to “conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;” 1 Peter 1:17.

By all means, let us love and admire THE LORD; let us have reverence for Him. But we must also fear Him. It is wisdom to do so.

Reverence and fear are two sides of the same coin. Reverence for GOD and the fear of THE LORD are the inseparable pair to have in pleasing GOD.

THE LORD JESUS had His delight in fear of The LORD. And He succeeded perfectly in the days of His Flesh. We will succeed like Him by doing what He did: delight in the fear of THE LORD.

“The Spirit of THE LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, The Spirit of Counsel and Might, The Spirit of Knowledge and of The Fear of THE LORD. His delight is in the fear of THE LORD…” Isaiah 11:2-3.

The LORD has been teaching me, and I’ve been praying for THE SPIRIT OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD for many years now, starting with this Scripture.

The fear of THE LORD is our success factor.

This was exceedingly, URGENTLY affirmed and confirmed by a young prophet in a Sid Roth interview last January:

Let us succeed by walking in the fear of THE LORD and in The Comfort of THE HOLY SPIRIT. Amen and Amen.

 

“The LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:22.
“Farewell” Acts 15:29.
~ Jacob Awagah

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Jacob, an apostle of Jesus Christ by The Will of God, according to The Promise of Life which is in Christ Jesus, (2 Timothy 1:1).
As John was, Jacob is the disciple whom JESUS loves, (John 13:23;19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20). And like Paul, Jacob is “the prisoner of CHRIST JESUS” (Ephesians 3:1) for His Purpose forever: to obey Him always.
“And having been perfected, He became The Author of Eternal Salvation to all who obey Him,” Hebrews 5:9.

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