Cowards
Rev 21:8 "The Cowardly ..."
These are they who are characteristically timid. While everyone has fears, these are characteristically overcome by their fears. Ironically these are the first in the list of Rev 21:8 who are thrown into the lake of fire - as if to say that cowards are first in line to get thrown into hell fire. Such is your fate if you fear other things more than you fear God.
There are generally two things people fear. One thing people fear is what other people think of them. The apostle Peter struggled with that fear not only when he denied Christ publicly but even after he had received the Spirit and had been leading the church at Jerusalem Paul had to rebuke Peter for his man-fear. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group." Gal 2:11,12 Bu though we find examples of such fear present in his life, such fear did not characterize his lifestyle. For he also spoke out boldly and publicly. Pr 29:25 "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."
Jesus said, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mt 10:22 If fear of public opinion controls your behavior such that you do not take a public stand for what is true and right, you are a coward. And as fear of public opinion controls cowards, so also does fear of circumstances. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Lk 12:4,5
Rev 21:8 "The Cowardly ..."
These are they who are characteristically timid. While everyone has fears, these are characteristically overcome by their fears. Ironically these are the first in the list of Rev 21:8 who are thrown into the lake of fire - as if to say that cowards are first in line to get thrown into hell fire. Such is your fate if you fear other things more than you fear God.
There are generally two things people fear. One thing people fear is what other people think of them. The apostle Peter struggled with that fear not only when he denied Christ publicly but even after he had received the Spirit and had been leading the church at Jerusalem Paul had to rebuke Peter for his man-fear. Paul writes, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group." Gal 2:11,12 Bu though we find examples of such fear present in his life, such fear did not characterize his lifestyle. For he also spoke out boldly and publicly. Pr 29:25 "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."
Jesus said, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Mt 10:22 If fear of public opinion controls your behavior such that you do not take a public stand for what is true and right, you are a coward. And as fear of public opinion controls cowards, so also does fear of circumstances. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Lk 12:4,5
