"Fear not" Jesus told John, and He placed his right hand on His friend...
What's happening, why is Christ comforting John and who is John? Well let's start at the beginning.
The disciple, John was all about love. He was a faithful follower and friend of Jesus. What's important most about John is that he well received the love of Christ. But what made him also notable was his intensity of giving the love of Christ. The result was exactly what he presents in God's Word... He was perfected in love.
I'm sure you have heard this scripture about love: "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18)
Guess who wrote these words in God's Word?
John :)
Are you making a connection in his life that he knew something about the effects of being perfected in love. And one of those effects was ...no fear. What's awesome is that John gives us a detailed gander into his wisdom.
Found in one of his books, is a linear puzzle that requires assembling, to comprehend how love casts out fear and what God's children have to do with the proclamation.
The details are found in 1 John 4:7-17. To make this shorter, I'll sum it up.
Here is the sum of John's details:
Love is of God. (V 7)
Know and believe God loves us.(V )10
Believe in His Son, Jesus.(V 11)
+ Love others because of His love. V 12)
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= His love perfected in us.
God dwells in us and His love fills us. Then we pour out the love we receive, to others. Love perfected is two fold: Absorbing and outpouring.
Here's where perfect love begins to work against fear. If you are filled with love, then you are ultimately filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). Being filled with God, means nothing else can stand. Being full of the one who overcame, makes us conquerors through the perfect love of God. (Romans 8:37)( 1 John 5:4).
If you then, are a conqueror, what could you have to fear?
What does love do to fear? It throws it out! Now that's awesome! No wonder demons cannot stand against the Son of the Most High. Fear cannot find its place in the face of love. It cannot fit in an area already overloaded with wonderful perfection! Take that fear! Love has claimed victory over anything that stands against God.
"Fear not" is a common Heavenly term. Used many times by Jesus Christ. Each instance is unique, but it's important to see an instance where John hears these words of confidence.
So let's wrap up the story from the beginning...
In Revelation, John is on an island and Jesus shows up. Of course, he is a little shaken. Isnt that what fear does?! But this is His God! This is the Christ he watched heal, teach, die, then ascend to heaven. Of all that Jesus was to John, He was also "FriEnD". Jesus sees John is shaken and it breaks His heart.
{ And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead, I am alive for evermore, Amen...}
Revelation 1: 17-18
How did Christ comfort John in his fear? He reminded his friend exactly who was the conqueror.
He kindly touched his friend and reminded Him of the victory already won.
Here are your words of comfort...
Fear Not. God's love conquers all.
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