Is it Okay for Christians to Be Fearful When Reading Revelation?

Charles Spurgeon, in his 1866 sermon entitled “The Great White Throne,” preached that if by faith the Holy Spirit could open our eyes to see the Revelation 20:11 “great white throne and him that sat upon it… we shall not be afraid to look upon it in the day when the Judge shall sit, and the quick and the dead shall stand before him.” Christians rightfully respond in fearful adoration to the glory of God in recognition of both His righteousness and justice when reading about the forthcoming eschatological promises in Revelation. The essence of God does not allow him to turn off his love attribute while exercising justice. As such, he fully exhibits his righteousness through his administration of justice. Believers have no reason to fear justice as our justification is by and through the eternally begotten son Jesus Christ. The internal qualities are shared among the Trinity and communicated to Creation through his glorious power. These communications serve as revelations from God reflected by his inspired Word, natural creation, and the ministry of the incarnate Word Jesus Christ by testifying of the glory and majesty of God. Thus, the reality of our salvation necessities the eternal judgment of those who respond in rejection. When God’s glory culminates at the second advent of Christ, tears will be shed – tears of joy as well as tears of regret when all of creation testifies to the truth that Jesus is indeed who he said he was. Just as tears result from both joy and sorrow, scripture distinguishes the differing emoting of fear. 

Detaching from the World

Growing up in the church, I must admit I cringed a bit when our pastor began his sermon by requesting the congregation to turn to the middle chapters of the book of Revelation. The coming judgment of a righteous God paints a graphic picture -- angelic trumpets followed by hail and fire mingled with blood, falling stars, death, destruction, locusts with the teeth of lions, and deadly scorpions. These images inevitably cause a personal fear on someone who has not lived even a quarter of his or her life. Children and young adults have yet to experience the happiness of living independently, marriage, employment, fatherhood, or motherhood. The uncertainty of not being able to experience these rites of life inevitably causes fear. Like Kenny Chesney sings, “I want to go to heaven, just not today.” The longer we live, however, the more we identify the lostness and deterioration of humanity. The sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit detaches us from the world as we grow and mature in our spiritual walk with Christ. Hopefully, we will gradually disconnect ourselves from the attachments and the hopes in this world. As a necessary consequence, our fearful terrors shift toward fearful adoration and awe.

Detachment from the world stands upon the promise and hope of renewal. God continually reveals His goodness in creation. Paul, in Romans 1, agreed that even the lost experience the natural revelation of the existence of God. In special revelation, however, God shows believers that humanity has continually rejected his mercy and grace and perverted much of the conveniences we have been given. We have transformed the capabilities of the internet, vaccines, and nuclear power into means of pedophilia, human trafficking, sexual promiscuity, and destruction of human life. Now, as we hear about the capabilities of AI technology, our fears of the future are multiplied exponentially. Sanctification thankfully enlarges the hope we have in Christ while quelling our fears of terror. We have a greater appreciation of the hope we have in Christ – that we are saved, are continually being kept, and look forward to the culmination of salvation in our soon glorification. Our fears, consequently, progressively diverge.

Where the Fear Comes From

John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote Revelation utilizing two distinct connotations of “phobeo,” the Greek word describing being frightened, alarmed, or in awe. He used “fear” not only to identify “terror” or “alarm” but also a godly fear in reverence and adoration of God’s glory. This glory is a manifestation of his eternal essence. The disciple who Jesus loved felt his Savior’s right hand upon him and was told, “Fear not; I am the first and the last.” These same words were spoken by Yahweh to the prophet Isaiah at 41:10 as he promised strength and upholding with his righteous right hand. Christian living and ministry have never been for the weak or faint of heart. The struggle is real, and so is the fear, but we are promised his spiritual presence (Joshua 1:9), deliverance (Psalm 34:4), comfort (Psalm 23:4), peace (John 14:47), and his love (1 John 4:18). Christianity is the only religion worshipping a living and saving God who promises His presence quelling our fears which are isolated to this world. 

Reverent fear resulting from the acknowledged justness, holiness, and righteousness of God appreciates the manifestation of his glory in the power and authority through the work of Jesus Christ. Fear is a result of a feeling of lack of control in the midst of uncertainly. The faithful, however, recognize the authority given to human beings in this world will ultimately be trumped in final judgment by the one who has been given ultimate authority. By accepting our inability and His ability, we properly adore and look forward to our promised certainty and realized hope.

Our Fears Transferred

We still experience fear when perusing the back of the Book. These fears, however, are transferred to those around us who are on the road to experience judgment from the great white throne. The lost have their sole identity with the world and are servants to the prince of this world and will find no place for them in the coming kingdom. John, who was labeled as the “eagle-eyed seer of Patmos” by Charles Spurgeon, wrote of the great white throne judgment promised in Revelation 20:11 and the sad unveiling that unbelievers will find “there was found no place for them.” Similarly, the vision of the fall of Babylon in Revelation 18:9-10 describes the kings of the earth who lived the highs of this present life bewailed and lamented for the city as they saw it destroyed by fire. He saw them standing off in the distance in “fear of her torment” and realized judgment was imminent. In contrast, 19:1-2 reveals voices in heaven praising God upon the realization of the “salvation and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord our God.” Then, in verse five, a voice from the throne shouts, “Praise our god, all ye his servants and ye that fear him, both great and small.” Both “fears” contemplate and indicate a realization of a truth – those without Christ see the prophesied destruction from judgment while those who have trusted in Christ worship in fearful awe.

Fearing Not

Revelation eliminates fearful terror by causing us to empty ourselves from our own blueprints and desires for our future. Recognizing the authority, power, and majesty of Jesus Christ to be fully realized at his second coming causes us to desire to see his kingly manifestation by praying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” We have an emphasis on self when we fear or fright for the future. However, when we empty ourselves as Abraham when he was tasked to offer up his promised son Isaac, we experience and submit to the recognition of God’s controlling power, authority, and provision by merely proclaiming “Here I am.” Thus, fear is an acceptable response for the Christian when reading John’s revelation for end times – fearful awe of the power of our God in his restoration process and fear toward those who have no place in this coming kingdom. 

Photo Credit: Arrangements-Photography 

Chad Napier, while an attorney by trade, his passion is filling the pulpits of local churches when needed and engaging a broader audience with his writing. He enjoys running and golf and recently completed his degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. Chad lives in Jonesborough, Tennessee with his wife Brandi and one-year-old Welsh Terrier LuLu.