(January 10, 2025) Brian Bell reflects, shares… and encourages—

I’d like to share some thoughts relative to faithfully serving God and witnessing as a whole, and in doing so honour a friend who was a spirited follower of Christ whose example influenced others —

In my late teens I spent some summer weeks serving with a Beach Mission Team in the UK. Each day concluded with an evening open-air witness with some team members singing, others testifying, and the leader sharing a gospel message.

Other team members would be looking for folk who might stop, seemingly interested in the message, and we’d approach them on conclusion.

Reference
One particular evening I approached a couple that I’d noticed had stopped to listen to the message that happened to be about heaven. When I and asked what they thought about what they’d heard, I was completely unprepared for the gentleman’s response— ‘What about the 144,000?’

Although young and inexperienced, I knew this was a reference to the book of Revelation. In this article, I wish to comment on some Revelation scriptures regarding whatever ministry God has us doing for our Saviour Jesus. But first I share the following…

Also serving on that particular team was a good friend of mine from my home church, a young man called Billy Frazer. Billy was also a member of our Youth Fellowship (led for a period by Robert McQuillan before he emigrated to Australia, now editor/producer of this E-Mag).

Billy was about two years younger than me, a very vibrant follower of Jesus and an encouragement and challenge to myself and everyone who knew him.

Billy Frazer studied languages at university and in time worked as a linguist with a well-known, popular magazine translating English/German. As years passed he met and married Sylvia a young lady from Switzerland. Throughout his life Billy would always fervently honour and serve the Lord. On occasions when he and Sylvia visited Billy’s family in Northern Ireland they would worship with us on Sundays.

Reflections
With great sincerity I write the following about my recently departed friend:

• Billy always remained vibrant in his love for the Lord, even as he recently battled with cancer!
• While undergoing recommended treatment and surgery, he believed God would heal him.
• Healing did indeed take place— not to his sick physical body but on his homecalling Christmas Eve.
• Billy is now absent from the body but present with the Lord, free from all sickness and pain, hallelujah!
• In the light of Billy’s transition to heaven I quote from Revelation 7…

Redemption
(i) Redeemed Saints
Verses 4-8 introduce us to the mentioned above 144,000— redeemed from all the tribes of Israel.
(ii) Reassured Saints
God ensures that they are sealed— sphragizo indicating security and permanency, testifying to the fact that they were owned and kept by God (v4).
(iii) Rejoicing Saints
Verse 9-10 makes it clear that heaven will be well populated with many other saints from all over! ‘I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language…’wrote John. I know that my friend Billy is one of them!
Revelation 14: 1-5 tells of John seeing the 144,000 entering into heaven and also hearing what he described as the sound of many harpists playing together and the singing of a wonderful choir described as a new song only these 144,000 could learn (Revelation 14:3).

I myself have spent more than 50 years involved in gospel music and love scriptural references to music and singing. Reading these verses reminds me of Isaiah 51:11— which I quote here as the words of Ruth Lake’s song— ‘Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads.’

Friends, we may not be numbered among the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, but as those redeemed and saved by Christ’s precious blood, we are included in that vast crowd from every tribe nation and tongue that John saw! Christians are also ‘sealed, owned, and kept’ as God’s children.

John saw us joined by angels also worshipping the Lord (Revelation 7:9-12). The good news is that one day we born-again Christians will all experience that joyful entry into the Lord’s presence— as has my friend Billy.

Results
Revelation 14 tells of the results of many angels in action. Angels— malak in Old Testament Hebrew and aggelos in New Testament Greek— indicates messengers and God has particularly used them as heralds throughout scripture. In verses 6-11 we read about three angels bringing messages of—

(1) Conversion
Verse 16NLT tells about ‘the everlasting good news.’ Message Bible uses the phrase ‘an eternal message to preach to all.’ In the context of Jesus’ second coming and the impending tribulation and judgment following, here is a reminder to our sinful world that God’s shared word is able to bring hope to those who will convert to our Saviour and Christianity (v6-7).

(2) Collapse
It should be noted that verse eight’s reference to Babylon collapsing is not about the ancient city with its hanging gardens, but specifically to the fall of Revelation 17-18’s ‘Babylon’— a centre of world political power which will be brought to demise. Indeed all that opposes the Lord will come to demise for He, the coming King of kings and Lord of lords, is above all principalities and powers!

(3) Contrast
In Revelation 14:9-11 we read the judgment that falls on those who receive the mark of the ‘Beast’ and worship his name. Verse 12 tells of the contrast of the redeemed in Christ during this time: ‘… the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus’ (Mge).

While we still have opportunity to share the gospel, let’s passionately follow the angels’ example as God’s messengers here and now!

Reward
Verses 13-14 tell of a heavenly reward of rest given to faithful followers of Christ! And this is not spoken by angels but by a voice from heaven. Whose voice? Verse 14KJV tells of the apostle seeing one ‘like unto the Son of man.’

It’s been noted by Bible scholars that this title, Son of man, is used of Jesus some 81 times in the four gospels. The commendation pronounced in verse thirteen honours those who serve Him highlighting that ministry, whatever it may be, is never wasted— as various Bible versions declare—

• ‘What they have done will not be forgotten’ (NRIV).
• ‘… the things they have accomplished follow along with them’ (CJV).
• The Message version really sums it up… ‘none of what they’ve done is wasted.’

Scripture here is speaking of faithful work— ministry— done for the Lord, even if it may not seem to be making much progress today, or seems of little value to others. One day we will be rewarded! (v13). Message Bible is very encouraging, especially for those who have been heavily involved in serving Jesus: ‘…blessed rest from their hard, hard work.’

The reality is that whatever our ‘labour’ for the Lord is— heavy involvement or just giving a cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42)— we need to faithfully fulfil it, especially in these needy days when so many are looking for answers, genuine love, compassion and strength that only Jesus can offer.

Just as the believers in John’s day were being encouraged to stand firm on the truth of God’s word and faithfully continue serving Jesus, we are all likewise called to do the same in our day and generation!

Review
Don’t be concerned about the nature of the work or its scope; it may be obscure, no one else may even know about it and even if they do may not see any value in it, but that’s not of primary importance!

That old saying, ‘God doesn’t call us to be succesful, but to be faithful‘ is an encouragement that should cause us to reevaluate what we as believers may call ‘success’ when we consider the master’s Matthew 25:21,23 encouragement of ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

While we may not find ‘success’ as it is recognised in the general sense, another little phrase comes to mind— ‘There is only one life it will soon be past and only what’s done for Christ will last.’

Where am I going with all this? In short, do review this great truth— it’s by His grace that one day we will hear that Matthew 25 exultation— if we too will patiently soldier on for Jesus in whatever ministry, great or small, He has called us to accomplish.

Paul’s encouraging direction in 1Corinthians 15:58NLT is so timely: ‘So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.’

Then there’s the direction of the master Himself: ‘You are the light of the world— like a city on a hilltop glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand, and let it shine for all’ (Matthew 5:14-15NLT).

My good friend Billy Frazer certainly glowed for Jesus! While he has finished his earthly course and gone to receive his reward I encourage you, dear reader, to be a faithful soldier for Jesus and keep marching on!

Whatever we endeavour to accomplish for Jesus is not wasteful— and our commitment and vibrant love for Him is an encouraging example to others!

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Brian Bell is a diaconate member, Christ Church (Congregational) Abbots Cross, Northern Ireland. Brian describes himself as ‘grateful for the privilege and opportunity given me to serve my Lord.’
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