1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Scripture Reading: Revelation 14:9-20 In the middle of a biblical text about the dreadful wrath of God is a passage designed to be a great encouragement to Christians.&amp;nbsp; Following a passage declaring the God's wrath &quot;poured full strength into the cup of his anger&quot; (Rev 14:10), we read about the &quot;perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus&quot; (Rev 14:12, LSB). The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is the idea that, having been changed at the deepest level of one's being by the Spirit of God, Christians &quot;can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved&quot; (Westminster Confession of Faith, XVII:1). Perseverance in the Christian faith is both a wondrous encouragement and a sober test.&amp;nbsp; We are able to hold fast to our faith, and will hold it fast, because we have become reconciled to God … and because of this reconciliation Christ will one day present us before God the Father as holy.&amp;nbsp; This is ultimate security in Christ.&amp;nbsp; The sober test is this … perseverance in the faith is evidence that someone's faith is genuine.&amp;nbsp; Those who have true faith continue in the faith.&amp;nbsp; Those who do not continue in the faith only show they have never been reconciled to God in the first place. Bethel Baptist Church https://bethelbaptistscs.org/ <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40005400/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/198259105