We have been called to a way of life that is not in alignment with the way the world does things — the way it worships God or the days that it keeps. We are admonished to follow the footsteps of Christ (1 Peter 2:21). Notice also that Revelation14:4 speaks about 144,000 saints who will stand in the future on Mount Zion with Christ: “These are the ones who follow the Lamb, wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” If we learn to follow our living God now as His begotten children, we will follow Him in the future as His born-again sons and daughters.
Revelation 14:4 describes a group of individuals who remained true to their calling, who were “not defiled with women,” and who had been following the Lamb – regardless of where He was leading them. Walking in the footsteps of Christ is not always an easy task. It takes determination and a willingness to be led by, and to follow the lead of God’s Spirit.
At times we face trials, as the early Church did. In Acts 9:1-2, we read that Paul was persecuting the Church. He was looking for those “of the Way,” that he may bring them “bound to Jerusalem.” The Church had to experience persecution at the very outset of its existence; therefore, we should not be shocked if we have to endure persecution now or in the near future.
This Way is not always well spoken of, as we can see in Acts 19: 9: “…some were hardened and did not believe but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude.” Christ also warned us in Matthew 24:9, what the world will do to us: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” We sometimes are not too happy about someone who doesn’t like us, but to be “hated by all nations” is something we have yet to experience. Also, notice verse 10, “Many will betray one another and hate one another.”
In spite of all this, we can draw strength from verse 13, “…he who endures to the end will be saved.” We have the sure word of God that if we remain faithful and endure to the end, continuing to walk the Way, our salvation is sure.
To do so has its trials, but also tremendous rewards – yet, we need to stay focused on the task given to us and continue to walk this way in spite of persecution. We need to always look to the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ, and continue to walk in His footsteps. I recall a quote from Mr. Armstrong, which I found very encouraging. His statement was, “Brethren, in the end, we win.”
Yes, we will win in the end, if we continue to “Walk This Way.”
