And They Worshipped Him That Lives Forever and Ever

Introduction — Why Worship Matters

It's good to be here. If you've ever preached, you know how much a good song before a message helps — it lifts the heart and prepares us. But beyond the music, worship itself is the heartbeat of our relationship with God. Today I want to talk plainly about worship: what it means, why it matters now more than ever, and how we should be preparing our hearts today for the crisis to come.

What I Mean by Worship

When I say "worship," I'm speaking of total dedication — giving someone or something first place in your life. You can only safely worship one thing. Just like marriage, trying to serve two masters doesn't end well. Worship shows where your heart is. The original Greek and Aramaic words picture bowing down, prostration — showing total attention, submission, and allegiance.

The Vision in Revelation: The Last Messages

Revelation 14 contains the everlasting gospel and the messages that go to the world before Christ returns. Let me summarize what those messages call us to:

• First angel's message: A call to worship the Creator and announce that God's judgment has come.
• Second angel's message (Rev 14:8): "Babylon is fallen." This Babylonic power has made the world spiritually drunk — an influence that mixes truth with error.
• Third angel's message: Two parts: a warning not to worship the beast or its image, and the affirmation: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Rev 14:12).

Right after these messages, Scripture shows the Son of Man returning with a sickle to harvest — He comes for those ripe in faith. The message goes to the world first, then the harvest follows.

The Beast, the Image, and the Crisis (Revelation 13)

Revelation 13 warns of a power that will cause the earth's inhabitants to worship the first beast. The second beast — described as having two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon — performs great wonders so that people are deceived and made to construct an image of the beast. The deception will be powerful because people live largely by their senses: if they see a miracle, they are inclined to believe.

Verse 15 is stark: the image is given power to speak, and those who refuse to worship the image will be killed. Verses 16–17 add that all will be required to receive a mark in their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell. The implication is clear: economic pressure will be used to coerce worship.

Two Responses — Two Outcomes

Think about the choices people will face:

• Some will accept the mark to preserve their livelihood — "I have bills to pay; I must feed my family."
• Others will obey God rather than men, even if it means imprisonment, loss, or death.

Those who choose God in the face of coercion are living out what Ellen G. White called the third angel’s message "in verity" — the message of justification by faith and practical righteousness. She wrote that the third angel's message in truth is justification by faith (First Selected Messages, p. 372).

Righteousness by Faith — Not a Trivia Test

Righteousness by faith means God makes us righteous as we trust Him. But that trust is lived out — it's not a checkbox you tick when pressure comes. It's not a trivia contest about which day is the Sabbath. The crisis will reveal the heart. If we wait until the Sunday laws or the "mark" is imposed, it will be too late to develop a real, tested faith.

I know it's tempting to picture ourselves as sudden heroes when the crisis hits, but transformation happens beforehand. History and Scripture point that out.

Examples from Daniel and the Fiery Furnace

Look at Daniel 1:8 — Daniel "purposed in his heart" not to defile himself with the king's meat. That decision wasn't made in the furnace; it was made earlier. Later, in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm when Nebuchadnezzar demanded worship of the golden image. Their answer to the king showed a settled conviction:

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... But if not, be it known unto thee... that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

They were prepared. Their refusal was not a spur-of-the-moment stunt — it flowed from a life shaped by conviction.

Preparing Now — Practical Steps

If you want to stand in the final test, you must decide and practice now. A few practical points:

• Settle your convictions. Study what you believe; don’t just echo what you hear.
• Choose your company carefully. Who you hang around with shapes what you think, say, and do.
• Be in fellowship. Regularly gather with believers; the Holy Spirit works in corporate worship and fellowship.
• Let God search your heart. Ask Him to reveal your motives — are you serving Christ out of love, or for approval, convenience, or routine?

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). That means worship is not about place, ritual, or appearances; it's about a heart-level devotion that is informed by truth and sustained by the Spirit. This is the kind of worship the Father seeks — and it’s what will carry us through testing.

Choose This Day

Joshua drew a line in the sand and called the people to choose:

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua’s call is for us as well. Serving the Lord is serious. Scripture reminds us God is holy and jealous; serving Him requires a heart transformed by Christ. As Desire of Ages says (p. 668):

“When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience.”

A Simple Illustration — Two Dogs, One Food Supply

Let me leave you with an allegory I use often. Imagine you own two dogs: one named Jesus and one named The World. You have only enough food for one dog to thrive. If you split the food, neither thrives. The dog you feed most will become strongest. If you feed Jesus most, the world’s hold on you will weaken. My appeal is this: feed Jesus. Let the other dog slowly die.

Conclusion — Today Is the Day

Today is the day of salvation. Don’t wait until the crisis to decide who you worship. Begin now. Purpose in your heart. Build habits of trust, obedience, prayer, Bible study, and faithful fellowship. Be known as those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.

Thanks to Gentry SDA Church for this message. If this encouraged you, take it home: choose today whom you will serve, and ask God to make your life a continual act of worship in spirit and in truth.