Our series "True Fellowship with Christ" / "Partakers of Christ" has this last conclusion. As we partake of the benefits of knowing and following Christ, we must be regularly warned of dangers and pitfalls which will constantly be around us. We need the gracious corrections that our attentive heavenly Father gives His children - the partakers of Christ. Here is a reminder of the main points of this series:

A true believer / a true follower of Christ is a partaker of Christ. This involves salvation, holiness, fellowship, worship, service, and a future kingdom and glory (Hebrews 3:1,14). Our series covers these areas of which we partake (share / participate):

• His gospel call / promise - Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 3:6


• His nature / holiness / power - II Peter 1:4; Hebrews 12:8-10


• His people / unity, fellowship, and grace - Philippians 1:7; I Corinthians 9:19-23


• His gospel work / fruitful labors - John 15:1-8, 16; Philippians 1:11; 4:13


• His sufferings - Philippians 3:10; II Timothy 1:7-8; II Corinthians 1:3-7; I Peter 4:12-14


• His kingdom & glory - I Peter 5:1; Colossians 1:12-13, 25-27


• His warnings & corrections - Hebrews 12:5-10

Our Scripture reading (Revelation 18:1-4) has a futuristic, climactic presentation. Yet, it is giving a clarion call to all generations to not follow the spirit of this world, but to stay true to Christ and His kingdom (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 2:6-8; I John 2:15-17; 4:1-6; II John 1:7).

"Clarion Call" is an expression that describes a strong clear call to duty and action. In medieval times, a clarion was a trumpet that was loud and clear, very hard to ignore. It was used to get people's attention for announcements, proclamations, warnings, and arrivals of important people. In Wycliffe's translation of the Bible (WYC), Leviticus 25:9 uses the word "clarion" in place of "trumpet" (ram's horn). Note I Corinthians 14:8.

Old testament Babylon became a symbol, representing a worldly empire of evil that is antichrist in nature (Revelation 18:1-3 cp. Isaiah 21:9). In Revelation chapter seventeen, "Babylon" is a religious / spiritual world-wide system. In Revelation chapter eighteen, it is a political / economic world-wide system. In both cases, God wants His children (partakers of Christ) to separate and avoid these evil systems (Revelation 18:4 cp. Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; 51:6-9, 45). Partakers of Christ should not / cannot knowingly be partakers of the world's antichrist agenda (Galatians 1:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-10; II Corinthians 6:17 - 7:1 [cp. I Corinthians 11:31-32]; II Timothy 2:19; I Peter 4:17-19; I John 2:15 - 3:3).

The point of this lesson is that all children of God / partakers of Christ are going to also be partakers of God's warnings, corrections, rebukes, and chastisement. Do not be discouraged, depressed, or angry. Do not try to avoid God when he creates conviction of sin in your mind and heart. Do not ignore the many negative messages that are included in the Scriptures. Do not listen to those who mock the revelation and condemnation of sin. Such things are the evidence that God is acting as a loving, faithful Father and treating you as His own precious child. Those who have no conviction of sin from God are not considered true, legitimate children of God. We need to be as dear children of God and reverence His word, which He has given to us in the Bible, and speaks into our minds and hearts by His Spirit. God's Spirit also applies His word through godly, spiritual people who preach, teach, and counsel others. We all should be ministers of Christ as we preach the gospel to the lost and as we teach and admonish one another.

Read Hebrews 12:1-17

• Hebrews 12:1-3 - We can only run our race with endurance by keeping our eyes on the example of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:24-26; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:6-8; I Peter 2:21-25; I John 2:6).


• Hebrews 12:4 - We fail to war against sin as completely as Jesus did (Matthew 26:40-41).


• Hebrews 12:5-8 - We easily fail to understand and appreciate the disciplinary love of God (Proverbs 3:11-12; Psalm 97:9-12; 103:8-14).


• Hebrews 12:9-10 - Compare the discipline that we have endured from an earthly father with the discipline of our Heavenly Father. The motive and goal of our Heavenly Father is much greater than any earthly father (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13).


• Hebrews 12:11-13 - Though seemingly grievous, God's warnings and corrections are designed to make our lives fruitful and to give us ultimate joy after we learn to obey. Don't be wearied and ready to faint / to be discouraged / to give up / to lose heart. Resolve to cooperate with the work of God in your mind, heart, and life. Let Him strengthen you (James 1:2-8; II Corinthians 12:7-10; Romans 5:1-5).


• Hebrews 12:10, 14 - Seek to have peace with all people and to make practical holiness a working part of your life. Do you want to see the Lord? Seek a pure heart and a pure life (Matthew 5:6-8 [Note vs. 8 - Only the pure in heart want to see the Lord]; Psalm 5:4-5; 34:11-16; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:1-21; II Timothy 2:19; Titus 3:8).


• Hebrews 12:15-17 - As you look to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), make sure you stay looking diligently (Hebrews 12:15). Esau is an example of one who sought blessings, but did not receive them, even though he wept for them. He compromised and defiled his walk with God by his carnal desires / appetites and shallow, worldly perspectives. He did not repent (Matthew 7:21-23; Philippians 3:18-19; Titus 1:15-16; II Peter 2:17-22; Jude 1:16-21).

More Scripture

• The Heavenly Father faithfully warns and corrects His true children (Hebrews 12:5-8; Proverbs 3:11-12; Psalm 94:12; 138:8; Philippians 1:6; 3:15).


• Jesus Christ shows His love by rebuking and chastening His people (Revelation 3:19 cp. Hebrews 13:20-21; Matthew 1:21).


• The apostle Paul lovingly warned and corrected the brethren in his ministry (I Corinthians 4:14-15; II Corinthians 2:4; I Thessalonians 2:11-12).


• God's children are also taught to admonish (warn) their fellow believers and to use different methods of correction with each other. This is to be done discreetly and privtely, as much as possible. But sometimes it requires the attention of others, even as publicly as to involve the whole church.
  
  See Luke 17:3; Matthew 18:15-20 (cp. Matthew 18:1-4); Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:16; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; II Thessalonians 3:14-15; Titus 2:15.


• God's children are partakers of God's gracious warnings and corrections, which preserve them from being made partakers…


• Of the sins and plagues of them who follow the antichrist spirit (Revelation 18:1-4; I Corinthians 11:31-32; I John 2:18-19).


• With the children of disobedience, who walk in darkness (Ephesians 5:1-8).


• Of other men's sins, who think, speak, and walk with impurity (I Timothy 5:22; Titus 1:15-16 cp. II Timothy 3:1-5).


• Of the evil deeds of deceivers / false teachers (II John 1:7-11). This is designed to help us have good fellowship in Christ and fulness of joy (II John 1:12; I John 1:1-7).

Conclusion: I John 1:1-7

Let us continue in fellowship / partnership with the Father, the Son, the doctrine of the apostles (The New Testament truth - the truth as it is in Jesus), and with fellow partakers of Christ. Let us have joy in His word, as we journey through this world, in His service!