One of the interesting passages that have perplexed me as a child was Revelation 21:8 where the text refers to the “fearful” will be consigned to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Who are the fearful and why are they mentioned besides the unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars as having their part in hell?
On the one hand, we are told to fear and is contrasted with being “high-minded” (Romans 11:20; cf. 2 Cor. 11:3). We are also told to fear God (Heb. 12:28). On the other hand, some fears spring from doubt (Matt. 14:25-32) and they show themselves in several different ways. Some versions define the fearful in Revelation 21:8 as the “cowardly.” Judges 7:3 is an example of God desiring people to put their trust in Him instead of their own numbers and strength. Even though outnumbered and all odds look to be stacked against you, fear is not an option for the faithful because their confidence does not rest in one’s own physical or material circumstances, but in God. When God sent Israel to fight, he rejected the “fearful” lest his brethren’s heart melts as his heart” (Deut. 20:8). Once again, fear is influenced by the circumstances of life that measure the physical odds in terms of what they can safely control and predict the outcome. In contrast, one’s faith in God is never based on the circumstances of life or the plausibility of one’s personal strength or prowess. In this case, there is no fear of failure or death because God is in the equation of one’s thinking.
Then, others are more influenced by what others think of them that their motivation is being driven by how one positions themselves in the world so as to gain the confidence of others and by convincing them they are something they are not. Hypocrites, for example, are good at this political game. They are great pretenders and play their roles well. John 12:42-43 describes Jews who were so interested in not losing their position as members of the synagogue that they would not confess Jesus lest they be cast out of it. The text explains that “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” It would seem that when measuring one’s successes and physical advantages by worldly standards, our focus is always on our physical surroundings and the people around us that can offer us advantages that others can not provide. When we follow this way of life and seek the approval of others to increase our place in the world, we lose our usefulness in the kingdom because it must take first place in our hearts (Luke 12:22-34, Matt. 25:25-ff; Matt. 6:33). In other words, God’s rule in our hearts takes first place and becomes the priority of our lives.
There are many examples of this in the New Testament and it serves as contrasting ways of life that will either be influenced by the will of the people or by the will of God. Matthew 10:28 makes the contrast. It reads, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Lord spoke to Paul one night in a vision, “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18:9-10). In a similar way, we continue to be challenged to have the faith of Paul. In his case, he was given a promise that “no man shall set on thee to hurt thee.” When we are given promises, we can either take him at His word and trust Him or live in fear that will immobilize us. We need to be unafraid to speak, to be men and women of courage in face of high odds.
The association with other sins in Revelation 21:8 is justifiable. It tells us that God’s opinion of the fearful and cowardly is just as bad as harlotry, lying, or murder. In fact, it heads the list of those whose place is reserved in hell. This is no light matter but demands our full attention.