Ans. The word fearful is sometimes translated reverenced. So we might read it, "Reverenced in praises." This was drawn out from Moses and the children of Israel's hearts as they witnessed the mighty power of Jehovah in their deliverance from and in the swallowing up of the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Psa. 89:77God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (Psalm 89:7) uses the same word.
Ans. All the Old Testament saints, with all believers of this present age, and all those who suffer martyrdom during the tribulation period, will reign with Christ, not on, but over the earth. Rev. 5:1010And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10) should read, "And they shall reign over the earth.”
Ans. His joy in their faith and service was so great that he was willing that his life should be poured out as a drink offering upon it. To see Christ so evident in their lives, was a joy to his heart, and worth giving his life for.
Ans. The Lord did say to His disciples amid all their failures: "Ye are they which have continued with Me in all My temptations," (Luke 22:2828Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. (Luke 22:28),) where they could not impute faithfulness to themselves, He, knowing their hearts' earnest desire to please Him, though hindered by weakness and all that belongs to the flesh, could say it of them. We are His servants and His friends also. It is ours to serve in the intimacy of friends. And in glory "His servants shall serve Him." (Rev. 22:33And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (Revelation 22:3).) No mixture of self in it then. But notice how Matt. 25:21,2321His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23), reads "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." It does not say that any one was faithful in everything. What encouragement this is to seek to please Him in all that we can. (1 Cor. 4:55Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5).)