My memory verse this week is Revelation 17:14. In the King James Version, it reads:
“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (In the popular English Standard Version, it reads the same.)

The verse speaks of the end times when kingdoms make war on Jesus and on God’s people. Jesus overcomes. He wins. The people he brings with him are labeled the called, the chosen, and the faithful.

Labels. I use labels in my office to organize papers and files. We use labels for people too. There are all kinds of labels for people in this world. We label ourselves and we label others. We put people into a category or a box according to their kind.

You can be a hero or a coward, an optimist or a pessimist, perfectionist or misfit. Other labels are loser, nerd, fool, stupid, brain, loud mouth, shy, braggart, bully, push-over, jerk, angel. We take up our positions according to our particular group.

Let’s go back to the labels in Revelation 17:14. These are the labels I’m interested in. Each is a label I’m proud to wear.


• Called is to be commanded or requested to come. To be summoned.
  
  2 Timothy 1:9 says Jesus saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of what we’ve done, but because of his own purpose and grace.
  
  John 6:44 says no one can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws him.
  
  Romans 1:6 tells us we are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
  
  
• In the dictionary Chosen is defined as having been selected as the best or most appropriate. I wasn’t the best or the most appropriate to be a follower of Jesus, but I thank God he chose me.
  
  John 15:16 tells us that even when we didn’t choose him, Jesus chose and appointed us.
  
  Ephesians 1:4-5 says he chose us before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless. We were predestined for adoption as children through Jesus Christ.
  
  Colossians 3:12 labels us God's chosen ones, holy and beloved.
  
  
• Faithful means to endure to the end. With Jesus’ help I am faithful. Faithful also means to be true to the facts or to the original. With Jesus’ help, I am becoming more true to his likeness.
  
  1 Samuel 12:24 bids us to serve the Lord faithfully with all our heart, considering the great things he has done for us.

No matter what labels the world puts on me, the labels I treasure are called, chosen, and faithful.