Revelation 15:1-4
Today's Passage: Revelation 15: 1–4
There are a variety of opinions on the who, what, how, and when of many events John recorded in Revelation. Some of this sounds quite scary. I have opinions about these events, but regardless, we should all take comfort in the message of Romans 8. For the believer, there is no condemnation. For the believer, the suffering of this present time cannot begin to be compared to the glory that will be revealed. But as I read today’s passage, I cannot help but think of how, “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
We often use that verse in the sense of personal grief and suffering. That verse should certainly provide a believer comfort in those times. However, when you consider God’s wrath poured out on the world—the suffering and death we’ve seen so far (with more to come)—we understand Romans 8:28 remains true on an eschatological scale for beyond our lives or individual experiences.
Our passage opens with the appearance of 7 angels with the 7 bowls—the final plagues. Saints began to sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Consider the words of this “song” in light of the suffering we’ve seen and what is yet to come.
They’re elevating God, “Great and amazing are your deeds.” They call the Almighty King’s actions “just and true.” That means, with everything they’ve seen, their hearts echo with how right it all is, was, and will be. That also means, if we could share in God’s perspective, our hearts would echo the same tune. It seems impossible to imagine that when we look back over the worst aspects of our lives (or the suffering in the lives of others who have it worse than I do), that with God’s perspective I would say, “Yes! This is the best of all possible realities.”
God is actively achieving the greatest of all good. And yet, how often do we lose sign of the power and majesty of the Creator? Those of us who have experienced the grace and mercy found in Christ, must not also lose sight of the fearfulness of God’s holiness. Too often we minimize fear and talk about it as a “healthy respect,” but that diminishes the terror we see in Scripture of those who see heavenly beings. Apart from Christ, God’s holiness spells our doom. With Christ, God’s holiness becomes our pursuit.
God’s holiness is not universally recognized. Nor will it ever be until the final judgment. However, as God punishes sin and rebellion in the book of Revelation, notice the words of the song that says, “your righteous acts have been revealed.” That means all the terrible judgments are completely perfect and righteous. All the suffering, all the death, all the plagues, all of it is perfect.
So, how does God’s perfect judgment challenge you to fully pursue the Lord?
Written By: Tyler Short
There are a variety of opinions on the who, what, how, and when of many events John recorded in Revelation. Some of this sounds quite scary. I have opinions about these events, but regardless, we should all take comfort in the message of Romans 8. For the believer, there is no condemnation. For the believer, the suffering of this present time cannot begin to be compared to the glory that will be revealed. But as I read today’s passage, I cannot help but think of how, “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
We often use that verse in the sense of personal grief and suffering. That verse should certainly provide a believer comfort in those times. However, when you consider God’s wrath poured out on the world—the suffering and death we’ve seen so far (with more to come)—we understand Romans 8:28 remains true on an eschatological scale for beyond our lives or individual experiences.
Our passage opens with the appearance of 7 angels with the 7 bowls—the final plagues. Saints began to sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Consider the words of this “song” in light of the suffering we’ve seen and what is yet to come.
They’re elevating God, “Great and amazing are your deeds.” They call the Almighty King’s actions “just and true.” That means, with everything they’ve seen, their hearts echo with how right it all is, was, and will be. That also means, if we could share in God’s perspective, our hearts would echo the same tune. It seems impossible to imagine that when we look back over the worst aspects of our lives (or the suffering in the lives of others who have it worse than I do), that with God’s perspective I would say, “Yes! This is the best of all possible realities.”
God is actively achieving the greatest of all good. And yet, how often do we lose sign of the power and majesty of the Creator? Those of us who have experienced the grace and mercy found in Christ, must not also lose sight of the fearfulness of God’s holiness. Too often we minimize fear and talk about it as a “healthy respect,” but that diminishes the terror we see in Scripture of those who see heavenly beings. Apart from Christ, God’s holiness spells our doom. With Christ, God’s holiness becomes our pursuit.
God’s holiness is not universally recognized. Nor will it ever be until the final judgment. However, as God punishes sin and rebellion in the book of Revelation, notice the words of the song that says, “your righteous acts have been revealed.” That means all the terrible judgments are completely perfect and righteous. All the suffering, all the death, all the plagues, all of it is perfect.
So, how does God’s perfect judgment challenge you to fully pursue the Lord?
Written By: Tyler Short
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