A Revelation Invitation

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. (Revelation 15:1 ESV)

When is chaos ever enjoyable? When is disorder a positive experience? Aren’t chaos and disorder circumstances we try to avoid? Have you ever wished for chaos? Do you ever look forward to disorder with hope? In subsequent verses John witnesses seven angels sent from heaven, divinely authorized, to overwhelm the earth, to pour out on the Empire of Rome, seven plagues. These bowls are an expression of God’s judgment upon every aspect of Roman civilization. These plagues will justifiably introduce disorder and bring chaos on a deserving world.

John’s readers experienced Rome as a tormentor. The Empire was responsible for killing God’s Son and subsequently oppressing God’s people, the church. At last they will witness Rome’s final reckoning. That reckoning will be spectacular. This judgment will amaze. It will bring chaos and destruction on the Empire. But it will also be breathtaking, awe-inspiring and spectacular.

Centuries ago, Egypt was the mightiest nation on earth. Egypt exploited and oppressed God’s people. Pharaoh even required the murder of Israel’s male offspring. The exploitation was wicked and it was unbearable. So, God sent a deliverer, Moses, to rescue his people. Through Moses God sent terrible plagues upon Egypt. Every aspect of Egyptian civilization came under God’s judgment. Those plagues were devastating. They brought chaos and disorder upon Egypt. And for what purpose? For deliverance! To this day the Jews recount their deliverance from Egyptian slavery at Passover.

In Revelation we see God again working in this way but against Rome. Instead of Moses, his deliverer is the Lamb (chapter 5). As God brought down Egypt he will bring down Rome through terrible and destructive plagues to be poured out on the Empire. This was all a manifestation of God’s sovereign rule. These horrible events accomplish his purposes as they established his justice and end the evil and oppression of Empire.

The result: God is angry no more! His wrath is satisfied! These plagues were the final expression of God’s anger upon Rome. His enemies conquered. Justice served. Wrongs righted. In the present context we are witnessing judgment upon Rome, but this judgment is a signpost of final judgment upon all creation, upon the heavens and the earth, when the forces of evil—human and demonic—will receive a final reckoning. While that judgment will bring disaster on the world, it will also offer comfort and joy to God’s redeemed people. Not only will empires fall, but we will witness the destruction of the greatest of enemies, Sin and Death. The Destroyers are destroyed. Imagine new creation, new life, in a world where we no longer have anything to fear because our God’s wrath has been satisfied.

Lord God Almighty, the judge of all that is evil, the judge of our tormentors, and justifier of your covenant people. I trust you when I witness terrible plagues on the earth. I recognize it as the reckoning that the world must face before you bring down your new creation from heaven. One day your wrath will be satisfied so that your people may joyfully walk in your presence as you have always desired. Amen.