A Revelation Invitation

After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. (Revelation 15:5-8 ESV)

When my daughter was a young teen, she called to ask if she could go out with a couple of her friends. I don’t remember the details of the request or my reasons for saying no, but that was my answer. Sometime later she told me that her friends chided her for not even attempting to talk me out of it. Why didn’t she? She replied simply, “He said no.” As a father I tried to be reasonable, considerate and flexible with my children and their requests. I didn’t have to say no often. But they understood that when I made my decision, it was final. With the golden bowls full of the wrath of God came his judgment upon Rome. And no one could enter the sanctuary. Why not? Because there could no longer be any intercession for Rome. Because God had made up his mind. His decision was final!

Up to now in Revelation God had been more than patient, even gracious, by giving the world ample opportunity to repent. He had sent warnings and delayed judgment all in the hope that people would respond to his merciful restraint with contrition. But no longer. The time for reckoning had come and there was no appealing to him for respite. When Moses dedicated the tabernacle in the desert (Exodus 40:34-35), the cloud of the Lord covered the temple, and the Lord’s glory filled it so that not even Moses could enter. When Solomon dedicate the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10-11), Israel again witnessed the cloud of the Lord’s presence filling the temple so that the priests could not fulfill their duties. In John’s Revelation scene, the sanctuary of the Lord was filled with smoke from the glory of God so that no one could enter, no one could approach him to intercede on Rome’s behalf. God had put up with Rome’s arrogance, cruelty and rebellion long enough. God’s decision was final; he had issued his verdict; now no one could intervene. He was going to pour out his wrath in full measure upon Rome.

This sounds terrible. However, the church welcomed this development development. They had been cruelly mistreated by Rome who was about to get what she deserved. God was going to set things right. God’s people were about to witness the full measure of his fury upon their tormentor. Seven bowls of wrath would complete God’s punishment of Rome. This is the destiny that awaits any of this world’s powers who persecute God’s people. And in the end God will pour out his wrath on the entire world ending the evil reign of these ruthless and wicked powers ushering in the age of renewal when God’s peace, prosperity and justice will finally and eternally reign over all the earth.

God, you fill heaven with your unapproachable glory. You are a God of justice who will not let the wicked go unpunished. Yet in your patient kindness you have delayed executing judgment upon a world that deserves it. I know that a time will come when you will no longer hold back your wrath. You are good. Your justice is true and right. I am grateful for your mercy that enables me to stand with you through judgment because of the blood of your son which was shed on the cross. Amen.