A Revelation Invitation

The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea.

The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say,
“Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was,
for you brought these judgments.
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!”

And I heard the altar saying,
“Yes, Lord God the Almighty,
true and just are your judgments!” (Revelation 16:3-7 ESV)

As I drove home along one of the city’s main roads one night, I became a bit irritated that the car in my rearview mirror was tail-gating me. He wasn’t just uncomfortably close; he was dangerously close. When the approaching traffic light changed from green to yellow, I knew that I could not stop in time. Had I tried, my fellow traveler would have inherited my rear bumper. He on the other hand would have no trouble stopping for the light should he choose to although I knew that wasn’t happening. I drove on through the intersection and sure enough he followed still riding my tail. Where are the cops when you need them? No sooner had that thought flitted through my mind than I saw flashing lights in my rearview mirror. The cop pulled over my harasser while I drove on home smiling.

Some bad behavior bears the natural consequences of its actions. If I eat gluttonously for example, over time I become obese with the associated adverse health effects. With other offenses the authorities step in to mete out punishment on those who deserve it as did the police officer in my story. It’s this second category of punishment that we see depicted in the Revelation passage above.

The third angel declared in his song that the Holy One had intervened to bring these judgments on a wicked, deserving world. Back in chapter 6 the souls under the altar had asked, “How long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” At that time they had been told to rest a little longer. Well the time had come for God to act on their behalf. When God seems to be passive or silent, we are left to wonder if he even notices what’s going on. These bowls of God’s wrath show us that God is neither distant nor passive. At the appropriate time he will address the injustices we suffer with judgments that are just and needed. Because he is incensed when we are abused, he will certainly avenge our persecution and martyrdom. The angel announced that these plagues were exactly what Rome was due. Because these oppressors had spilled the blood of the Christians, God gave them blood to drink. The imagery of the sea and rivers turning to blood points to their drinking the blood of their own destruction. “It is what they deserve!”

Rome is long gone, but we can be assured that our God is just as involved in our world today. God’s people continue to be persecuted and martyred throughout the world by those in power. When he seems inactive, we should not think that God is not paying attention, that he’s letting things slide. Our tormentors will get what they deserve from a God whose judgments are true and just. We see on the cross how Jesus bore the judgment for sin. A God who would offer his own son’s life to bear the weight of the world’s guilt will not leave evil unpunished. Jesus unjustly bore the judgment that our own sins deserved. So, rather than giving us blood to drink as we deserve, Jesus will “give from the spring of the water of life without payment” (Revelation 21:6b).

Merciful Father, you don’t miss a thing. You really do see what’s happening in the world. You see what’s happening to me. You haven’t forgotten the injustices that I endure. Your patience is sometimes hard for me to appreciate when I would prefer you to act sooner. Yet act you will in your time. And those who torment your people will indeed get what they deserve. I am grateful that you will spare me from that fate because of the blood of Jesus. Your judgments are true and just. Amen.