A Revelation Invitation

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. (Revelation 16:8-11 ESV)

Many of us have seen videos of people getting what they deserve. A porch pirate is caught in the act by an armed home owner. A convenience store holdup ends when a bystander draws his weapon to the surprise of the the robber. A purse snatcher not expecting his elderly victim to fight back is instead beaten and flees the scene. They each got what they deserved. There is something very gratifying about those outcomes. They give us a sense that justice is served. Do the evildoers change their ways as a result of their failures? One would hope so, but we will probably never know.

Revelation assures us that the wicked whether individuals or nations will get what they deserve. The one who believes he has escaped notice is mistaken. The God who sees all will catch up to them. Sometimes Christians are the victims of these evildoers. But God will demand a reckoning of their misdeeds which will only find them guilty. What a horrifying prospect to fall into the hands of an omnipotent and just God. They will suffer in anguish.

Do we revel in the thought of such a spectacle? Will we grab a bag of popcorn and cavalierly watch the disaster unfold on “them”? Or do we find it heartbreaking to see friends, neighbors and countrymen resist God? God seems to have a greater aim when he pours out his wrath on people, organizations, corporations and nations. Revelation indicates in the passage above that suffering like this will occur before the final judgment giving people one last opportunity to repent. Their repentance seems to be God’s greater concern. Unfortunately, these people have chosen to go down with the beast in defeat. It’s perplexing that the beast (any organization or system that draws its spirit and strength from the Evil One) is so willingly beguiled by Satan’s charm.

John describes God’s judgment in horrifying terms. His wrath is poured out on those bearing the mark of the beast, that is, on those who compromise with evil or whose lives reflect evil’s character and behavior. John writes that they will be scorched with fierce heat and they will gnaw their tongues in anguish. How will they respond to such appropriate retribution? They refuse God’s discipline. Rather than repent, they curse God for the agony they are justly experiencing. What these people don’t see is how patient and even loving he is being. He finds no pleasure in their misery. His heart longs for their repentance! God isn’t showing cruelty in his actions. He’s extending grace. Sometimes it takes drastic measures to awaken people to their condition. One question for us is can we extend grace to these people as well, even to our oppressors and tormentors? Yes, if we will simply remember the grace God has already granted us.

Lord God, your righteous judgment is inevitable. However, your patience can mean salvation—to me and to my enemies. At one time I was your enemy as well. But you patiently spared my life until I fell before you in repentance. Help me show the same patience and grace even to those who persecute me. I am comforted knowing that you will bring justice upon this world in the end. Those who harass me and oppose you will not stand because you are a God of justice. Amen.