Congratulations! If you’ve made it with me all week, give yourself a pat on the back. I’m really proud of you because this isn’t easy but you’ve done it. Well done! So now, let’s get to it.
There are two ditches when we read Revelation. The first ditch is to read the book literally, forgetting that everything John is telling us comes to him in visions and is intended to wake up the sleeping churches who had become ‘lukewarm’ in their faith, neither hot nor cold, such that God desired to spit them out of his mouth. This ditch makes up the most dramatic interpretations possible and is based on fear.
The other ditch is to see this letter as having no meaning for us, considering that the judgment passages are written primarily to Rome and believing that the visions have no practical consideration outside of the historical context. This ditch does not take God’s holiness seriously and I believe, prefers a more domesticated God. Neither of these ditches is helpful here.
Instead, let’s start with God’s righteousness and his mercy. It will not do to have a God that does not keep his word. A God who tells us how to live well (and if you’re confused about that, read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 5-7) but then takes no action against those who undermine him is not a God at all. That god cannot bless the poor or those who thirst for justice. That god is useless. So we need God to punish those who do harm and do not repent. We also need grace because we are all sinners. A God who does not offer grace offers no hope, and that is useless as well.
As we read these judgment passages, we would do well to keep God’s holiness, righteousness, and mercy in mind at all times. This God is worthy and able to judge because, as we’ve talked about this week, this God sees all and understands all. We do not. And never forget that God cannot act in opposition to love; because God is love. As hard as it is for us to understand when God judges, it is the loving thing to do. We trust him, we stay close to God in prayer, and we continue to ask God to make us into the people he has created us to be. He will do it because he is faithful, and if we’ve seen anything this week, God will move on behalf of the world God created that he loves.
For reflection
Because this was a long devo after a long week, let’s pray.
Gracious God, thank you that you are in control of all things. Thank you that you go before me, alongside me, and behind me. Help me to keep my eyes on you, no matter what I am facing, and help me to see the ways you are caring for me. Thank you for Jesus and his sacrifice for us, that in his death we receive life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Old Testament reading: Obadiah 1