Another Holocaust

June 22, 2020 (Monday)

 

    I am going to call Revelation 16 “Crime and Punishment.” Up to this point we have seen seven trumpets which are a call to repentance. In this chapter we see seven bowls which are the execution of total judgment without hope of repentance. (God has closed the temple in Heaven with His glory.)

    In this chapter we see the justice of God as it is poured out on the criminal behavior of humanity.

    God is just. God is the judge who sees and knows everything. No investigation is needed. No cover-up is possible. The judgments of God are true. Amazingly our society is not willing to acknowledge any form of truth and does not want to be held accountable to the truth. Truth has become what the individual (or a group) has decided. We see in general a refusal to repent. God does what is right. There seems to be a general feeling in our culture to not follow and not conform to the ways God has designed us.

    Man’s sin is criminal. There are two main charges in this chapter concerning the criminal behavior of humanity. “Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink. It is their just reward.” [Revelation 16:6 NLT] In verse six we see murder, the murder of God’s saints. Throughout history rejection of a godly influence has meant the murder of God’s people. We have also seen that God’s prophets have been murdered. People did not want to hear from God so they attempted to silence His voice.

    “And they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.” [Revelation 16:11b NLT] The second charge is found in verse 11, which is blasphemy (cursing God). The is compounded by a resolve to not repent. The sad part is they understand the truth. People cannot reject someone they do not believe exists. However they blame God for their troubles on one hand and reject His love on the other hand. People are in suffering, and they look for answers everywhere except for God.

    The reality is found in what is often called “the fall” from Genesis 3. In the fall we see the sinful nature and acts of sin corrupting humanity and nature. This is not a noble rebellion or fight. Sin is a simple and shameful refusal of what is right. Humanity will not acknowledge God or His right to judge. Humanity will not submit to God or His design. Humanity will not accept God’s offer of forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus.

    Justice is certain. The image of his justice in verse 15 is that of the thief in the night. It requires humanity to be watchful. Part of being watchful is being prepared. In verse 17 the seventh bowl is poured into the air signifying a universal judgment. There is the declaration: “It is done.” We see the completion of God’s wrath. Universal and complete judgment is written in history. It is something that is done, yet from our perspective it is yet to happen.

    The question becomes what destiny you will choose. Do we continue following the ways of sin to its logical conclusion or do we break the cycle and accept God’s substituting sacrificial love for us. This choice is the difference between salvation and eternal retribution. We either choose God’s love or choose the rightful consequences of our sin.