You really want "justice?"

June 20, 2020 (Saturday)

    The word for "today" is justice. Justice for inequality. Justice for wrong doing. Justice for the past. Be careful what you wish for because the sword of "justice" cuts both ways. In the end God's people will obtain the justice they deserve, but the human suffering will be massive. 

    Revelation 15 continues the turning point in the battle between good and evil. God’s wrath will end with the seven plagues (bowls). We watch the drama unfold from two points of view. We see it from Heaven. God’s wrath is poured out on humanity and humanity suffers. We see it from Earth. The beast wars against the saints and the saints (Christians) suffer.

    We might be offended at God inflicting suffering on humanity but remember this is justice. We can see people demonstrating in the streets for “racial justice” so we can understand the need for justice. Unfortunately the dark side of “justice” is always “suffering.” We see God giving justice for the evil done to His people.

    There is a strong sense of “Already – Not Yet.” The song of praise and victory is sung while the beast wars. Singing in heaven is done by humans. There is no place in the Bible where angels sing. The song of Moses and the Lamb represent the two covenants; old and new. We have the perfect blend of the Law and grace. The point: Old Testament and New Testament (Israel and church) are not separate. They are different in make-up but one in salvation and destiny.

    Please understand sin will always be linked to suffering. The day will come that there will be no need for plague, etc. Those that see it will sing!

    God’s people will sing because of victory. While still in battle, we have already overcame the beast. (Remember the sense of “already – not yet.”) Those in heaven are now beyond the beast’s ability to attack. Victory is anticipated while the battle is still going, This can be done because the end has been pronounced.

    Victor happens because of God. God’s holiness and God’s righteousness. He is sacred, separated, and pure. He is above everything affected by nothing. Regardless of the situation or the appearance, God is right!

    God’s temple in Heaven will be opened. This is a prelude to judgement. The thought of the temple being shut conveys several ideas. First, there is a time, a point, when God will not offer salvation. The offering of salvation is “today.” The offer is based on God’s work and conditional by our response. God is not obligated to keep the offer open.

    While the temple may be opened no one can stand in God’s glory. Because of the glory of God the temple becomes off limits. We see a picture of this at the dedication of the Temple in I Kings 8:10-11. After Solomon prayed a cloud filled temple, people were unable to be in the temple, and service could not be performed.

    It may seem inconsistent with with the love and grace we often preach but ultimately without justice there is no real love or grace. Can a loving God let the atrocities humans have poured out on each other go unpunished and still be "loving?" μη γενοιτο

    There will be a day of reckoning. It has been written as history, having happened, and hurrying closer every day.