We crave justice. The gentlest among us is stirred to anger hearing about abuse of children and all the human monsters who torture the defenseless. Who has not heard a news story and hoped bad things would happen to the criminal?
Yet, we read Revelation and feel sorry for those who suffer. The book tells of God’s wrath and we shudder. Some Christians are so troubled they won’t read the book at all. They are mistaken.
Revelation is THE END. This is the final wrap, the conclusion to the story that begins in Genesis. Pay attention to the opportunities: God has given the lost chance after chance after chance. The Spirit practically begs them to repent but they refuse. (Think of it this way—by chapter 8 all the kind-hearted people you are worried about have already turned to Christ. Everyone left is the sworn enemy of both God and His children.)
This is the justice you have longed for all your life. In fact, you have PRAYED for it. Every time you have been wronged, treated unfairly, picked on, tormented, or persecuted. You crave justice and God hears your prayers.
Revelation is not the story of God unleashing justice on His enemies. Revelation is the story of God rescuing His children from captivity and answering their prayers for justice against the enemies who took them captive.
“Another angel… was given a large amount of incense to offer with THE PRAYERS OF ALL THE SAINTS on the gold altar…. The smoke of the incense, with the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, went up in front of the presence of God…. The angel took the incense burner, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to earth” thus beginning God’s judgments. Revelation 8:3-6.
God’s judgments begin with our prayers. If you doubt it, read Revelation 8:3-6. God is the hero of the Bible, and Revelation is the story of God rescuing His children and saying ‘YES’ to their prayers for justice.
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Household Words: 