Revelation 15
There comes a point at which
even God's patience has run out. He has called and even pleaded for men to
repent, but they have refused. He has gone after the lost sheep, but the lost
sheep when found runs away. There comes a point at which even God says,
“Enough.” In this chapter that point has come. In this chapter we will see a
convergent moment. God’s people who have suffered and have been oppressed by
the powers of darkness witness vengeance. “Vengeance is mine,” says the
Lord. His people have left it to Him to
repay and they are about to witness His just retribution on their enemies. The
treatment of God's people has not been fair.
Now justice will be served. The picture here is reminiscent of Exodus 14
through 15. During the 10 plagues God warned and called Egypt to repentance,
but they refused. At the crossing of the Red Sea Israel is brought safely
through and her enemies are destroyed. That tiny expression of justice is now
expressed universally.
Seven angels are given seven
bowls. When you pour something from a bottle or a jug it takes a moment. The
narrow neck slows the pouring. When you pour something from a bowl it is
instantaneous and complete. God's wrath is about to be poured out in total,
like from a bowl. Earlier in Revelation 7 trumpets warned the people; they were
dire warnings, but not God’s complete wrath. God's patience is now exhausted
and the time of warning has passed. This is about God's revenge. There are
times when it is best to leave an angry person alone. In verse 8, it is time to
leave God to His anger, to leave him alone. Do not approach him to plead for
the world. Do not ask Him for mercy for the wicked. This is the time simply to
watch.
For those of us who have
never experienced persecution, who have never had our families torn apart by
martyrdom, who have never been a refugee because we lost all to the enemy, it is
hard to comprehend this passage. The love of God, the mercy of the cross,
and the kind ministry of the saints has been flatly rejected. Some things
are just not right; they are a
monstrous, universal evil. God says to the world, “You have rejected my grace
all that is left is wrath.” The church God's people marvel at perfect justice
and awesome might coming together in this universal, convergent moment.
Questions to ponder
Do we ever get tired of
waiting for justice to be served on remarkably evil people?
What would you want to do to
a person who molested and murdered your child?
If God is complete and perfect in power what would it be like if that
power were poured out in perfect fury on those who molest and murder His
children?
