Revelation 16
Seven trumpets warned the
people about their sin and God's coming wrath. These warnings have been ignored
and the people did not repent. Now only wrath is left. As a bowl can be emptied
quickly and completely God's wrath is poured out completely and suddenly.
The angels are sent out on
their mission of judgment. It is worth noting that the angels do their work in
silence with only one exception. There is a certain silent relentlessness about
their work so that when one of the angels speaks there is an emphasis on
what is said. We do not hear of the gross immorality of the world; rather,
we see only illusions to false religions and only a brief mention of the
symbols of selfish greed. The only vocalization from any of the angels concerns
the death of the martyrs in verses 5-6. The only thing worth talking about as
far as this passage is concerned is the retributive justice of God’s wrath on those
who persecute the church. When the lamb broke the fifth seal in Rev 6:10, the
Saints who were killed for their faith asked, “How long till justice is done?”
In this chapter we see that justice for which they cried out. There is more to
this chapter than just the suffering of the persecuted Church, but for a people
nearing the breaking point there is this message, “Your suffering has been
noticed and is going to be avenged.”
Perhaps the saddest line of
this chapter for any life is found in verse 11 "and they did not repent of
their deeds". God’s wrath is nothing more than the interaction of Holiness
with the unrepentant. When men choose to hold on to their sin rather than turn
away they are actively choosing wrath. When there is wrath from God it is only the
response to their hard hearts. Lest we think God's wrath is too harsh, or too
great we see a picture of men railing against God, accusing, and blaspheming
Him even in the midst of their suffering. There is a point at which the atheist
no longer denies, the agnostic no longer doubts, the sinner sees clearly the
evil to which he clings, but even in that moment of “knowing” they refuse to
repent. God’s wrath is just, true and righteous.
Questions to ponder
God’s wrath is nothing more
than the interaction of Holiness and the unrepentant. Would you agree or disagree with that
statement? Why?
We tend not to think there
is a limit to God’s patience, so what would cause a person to cross the line
beyond which there is no return?
If there is no punishment
can there be justice? Why do you believe
that to be the case?
