Scripture: “And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are You, O Holy One—who is and who was—for You brought these judgements. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!”
And I hear the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgements!”
The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God…and did not repent and give Him glory.
The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
Observation: As the End draws near in Revelation, it feels like the descriptions are coming fast and furious. Hard to see perhaps but God’s Grace is evident even here…
Analysis: God becomes clearer and clearer. Sight is replacing faith moment by moment. And the display of God’s attributes is sharper than ever before.
The Justice of God is acknowledged.
The Wrath of God is physically shown.
There isn’t any hesitation with the heavenly host, soberly saying, “True and Just are your Judgements!” Implied: “there isn’t an argument that can stand up to Your Judgements, O Lord.”
But isn’t it something that God still reaches out with Grace—stiff Grace, hard Grace—the last whacks of a 2 by 4 to a mulish, stubborn head kind of Grace: “Poured out the bowl…and still didn’t repent and give glory”, “the sun scorched, caused blisters and boils…and still didn’t repent?”
After these two bowls, John doesn’t bother to write about any possibility of repentance.
James wrote: “Humble yourselves before the Lord…” (Ja 4:10a) I don’t talk about that, except to maybe write it here—I certainly haven’t in my memory remember to include it in any Gospel presentation. Sounds, you know, so judgmental.
But what am I supposed to do? What good are all the study, invitations, counseling and stuff if at the end I neglect to say, “Repent and be saved!”—even to the face in the mirror?
Prayer: I wish I knew what to pray for here, O Lord. I really wish.
There are times that I feel so empty, I am appreciative that You allowed and enabled me to write this today.
Father, give me that single eye of Focus towards You. Please. AMEN.