Scripture:
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer,
12 When he opened the sixth seal, …
15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”
Observation:
There is a striking difference between the groups revealed in the “fifth seal” and the “sixth seal”.
The difference is in their perception of judgement.
One group desires it, clamors for it: “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge …”
The other group runs from it and literally seeks their own destruction rather than judgement: “calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb …”
Application:
What distinguishes one group who desires judgement and the other group who flees judgement?
A life of faithfulness.
The group that wants God’s judgement dies “for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.”
They were seen by John under the alter.
What was the alter in that day? It was the place of sacrifice.
The faithful are called to be a “living sacrifice” and now, in death, John sees their souls under the alter.
How do I feel about facing the Judgement of God?
Do I “hide from the face of Him seated on the throne”?
In a courtroom, one thing determines whether you eagerly await or desperately fear the Judge’s final verdict: innocence or guilt.
Because of the grace of God, however, I can look forward for the final judgement.
I do not need to fear it.
Not because of what I’ve done.
But because of what I’ve been given.
I’ve been “given the white robe”.
The innocence of Jesus will be seen on me.
I do not need to fear.
Prayer:
Thank you again God for your truth.
Help me be reassured of your just judgement.
Thank you for your grace and giving me the white robe.
Help me live faithfully today.
Help me show others that you are “holy and true”.
In Jesus name
Amen