December 30
Revelation 15:1-18:24
God’s judgment is coming to an end. Finally, he is about to deal with all the sin and evil in the world, and the final outpouring of his wrath comes as seven bowls are emptied. We have seen this image of a cup or bowl as a receptacle for God’s judgment throughout the Bible. Now we see its full and final display. It is as if all previous acts of judgment were like teaspoons and now the whole bowl is dumped. As with all other judgments in Revelation, they picture and amplify the work God did against Egypt. Just like in Egypt, the response of the people is not to repent but to double down on their opposition to God. They curse God and refuse to repent or glorify him. Even to the end God would long for all people to trust in him and enter his family, but regardless of his actions, people will harden their hearts against him.
Many times, people will say they would believe in God if only he would audibly speak to them, or answer a prayer in a specific way, or… Yet as we see from the example of Babylon, it is not true. Tomorrow we will see the conclusion of human history, but as we meditate on today’s reading, we should be led to pray for those who stand against God and be a part of his work of reconciling a wayward people into relationship with him.
Father God, use me to be a part of your work of making disciples. Help me to persevere in sharing the hope I have in you with others. Amen.
How should the knowledge of God’s judgment affect how we share our faith?
God’s judgment is coming to an end. Finally, he is about to deal with all the sin and evil in the world, and the final outpouring of his wrath comes as seven bowls are emptied. We have seen this image of a cup or bowl as a receptacle for God’s judgment throughout the Bible. Now we see its full and final display. It is as if all previous acts of judgment were like teaspoons and now the whole bowl is dumped. As with all other judgments in Revelation, they picture and amplify the work God did against Egypt. Just like in Egypt, the response of the people is not to repent but to double down on their opposition to God. They curse God and refuse to repent or glorify him. Even to the end God would long for all people to trust in him and enter his family, but regardless of his actions, people will harden their hearts against him.
Many times, people will say they would believe in God if only he would audibly speak to them, or answer a prayer in a specific way, or… Yet as we see from the example of Babylon, it is not true. Tomorrow we will see the conclusion of human history, but as we meditate on today’s reading, we should be led to pray for those who stand against God and be a part of his work of reconciling a wayward people into relationship with him.
Father God, use me to be a part of your work of making disciples. Help me to persevere in sharing the hope I have in you with others. Amen.
How should the knowledge of God’s judgment affect how we share our faith?
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