The sooner the better . . .

 

READ Revelation 11–14

A day or so ago, I tested positive for Covid with no idea where I picked it up. It is not severe but for some reason, feeling yucky makes reading about the end of time and the wrath of God seem more vivid. These chapters tell me truths to keep in mind, particularly when listening to the news and watching the world move farther and farther from obedience to God.

In those latter days, God shows who has power over the climate, and that He can give that power to whomever He chooses:

 . . . . “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:3–6)

As people vainly think we can change the weather, the Bible continually reminds me that God is sovereign over every drop of rain, every breath of wind, every day of sunshine. What an affront to think we are that powerful. Yet at the same time, He will judge people for all lack of care for this planet. Adam and all humanity was given responsibility to govern the earth and we have fallen short:

And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” (11:16–18)

Revelation tells of the devil being “thrown down to the earth” and “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” He was “conquered by the blood of the Lamb” and his power is useless against those who testify faith in Him and who will die rather than recant. Even now, this is happening in many parts of the world. However, this passage also says, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (12:9–12)

While his efforts are already visible, someday this spiritual enemy will raise up powerful followers, the first called a beast who will be “allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” (13:7–8) This tells me again of God’s sovereignty even in the death of His people. John must have been dismayed as he heard it, but then he heard a voice from heaven saying:

“Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (14:13)

Many gross actions follow, but as the news reports of increasing violence all over the world, this last horror is not the shock it used to be:

So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia. (14:19–20)

Being a child of God does not guarantee a life of comfort in this world, but it does guarantee eternal life with Him. Towards the end of Revelation John saw visions of thousands who hid from the horrors but refused to repent and trust Jesus to forgive them and grant them eternal security. This grieves my heart. While it is never too late at any time of life, the sooner the better to enjoy His incredible loving care.