Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Today’s Scripture:

“And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Revelation 15:5–8).

Today’s Observation:

I must admit that taking a close look at the seven last plagues is a foreboding task. We live in a culture where political correctness makes it somewhat complicated to even teach the Bible in the way God communicated it. Most of us are horrified by the thought that a loving God could consider destroying anything or anyone. Others of us are dissatisfied with a portrait of an angry God who cannot keep Himself under control when people oppose Him. Somewhere in the malaise of these and other thoughts is the fact that God is holy, He is fully dedicated to fitting everyone for kingdom living, and that He is loving enough to preserve us all (if we are willing) from His wrath. As we have said before, God never intended for human beings to be caught up in this controversy with Satan. Hell fire and condemnation in general was reserved for evil spirits, but for some reason, despite the loving overtures, and outright warnings to stay off enchanted ground, people insist on joining the enemy on the side of condemnation. And if we gloss over all God has revealed in this vein, we would be guilty of truncating the Lord’s warnings.

We have full assurance that this work of destruction is a holy work with only good intentions based upon our theme text. The Bible says that this work comes from the tabernacle of heaven (a holy place); that seven angels (a perfect number of perfect beings) wore white linen garments (righteous reflections of God’s character); with golden sashes across their chests (denoting God’s royalty). These are God’s heavenly agencies sent directly from His holy temple to do His bidding as He vindicates His character on the earth.

Let me ask you a question: If there were a people who were bent on killing, maiming, and otherwise mistreating innocent children, what should justice require concerning them? If those who have taken oaths to protect and serve all citizens rather extort and kill those citizens, what should justice require? If anyone attempts to force people under the threat of death, to violate conscience and revolt against God, what should justice demand? How about acts of terrorism, genocide, ethnic cleansing, wife burning due to financial greed, unrepentant domestic violence, etc. What should justice require, if all these and other assaults on the people, safety, and wellbeing of people around the world are threatened because people or powers that have been repeatedly warned, begged, and given mercy insist on doing evil?

Unfortunately, it is much easier for us to see that justice requires punishment in the aforementioned examples. Yet, when this and more threatens eternal peace, in the minds of some, God is supposed to lie down and allow the universe to spiral out of control indefinitely. The blessing of all this is that our God will not allow the world to continue to be assaulted and afflicted with whatever evil plots the devil cooks up. No! God will not keep silent. He will not lie down. He will purify this earth one day, and all are welcomed to allow Him to purify our hearts, so we can be safe from His wrath, and inherit the world of bliss He has been promising for thousands of years.

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, please give us your view of justice as we learn to abandon our own. In the...